Demat vs trading account — two different things
A demat account (with a depository — NSDL in PCJ’s case) holds your shares, ETFs and bonds in electronic form, like a bank account holds money. A trading account (with your broker) is what you use to place buy/sell orders on the exchange. Money moves from your bank → trading account → exchange, and securities land in your demat account.
At PCJ you get all three linked together: bank ↔ trading ↔ demat, operated from one login on PCJ Invest.
Documents you need
- PAN card — mandatory for all securities-market accounts.
- Aadhaar linked to your mobile number — for OTP-based eKYC and e-sign.
- Bank proof — cancelled cheque or statement (your payout account).
- Income proof for F&O activation — salary slip, ITR, 6-month bank statement or net-worth certificate.
- A photo/scan of your signature.
The 100% online process at PCJ
Open ekyc.pcjholdings.in, enter your PAN and mobile, verify with OTP, fill your details, upload documents, complete in-person-verification by a short selfie video, and e-sign with Aadhaar OTP. Add your nominee (strongly recommended — it makes transmission to your family simple). Most accounts activate within 24–48 working hours.
After activation you receive your Unique Client Code (UCC), demat (BO) ID and login credentials. Never share your password or OTPs — not even with PCJ staff.
Charges & rights
Account opening at PCJ is free; annual maintenance (AMC) and transaction charges follow your tariff sheet — see the Charges page. You have the right to receive a copy of all executed documents, the MITC, contract notes within 24 hours of trades, and periodic statements of account. There is no minimum balance requirement in a demat account.
Key terms
DDPI
Demat Debit & Pledge Instruction — an optional, limited authority that lets the broker debit shares you SOLD for pay-in. It replaced broad PoAs and can be revoked anytime.
BSDA
Basic Services Demat Account — a low-cost demat for small holders (reduced AMC below prescribed holding values).
Nominee
The person entitled to your securities on your demise. Adding one takes a minute during account opening.
UCC
Unique Client Code — your identity with the exchange for every order you place.
Test yourself
1. Which account actually holds your shares?
The demat account with the depository (NSDL) holds securities; the trading account places orders.
2. DDPI is…
DDPI is optional and limited to settlement-related debits.
3. KYC in securities markets is…
Once done with any SEBI-registered intermediary, it applies across the market.
FAQs
Usually 24–48 working hours after successful eKYC and e-sign.
Yes, with the same or different DPs — but each has its own AMC, so most investors consolidate.
eKYC uses UIDAI’s OTP framework; PCJ never sees your biometrics and stores documents as per SEBI record-keeping norms. See our Privacy Policy.
A Demat (dematerialised) account holds your shares, bonds, ETFs and other securities in electronic form, just like a bank account holds money. When you buy shares they are credited to it, and when you sell they are debited from it. PCJ opens your demat account with NSDL, India's first and largest depository.
The trading account is what you use to buy and sell on the exchange, while the demat account is where your securities are stored after the trade settles. They work as a pair: money and orders flow through the trading account, and shares rest in the demat account. PCJ opens both together in one application.
CAS stands for Consolidated Account Statement. It is a single monthly statement that shows all your holdings across NSDL, CDSL and your mutual funds in one place. It reaches you by email and is the easiest way to review everything you own, even if you have accounts with more than one broker.
Yes, and you should. Adding a nominee means your investments can be transmitted smoothly to your loved ones without lengthy paperwork. SEBI requires every demat account holder to either register a nominee or formally opt out. You can add or change a nominee online in a few minutes — ask your RM for the link.
Physical share certificates can no longer be sold or transferred — SEBI requires them to be dematerialised first. The process involves submitting a Demat Request Form along with your certificates through your depository participant. PCJ handles this end to end; see our Physical to Demat page for the steps and documents.
Opening an account with PCJ is 100% online and paperless. Keep your PAN card, Aadhaar (linked to your mobile number) and a cancelled cheque or bank statement ready. Fill the eKYC form at ekyc.pcjholdings.in, upload the documents, complete a quick selfie verification and e-sign with your Aadhaar OTP. The whole process takes about 15 minutes, and your account is usually activated within 24 to 48 working hours. A dedicated Relationship Manager is assigned to help you from day one.
You need just three things: your PAN card, your Aadhaar card linked to your mobile number (for OTP-based e-sign), and a bank proof such as a cancelled cheque or a recent bank statement. If you want to trade in futures and options, commodities or currency, you may also need an income proof such as a salary slip, bank statement of the last six months, or your latest ITR acknowledgement — this is a SEBI requirement for derivative segments.
Please see our Pricing page for the current account opening and annual maintenance charges — we keep the schedule transparent and updated there. Your Relationship Manager will also explain every charge before you begin, so there are no surprises later.
Yes, Non-Resident Indians can invest in Indian markets through the proper NRI route, which needs an NRE or NRO bank account and a few extra documents such as your passport and overseas address proof. The process has more steps than a resident account, so the easiest way is to request a call back — our team will guide you end to end.
Yes. You can open a new account with PCJ and transfer your existing holdings from your old broker. Shares move from demat to demat without selling, so there is no tax event on the transfer itself. Our team helps you with the closure-cum-transfer form of your old depository participant so the shift is smooth.
Yes. PCJ Holdings is a SEBI-registered stock broker and a depository participant with NSDL, and a member of NSE, BSE and MCX since 2006. Your shares are not held by us — they sit in your own demat account with the depository (NSDL) in your name. Your funds are kept in client bank accounts that are separate from the company's own money, as SEBI rules require. Exchanges also run regular inspections of every member broker.
Your shares always remain in your own demat account at the depository, in your name — a broker cannot spend or lose them. Even in the unlikely event of a broker shutting down, your holdings stay with NSDL and can be moved to any other depository participant. This separation of assets is exactly why SEBI created the depository system.
Educational content for general awareness only — not investment, trading or tax advice. Investments in securities market are subject to market risks; read all related documents carefully. Figures/rates are indicative for FY 2025-26 and may change.