November 19, 2025
What is Ledger Balance in a Demat Account
Know what ledger balance in a Demat account, how it differs from available balance, how T+1 settlement works, and tips to avoid negative balances.
4 easy steps to Demat account opening
Instantly register with Choice (SEBI-registered broker) via OTP verification
Upload PAN, Aadhaar, & banking details with e-Sign verification & trading preference
Complete Aadhaar authentication & receive account linked to your trading platform
Access FinX app to trade in stocks, mutual funds, & IPOs
Invest in a wide range of financial products with Choice Demat account
Understand how a Demat account simplifies your investment journey

A Demat account, short for Dematerialised account, serves as your secure digital repository for holding securities like shares, bonds, mutual funds, and government securities in electronic format. Consider it your personal investment locker that eliminates the hassle of physical share certificates while enabling seamless participation in India's capital markets.
When you open a demat account, you gain access to a sophisticated system that automatically stores your purchased securities electronically. Every transaction you make gets instantly reflected in your account, whether you're buying blue-chip stocks or investing in mutual funds through SIP.
Today, the demat account opening process has become digital, allowing investors to start their investment journey within minutes. The account connects directly with stock exchanges through your broker, ensuring real-time updates and transparent portfolio management for informed decision-making.
A demat account functions through a robust three-tier system involving you as the investor, your Depository Participant (DP), and the Central Depository. When you open demat account online, your DP acts as the intermediary connecting you to either NSDL or CDSL, India's two central depositories.
The process begins when you place a buy order through your trading platform. Once executed, securities get automatically credited to your demat account online within the T+1 settlement cycle. Your DP maintains detailed records of all holdings, transactions, and corporate actions while ensuring SEBI compliance and regulatory oversight.
For selling securities, the system debits shares from your account upon order execution, with sale proceeds credited to your linked bank account. This seamless integration between trading and demat accounts enables efficient portfolio management, automatic dividend collection, and instant access to corporate benefits, such as bonus shares and rights issues.
A Demat account offers comprehensive features designed for investors across all experience levels. These include:
Other features include pledge facilities for margin trading, SIP capabilities, and direct IPO application services. Multi-segment access for trading across equity cash markets, derivatives, and commodities markets from a single integrated platform like Choice FinX, increasing investment flexibility and convenience.
Open a demat account to transform your investment experience with multiple advantages designed for today’s investors:
A demat account grants access to comprehensive portfolio analytics, automated actions, expert analysis and reports, and premium investment tools.
A demat account provides immediate access to India's dynamic capital markets with unparalleled convenience and efficiency:
Demat account services provide advanced analytical tools for performance tracking, while systematic investment facilities enable disciplined wealth creation through automated, recurring investments across multiple asset classes.
Mandatory Documents:
Additional Requirements:
A demat account serves distinctly different purposes compared to traditional financial accounts:
The clear distinction between liquid cash holdings and long-term investment securities helps maintain organized financial management while optimizing returns across different asset categories and risk profiles.
Free demat account opening typically involves waived annual maintenance charges for specific periods or account value thresholds:
Free Demat Account Benefits:
Paid Demat Account Advantages:
Free demat account online services have evolved to match paid alternatives in functionality for investors. Your decision should consider the total cost of ownership, service requirements, and investment strategy alignment rather than focusing solely on upfront charges.
Modern demat account opening online provides comprehensive facilities designed for diverse investment needs:
Trading and Investment Access:
Portfolio Management Tools:
Demat account online services include pledge facilities for margin enhancement, loan against securities options, and electronic gift transfers for family wealth planning. Mobile applications ensure convenient access across all devices with secure authentication and real-time market connectivity.
Individual Investors:
Specialized Categories:
Open a demat account to participate in India's thriving capital markets, as regulatory requirements mandate electronic holding for all securities transactions:
Regulatory Compliance:
Investment Opportunities:
Individual Account Categories:
Family & Joint Accounts:
Specialized Categories:
Understanding essential terminology improves your demat account online experience and investment decision-making:
Core Terms:
Operational Terms:
Account Management:
Choice offers various types of demat accounts to suit your needs
Don’t take our word for it — hear directly from our users
To open a free demat account, you must be:
Yes, you have two options:
Our customer support team can guide you through the process. Depending on your previous broker's policies, please note that charges might be associated with closing your old demat account.