The days of courier-dependent share transfers are largely behind India’s investing community. Both CDSL and NSDL — India’s two central depositories — provide fully digital transfer portals that allow investors to move securities between demat accounts from their laptops or smartphones, without filling physical slips, visiting branches, or waiting five to seven business days for paper-based processing. CDSL’s portal is called Easiest; NSDL’s equivalent is Speed-e. Understanding how each works, and when to use which, makes the transfer process considerably smoother.
When Online Transfer Is Possible
Online share transfer via Easiest or Speed-e works only when both the source demat account and the destination demat account are held at the same depository. CDSL Easiest handles CDSL-to-CDSL transfers. NSDL Speed-e handles NSDL-to-NSDL transfers. If your current broker is at CDSL (Zerodha, Angel One, ICICI Direct, Axis Direct) and your target broker is also at CDSL, the online route is available. Cross-depository transfers — CDSL to NSDL or NSDL to CDSL — require the offline Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) route.
Using CDSL Easiest for Online Transfer
Step 1 — Register for CDSL Easiest. Visit web.cdslindia.com and navigate to the Easiest registration page. Enter your DP ID (first 8 digits of your 16-digit CDSL demat account number) and Client ID (last 8 digits). Fill the online registration form.
Step 2 — Submit the Form to Your DP. Print the completed registration form and submit it to your current broker’s DP office. Your broker sends it to CDSL for verification. Upon successful verification, CDSL sends your Easiest login credentials — username and password — to your registered email.
Step 3 — Log In and Add Beneficiary. Log in to Easiest with your credentials. Navigate to Setup and add the target demat account as a beneficiary — entering its DP ID and Client ID. The beneficiary account is verified and activated before transfer can proceed.
Step 4 — Initiate the Transfer. Go to Transaction → Setup → Bulk Transfer (or Off-Market Transfer for individual scrips). Enter the ISIN (International Securities Identification Number) of each stock you wish to transfer and the quantity. Authenticate via OTP sent to your registered mobile. Confirm the transfer.
Step 5 — Confirmation. Shares typically reflect in the destination demat account within 1 to 2 business days.
Using NSDL Speed-e for Online Transfer
Visit the NSDL website and open the Speed-e registration link. Fill in your NSDL demat account details including your DP ID and Client ID. Print the form and submit it to your current broker. After the broker verifies your details with NSDL, login credentials are sent to your registered email. Log in to Speed-e, add the target NSDL demat account as a beneficiary, specify the ISINs and quantities, and submit the transfer request. Timeline: 1 to 3 business days.
What You Need Before Starting
Confirm both accounts are at the same depository. Gather the 16-digit demat account number of the target account (DP ID + Client ID). Collect the ISIN of each stock to be transferred — visible on your broker’s holdings page or on the NSE/BSE website by searching the company name. Ensure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active for OTP receipt during the Easiest/Speed-e authentication.
Overview: Online Share Transfer Comparison
| Parameter | CDSL Easiest | NSDL Speed-e |
| Applicable For | CDSL to CDSL transfers | NSDL to NSDL transfers |
| Registration | Submit form to broker → CDSL sends credentials | Submit form to broker → NSDL sends credentials |
| Transfer Types | Off-market, bulk, on-market, inter-depository (e-token) | Off-market, bulk transfers |
| Timeline | 1–2 business days | 1–3 business days |
| Authentication | OTP verification | OTP verification |
| Works for CDSL to NSDL? | No — use offline DIS | No — use offline DIS |
Key Points to Remember
Name on both demat accounts must match exactly — any mismatch results in transfer rejection. Locked-in securities can only be transferred within the same depository; inter-depository transfers are not permitted for securities under lock-in. Transfers executed during formal account closure (closure-cum-transfer) are generally free of charge. Off-market transfers from one active account to another may attract broker-specific fees — verify the applicable charge before initiating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I transfer shares from Zerodha to Groww online?
A: Both Zerodha and Groww are CDSL-registered brokers. Use CDSL Easiest for a fully online transfer between the two accounts.
Q2. How long does an online share transfer take via CDSL Easiest?
A: 1 to 2 business days after successful OTP authentication and transfer submission.
Q3. Can I transfer shares to an NSDL account from a CDSL account online?
A: No — cross-depository transfers require the offline DIS route. Online transfer only works within the same depository.
Q4. Is there a charge for online share transfer via CDSL Easiest?
A: A nominal fee may apply depending on your broker’s DP charge schedule. Closure-cum-transfer is generally free.
Q5. Where do I find the ISIN of a stock?
A: On your broker’s holdings or portfolio page, or by searching the company name on the NSE website (nseindia.com) under the Security Information section.
