For most retail investors, one demat account is sufficient to buy, hold, and sell securities. But as trading volumes and investment strategies become more sophisticated, having just one account can feel limiting. That’s where a secondary demat account comes into play.
Opening a second account with Zerodha, one of India’s leading discount brokers, can help you streamline your finances, manage risk better, and clearly separate different types of investments. Whether you want to isolate your long-term holdings from your short-term trades or simply maintain better records, a secondary account can be a valuable tool.
This guide walks you through why an additional account could benefit you and how you can open one with Zerodha using their seamless online process.
Why Open a Second Demat Account?
While a single demat account is enough for basic investing, a secondary account offers several strategic advantages:
- Clear Portfolio Segregation
- Keep long-term, wealth-building assets like blue-chip stocks or ETFs in one account.
- Use the other for high-frequency or high-risk activities such as intraday trading and F&O.
- Better Risk Management
By separating trading and investing activities, you reduce the chances of accidental selling, over-leveraging, or emotional decision-making. - Simplified Tracking & Analysis
With two accounts, it becomes easier to monitor performance of different strategies without mixing them up. - Tax Planning Advantages
Separating speculative trades from long-term holdings can make capital gains reporting and tax calculations more straightforward. - Discipline in Trading
Physically keeping accounts separate encourages you to stay committed to your chosen strategy for each account.
How to Open a Secondary Demat Account with Zerodha
The process is 100% digital and designed for existing Zerodha users. Most of your information is already stored, so you won’t need to submit everything from scratch. Here’s the step-by-step flow:
Step 1: Start from the Zerodha App
- Log into your Zerodha mobile app.
- Tap the Profile icon at the bottom.
- Under the Account section, choose Manage account.
Step 2: Go to the Demat Section

- On the console screen, tap the three-line menu on the top left. Select Demat.
- You’ll see two tabs — Primary and Secondary. Choose the Secondary option to begin. A description of what a secondary account means will appear. Tap Continue.

Step 3: Begin Application
- Your form will be pre-filled with existing details. Review carefully and hit Confirm.

Step 4: Add Nominee Information
- Enter nominee PAN. Click Continue to move forward.

Step 5: Complete In-Person Verification (IPV)

- Allow camera access on your device.
- A 4-digit code will appear on screen.
- Write this code on a sheet of paper, show it to the camera, and capture the photo.
- This serves as your IPV check.
Step 6: E-Sign the Documents

- After IPV, tap Sign Now.
- You’ll be redirected to the NSDL eSign page.
Step 7: Authenticate Using Aadhaar

- Enter your Aadhaar number.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Tap Get OTP.
Step 8: Finalize with OTP

- Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Submit, and your e-sign process will be complete.

Zerodha’s compliance team will verify your details, and once approved, your secondary demat account will be activated.
How Long Does It Take?
In most cases, account activation happens within 2–3 business days. You’ll receive an email once your secondary account is ready for use.
Final Thoughts
Opening a secondary demat account with Zerodha isn’t just about having another trading account — it’s about creating structure in your investing journey. By clearly dividing your portfolios, you’ll gain:
- Better oversight of returns
- Cleaner tax filing
- More disciplined trading habits
- Reduced risk of mixing long-term and speculative strategies
And since the process is entirely digital, it’s both quick and hassle-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why should I open a secondary demat account?
A secondary account helps you manage separate strategies — for example, one for long-term investments and another for intraday or derivatives trading.
Q2. Is the account opening process paperless?
Yes. Everything, from filling in details to IPV and e-signing, is done online.
Q3. What documents are required?
Since Zerodha already has your KYC details, you only need your Aadhaar (for e-sign) and nominee PAN details.
Q4. How long will activation take?
Usually within 2–3 business days after successful submission.
Q5. Can I have more than two demat accounts?
Yes, SEBI allows multiple demat accounts across brokers. But at Zerodha, you can maintain both a primary and a secondary demat under the same login.


























































