How to Open a Demat Account in Zerodha

Zerodha is India's largest stock broker by active clients, trusted by over 1.2 crore investors. Opening a Demat + Trading account with Zerodha (called a Kite account) is fully online and paperless. The entire process takes about 15–20 minutes, and your account is typically activated within 24 to 48 hours on working days.

Before You Begin

Documents You'll Need

🪪

PAN Card

Mandatory for all investment accounts in India

📋

Aadhaar Card

For e-KYC verification via OTP

🏦

Bank Account

Active savings account with IFSC code

📷

Signature

Clear photo of your signature on white paper

🤳

Webcam / Camera

For in-person verification (IPV) selfie

📱

Mobile Number

Linked to Aadhaar for OTP verification

Step by Step

Opening Your Zerodha Demat Account

Visit the Zerodha Website

Open your browser and go to zerodha.com. On the homepage, click the prominent "Sign up" or "Open an account" button. You will be redirected to the account opening portal.

💡 Always use the official Zerodha website. Avoid clicking links from third-party sources or social media ads to protect yourself from phishing.

Enter Your Mobile Number

Enter your active mobile number — the same one linked to your Aadhaar. Zerodha will send a 6-digit OTP to verify your number. Enter the OTP within the allotted time to proceed.

Use the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar
Check SMS inbox for the OTP (valid for 10 minutes)
Avoid using virtual or VoIP numbers

Enter Your PAN Card Details

Type your 10-digit PAN number exactly as printed on your card. Zerodha will verify it against NSDL records. You will also need to enter your date of birth (as per PAN records) and confirm that your PAN is active.

⚠️ Your name as per PAN must match your bank account name. A mismatch can cause delays in verification.

Pay the Account Opening Fee

Zerodha charges a one-time fee for account creation. Currently, this is ₹200 for equity + commodities accounts. Pay via UPI, net banking, or debit card. This payment activates your application slot.

Equity + Commodity account: ₹200 (one-time)
Payment confirmation is sent via email and SMS
Keep the transaction ID for your records

Aadhaar-Based e-KYC Verification

Complete KYC electronically using your Aadhaar number. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number. Zerodha sends an OTP to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar (via UIDAI). Enter this OTP to validate your identity.

Ensure your Aadhaar is linked to your mobile number
OTP arrives from UIDAI (not Zerodha)
This step confirms your name, address, and DOB automatically

🔐 Aadhaar e-KYC is fully secure and encrypted. Zerodha does not store your Aadhaar number — only the verified data is used.

Fill in Personal & Financial Details

Complete the application form with additional information that Zerodha requires for regulatory compliance (SEBI & PMLA norms).

Father's / Spouse's name
Marital status, annual income range
Trading experience and purpose
Nominee details (optional but recommended)
Segment selection: Equity, F&O, Currency, Commodity

Link Your Bank Account

Provide your bank account number, IFSC code, and account type (savings/current). Zerodha verifies this via a penny drop (a small credit of ₹1 or less to your account to confirm ownership). Ensure you are the primary account holder.

Only primary account holder's accounts are accepted
Joint accounts may require additional documentation
Have your bank passbook or statement ready for IFSC

💡 Your bank account name must match your PAN and Aadhaar name. Even minor spelling differences can lead to rejection.

Upload Your Signature

Sign on a clean white paper and take a clear photograph or scan of it. Upload this image in JPG or PNG format (file size usually under 2MB). The signature is used on your account documents and must be consistent.

Use black or blue pen for clearest results
No background clutter — plain white paper only
Ensure the signature is not cut off at the edges

Complete In-Person Verification (IPV)

SEBI mandates an In-Person Verification for all new accounts. Zerodha does this via a live webcam/selfie step. You may be asked to show a unique code on screen or do a short video recording to confirm you are a live person.

Ensure good lighting — sit facing a light source
Use a laptop or desktop with a webcam for best results
Alternatively, the Zerodha app can complete this on your phone
Hold the paper with the provided code clearly in the frame

📸 IPV cannot be completed in dim lighting. If it fails, you can retry — there is no penalty for multiple attempts.

e-Sign the Application via Aadhaar

The final step is electronically signing your account opening documents. Zerodha uses DigiLocker / NSDL e-Sign for this. You will be redirected to an e-sign gateway, where another Aadhaar OTP verifies and digitally signs all documents on your behalf.

Review the documents before signing
Enter your Aadhaar and authenticate with OTP
A PDF copy of your signed documents is sent to your email
Account activation takes 24–48 hours after this step

✅ Once e-signed, you'll receive a confirmation email with your Client ID (starts with ZE). This ID is your Zerodha login username. Download the Kite app and log in!

Fee Structure

Zerodha Charges at a Glance

Charge	Amount	Notes
Account Opening Fee	₹200	One-time, non-refundable
Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC)	₹300/year	Charged by CDSL (Demat custodian)
Equity Delivery Brokerage	₹0	Free for delivery trades
Intraday / F&O Brokerage	₹20 or 0.03%	Whichever is lower, per executed order
DP Charges (Sell Delivery)	₹13.5 + GST	Per script per day when selling from Demat
Account Closure Fee	₹0	Free account closure

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to open a Zerodha account?

The online process takes about 15–20 minutes. After e-signing, your account is typically activated within 24–48 hours on business days. You'll receive your Client ID via email once ready.

Can I open an account without Aadhaar?

Aadhaar is required for e-KYC and e-Sign in the fully online process. If your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar, you may need to complete a manual KYC process by sending physical documents — which takes longer.

Is it safe to open a Zerodha account online?

Yes. Zerodha is a SEBI-registered broker regulated by SEBI, NSE, BSE, MCX, and CDSL/NSDL. The entire process uses bank-grade encryption and UIDAI's secure OTP system. Zerodha does not store your Aadhaar number.

Can a minor open a Zerodha Demat account?

Yes, minors can open a Demat account through a guardian (parent or natural guardian). The account will be managed by the guardian until the minor turns 18, after which it needs to be converted to a regular account.

What segments should I activate?

For beginners, activating Equity (stocks, mutual funds, ETFs) is sufficient. If you plan to trade derivatives, also activate F&O. Currency and Commodity segments can be added later from your Zerodha console anytime.

Can I open a joint Demat account with Zerodha?

Zerodha currently does not support joint Demat accounts through its online process. Each individual must open a separate account. For joint account requirements, you would need to contact Zerodha's support directly.

Ready to Start Investing?

Your Demat account is the gateway to stocks, ETFs, IPOs, bonds, and more. The process is fast, fully online, and free of any hidden charges.

Open Account at Zerodha →