Dormant Demat Account Reactivation

Last Updated on December 11, 2023 by BFSLTeam BFSLTeam

What is a Dormant Demat Account

A dormant Demat account is a Demat account that has not been used for a long time. It may be because the investor has not made any transactions or the account has been inactive. The account is still active, but there are no recent trades taking place

Also Read: Documents Required For Trading Account

Disadvantages of a Dormant Demat Account

A dormant Demat account can have some disadvantages, such as:

• It may incur annual maintenance charges even when it is not used.
• It may be vulnerable to fraud or misuse by scamsters who may access the account details and change the information or sell the shares without the investor’s knowledge.
• It may lose out on the opportunities and benefits of the stock market, such as dividends, corporate actions, price appreciation, etc.

Steps on How To Activate Dormant Demat Account

Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and reactivate a dormant Demat account. To do so, the investor needs to follow some steps, such as:

• Contact the depository participant (DP) or the broker who opened the account and request for reactivation.
• Fill a reactivation form and submit the required documents, such as identity proof, address proof, PAN card, bank account details, etc.
• Complete the KYC requirements and sign an agreement with the DP or the broker.
• Settle any pending dues or negative cash balance in the account.
• Receive a confirmation from the DP or the broker that the account is reactivated.

The reactivation process may take 7 to 10 business days and may or may not involve a reactivation fee. The fee depends on the DP or the broker’s policy and may be waived or reduced depending on the trading volume or account balance.

Know How To Reactivate Dormant Demat Account

If your Demat (Dematerialized) account has been inactive for an extended period and you’re now ready to rejoin the world of equity investments, the process to reactivate dormant demat account can be accomplished with the below mentioned steps.

1. Know Your Time Limit:

Brokerage firms often designate a Demat account as dormant if it has remained inactive for a specific period, typically three to five years. To determine if your account is indeed dormant, check the specific time limit set by your broker or Depository Participant (DP). It’s worth noting that the duration may vary depending on the maintenance fees you have paid. Account holders who have paid a one-time maintenance fee generally enjoy a longer time limit compared to those who pay an annual fee.

2. Reactivating Your Account:

To initiate the reactivation process, obtain a reactivation form from your broker or DP. This form will serve as the formal request for reactivation. Alongside the reactivation form, you will need to provide documentary proofs, which may include documents like your PAN card, passport, or other identification documents as specified by your DP.

3. Settle All Dues:

   Before your dormant Demat account can be reactivated, ensure that you have cleared any pending maintenance dues or fees associated with the account. Resolving any outstanding financial obligations is a prerequisite to the reactivation process.

4. Reactivation Charges:

   Some DPs may impose reactivation charges, typically around Rs 500. However, it’s important to note that this fee could potentially be waived if the total value of the shares held within your dormant account is substantial. Check with your DP regarding the specific charges and whether any waivers may apply in your case.

5. Keep Your Demat Account Active:

To prevent your Demat account from becoming dormant again in the future, it’s essential to maintain its activity. Logging in to your Demat account at least once every six months to review your holdings and account status is a good practice. However, mere account access is not sufficient to keep it active. You should also engage in buying or selling securities through your Demat account periodically to ensure its ongoing activity and compliance with the DP’s policies.

By following these steps diligently, you can successfully reactivate your dormant Demat account and resume your participation in equity investments. Additionally, keeping your account active by periodically transacting in securities will help you avoid dormancy issues in the future.

Classification of an Inactive Account and Its Significance

An account is categorised as inactive based on specific criteria, aiming to safeguard the integrity of the financial system and protect account holders from potential risks, including fraudulent activities. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the conditions that lead to an account being classified as inactive:

1. Lack of Activity:

An account may be deemed inactive if it has not witnessed any of the following activities within a specified time frame:

1.1. No Trades: The account holder has not executed any trades in any of the available market segments during the designated period.

1.2. No Investments: There have been no investments made in any financial instrument during the defined period.

1.3. No Fund Transactions: The account holder has not initiated any pay-in or payout transactions involving funds within the specified timeframe.

2. Incomplete Information:

Additionally, an account may be classified as inactive if it contains incomplete or missing mandatory information. Completing all required fields with accurate and up-to-date information is essential for account maintenance and security.

Also Read: Open Demat Account Without Aadhaar Card

Know Why Dormant Demat Accounts Turn Inactive

The primary purpose behind identifying an account as dormant serves several crucial objectives:

• Fraud Prevention: 

Designating an account as inactive helps reduce the risk of fraudulent activities. It acts as a safeguard against scammers attempting to exploit dormant accounts for illicit purposes, such as modifying the Know Your Customer (KYC) information to engage in unlawful activities.

• Increased Awareness: 

Identifying dormant accounts brings them to the attention of brokers and financial institutions. This heightened awareness enables them to monitor and analyse the prevalence of such accounts. It also serves as a proactive measure to prevent potential misuse.

• Protecting Account Holders: 

By identifying and addressing dormant accounts, financial institutions demonstrate their commitment to the security and protection of their customers. This reassures account holders that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard their assets and information.

The classification of an account as inactive is a protective measure with the overarching goal of enhancing the security and integrity of the financial system. It aids in fraud prevention, raises awareness among financial institutions, and ultimately ensures the well-being of account holders by mitigating potential risks associated with dormant accounts.

Wrapping Up

Now, when you are aware of how to activate dormant demat account, you can follow the process of reactivating your dormant demat account that will allow investors like you to resume trading in your inactive Demat accounts. It involves contacting the depository participant, filling a reactivation form, completing KYC requirements, and settling any pending dues. Reactivating a dormant Demat account can help you avoid the risk of losing your shares to fraudsters, access their portfolio online, and benefit from the opportunities in the stock market. However, you should also keep your Demat accounts active by making regular transactions and paying the maintenance fees.