KYC (Know Your Customer) is a mandatory identity verification process required by SEBI before anyone can open a trading or Demat account in India. It exists to prevent fraud, verify identity, and enforce accountability in the financial system.
What KYC Typically Requires
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card (for e-KYC / digital verification)
- A canceled cheque or bank statement
- A passport-size photograph
- Signature (often captured digitally)
Most brokers today complete KYC entirely online, often within a single day.
Related Reading
See the full account-opening checklist in What Is a Demat and Trading Account?.