Blog & Guide· Published 05 October 2026· 6 min read
Hidden Charges in Stock Trading: DP Charges, AMC, Call & Trade, and Pledge Fees
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Researched by BrokerLens Financial Research Desk
Fact-Checked & Verified against primary NSE, BSE and SEBI disclosures
While zero brokerage on delivery and flat Rs 20 pricing dominate broker marketing, investors frequently encounter supplementary deductions on their contract notes and ledger statements.
1. Depository Participant (DP) Charges
DP charges are levied by depositories (CDSL/NSDL) and the broker whenever an equity share is debited from your demat account. This fee is charged per company per day, regardless of quantity sold:
- Zerodha: Rs 13.50 + 18% GST (approx Rs 15.93 per stock)
- Groww: Rs 13.50 + 18% GST (approx Rs 15.93 per stock)
- Bank Brokers: Often Rs 25 to Rs 50 + GST per debit transaction
2. Other Common Ancillary Fees
- Auto-Squareoff Fee: If an intraday position is not squared off before 3:15-3:25 PM, the broker's automated RMS squares it off, charging Rs 50 + GST per order.
- Call & Trade: Placing orders over the phone via customer care carries an extra Rs 50 + GST fee.
- Margin Pledge & Unpledge: Pledging shares or mutual funds for collateral margin typically costs Rs 20 to Rs 30 + GST per ISIN.
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