How to Read a Demat Account Statement

A Demat account statement is an official report that outlines the securities you hold and the movements recorded in your account. It is issued by your depository, NSDL or CDSL, through your Depository Participant (DP) and serves as a consolidated record of all credits, debits, and balances linked to your holdings.

This article explains the Demat account statement meaning and offers clarity on the Demat report definition, presenting a structured view of transactions, security details, and quantities held. It functions as a reference point to understand your Demat activity and helps ensure that the information reflected in your account aligns with the records maintained by the depository.

Demat account holders typically receive two main types of statements from their depository participant. Each serves a different purpose and helps investors stay informed about their investments and trading activities:

Transaction Statement

A transaction statement captures all movements—both inflows and outflows—within your demat account over a defined period. It works similarly to a bank statement but for your securities. The statement provides detailed information such as:

• Date of Transaction: The exact date when the buy or sell order was executed.
• Type of Transaction: Indicates whether the activity was a purchase, sale, transfer, pledge, or any other change in the holding status.
• Security Name and ISIN: Identifies the specific stock or security and its unique International Securities Identification Number.
• Quantity: Number of shares or units transacted.
• DP ID and Client ID: Unique identifiers of the account holder with the depository participant.
• Remarks/Status: Describes the status of the transaction (e.g., settled, pending).
  

This statement is especially useful for tracking portfolio activity and validating transactions made through your trading account. It can be generated on a monthly basis or even more frequently, depending on the depository's schedule or investor's request.

Holding Statement

The holding statement acts as a status report of your securities at a specific point in time. Unlike the transaction statement, which captures activity, the holding statement provides a snapshot of what you currently own. Key components include:

• List of Securities Held: Including equity shares, bonds, mutual funds, and other dematerialised instruments.
• Quantity Available: Total number of units or shares held as of the statement date.
• Free vs. Locked-in Holdings: Specifies if the securities are freely tradable or under lock-in (e.g., due to IPO allotment conditions or ESOPs).
• Market Value: An indicative value of your holdings based on the prevailing market rates.
• ISIN and Security Description: Assures clarity on each listed asset.
  

Holding statements help investors assess the overall composition of their investment portfolio and understand their asset allocation at a glance.

Frequency and Access

These statements can be accessed:

• Monthly or Quarterly: As per SEBI-mandated reporting timelines or depending on transaction activity.
• On-Demand: Through the depository’s portal or your stockbroker’s platform at any time.

Reviewing both these statements regularly ensures that you are aware of all activity in your demat account and your current investment position. It also helps in reconciling records, identifying errors, and maintaining control over your financial assets.

A Demat statement is organised into distinct fields, each offering clarity on the securities recorded in your account and the activities associated with them. These elements collectively present a structured view of your holdings and recent movements.

Sample Table for Illustration

This table helps visualise how your transaction entries may appear.

ISIN (International Securities Identification Number):

A 12-digit code assigned to every security, ensuring precise identification.

Security Name:

The name of the company or instrument associated with the security.

Quantity Held:

The total number of units or shares reflected in your account on the statement date.

Transaction Date:

The exact date on which a particular credit or debit took place.

Type (Credit/Debit):

Indicates whether securities entered the account (credit) or moved out of it (debit).

DP ID & Client ID:

Unique identifiers that specify the Depository Participant and the individual account holder.

Folio Number:

A reference used for tracking holdings linked to specific securities, especially in cases involving mutual funds or certain corporate actions.

Together, these components form the basis of the statement’s structure and enable clear interpretation of recorded activity.

Demat account statements can be viewed through the respective portals of NSDL or CDSL, depending on which depository your account is linked to. Both platforms provide secure access to transaction and holding reports.

Via NSDL

• Visit https://eservices.nsdl.com/

• Register using your DP ID, Client ID, PAN and other KYC details

• Log in and navigate to "Transaction/Holding Statement"

• Select the date range and download your report

Via CDSL

• Go to https://www.cdslindia.com/

• Register for ‘Easi’ services with your BO ID and PAN

• After authentication, view and download your statement

These digital platforms offer multiple access points like web dashboards, email statements, or app-based services which keep account information readily available.

An NSDL Demat statement presents a structured overview of your securities, showing details such as the DP ID, ISIN, quantity held, and the transaction summary for the selected period. This NSDL Demat statement format groups information clearly, making it easier to interpret changes in your holdings and understand how each transaction has been recorded.

Key elements in an NSDL statement explained:

• ISIN (International Securities Identification Number): A unique code that identifies each security.

• Quantity Balance: Shows the number of units currently credited to your Demat account.

• Debit/Credit Entries: Indicate whether securities were added or removed due to trades or transfers.

• Pledge Status: Highlights if any shares are pledged as collateral.

• Free Balance: Reflects the number of units available for trading or transfer.

• DP Details: Provide information about the Depository Participant managing the account.

The format helps maintain clarity around security movements and provides a consistent reference when comparing account activity across different reporting platforms.

The CDSL Demat statement presents your holdings and transactions in a format that differs slightly from NSDL, though the core information remains the same. It typically displays transaction dates, ISINs, security names, transaction types, and the balances available in your account. The layout also distinguishes between free holdings, locked-in units, and any securities placed under pledge, making it easier to interpret the movement of shares.

Standard Fields in a Demat Account Statement

• BO ID: Beneficiary Owner Identification Number assigned for CDSL accounts

• ISIN: International Securities Identification Number for each security

• Pledge: Securities marked as collateral

• Free Balance: Units available for trading or transfer

• DP: Depository Participant managing the account

Understanding the structure of a CDSL statement also helps when comparing formats in a CDSL vs NSDL statement review, since both follow their own presentation styles while conveying similar details.

Demat statements often feature short technical codes that serve as identifiers for accounts, securities, and transactions. Understanding these terms helps you interpret the information displayed across NSDL and CDSL formats with clarity.

DP ID (Depository Participant ID):

A number that identifies the DP through which your demat account is maintained.

Client ID / BO ID (Beneficial Owner ID):

A unique number assigned to the individual or entity holding the demat account; when combined with the DP ID, it forms the complete account number.

CM BP ID (Clearing Member Beneficiary Pool ID):

Used to identify the clearing member’s pool account where securities move temporarily during settlement.

Pledge / Unpledge:

Indicates whether securities have been marked as collateral or released from pledge.

Knowing what these abbreviations represent helps you read your demat statement accurately and follow the movement of securities recorded in your account.

Going through your demat account statements from time to time helps ensure that every transaction reflected in your account aligns with your trading activity. It also allows you to keep track of updates such as dividends, bonuses, pledges, or releases recorded by the depository. 

Any mismatch between your trades and the entries in the statement becomes easier to identify when statements are reviewed consistently, supporting clear and well-documented investment records.

Errors in a demat statement may appear as incorrect quantities, unfamiliar transactions, or mismatched dates. When such discrepancies are noticed, you can:

• Contact your DP immediately

• Provide your Client ID, DP ID, and a copy of the erroneous statement

• Keep written records of communication

• Escalate the matter to NSDL or CDSL if unresolved

A Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) gives a unified view of all demat and mutual fund holdings linked to your PAN across NSDL and CDSL. Here’s how to understand it:

1. View the Summary Section:

Shows total holdings, recent transactions, and valuation across all associated accounts.

2. Check Demat Holdings:

Lists equity shares, bonds, ETFs, and other securities along with quantities and ISIN details.

3. Review Mutual Fund Units:

Displays units held, NAV-based valuation, and any purchases, redemptions, or SIP-related entries.

4. Track Monthly or Quarterly Activity:

CAS is issued monthly if transactions occur; otherwise, it is shared quarterly.

5. Access Through Depository Portals:

You can download the CAS via the NSDL or CDSL website using your PAN-linked login options.

Reading the CAS helps combine information from varied accounts into a single view, making it easier to follow all your securities in one place.

Your Demat account holds confidential financial information, so maintaining its privacy is important. Statements should be accessed only through verified NSDL or CDSL platforms, as these channels use regulated login and authentication systems. Avoid using public devices for account access, and ensure that your registered contact details remain updated to receive official alerts and communication without interruption. 

These measures help maintain confidentiality and ensure your Demat statements are accessed through verified channels.

Understanding the structure and content of a demat account statement offers clarity on how your securities are recorded and updated. It also provides a transparent view of transactions and holdings over time, giving you a clear outline of how information is maintained within the depository system.

This content is for informational purposes only and the same should not be construed as investment advice. Bajaj Finserv Direct Limited shall not be liable or responsible for any investment decision that you may take based on this content.