You need your PAN card, a proof of address (usually Aadhaar), proof of a bank account, a photograph and your signature. If you want to trade futures and options, you’ll also need income proof.
Here’s the typical checklist:
- PAN card: compulsory. Your PAN is the key identifier for all securities transactions.
- Address proof: Aadhaar is the most common. Passport, voter ID or driving licence can work too.
- Bank proof: a cancelled cheque or recent bank statement showing your name, account number and IFSC.
- Photograph and signature: often captured digitally during online sign-up.
- Income proof (for F&O): salary slip, ITR acknowledgement, bank statement or similar.
Most brokers also do an in-person or video verification, and you e-sign the forms.
A common hiccup: the name on your PAN doesn’t match the name on your Aadhaar or bank account, maybe a missing middle name or different spelling. That mismatch can hold up your application for days. Fix it beforehand.
Also keep your mobile number and email linked to Aadhaar active, because OTPs go there during the process.
Account opening is one of the practical steps we help students with in our Diploma in Stock Market.