National Securities Depository (NSDL) has launched Women Plan, an initiative aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in capital markets by making investing simpler and more affordable.
Under the plan, women investors opening a new NSDL demat account will be eligible for a complete waiver of settlement fees on debit instructions for three years on demat accounts opened between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Zero settlement fees on debit transactions for the first three years and there will be no limit on the number of transactions. Women can also open multiple demat accounts and these concessions can be availed for joint accounts with a woman being the first holder.
By removing a key cost barrier at the start of the investment journey, NSDL aims to support women in moving from financial access to active participation in wealth creation, it said.
Four-fold rise
Demat accounts held by women in India have grown 129 per cent from 6.67 million in 2021 to over 28 million by early 2026. The near four-fold rise reflects a clear shift, with women now accounting for about 30 per cent of new brokerage clients, driven by increasing digital adoption and a growing interest in SIPs and mutual funds.
Vijay Chandok, Managing Director and CEO, NSDL, said the new plan will build a momentum and make investment more accessible and rewarding for women, especially for those starting their journey.”
With a simple and transparent benefit—zero settlement fees for three years—the initiative makes entering the capital markets more approachable and cost-effective, he added.