NSDL Introduces Three-Year Settlement Fee Exemption for Women Amid Growing Market Engagement

National Securities Limited Launches "Women Plan" to Boost Women's Participation in India's Capital Markets

In a move aimed at promoting greater financial inclusion and participation, National Securities Limited (NSDL) has introduced its "Women Plan," a new initiative designed to encourage women to enter and remain in India's capital markets. The plan's centerpiece is a three-year settlement fee holiday for new women investors, providing a significant cost savings for those looking to invest in the country's stock market.

The introduction of the Women Plan comes as women are increasingly entering the investing ecosystem in India. According to recent data, demat accounts held by women have surged by over 129% since 2021, growing from 6.67 million to more than 28 million by early 2026. This represents a significant shift in the country's investing landscape, with women now accounting for nearly 30% of new brokerage clients.

Read also: Treasury Yields Experience Largest Increase in Two Weeks Following Release of Labor Market Data

The Women Plan is designed to be flexible and inclusive, with no age restrictions, no cap on the number of transactions, and investors can hold multiple eligible demat accounts. Joint accounts will also qualify, provided the woman is the primary holder. By eliminating a key transaction cost at the start of the investment journey, NSDL aims to help women move beyond basic financial access toward active wealth creation.

The initiative aligns with the government's broader financial inclusion push under the Viksit Bharat Yojana and complements schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which have expanded access to banking and financial services across the country. The focus of the Women Plan is particularly on first-time investors who may be deterred by costs and complexity.

The plan is set to be available to women opening a new NSDL demat account between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, with a complete waiver on settlement fees for debit transactions for three years from the date of account opening. This straightforward benefit structure positions the Women Plan as a targeted step toward making capital markets more inclusive and approachable for a new generation of women investors.