The six documents
Every item on this list is requested for a reason, and four of the six are pulled digitally. Here is the full list, why each one is asked for, and the failure mode to watch.
| Document | Why it is asked | Common rejection reason |
|---|---|---|
| PAN card | Tax identity; the account is reported against it | Name on PAN differs from Aadhaar |
| Aadhaar (mobile-linked) | e-KYC pulls your identity and address | Mobile number not linked to Aadhaar |
| Bank proof (cancelled cheque, passbook or statement) | Verifies the account funds will move through | Name mismatch with PAN |
| Photograph | Recorded against the account | Blurry, cropped, or sunglasses |
| Signature | Matches future instructions to your identity | Differs from the bank signature on file |
| Income proof | Not for basic accounts. Required only for F&O, commodities and margin | Outdated slip when it is requested |
What you do not need
Half of the “required documents” lists online are wrong. You do not need any of these for a standard account:
| Not needed | When it might be asked |
|---|---|
| Salary slips or ITR | Only for F&O, commodities, or margin approvals |
| Driving licence or passport | Useful as secondary ID offline, but Aadhaar covers KYC |
| Employment proof | Never, for a basic account |
| Minimum deposit | There is no funding requirement at opening |
Minor and NRI accounts
For a minor (under 18)
A minor cannot operate the account, so the documents belong to both people: the minor's PAN and Aadhaar (a PAN can be issued at any age), the guardian's PAN, Aadhaar and bank proof, plus the birth certificate. The account converts to the child's sole control at 18, with a fresh KYC.
For an NRI
The list changes: passport with a valid visa, overseas address proof, Indian address proof, a photograph, and NRE or NRO bank details. A resident account cannot simply continue after you move abroad — it must be converted within the window FEMA allows. Full details are on the NRI Demat account page.
What people usually get wrong
More documents means a better account
The document list is set by regulation, not by the broker. A longer list usually means an add-on product.
A joint bank account requires a joint Demat account
The Demat account can be single-holder even if the linked bank account is joint, as long as you are the first holder.
Uploading wrong documents gets you blacklisted
Rejections are routine and fixable. Correct the record and reapply with the same broker.