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Indian stock exchanges have registered steady growth in the number of investors in the past few years. Considering that there is a rise in the number of new investors, various brokerage houses have entered the market, offering an array of services. It has created a wide disparity in the charges as they all try to gain a competitive advantage.
Process of opening a Demat account to the various fees associated with it, types of stockbrokers, and how to choose the best broking house. After setting up a Demat Account, consider Demat Account charges.
Key Takeaways
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Demat account charges include opening fees, annual maintenance charges (AMC), transaction fees and statutory levies, which vary across brokers.
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Investors must compare full-service and discount brokers based on services, cost structure and support to choose the right DP.
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Understanding AMC, custodian fees and transaction charges helps investors accurately assess long-term costs and maximise net returns.
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Angel One offers free account opening and zero AMC for the first year, with a transparent quarterly AMC structure from the second year onward.
The Demat Charges
Demat Account Opening Fees: Nowadays, the Demat Account opening charges levied by the DPs are nominal. Banks may also provide it completely for free if you set up a 3-in-1 account with them, i.e. a savings bank account, a trading account and a Demat Account. Additionally, most private broking firms like Angel One have no account opening fees and provide a seamless account opening experience for you via their online trading platform.
Nevertheless, if any additional costs are involved, such as stamp duty, GST, and other statutory levies by SEBI, they will be charged as applicable. Therefore, you must always compare the various DPs and their Demat Account opening charges and choose the best one.
Read more here to learn about the How to Open a Demat Account?.
Full Service vs Discount Broker
Choosing between a full-service broker and a discount broker depends on the level of guidance an investor requires and the cost they are willing to bear. Angel One operates on a technology-led discount broking model that offers low brokerage, efficient trade execution and research tools, making it suitable for both beginners and active traders.
Full-service brokers typically provide personalised advisory and comprehensive financial services at higher fees, while discount brokers focus on affordability and independent investing.
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Feature |
Discount Broker |
Full Service Broker |
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Primary Services |
Trade execution, basic tools |
Advisory, research reports, portfolio support |
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Fee Structure |
Low, flat-rate brokerage |
Higher fees linked to service and trade value |
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Investor Type |
Self-directed and cost-conscious investors |
Investors seeking expert guidance and long-term planning |
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Platform Accessibility |
Online platforms and mobile apps |
Digital access plus branch networks or relationship managers |
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Customer Support |
Standard support through digital channels |
Personalised, multi-channel assistance |
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Range of Products |
Focus on equity, F&O and basic investment options |
Wider range including wealth management and structured products |
This table enables investors to quickly assess which broking model aligns better with their trading style and service expectations.
Angel One Charges
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Angel One Charges |
Charges |
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Account Opening Fees |
Free |
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Brokerage on Delivery Trade |
Lower of ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order, minimum ₹5 |
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Account Maintenance Charges |
For BSDA (Basic Services Demat Account) Clients: * Value of holdings in Demat account upto ₹4 Lakh - NIL * Value of holdings in Demat account between ₹4 Lakh to ₹10 Lakh - ₹100 + GST / Year For non-BSDA clients: ₹60 + GST per quarter (Charged after your first trade each quarter) |
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DP Charges |
Equity ISINs: ₹20 + GST Male - ₹3.5 (CDSL) + ₹16.5 (Angel One Charge) Female - ₹3.25 (CDSL) + ₹16.75 (Angel One Charge) CDSL Amendment Charges SEBI Circular |
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Pledge Creation / Closure |
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Dematerialization |
₹50 Per Certificate |
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Remat |
₹50 Per Certificate + Actual CDSL Charges |
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Call & Trade / Offline Trade |
Additional Charges Of ₹20 / Order |
The above-mentioned prices are subject to change. For the latest pricing information, always refer to the pricing page before making decisions.
While several brokers, financial institutions, banks and broking firms offering a free Demat Account to their customers, certain charges are levied on the customer at a later stage or after some time depending on the various options provided. It is essential for you to know all about the Demat Account charges. You can choose any broking firm, financial institution or bank who is an authorised DP with either NSDL or CDSL and is registered with SEBI. Each one of these companies comes with their brokerage demat account charges.
Demat Account Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC)
Annual Maintenance Charges are recurring fees paid to the Depository Participant for maintaining your Demat account. These form an essential part of overall demat account charges, and investors should understand them to assess long-term costs. While some brokers reduce AMC through subscription-based packs, Angel One follows a transparent and simple structure without add-on fees.
AMC Structure Comparison
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Broker / Plan |
AMC (Annual / Quarterly) |
Notes |
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Angel One |
₹0 for first year |
AMC waived in Year 1 |
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₹60 + GST per quarter |
Applicable from Year 2 onwards |
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Angel One BSDA (Holdings ≤ ₹4 lakh) |
₹0 |
No AMC for small portfolios |
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Angel One BSDA (₹4–10 lakh holdings) |
₹100 + GST per year |
As per BSDA rules |
Demat Account Custodian Fees
DPs either charge a one-time fee, annually or unless specified. Most of the time, this fee is paid directly by the company to the depository, which is either NDSL or CDSL. The majority of the broking companies, like Angel One, waive off the custody fees.
Demat Account Transaction Fees
The transaction fee is also known as Demat Account brokerage charges, are charged for every transaction completed by the DP. Some DPs charge a percentage of the value of the transaction, while others charge a flat fee per transaction. There are other Demat Account charges like credit charges, rejected instruction charges, various taxes and cess, delayed payment fees and so on. When you are in process of selecting a DP for your investor purpose, do make sure to have a look at all the charges that are levied to your Demat Account.
Conclusion
Opening a Demat Account attracts several charges. It is imperative to learn the various charges applied to Demat trading because it will impact your earnings from the investment. New entrants in the market may charge less than established stockbrokers to win over investors. However, finding a trusted broker with a track record is more important than finding the cheapest one when it comes to stock market investment.