For equity delivery, all major discount brokers (Upstox, Zerodha, Groww, Dhan) charge ₹0 brokerage for ELIN. For intraday trading, brokerage is ₹20 per order or 0.03-0.05% of turnover, whichever is lower. Regulatory charges (STT, exchange, GST, stamp duty) are additional.
What is the total cost of buying ₹1 lakh of ELIN?
The total cost for a ₹1 lakh delivery purchase of ELIN is approximately ₹239 including ₹0 brokerage, ₹100 STT, ₹7 exchange charges, ₹15 stamp duty, ₹1 GST, and ₹16 DP charges. This is the same across all brokers.
Which broker has the lowest MTF margin for ELIN?
Zerodha offers the lowest MTF margin for ELIN at 50%, meaning you need to pay only ₹50,000 to buy ₹1,00,000 worth of ELIN. The broker funds the remaining ₹50,000.
How much STT do I pay on ELIN?
STT on ELIN: Delivery — 0.1% on both buy and sell (₹100 per ₹1 lakh each side). Intraday — 0.025% on sell side only (₹25 per ₹1 lakh). F&O Futures — 0.0125% on sell. F&O Options — 0.0625% on sell (on premium). STT is a government charge, same across all brokers.
What are the DP charges for selling ELIN?
When you sell ELIN from your demat account, you pay DP charges of approximately ₹15.93 (CDSL ₹5.50 + broker charge ~₹10.43). This applies per scrip per day regardless of quantity — selling 1 share or 10,000 shares costs the same DP charge.
Frequently Asked Questions — Brokerage Charges India
Which broker has the lowest brokerage charges in India?
For equity delivery, Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, and Dhan all offer zero brokerage. For intraday and F&O, most discount brokers charge a flat ₹20 per order. MTF (Margin Trading Facility) interest rates vary significantly — Dhan charges ~11% p.a., Upstox ~14%, while Zerodha charges ~18% p.a. Use Downstox to compare real-time rates across all 4 brokers.
What are the hidden charges in stock trading in India?
Beyond brokerage, you pay: STT (Securities Transaction Tax), exchange transaction charges (NSE/BSE), GST (18% on brokerage + transaction charges), SEBI turnover fee (₹10 per crore), stamp duty (state-wise), and DP charges (₹15.93 per sell transaction for CDSL). These regulatory charges apply to all brokers equally.
Is zero brokerage really free? What's the catch?
Zero brokerage on equity delivery is genuinely free — brokers earn from other sources like F&O trading, interest on margin funding (MTF), and float income. However, regulatory charges (STT, GST, exchange fees, stamp duty) still apply even with zero brokerage. For a ₹1 lakh delivery trade, you'll still pay ~₹200-300 in regulatory charges.
What is STT and how much is it?
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is a government tax on stock market transactions. Rates: Equity Delivery — 0.1% on both buy and sell sides. Equity Intraday — 0.025% on sell side only. F&O Futures — 0.0125% on sell side. F&O Options — 0.0625% on sell side (on premium). STT is the same across all brokers as it's a government charge.
How do MTF (Margin Trading Facility) charges work?
MTF lets you buy stocks by paying only a fraction (margin) while the broker funds the rest. Charges: Interest rate (11-18% p.a. depending on broker), pledge charges (₹10-30 per scrip), and auto square-off fees if margin drops below minimum. Use Downstox MTF comparison to find the cheapest margin rates for any stock across Upstox, Zerodha, Groww, and Dhan.
What are DP charges and why do I see them on selling?
Depository Participant (DP) charges are levied when you sell shares from your demat account. CDSL charges ₹5.50 per scrip per day, and your broker adds their markup — typically ₹13.50, making the total ~₹15.93-₹18.50. This charge applies per scrip regardless of quantity. Some brokers (like Groww) charge slightly different DP fees.
Upstox vs Zerodha vs Groww — which is cheapest?
For equity delivery: All three offer zero brokerage. For intraday/F&O: All charge ₹20/order. The real difference is in MTF rates — Upstox charges ~14% p.a., Zerodha ~18% p.a., and Groww ~14% p.a. For MTF traders, Dhan (11% p.a.) is often cheapest. Account opening is free across all platforms. Compare stock-by-stock on Downstox.
How much tax do I pay on stock market profits?
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG, <1 year holding): 15% tax. Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG, >1 year): 10% on gains exceeding ₹1 lakh. F&O profits: Taxed as business income at your income tax slab rate. Intraday profits: Taxed as speculative business income. Dividends: Taxed at your slab rate. TDS of 10% on dividends exceeding ₹5,000.