How to Find Your Demat Account Number? 

Whenever investors open a demat account, which is used to hold and manage securities in electronic form in India, they are assigned a 16-digit unique identifier number. This number is essential for conducting transactions in the stock market, as it links the investor’s account with their securities.

This article discusses in detail how to find your Demat account number.

What is a Demat Account Number?

Before we jump into understanding what is a Demat account number, let us quickly review what is a Demat account.

A demat account, short for Dematerialised account, holds all your securities, whether it’s shares, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures, ETFs, etc., in an electronic form. It is like a consolidated digital locker for all your investments, wherein your securities are held in electronic form, instead of physical certificates.

Now, the Demat account number is a 16-digit unique number assigned to your Demat account by the Depository Participant (DP), broker or financial institution that handles your Demat account.

To put it in simpler terms, a Demat account number is like your bank account number, but for the securities you invest in. The Demat Account Number includes the DP ID along with a client-specific number.

A DP ID, short for Depository Participant ID, is the unique number assigned to your DP in the depository system. There are two Depositories in India – NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) and CDSL ( Central Depository Services Limited). You cannot open a Demat account with NSDL or CDSL directly, and instead have to go through a DP. Your DP is the link between you, the investor and your Depository.

Depending on the depository, the format of your Demat account number also varies. If your DP is with CDSL, then the 16-digit unique number is completely numeric, whereas if your DP is with NSDL, then the 16-digit Demat account is a combination of alphabets and numbers. These two formats are discussed in detail in the following sections of the article.

Note that the Demat account number is also called the Beneficiary Owner ID (BO ID), where the investor is the beneficiary owner.

What are the Two Formats of Demat Account Numbers?

Demat accounts are held with one of two central depositories – NSDL or CDSL, and each has a distinct account number format:

• NSDL Format: If your demat account is with National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), the account number is 16 characters long. It begins with the letters ‘IN’ followed by a 14-digit numeric code (e.g., IN12345678901234).
• CDSL Format: If your demat account is with Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), the account number is a 16-digit purely numeric code (e.g., 1234567890123456).
  • These formats help identify which depository holds your electronic securities.
  • The format of the Demat account number or the BO ID, discussed above, can be broken down further –
• NSDL Format: The account number of the demat account held in NSDL comes with a prefix “IN” followed by 14 digits.
  • Example – IN12345678901234
  • The first 8 digits, i.e. IN123456, are the DP ID, and the last 8 digits, i.e.78901234 are the unique client ID.
• CDSL Format: The account number of the demat account held in CDSL is a complete numeric of 16 digits.
  • Example – 1234567890123456
  • The first 8 digits, i.e 12345678, are the DP ID, and the last 8 digits, i.e. 90123456, are the unique client ID.

How to Find Your 16-Digit Demat Account Number?

Here are the various mediums to find your demat account number:

• Through Your Broker: Contact your broker or financial institution to get your Demat account number.
• Using the NSDL or CDSL Platform: Log in to the NSDL or CDSL website to view your Demat account number.
• Via PAN Card Details: Your PAN card is linked to your Demat account, so you can use it to retrieve account information.
• Checking Your Demat Account Statement: Your statement will have your Demat account number listed.
• Accessing Your Online Demat Account: If you have online access, simply log in to your Demat account to find the number.

How to Find the Demat Account Number from the PAN Card?

Although your PAN (Permanent Account Number) card is a crucial document linked to your demat account, you cannot find the demat account number by searching for it online using your PAN alone.

However, your PAN details are one of the most crucial pieces of information when it comes to verifying your identity with your DP as well as the Depository. As your PAN details are connected to your Demat account, in case you have lost or misplaced your Demat Account Number or BO ID, your DP, i.e. broker or intermediary financial institution, can retrieve the same once they have verified your identity, which essentially requires your PAN card details.

How to Keep Your Demat Account Number Secure?

Here are some essential points you should take into consideration to keep your demat account number safe –

• Never Share Your Demat Account Number Publicly: Your demat account number is sensitive information, so avoid sharing it on public forums or with unverified individuals to ensure your account remains secure.
• Use Two-Factor Authentication for Online Accounts: Most demat accounts offer two-factor authentication, allowing you to verify your login through an OTP or similar method. Activating this feature adds an extra layer of security to your account.
• Regularly Monitor Your Account Activity: Monitor the share trading activities in your demat account. If you notice any discrepancies or unauthorised transactions, contact your depository participant immediately for assistance.
• Beware of Phishing: Be cautious of suspicious emails or messages asking for your demat account details. Verify the source before providing any information.
• Update Contact Information: Ensure your mobile number and email address are always updated with your DP so you receive timely alerts about your account.

Conclusion

Knowing your Demat account number is key to managing your investments smoothly. Understand its format, how it differs from a DP ID, and the ways to retrieve it if needed.

Keep your account secure by using two-factor authentication, monitoring activity regularly, and avoiding sharing sensitive details publicly.

Finally, choosing the correct depository participant ensures better service, security, and ease of access for your investments.

Disclaimer: This content is only for educational/ informational purposes. It does not make any recommendation to act or invest.