Central Depository Services Limited (“CDSL”) was found in 1999 to fulfil one goal:
Convenient, Dependable and secured depository services. Over two decades later,
everything we have done – the values we have built on, dematerialisation of various
asset classes, e-services – have all been in support of that singular goal,
at an affordable cost.
We are a Market Infrastructure Institution (MII) and a crucial part of the
Capital market structure, providing services to all Market participants -
Exchanges, Clearing Corporations, Depository Participants (DPs),
Issuers and Investors.
A Depository is a facilitator for holding of securities in the dematerialised form and an enabler for securities transactions.
Investor Accounts
Depository Participants
Number of Securities in Demat Custody
Value of Securities in Demat Custody
“easi” (electronic access to securities information), an internet based facility, allows BOs to monitor their CDSL Demat account at a place and time of their choosing. easi also provides details of corporate announcements for ISINs held in their account as well as 25 additional ISINs.
Login to - Myeasi“easiest” (electronic access to securities information & execution of secure transactions), an internet based facility, allows BOs to submit debit instructions through the internet, thus obviating the need of visiting their DP offices to submit instruction slips.
Login to - EasiestSMS alert facility SMART(SMS Alerts Related to Transactions) enables BOs registered for this facility to receive SMS alerts in case of any debits or credits related to corporate actions or any change in demographic details in their accounts.
“e-Voting” is an internet based system ()through which shareholders can login and register their votes on company resolutions. The system processes and records votes automatically, which facilitates faster processing of voting results.
Login to - e-VotingM-Voting is a mobile application for e-Voting. The mobile app can be downloaded by shareholders on their android and iOS based mobile devices.
Myeasi Mobile App for BOs registered for easi or easiest. Myeasi Mobile App is designed with adaptive technology such that its fits in all Smartphones/tab screen size. Investors can log-in to the App using their easi/easiest log-in credentials. CDSL’s Myeasi app can be downloaded by Android and iOS based mobile devices.
e-Locker is an online document storage facility to store important documents in electronic form at one central secure location. This facility is available for easi/easiest users.
CDSL becomes the first depository to cross 50 million active demat accounts
CDSL Becomes the first depository to cross 40 million active demat accounts.
CDSL becomes the first Depository to cross 20 million (2 crore) active demat Accounts.
CDSL becomes the first depository to inaugurate its branch in India’s first IFSC (International Finance Services Centre) at GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tech City) in Gujarat.
CDSL becomes the Largest depository in India in terms of active demat accounts.
CDSL included in the NSE NIFTY 500, NIFTY Smallcap 250 & NIFTY Mid-Smallcap 400 Indices.
The number of active demat accounts crosses 15 million (1.5 crores).
CDSL Ventures Ltd, starts RTA services.
Lists on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) after receiving an overwhelming response in the IPO.
Launches CDSL Commodity Repository Limited (CCRL); formal registration certificate received from Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
CDSL included in MSCI India Domestic Small Cap Index.
Launches m-Voting, an e-Voting mobile app for shareholders to cast their vote at their convenience.
Registers with UIDAI as Authentication Service Agency (ASA) & KYC Service Agency (KSA) to facilitate e-KYC of investors by providing authentication and KYC services respectively
The number of active demat accounts crosses 10 million (1 crore).
Transaction Using SMS Texting (“TRUST”), the acronym for our Company’s mobile-based utility, “Transaction Using Secured Texting” was formally launched.
2CIRL begins operations to create eIA (electronic Insurance Accounts) and hold life and general policies in electronic form through the said eIAs.
Shri U. K. Sinha, SEBI Chairman launched CDSL Ventures Ltd., India’s first and largest KYC Registration agency.
CDSL Insurance Repository Limited (CIRL), subsidiary incorporated.
Signs agreement with Nepal Stock Exchange Limited (“NEPSE”) to set-up a depository and clearing and settlement system in Nepal and to provide technical assistance and consultancy services to NEPSE.
CDSL signs agreement with The Nepal Stock Exchange Limited (NEPSE), in the presence of Shri S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India and Smt. Sujata Koirala, Deputy Prime Minister, Nepal to set-up a Depository and Clearing & Settlement System in Nepal.
Introduces the National Academic Depository (NAD) with a view to obviate the issues associated with the issue of academic mark sheets, degrees and convocation certificates in paper form.
Hon’ble Minister for Corporate Affairs of India, Shri Salman Khurshid launches CDSL’s eVoting platform.
Signs MoU with Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn. Bhd. (“Bursa Malaysia Depository”) to pursue cooperative relationship and opportunities in the areas of securities clearing and depository.
Number of active demat accounts crosses 5 million.
Signs MoU with Japan Securities Depository Center, Inc. (“JASDEC”) of Tokyo, designed to build a cooperative relationship.
Signs MoU with National Depository Center (“NDC”) to bolster economic relations between India and Russia by encouraging cooperation through the mutual exchange of experience.
Signs MoU with Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation (“TDCC”), aimed at mutual benefits and further development in the financial market by cooperation in operations and operation linkages, exchange of personnel and new developments.
Signes MoU with Euroclear SA/NV, designed to promote cross-border investment and explore the possibility of establishing an operational link with Euroclear SA/NV.
Signs MoU with the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation of New York (“DTCC”), designed to build a closer working relationship and facilitate exchange of Information.
Signs MoU with the Korea Securities Depository (“KSD”), aimed at promoting development of financial services industries in India and Korea.
Launches SMS Alert facility called “SMART” (SMS Alerts Related to Transactions).
CDSL receives the BS7799 certification from Det Norske Veritas (Rotterdam).
CDSL Ventures Limited (CVL), CDSL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, incorporated.
CDSL receives the ISO 27001 from Det Norske Veritas (Rotterdam).
CVL begins “Customer profiling and Record Keeping” of the KYC of investors for mutual funds.
Number of active demat accounts crosses 1 million (10 Lakhs).
Number of companies admitted for demat crosses 5,000.
Launches internet facility “easiest” (electronic access to securities information and execution of secured transaction).
Launches CDSL’s internet facility “easi” (electronic access to securities information).
Commences online inter-depository transfer, enabling on-line transfer of securities between both the depositories any time during the specified business hours.
The Union Finance Minister of India, Mr. Yashwant Sinha flags off the Company operations.
Commences the settlement of trades in demat mode through BOI Shareholding Limited, the Clearing House of BSE Limited.
As part of CDSL’s commitment to supporting transparency in the financial sector, this page provides a comprehensive suite of information on the due diligence regulations applied to our services, operational set-up, processes and procedures.
Recent years have yielded significant advances in computing and communication technologies,
with profound impacts on society. Technology is transforming the way we work, operate,
and interact with others.
The financial services industry has always been in the forefront of adopting technology
earlier than most other industries. Moreover, being a highly regulated industry,
it is also imperative that compliance and risk management areas are addressed in the process
of technology adoption. Our organizations are faced with tremendous business challenges
including constantly changing business dynamics, regulatory changes, risk and compliance matters
as well as cost pressures. With financial information at the core of our systems,
it is imperative to safeguard and protect the data of our financial intermediary partners
and end customers by adopting best practices in information security.
The core depository application has been built and been continuously enhanced and enriched
adopting new technologies as and when they are available and are relevant to the platform.
Introducing new products, features and functionality into the system is a continuous process
wherein products / services enhancements, customer convenience, revenue earnings potential,
cost savings potential and regulatory policies decide the priorities of such enhancements being
taken up for implementation.
CDSL has deployed its core depository system based on a centralised architecture due to which data is available to the user instantaneously and is current. CDSL has sourced software solution from the world's leading software solution provider. The system can be accessed over internet as well as intranet though secure channel after multi-factor user authentication at login-in.
CDSL has deployed state-of-the-art server hardware, enterprise flash storages and highly resilient network infrastructure. These systems are highly scalable, reliable and robust. CDSL has been continuously undertaking capacity enhancement measures so as to effectively meet the requirements of increased users and increasing utilization of hardware resources as business volumes increase. The systems are deployed at best in class datacentre facilities.
CDSL has gone in for a centralised database system. This architecture provides distinct advantages to the users wherein the initial set-up cost for Issuer Companies, their RTAs and Depository Participants is low compared to the decentralized set up in which local infrastructure, database licenses and trained systems manpower are required at the financial intermediary end. Since, database is managed centrally, strong security controls are in place. Taking backup of systems at intermediary end is not required. Information on investor's holdings is available to the Depository Participant and the Issuer or its RTA instantly.
From the business continuity angle, CDSL has in place, a robust system with multiple back-up levels including a redundant fail-over cluster and a DRS, located at a different seismic zone. Consequently, in the event of a disaster at the main site, users connected to the CDSL connectivity network viz. Depository Participants (DPs), Clearing Corporations and Registrar & Transfer Agents (RTAs) can electronically connect to the DRS for seamlessly carrying on day-to-day operations. The routine DR drill switchover to DRS and back is seamless and does not require any configuration changes at the user end.
At CDSL we have implemented world class information security and cyber security practices to efficiently handle confidential and sensitive data. CDSL Information Security has designed comprehensive set of policies and has embraced design, implementation and maintenance of these policies, processes, standards and guidelines to manage risks to its information assets. We ensure that processes must remain effective and efficient and also adapt to changes that occur in the internal organization and external environment. The policies laid down by the regulator are strictly followed and audited annually by an independent auditor.
An effective Information Security Management System (ISMS) protects information throughout the life span, from its initial creation to its final disposal. All data and information is protected while it is in motion and at rest. CDSL has committed itself to highest level of information security practices and is committed to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all its information, in any form whatsoever. Towards this end, CDSL has complied with ISO 27001 Standards and has been awarded the coveted ISO 27001 certificate by the leading certification body.
CDSL is committed to ensure an effective Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) as a mechanism to restore and deliver seamless services at an acceptable level, in the event of any disruption. CDSL is one of the few depository institutions in the world to be awarded ISO 22301 certification for Business Continuity Management Systems in June 2013. CDSL applies suitable methods to monitor the BCMS implemented within the organization. The organization continually strives to improve the effectiveness of its BCMS by adopting system control processes.