The charges you'll see
When you buy or sell a share, several charges apply on top of brokerage:
- Brokerage — the broker's fee, flat or a percentage of turnover.
- STT (Securities Transaction Tax) — a government tax on trade value; differs for delivery, intraday and F&O.
- Exchange transaction charges — a small NSE/BSE fee.
- Stamp duty — a state levy on the buy side.
- SEBI turnover fee — a tiny regulatory charge.
- GST — 18% on brokerage + transaction charges.
- DP charges — a flat fee per scrip when you sell from your demat.
- AMC — a yearly demat maintenance charge (some accounts waive year one).
Why it matters most for frequent traders
For a long-term investor who buys and holds, charges are a small one-time cost. For someone trading often, they add up on every leg — which is exactly why costs deserve attention before you increase activity.
Always read your contract note
Ask your broker for a contract note after every trade. It itemises every charge, so you always know your true cost. Rates such as STT and stamp duty are set by the government and can change — confirm the current figures before relying on them.
FAQs
Brokerage is the broker's own fee for executing your trade. STT is a government tax on the transaction value, collected regardless of which broker you use.
DP (depository participant) charges are a flat fee levied when securities are debited from your demat account, i.e. when you sell. They are charged per scrip, not per share.
GST at 18% applies to brokerage and transaction charges, not to statutory levies like STT or stamp duty.
Educational content for general awareness only — not investment, trading or tax advice. Investments in securities market are subject to market risks; read all related documents carefully. Rules and rates are indicative for FY 2025-26 and may change.