Build Long-Term Wealth Through Equity Investing
Buy and invest in equity stocks in India with live market data, deep research insights, stock analysis tools and expert-backed guidance from Shriram.
Market Overview
A live snapshot of major indices, commodities and currencies — refreshed through the trading day.
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What Are Equity Stocks?
Equity stocks, also known as shares, represent ownership in a company. When you purchase equity shares, you become a partial owner of that company and gain rights to a portion of its assets and earnings. In India, equity stocks trade on two major exchanges, with all activity regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to protect investor interests.
Where Equity Stocks Trade
The market functions through two primary exchanges that enable transparent, electronic trading of shares:
National Stock Exchange
India's largest exchange by trading volume, offering electronic trading across equities, derivatives and debt instruments with high liquidity and transparent price discovery.
Bombay Stock Exchange
Asia's oldest stock exchange, home to thousands of listed companies and the benchmark Sensex index, providing a deep and well-regulated marketplace for investors.
Types of Equity Stocks
Stocks are grouped two ways — by the rights they carry, and by the size and style of the company behind them.
By Shareholder Rights
Companies issue different classes of shares, each carrying its own rights to voting, dividends and profits.
Common Equity Shares
The most widely traded shares. Investors receive voting rights and participate in the company's profits through dividends and price appreciation.
Preferred Equity Shares
Preferred shareholders receive preference in dividend payments over common shareholders. These shares generally carry limited or no voting rights.
By Size and Style
The main categories investors use to classify and compare stocks.
Large Cap
Top 100 companies by market capitalisation — stable and lower risk.
Mid Cap
Companies ranked 101–250 — a balance of growth potential and stability.
Small Cap
Companies ranked beyond 250 — higher growth potential with higher risk.
Growth Stocks
Companies expected to grow earnings faster than the broader market.
Dividend Stocks
Companies that share regular profits with shareholders as dividends.
Value Stocks
Stocks trading below their intrinsic worth — potentially undervalued.
Blue Chip Stocks
Well-established, financially sound market leaders with a strong record.
Cyclical Stocks
Stocks whose performance moves in line with broader economic cycles.
How to Start Investing
Four simple steps from sign-up to your first trade — plus exactly what you'll need to qualify.
Open Demat & Trading Account
Open a Demat and trading account online with Shriram in minutes.
Complete PAN / KYC / Bank Linking
Submit your PAN, complete KYC with Aadhaar and link your bank account.
Search and Analyse Stocks
Use research tools, screeners and expert analysis to identify quality stocks.
Buy, Hold, Sell & Track
Execute trades, build your portfolio and track holdings to grow your wealth.
Eligibility & Documents
Everything you need to qualify and complete your account opening.
Eligibility Criteria
Indian resident (NRIs can invest through specific routes)
Valid PAN card
Active bank account in your name
Completed KYC verification
18+ years of age (minors can invest through guardians)
Documents Required
PAN card (mandatory)
Aadhaar card for identity verification
Address proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Utility Bill)
Cancelled cheque or bank statement
Passport-size photograph
Valid mobile number and email ID
Costs & Taxes
What you pay to trade, and how your gains are taxed — with no hidden costs.
Brokerage & Charges
A clear breakdown of the charges that apply across delivery, intraday and F&O segments.
Charge Type
Delivery
Intraday
F&O
Brokerage
0.03%
0.03%
0.03%
STT
0.1%
0.025%
0.02%
GST
18% on brokerage
18% on brokerage
18% on brokerage
DP Charges
₹15 per stock
N/A
N/A
Exchange Charges
0.00325%
0.00325%
0.002%
Tax on Equity Stocks — LTCG & STCG
How short-term and long-term capital gains are treated for equity investors.
Feature
Short-Term (STCG)
Long-Term (LTCG)
Holding Period
Up to 12 months
More than 12 months
Tax Rate
20% flat
12.5%
Tax-Free Limit
Nil (taxed from ₹1)
Up to ₹1.25 lakh per year
Indexation Benefit
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Applicable Section
Section 111A
Section 112A
Analyse and Decide
How to research a stock, choose a strategy, compare your options and weigh the risks.
Research Approaches
Two complementary approaches, backed by data-driven insights and research-led ideas.
Top Trading Strategies
Match your time, capital and risk appetite to the right approach.
Parameter
Intraday Trading
Swing Trading
Long-Term Investing
Holding Period
Same day (square-off before close)
2 days to a few weeks
1+ years (often 5–10+ years)
Time Commitment
High — active monitoring
Moderate — daily / weekly check
Low — periodic review
Capital Required
Lower entry, margin common
Moderate
Can start small via SIP (₹500+)
Risk Level
Very High
High
Moderate to Low
Equity Stocks vs Mutual Funds
Compare direct equity investing with mutual funds across the factors that matter most.
Feature
Equity Stocks
Mutual Funds
Control
Direct ownership and control
Fund manager decides
Risk
Company-specific risk
Diversified risk
Return Potential
Potentially higher (unlimited upside)
Market-linked returns
Research Involvement
Active research needed
Professional management
Suitable For
Knowledgeable investors
All investor types
Cost
Brokerage per trade
Expense ratio annually
Liquidity
Real-time during market hours
End-of-day NAV
Management
Self-managed portfolio
Professionally managed
Risks to Weigh
Understand what can move against you before you commit capital.
Market Risk
Broad market movements can affect all stocks due to economic events, policy changes or global sentiment.
Volatility
Prices can fluctuate significantly within short periods, testing investor discipline and patience.
Stock-Specific Risk
Company-specific factors such as poor earnings or governance issues can impact a single stock sharply.
Behavioural Risk
Emotional decisions driven by fear or greed can lead to poor timing and avoidable losses.
General Questions
A Demat (dematerialised) account holds your shares and securities in electronic form, replacing physical certificates. It lets you buy, sell and hold equities, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds safely, with instant electronic settlement of trades.
A Demat account removes the risks of physical certificates — theft, loss and forgery — and enables faster, paperless settlement. You get a single consolidated view of your holdings, easy access to corporate actions such as dividends and bonuses, and the ability to trade from anywhere.
Shriram charges a flat brokerage of 0.03% per executed order for options trading. Use the Brokerage Calculator to estimate the total cost — including brokerage, STT and exchange charges — before placing any trade.
Typical charges include a one-time account opening fee (often waived), an annual maintenance charge (AMC) and per-transaction DP charges. Shriram keeps these fully transparent so you can review the complete schedule before you open your account.
Intraday brokerage applies to positions bought and sold within the same trading day, while option brokerage applies to options contracts. Both are charged per executed order — estimate the exact cost of any trade with our Brokerage Calculator.
Yes. You may hold more than one Demat account across different depository participants, but you cannot open two accounts with the same DP under the same PAN. Your PAN links all accounts for tax and regulatory purposes.
Yes. To receive shares allotted in an IPO in electronic form you need a Demat account. You can apply via ASBA through your bank or broker, and any allotted shares are credited directly to your Demat account.
Need A Clearer Direction?
Let's get in touch on a 15-minute call where we would be able to answer any questions you may have. Our advisor will additionally help map your wealth mix and demonstrate what a dedicated advisor would do differently.
Open Your Demat Account Within Minutes
Start investing in stocks, mutual funds and more — with zero paperwork.