Investor Charter — Depository Participant
A safe, reliable and transparent platform to hold and transfer securities in dematerialized form — with your rights, our services & timelines, and the grievance-redressal process.
Vision
Towards making the Indian Securities Market transparent, efficient & investor-friendly — by providing a safe, reliable and trusted record-keeping platform for investors to hold and transfer securities in dematerialized form.
Mission
- Hold investors' securities in dematerialized form and facilitate transfer, ensuring safekeeping and protecting investor interest.
- Provide timely and accurate information on holdings and transfer of securities.
- Provide the highest standards of investor education, awareness and timely services.
About depositories
What a Depository & DP do
A Depository is an organization that holds investors' securities in electronic form. It serves Exchanges, Clearing Corporations, Depository Participants, Issuers and Investors across primary and secondary markets — and carries out its activities through its agents, the Depository Participants (DPs).
What we do
Services & processing timelines
| # | Basic service | Expected timeline (after proper documents) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dematerialization of securities | 7 days |
| 2 | Rematerialization of securities | 7 days |
| 3 | Mutual Fund Conversion / Destatementization | 5 days |
| 4 | Re-conversion / Restatementisation of MF units | 7 days |
| 5 | Transmission of securities | 7 days |
| 6 | Registering pledge request | 15 days |
| 7 | Closure of demat account | 30 days |
| 8 | Settlement Instruction | Physical DIS up to 4 p.m.; e-DIS up to 6 p.m. on T+1 day |
Value-added services
- Basic Services Demat Account (BSDA)
- Transposition cum dematerialization
- Linkages with the Clearing System
- Corporate benefits — bonus, rights, IPOs; stock lending
Consolidated Account Statement (CAS)
- Issued 10 days from month-end (if transactions occurred)
- Half-yearly if there were no transactions
Digital services
- E-account opening (online, video IPV)
- SPEED-e (NSDL) / easiest (CDSL) online instructions
- e-DIS / Demat Gateway with OTP & PIN
- e-CAS, SMS alerts, e-locker & chatbots
If something goes wrong
Grievance redressal mechanism
Complaint resolution process at Depositories
Complaint lodged with DP
electronic or physical mode
GRC
- Place before the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC)
- GRC hears parties & examines documents
↘No amicable resolution / not satisfied with GRC order
Arbitration
- Refer to arbitration
- Arbitral award within 4 months of appointment
↘Client not satisfied with the Arbitration award
Appellate Arbitration
- Refer to Appellate arbitration
- Award in the client's favour
↘Client not satisfied with the Appellate award
Final recourse
U/s 34 before an appropriate Court
The process escalates only if the client remains unsatisfied at each stage. Complaints lodged directly with the Depository are resolved within 30 days.
Have a Grievance?
Approach the Depository Participant (DP) where you hold your demat account.
If the grievance is not resolved, approach your Depository.
Toll-free helpline of depositories
NSDL — 1800 1020 990 / 1800 224 430
CDSL — 1800 22 5533
Stay safe
Do's & Don'ts for investors
Do's
- 01Always deal with a SEBI-registered DP for opening a demat account.
- 02Read all documents carefully before signing them.
- 03Before granting Power of Attorney, carefully examine the scope & implications.
- 04Make payments to registered intermediaries via banking channels only — never to an employee.
- 05Accept the DIS book from your DP only; fill ISIN & quantity accurately; strike blanks; initial corrections.
- 06Inform any change in personal information and obtain confirmation of the update.
- 07Mention your mobile number & email in the account opening form for SMS alerts.
- 08Ensure the mobile & email linked to your demat account match those given at opening.
- 09Keep a record of documents signed, DIS issued and statements received.
- 10Verify transaction statements for all debits/credits; report any unauthorized entry.
- 11Appoint a nominee to facilitate your heirs.
- 12Register for the depository's internet facility / mobile app to monitor holdings.
- 13Ensure holding & transaction statements are received periodically (monthly if transactions).
Don'ts
- 01Do not sign blank or partially filled DIS slips — it is equivalent to a bearer cheque.
- 02Do not leave your instruction slip (DIS) book with anyone else.
- 03Do not share the password of your online trading & demat account.
- 04Do not share OTPs received from banks, brokers, etc. — they are meant for you only.
- 05Do not share login credentials of e-facilities (e-DIS, SPEED-e / easiest).
- 06Do not follow herd mentality — seek expert, professional advice.
- 07Beware of assured / fixed-return schemes.
Empowered investors
Rights & responsibilities
Rights of investors
- ✓Receive a copy of KYC & account opening documents.
- ✓No minimum balance is required in a demat account.
- ✓No charges are payable for opening a demat account.
- ✓Receive a copy of PoA if executed — and revoke any authorization at any time.
- ✓Open more than one demat account (same name) with single / multiple DPs.
- ✓Receive periodic statements; raise discrepancies with the DP, else the Depository.
- ✓Create pledge or other encumbrance on demat holdings.
- ✓Give standing instructions for crediting of securities.
- ✓Freeze / de-freeze your demat account or specific securities.
- ✓Approach Participant / Depository / SEBI for timely grievance resolution.
- ✓Cast e-Voting on company resolutions.
- ✓Receive information on charges & fees — 30-day written notice before any increase.
Responsibilities of investors
- Deal with a SEBI-registered DP for demat, KYC & depository activities.
- Provide complete documents for account opening & KYC; fill in your own handwriting; cancel blanks.
- Read all documents & conditions before signing the account opening form.
- Accept the DIS book from the DP only; do not sign or issue blank / partial DIS.
- Mention ISIN & number of securities accurately.
- Inform any change in demat-linked information and obtain confirmation.
- Regularly verify balances & demat statements; reconcile with trades.
- Appoint nominee(s) to facilitate your heirs.
- Do not fall prey to fraudsters promising huge profits via emails / SMS.
Special circumstance — termination of a DP
If a DP no longer meets eligibility criteria or surrenders participation, the client has the right to transfer all securities to any other Participant of choice — without any transfer charges — within 30 days from the date of intimation.
Transparency
Investor complaints data
Disposal of investor complaints, published as required by the depositories & SEBI.
For any grievance, reach Estee Advisors Pvt. Ltd at investorsgrievances@esteeadvisors.com, or lodge on SEBI SCORES.