NSDL unveils Women Plan to attract them to invest in capital markets

National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) has announced the launch of its Women Plan to encourage greater participation of women in India’s capital markets.

Demat accounts held by women in India have grown by over 129% since 2021, increasing from 6.67 million to over 28 million by early 2026. 

“This nearly fourfold rise reflects a clear shift, with women now accounting for around 30% of new brokerage clients, driven by increasing digital adoption and a growing interest in SIPs and mutual funds,” NSDL said. 

It said it’s Women Plan aligns with the broader national vision of inclusive growth.

Under the Women Plan, women investors opening a new NSDL demat account will be eligible, among others, for a complete waiver of settlement fees on debit instructions for a period of three years from the date of account opening.

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.

Vijay Chandok, Managing Director and CEO, NSDL said, “Women in India are increasingly taking charge of their financial futures. With the Women Plan, we want to build on this momentum by making investing more accessible and rewarding, especially for those starting their journey.”

“The Women Plan is designed for today’s digitally active and financially aware women, particularly first-time investors. With a simple and transparent benefit — zero settlement fees for three years — the initiative makes entering the capital markets more approachable and cost-effective,” NSDL said.