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NSDL and CDSL together added nearly 3.36 million demat accounts in October, the highest monthly addition since January 2026. The total number of demat accounts stood at around 244 million at the end of the month. The number of demat accounts does not represent unique investors, as individuals can hold multiple accounts. The number of unique investors is estimated at around 136.6 million as of September, according to NSE data.
Robust primary market activity was a key driver of the increase, with several large and smaller public issues attracting retail participation. October was the busiest month for IPO activity in 2026, with 13 issues raising a record ₹44,507 crore, including the Jio Platforms IPO – India’s biggest ever.
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“Demat account openings typically rise when there is a surge in IPO activity, as investors open accounts to participate in public issues. The recent listing activity, including the large Jio Platform IPO and several smaller issues, has contributed to the increase,” said Sunny Agrawal, head of fundamental equity research at SBICAPS Securities.
Growing interest in gold and silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has also encouraged retail investors to open demat accounts, Agrawal said. Investors can purchase these products through the secondary market using a demat account.
Read more: Equity mutual fund inflows may drop 18% in October as midcap and hybrid funds lose momentum: Nomura
The pickup in demat account additions came with gains in benchmark indices, with the Sensex rising 2% and the Nifty gaining 1.9% in October. However, broader market segments, which see greater retail participation, underperformed.
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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/demat-account-additions-hit-9-month-high-in-october-as-ipo-boom-draws-investors/articleshow/135589337.cms
