One of the world's largest depositories is National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL). It was established in August 1996, following the passage of the Depositories Act, with cutting-edge infrastructure to handle securities in dematerialized form.


NSDL maintains Demat Accounts, which are places where financial securities are stored in a dematerialized or electronic form. It does away with the need for a physical share certificate, reducing the risk of theft and damage. Furthermore, no stamp duty is levied on securities transferred through depositories.

National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) is India’s first and largest depository, established in 1996 to facilitate the electronic holding and transfer of securities. It plays a crucial role in the Indian financial market by eliminating the risks associated with physical share certificates, such as forgery, loss, and damage.

NSDL provides services like dematerialization, rematerialization, settlement of trades, and electronic voting. It enables seamless transactions in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through Demat accounts. Regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), NSDL enhances transparency, security, and efficiency in the capital markets.

By digitizing securities, NSDL has significantly contributed to India’s financial growth, making investing more accessible and reducing paperwork for investors and institutions.