National Securities Depository Limited
National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) is an Indian central securities depository, based in Mumbai. It was established in August 1996 as the first electronic securities depository in India with national coverage. It was established based on a suggestion by a national institution responsible for the economic development of India. It's demat accounts now hold assets worth $4 trillion. NSDL provides bucket of services to investors, stock brokers, custodians, issuer companies, Saving account current account Business corresponding etc. through its nationwide network of Depository Participants or DPs and digital platforms. History. Although India had a  vibrant capital market which is more than a century old, the paper-based settlement of trades caused substantial problems such as bad delivery and delayed transfer of title. The promulgation of the Depositories ordinance in 1995 paved the way for the establishment of National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), the first depository in India. Now, NSDL is one of the largest Depositories in the World. It has established a state-of-the-art infrastructure that handles most of the securities held and settled in de-materialized form in the Indian securities markets. Securities are held in depository accounts, which are similar  to holding funds in bank accounts. Transfer of ownership of securities is done through simple account transfers. This method does away with all the risks and hassles normally associated with paperwork. Consequently, the cost of transacting in a depository environment is considerably lower as compared to transacting in physical certificates. NSDL introduced the concept of 'Demat' to India. In less than 8 years of its existence, NSDL enabled India securities markets to implement T+2 settlement. It continues to provide world class digital services to different stakeholders in securities market. Company structure. NSDL Group comprises National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), NSDL  Database Management Limited (NDML) and NSDL Payments Bank Limited respectively. NDML and NSDL Payments Bank are two subsidiary companies of National Security Depository Limited (abbreviated as NSDL). It provides services related to demat of securities, transfer and settlement of securities in Indian Securities Market. NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited is a separate company. It offers services related to issuance of PAN cards and also acts as central record-keeping agency for National Pension System (NPS). NSDL Facts & Figures. NSDL has more than 2.66 Crore demat accounts as on March 31, 2022. These demat account holders belong to 99.19% of all  pin codes in India. Number of certificates eliminated (approx.) is 5,547 Crore. Number of companies in which more than 75% of shares are in demat is 16,450. The average number of accounts opened per day since November 1996 is 4,538. It contributes to majority of the settlement in the Indian securities markets and has 90% share in the total value of assets held in demat form in India.