ICICI Direct’s demat account is not just a securities storage account — it is the hub of a full investment ecosystem where banking, trading, research, and portfolio management converge. Understanding its features and charges in full helps investors decide whether the higher cost structure is justified by the additional service value, or whether a lower-cost discount broker better suits their profile.
Key Features
3-in-1 Account Integration. The most distinctive feature of ICICI Direct is the seamless three-way integration: ICICI Bank savings account, ICICI Direct trading account, and ICICI Direct demat account. Fund transfers are instant and automatic — no manual NEFT, no T+1 lag for funds availability. This is a concrete operational advantage for active traders who need real-time liquidity.
Multi-Depository Access. ICICI Direct operates as a DP with both NSDL and CDSL — you can choose which depository holds your securities at the time of account opening.
Investment Product Breadth. Equity, F&O, currency derivatives, commodity derivatives, mutual funds (direct and regular), IPO applications via ASBA, bonds, government securities (G-Secs), NCDs, ETFs, and insurance — all accessible from a single ICICI Direct login. No other platform integration is required.
In-House Research and Advisory. ICICI Securities provides equity research reports, market outlooks, stock recommendations, IPO reviews, and sector analysis — curated by a professional research team. This differentiates it from all discount brokers who provide no advisory.
Mobile and Web Platforms. iMobile Pay (ICICI Bank’s mobile banking app, which includes direct stock trading access) and the ICICI Direct web platform and mobile app together cover trading, portfolio management, and demat account administration. The platforms are rated positively for ease of use and banking integration quality.
GTT Orders. Good Till Triggered orders allow investors to set price-based triggers for buy or sell orders — particularly useful for long-term investors who do not monitor markets daily.
Charges in Detail
Account Opening: ₹0 online. Waived across most plan configurations in 2025.
AMC: Standard demat AMC is ₹500 per year (physical statements) or ₹450 (email statements). Trading account AMC is ₹975 per year in standard plans. Combined demat + trading AMC can reach ₹1,400+ per year on traditional I-Secure plans. Under the iVALUE/Prime plan, demat AMC is ₹300 per year. BSDA accounts: zero AMC for holdings below ₹4,00,000.
Brokerage:
- I-Secure Plan (delivery): 0.275% to 0.55% per transaction
- Neo / Prime Plan (delivery): ₹0 zero brokerage
- Neo / Prime Plan (intraday, F&O): ₹20 per order flat
DP Charges: ₹20 + GST per scrip per day when selling shares — the ICICI Direct DP charge (₹20 total) is slightly higher than Zerodha’s (₹15.34) due to a higher broker component above the CDSL/NSDL base fee.
Dematerialisation: ₹150 per certificate + ₹100 courier charges per request.
Overview Table: ICICI Direct Charges Summary
| Charge | Amount |
| Account Opening | ₹0 (online) |
| Demat AMC (Standard) | ₹500/year (physical); ₹450/year (email) |
| Trading AMC | ₹975/year (I-Secure Plan) |
| Demat AMC (iVALUE/Prime) | ₹300/year |
| Demat AMC (BSDA) | ₹0 (holdings <₹4L) |
| Delivery Brokerage (I-Secure) | 0.275%–0.55% |
| Delivery Brokerage (Neo/Prime) | ₹0 |
| Intraday/F&O (Prime/Neo) | ₹20 per order |
| DP Charge (Selling) | ₹20 + GST per scrip per day |
| iVALUE Subscription (one-time) | ₹299 |
| System Square-Off | ₹50 per order |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the total annual cost of holding an ICICI Direct standard demat account?
A: Under the I-Secure Plan, combined demat AMC (₹500) + trading AMC (₹975) = approximately ₹1,475 + GST per year from the second year onwards.
Q2. How does ICICI Direct’s iVALUE / Prime plan reduce charges?
A: A one-time ₹299 subscription reduces delivery brokerage to ₹0, intraday/F&O to ₹20 flat per order, and demat AMC to ₹300/year — making it significantly cheaper than the I-Secure percentage-based plan.
Q3. What is the DP charge at ICICI Direct for selling shares?
A: ₹20 + 18% GST per scrip per day — applied as a flat fee when you sell shares from your ICICI Direct demat account.
Q4. Does ICICI Direct have a BSDA option for small investors?
A: Yes — BSDA zero AMC is available for holdings below ₹4,00,000 for eligible single-account holders.
Q5. Are there charges for pledging shares as margin at ICICI Direct?
A: Yes — interest at 0.027% per day + GST applies on shares given as collateral (SAM) and utilised as margin for carry-forward positions.