How to Transfer Shares from One Demat Account to Another?
- Steps to Transfer Shares Online from One Demat Account to Another
- How to Transfer Shares Manually via Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS)?
- SEBI Guidelines on Demat Account Transfer
- Final Words
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has reported that there are more than 21 crore demat accounts held by 13.6 crore investors by the end of 2025. Interesting, isn’t it?
This indicates India’s rapid retail investing resolution and a quest of investors to seek different discount brokers and lower maintenance charges. You can either shift your stock portfolio via depository portals or manually.
But the real question is: how to transfer shares from one demat account to another? Continue reading to get the answer!
Key Takeaways
• SEBI has reported more than 21 crore Demat accounts held by 13.6 crore investors by the end of 2025. The source links this growth to investors looking for different discount brokers and lower maintenance charges, which often means moving shares from one account to another.
• There are two ways to move shares. One is online through the depository portals, SPEED-e for NSDL and EASI/EASIEST for CDSL. The other is offline, using a Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS).
• An NSDL to CDSL transfer starts with registering on the NSDL e-Services portal under SPEED-e and choosing the Smart Card option. After the DP verifies the form and documents, the investor gets a user ID, a Smart Card kit, a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and a PIN, and then moves the securities through the inter-depository module.
• The source calls this inter-depository route complicated, and adds that charges and fees can be expensive when shares go from NSDL to CDSL.
• CDSL to CDSL transfers run on the EASIEST portal. The investor goes to Transaction, then Setup, then Bulk Setup, enters the transaction and securities details, clicks Verify and Commit, and finishes with the PIN. CDSL takes 1 to 2 days to verify the registration details before emailing the PIN and password.
• For CDSL to NSDL, the investor registers on EASIEST with the CDSL BO ID and opens BO Linking Setup. The 16-digit target BO ID and PAN go in next, followed by authentication through a link emailed by CDSL. The transfer is completed with an OTP and Digital Signature, and CDSL charges no fee when the shares are moving to the investor's own account.
• The offline route is described as the easier one. The investor informs the broker, collects an inter-depository DIS, fills in the date, client ID, receiver details and securities details, signs it and submits it directly to the DP.
• A DIS works much like a cheque for a Demat account and should be kept carefully. Only 4 ISINs can go on one slip, so larger transfers need multiple slips, and the signature must match the one recorded in the Demat account.
• SEBI guidelines require ownership patterns to match, and every transfer to be fully authorised, traceable and secure. An account closure form and the Client Master List (CML) of the target account must go to the DP. Ignoring these rules can lead to suspension of trading, monetary penalties, potential legal prosecution and freezing of assets.
• When an account is being closed, the DP moves all securities to the specified Demat account and then shuts the old one. Most DPs do not charge a transfer fee if the new account has the same ownership and pattern, though other transfers may be charged as per the DP's schedule.
More Articles to Explore
- Difference between NSDL and CDSL
- Lowest brokerage charges in India for online trading
- How to find your demat account number using PAN card
- What are bonus shares and how do they work?
- What is Demat Account?
- What is BO ID?
- Open demat account without a PAN card - a complete guide
- What are DP charges?
- What is DP ID in a demat account
- How to transfer money from demat account to bank account
Disclaimer: Investment in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. For detailed disclaimer please Click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Investors can submit an account closure request to their Depository Participant (DP). The DP transfers all the securities from the DP account to the specified demat account and closes the existing DP account accordingly as instructed.
Yes. Authorised account holders have access to online facilities from both NSDL and CDSL, namely, SPEED-e and EASI/EASIEST. These facilities make it possible for investors to start and trigger share transfers electronically.
A Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) operates similarly to a cheque for your demat account. It is used by investors to authorise transfers of shares, and they are expected to complete, sign and carefully keep it.
In most cases, DPs will not charge a transfer fee when you transfer all securities to a new account that has the same ownership and pattern. There might be charges applicable to other transfers as per the schedule of the DP.