New Delhi, September 5, 2024: The number of demat accounts in India has surpassed the 17 crore milestone, reflecting a surge in retail investor participation in the stock market. According to data from the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL), the total number of demat accounts stood at 17.10 crore as of August 31, 2024.
In August alone, despite market volatility, approximately 42.3 lakh new demat accounts were opened. This brought the total to 17.10 crore by the end of the month. While the monthly increase was slightly lower than July’s 44.44 lakh, it still marked a significant rise compared to August 2023, when 31 lakh new accounts were registered. This ongoing growth highlights the continued interest of retail investors in the stock market, even amidst periods of uncertainty.
However, despite this impressive growth in demat accounts, the number of active investors remains relatively low compared to the total number of registered accounts. A recent report from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) revealed that, out of the 9.7 crore registered investors, only 1.5 crore were active. This, however, represents a positive trend as active investors on the NSE grew by 13.9% month-on-month, reaching 1.5 crore in June 2024. This marked the third consecutive month of growth in active market users.
The NSE report also showed a 13.1% increase in the number of individuals who traded at least once a month, reflecting a growing trend in market participation. The increase in active investors was particularly notable across India’s top 10 states, with Maharashtra leading the surge.
Overall, the steady rise in both the number of registered and active investors suggests a strong, continuing interest in the Indian stock market, signaling optimism for sustained retail participation in the future.
