Pros and Cons of Opening Multiple Demat Accounts

In India, investors can legally hold more than one Demat account with different Depository Participants (DPs). While this offers greater flexibility in managing investments, it also comes with additional responsibilities and costs. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of multiple Demat accounts provides clarity on how they may affect portfolio management and account maintenance.

An individual in India can legally hold multiple demat accounts under the same Permanent Account Number (PAN), as long as each account is opened with a different Depository Participant (DP) — such as a broker or bank registered with NSDL or CDSL.

Investors often open more than one demat account for practical and strategic reasons:

• Using full-service and discount brokers: Some investors maintain separate accounts to benefit from research support on one platform and low brokerage costs on another.
  

• Separating trading and investments: Active traders often keep short-term trades and long-term holdings in different accounts for efficient tracking and clarity, including monitoring the Ledger Balance in Demat for each account..
  

• Portfolio diversification and family transfers: Multiple accounts can help manage different portfolios (e.g. personal, family, or business-related) without mixing transactions.
  

• Backup or contingency planning: Having an additional demat account with a separate DP ensures accessibility even if one broker platform faces technical or operational downtime.

While holding two or more demat accounts is allowed, investors must manage them responsibly to avoid unnecessary costs and compliance oversights.

Before deciding to open multiple demat accounts, investors should be aware of key factors that can affect both cost and compliance:

• Account maintenance charges (AMC): Each demat account attracts annual maintenance fees, which can increase overall holding costs.
  

• Consolidation challenges: Managing multiple accounts means monitoring several statements, holdings, and transactions regularly.
  

• KYC and PAN compliance: All accounts are linked to the same PAN, so any discrepancy or misuse may trigger regulatory review.
  

• Nominee and contact details: Ensure nominee, mobile number, and email ID are correctly updated across all accounts for consistent communication.
  

• Inactive account penalties: Dormant or unused demat accounts may still incur AMC charges unless officially closed.
  

• Tax reporting and reconciliation: Gains, dividends, and holdings from all accounts must be consolidated during annual tax filing to ensure accuracy.

Maintaining multiple demat accounts can provide flexibility, but it’s essential to balance convenience with administrative responsibility.

Having more than one Demat account can offer certain practical advantages depending on an investor’s trading style and objectives. From flexibility to access to different broker features, multiple accounts may help organise investments more effectively.

Benefits of multiple demat accounts include:

• Flexibility in Managing Different Types of Investments
  

One of the main reasons to open multiple Demat accounts is for flexibility. For instance, you can use one account to hold long-term investments, such as stocks or bonds. 

You can use another account for short-term trading or more speculative investments. This option allows for structured management of different investment strategies, along with separate transaction authorisations using TPIN in a Demat account.

• Risk Mitigation and Portfolio Diversification
  

Maintaining multiple Demat accounts enables you to distribute your investments through various brokers. Multiple accounts may help reduce dependency on a single broker and provide operational flexibility, though risks remain. In the event of a broker developing technical problems or experiencing liquidity issues, the other broker remains unaffected. 

Some investors use different brokers who may provide distinct trading platforms and services, along with their unique investment products. The approach provides you with access to multiple markets along with diverse investment assets. 

• Separate Tracking of Investments
  

Having separate accounts allows clearer monitoring and management of investments. You have the freedom to separate securities into individual accounts, which include equities, bonds, mutual funds, as well as ETFs. 

Separate accounts can make it easier to track different categories of holdings, though this depends on individual tracking practices.

• Access to Different Broker Features
  

Each broker may offer unique tools, services, and pricing plans. For instance, a broker may provide a low-cost trading platform for frequent traders. 

While the other may offer research tools, market insights, and long-term investing options. Having multiple accounts allows access to different broker features, though this may also increase complexity.

While multiple Demat accounts provide flexibility, they also come with certain disadvantages. These drawbacks can affect both cost efficiency and ease of portfolio management, making it important for investors to weigh the downsides before opening more than one account.

Key Drawbacks of Multiple Demat Accounts:

• Increased Costs
  Each Demat account generally carries its own AMC, transaction fees, and other costs. If accounts are left unused, such charges may still apply.
  

• Complexity in Managing Accounts
  Tracking multiple portfolios, transactions, and holdings across accounts can become time-consuming and confusing, especially during tax season.
  

• Challenges in Portfolio Management
  Diversifying across accounts may dilute overall investment strategy and make it harder to maintain a clear view of asset allocation.
  

• Tax Implications and Reporting
  With multiple accounts, investors must track capital gains, dividends, and other tax-related details separately. Errors in consolidation may lead to reporting issues or penalties.

In India, there is no upper limit on the maximum number of demat accounts you can have. So, to answer ‘Can I have multiple demat accounts?’, the answer is yes. However, each account must be linked to a different Depository Participant (DP) or broker. 

Since each broker has its own clearing process, it is essential to ensure that you are managing each account correctly. 

When considering how many demat accounts in India you can open, think about your investment needs. Some investors maintain more than one account with different brokers to access varied features or platforms, depending on their preferences. 

Multiple demat accounts can offer flexibility, risk mitigation, and structured management of investment types. However, it comes with challenges such as high costs, complex management, and tax liabilities. 

It is important to be aware of both the potential benefits and challenges of maintaining multiple accounts so you can evaluate how they align with your financial management approach.

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.