How to open a DEMAT account in Nepal.

What is a DEMAT account?

Before electronic records, share ownership was proved by a paper certificate. A DEMAT (short for dematerialised) account replaces that paper with a secure digital record maintained by CDSC (CDS and Clearing Ltd.), the central depository of Nepal. Every share you own on NEPSE is held in your DEMAT. Without one, you cannot receive IPO allotments or buy and sell shares.

Who opens a DEMAT account?

You do not go to CDSC directly. You go to a Depository Participant (DP), which is a CDSC-licensed institution: usually a commercial bank or a licensed stock broker. Most large banks in Nepal offer DEMAT accounts at their branches. Your DP acts as the intermediary and handles the paperwork with CDSC on your behalf.

What documents do you need?

• Citizenship certificate (Nagarikta) front and back, photocopy and original for verification.
• Two passport-size photos, recent.
• Bank account proof: a passbook or a cancelled cheque from any bank account. Many DPs require the account to be with their own bank; some accept any Nepali bank.
• PAN card, if you have one (increasingly common for new accounts).

Minors can open a DEMAT account through a guardian. Students and Nepali citizens abroad may need additional documentation; check with your chosen DP before visiting.

Step-by-step: opening the account

1. Choose a DP. Any large commercial bank or a licensed broker works. If you already have a bank account somewhere, opening a DEMAT at the same bank is convenient because the annual fee debit and any IPO refunds go through automatically.
2. Visit the branch and collect the form. Ask for the "DEMAT or DP account opening form." Some banks let you start this online but the original documents are still needed at the branch.
3. Fill the form and submit with documents. The staff will photocopy your citizenship and photos, verify the originals, and take your signature across several sections.
4. Pay the annual maintenance charge. The exact amount is set by the DP, not by CDSC centrally. It is a small recurring fee, typically collected upfront for the first year and then annually thereafter.
5. Wait for BOID assignment. CDSC processes the application and assigns your 16-digit BOID (Beneficiary Owner ID). Your DP notifies you when it is ready, usually within a few working days.
6. Receive your Mero Share credentials. Along with the BOID, CDSC issues a Mero Share username and a temporary password. These arrive either by SMS or printed from your DP. This is the login for the official CDSC portal where you apply for IPOs and check your holdings.

What is Mero Share and why does it matter?

Mero Share (meroshare.cdsc.com.np) is the official portal operated by CDSC. You use it to apply for IPOs using C-ASBA (bank-linked), check your share allotment results, view your holdings, and manage EDIS (Electronic Delivery Instruction Slip) for selling. Your BOID and Mero Share login are essentially the same account seen from two different angles. Read the full Mero Share walkthrough to understand every feature.

After your DEMAT is open

Log in to Mero Share with your DP, BOID, username and password. Change the temporary password immediately. Your holdings tab will show any shares you own (empty at first). The next time an IPO opens, you can apply directly from Mero Share using ASBA, and your bank debit happens automatically.

To apply for multiple IPOs at the same time from the Punji app, see the bulk IPO tool, which lets you submit or check up to ten open issues in a single session without logging into Mero Share separately for each.