The capital markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), has simplified the rules for opening of trading and demat accounts by resident individual investors, to boost retail participation in the securities market.
It has introduced the concept of a ‘Saral (Simple) Account’, with much more relaxed Know Your Customer requirements as compared to a normal demat account. Such accounts are primarily aimed at investors who only participate in the cash market, without availing other facilities like internet, mobile banking or margin and derivative trading.