The act of transforming your physical shares and securities into digital or electronic form is known as dematerialization. The main goal is to make the process of purchasing, selling, transferring, and holding shares as simple as possible while also making it cost-effective and error-free. Instead of physical certificates, all of your securities are held in an electronic format. The Securities and Exchange Board of India, better known as SEBI, has two depositories: Central Depository Services India Limited and National Securities Depository Limited.
Why is it necessary to dematerialize
Keeping track of all the paper-based documentation might be difficult at times. Furthermore, the ever-increasing number of documents may result in the loss of an essential document. It has the potential to bring the Indian stock market and all companies affiliated with it to a halt. Furthermore, if a share is transferred, stamp duty is reduced by 0.5 percent. It saves time and money getting duplicate certificates if the original certificates are misplaced. Dematerialized shares get credits and bonuses directly into their account, with no risk of loss in transit and lower interest rates on loans linked with Demat accounts.
Dematerialization Process
The process of dematerialization begins with opening a Demat account. So, first, let's look at how to make an account.
- Choose a depository participant (DP): Depository Participants are most financial institutions and brokerage service organizations.
- Fill out the form: For opening a Demat account, you must complete an account opening form. Basic contact information is included in this section.
- Send the papers to be verified: For verification, you must send a copy of your proof of income, identification, address, current bank account, and one passport-sized image. All document copies must be appropriately authenticated.
- Sign an agreement with the DP: The rules and regulations, as well as the charges and terms and conditions of the agreement between you and the depository participant, will be included in a standardized agreement.
Dematerialisation's Advantages
- Simple and practical - A Demat account allows you to do transactions online. To complete a transaction, you do not need to be physically present at the broker's location. Furthermore, the investor may use a computer or a smartphone to access the Demat account. You may also convert your physical assets to electronic form to become the legal owner of your stock.
- Transferring Money - You may effortlessly transfer money online by connecting your Demat account to your bank account. You won't have to deal with the hassles of writing a check or manually transferring funds.
- Secure and Safe - Demat account is the most secure and safest method to conduct electronic transactions. All of the dangers associated with owning shares in physical form, such as theft, damage, and loss of share certificates, are fully avoided.
- Facility for Nominations - In the event that you are unable to access your Demat account, you may assign the ability to run your Demat account to a nominee. When you are unable to carry out transactions in your Demat account personally, you may use this feature to do so with the aid of a nominee.
- Simple to track - You may monitor your portfolio from your home, workplace, or anywhere else in the world with the aid of a Demat account. Because of the increased engagement and interest, the ability to monitor portfolio performance increases your chances of generating more money.
- Receiving Corporate Benefits - Demat accounts make it easier to receive corporate advantages such as dividends, interest, and refunds. The whole benefit amount is credited to the Demat account. Other advantages, such as stock splits, bonus shares, rights shares, and so on, are also automatically updated in the Demat account.
Multiple Functions -
You may keep debt instruments as well as shares or stocks in a Demat account. You may also use the Demat account number to buy, hold, and sell mutual fund units. In reality, you may use your Demat account to buy government bonds, exchange-traded funds, and other securities.
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