# Demat Accounts Hit 22.5 Crore **URL:** \ **Category:** Blogs\ **Created:** [May 12, 2026, 12:06pm UTC](https://community.aliceblueonline.com/t/demat-accounts-hit-22-5-crore/14324 "2026-05-12T12:06:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lalitha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Lalitha](https://community.aliceblueonline.com/u/Lalitha)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 12:06pm UTC](https://community.aliceblueonline.com/t/demat-accounts-hit-22-5-crore/14324/1 "2026-05-12T12:06:34Z")
![ChatGPT Image May 12, 2026, 05_42_11 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/aliceblueonline/original/2X/9/9bbc68551ba4d234e00c06f329e1ee107321e287.jpeg) India now has **22.5 crore demat accounts**. Sounds like a massive win for retail investing, right? But the deeper story is more interesting: The important part is understanding **why new demat account additions dropped by 22% in FY26** , why only around **33% of accounts are active** , and what this says about investor behaviour after IPO hype, weak market returns, and tighter F&O rules. It is: **Are Indian investors becoming long-term market participants, or are many accounts just sitting unused after IPO hype, market corrections, and F&O rule changes?** We broke down the full trend, year-wise demat account growth, why FY26 slowed down, how SIP growth connects to this shift, BSDA charges, dormant account risks, and common mistakes first-time investors should avoid. Only around **33% of demat accounts are actually active**. New account additions also dropped by **22% in FY26** , the steepest slowdown in six years. So the real question is not just "How many Indians opened demat accounts? That’s where this[**data-backed analysis of demat account growth in India**](https://aliceblueonline.com/blog/demat-account-growth-in-india-trends-and-analysis-2026) becomes useful. Check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Sahil\_Chauhan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.aliceblueonline.com/sahil_chauhan/32/8257_2.png) [@Sahil\_Chauhan](https://community.aliceblueonline.com/u/Sahil_Chauhan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 5:57am UTC](https://community.aliceblueonline.com/t/demat-accounts-hit-22-5-crore/14324/2 "2026-05-18T05:57:50Z")
India is no longer a small retail market. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/aliceblueonline/original/2X/4/4368c3c8903fdcaaf7c4eb291581921d1489443e.jpeg) FY26 till Dec 2025: ✅ 235 lakh new demat accounts added ✅ Total demat accounts crossed 21.6 crore ✅ NSE investor base crossed 13 crore in Apr 2026 But more accounts = more risk. Here are the key updates: 1️⃣ BSDA benefit If your demat holdings are small, check whether you are eligible for a Basic Services Demat Account. Eligible accounts may get lower AMC, and SEBI’s revised BSDA norms are effective from March 31, 2026. 2️⃣ Physical shares window SEBI has opened a one-year special window from Feb 5, 2026 to Feb 4, 2027 for transfer + dematerialisation of eligible old physical securities. 3️⃣ Fake trading apps Google Play is adding verified labels for SEBI-registered investment/trading apps. Before installing any trading app, check whether it is genuine. 4️⃣ Payment safety Use only verified broker payment channels. SEBI has rolled out Validated UPI Handles and SEBI Check for safer investor payments. 5️⃣ Unauthorised trades are a real risk The May 2026 NSE payout-freeze case showed how one unauthorised F&O issue can affect settlements. Check contract notes, ledger, demat statement, and broker alerts regularly. Simple rule for traders in 2026: Don’t only focus on entries and exits. Protect your account first. ✅ Use official apps ✅ Verify payment handles ✅ Add nominee ✅ Check BSDA eligibility ✅ Review contract notes daily ✅ Never share OTP, TPIN, or login access Trading capital is not only lost in bad trades. Sometimes it is lost through poor account hygiene.