When investing directly in shares, you must shop around for a demat account. It helps to shortlist accounts that have the lowest brokerage charges. You could look for brokerages that offer discounts as well. Start trading with Kotak Neo, which has one of the lowest brokerage charges in India.

Read how to transfer shares from one Demat account to another. Know how shares can be transferred either manually or online.

Account Maintenance Charges in a demat account are fees for keeping your securities safe in electronic form, varying by the type of account and the depository participant.

As you can have different bank accounts, you can also have more than one Demat account in India. You just link your PAN with each Demat account; there is no limit to the number of Demat accounts you can link to a PAN. However, there are certain conditions you must follow if you want to have more than one Demat account.

A depository is a financial institution that holds and maintains securities (such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds) in electronic form on behalf of investors. It facilitates the trading, settlement, and safekeeping of these securities, eliminating the need for physical certificates. In many countries, depositories play a vital role in the smooth functioning of financial markets by ensuring secure and efficient transactions.

A Basic Services Demat Account (BSDA) is a simplified demat account designed for small investors. It offers reduced maintenance charges and is ideal for those holding a small number of securities. While there's no minimum balance requirement, BSDA accounts have limitations on the total value of holdings. It's a cost-effective option for beginners or investors with limited holdings.