The complete beginner guide to setting up your Demat account, activating MeroShare, and getting your CRN - the three-step gateway to Nepal's stock market.
A Demat (Dematerialized) account is the digital equivalent of a physical share certificate locker. All shares on NEPSE are stored in your unique Demat account identified by a 16-digit BOID. MeroShare is the CDSC web portal for IPOs, portfolio checking, and EDIS share transfers. CRN is a 9-digit code linking your bank account to your Demat - it is what C-ASBA uses to block funds for IPO applications without sending money to any third party.
Without a Demat account you cannot participate in Nepal's IPO (primary) market or secondary NEPSE trading. Setup is completely broker-independent - done at your own commercial bank. One-time cost: NPR 100 (CDSC Demat). Annual renewal: NPR 150 total - less than a cup of coffee per year.
Go to your savings bank (must be Class A "Ka shreni"). Ask for the Demat account opening form.
Citizenship certificate (both sides photocopy), passport-size photo, PAN number (recommended), signed Demat form.
CDSC processes via your bank DP. You receive your 16-digit BOID by SMS. Keep it safe - needed for MeroShare.
Go to meroshare.cdsc.com.np → Register → Enter BOID, bank DP, account number, set password. Activation is instant once bank confirms your Demat.
| Component | What It Is | Where to Get It | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demat Account (BOID) | Digital share locker | Class A bank branch | NPR 100 one-time | 1-7 working days |
| MeroShare Account | IPO, portfolio, EDIS portal | meroshare.cdsc.com.np | NPR 50 first year | Instant (online) |
| CRN Number | Links bank to Demat for IPO | Same bank DP (branch) | Usually free | Same day |
| Annual Renewal | Mandatory every fiscal year | connectIPS or mobile banking | NPR 150 total/year | Before Ashadh 31 |
CDSC (CDS and Clearing Ltd) is the SEBON-authorized central depository managing all Demat infrastructure. Every Class A bank is a licensed DP. The C-ASBA system uses your CRN to block funds in your account without sending money to brokers - eliminating the old weeks-long refund process.
Bibek missed a hydropower IPO because he had no Demat or MeroShare. Friends applied from phones while he watched.
Next day: (1) Kumari Bank branch - submitted citizenship copy, photo, filled form, paid NPR 100. (2) Received BOID by SMS in 3 days. (3) Registered on meroshare.cdsc.com.np - done in 5 minutes. (4) Got CRN from same branch. Next IPO: applied in 2 minutes on phone - NPR 1,000 blocked, received 10 kitta.
Goal & Dilemma: Activating Demat, MeroShare, and CRN before a major infrastructure IPO closes.
Standard retail: 10 kitta for most oversubscribed IPOs.
NPR 100 for standard Nepal IPOs.
Blocked (not transferred) via C-ASBA. Released if not allotted.
10 kitta × NPR 100 = NPR 1,000 blocked. If not allotted: released within hours. If allotted: 10 shares in your Demat, NPR 1,000 is the purchase price.
Opening Demat at a Class B bank or cooperative.
Only Class A ("Ka shreni") commercial banks are CDSC licensed Depository Participants.
Forgetting to renew Demat and MeroShare before Ashadh 31.
Pay NPR 100 (Demat) + NPR 50 (MeroShare) via connectIPS or any payment app.
Using someone else's Demat for IPO applications.
Each person must have their own account. Never share BOID or MeroShare password.
Yes. Any Nepali citizen 18+ with valid citizenship can open Demat. No salary or job proof needed.
One per bank DP, but multiple banks are possible. CDSC links all to your citizenship for IPO purposes - one primary BOID matters.
connectIPS.com.np, eSewa, Khalti, or mobile banking → search "CDSC Payment" or "Demat Renewal." Pay NPR 100 + NPR 50 before Ashadh 31.
According to CDSC regulations, an individual is legally allowed to maintain a maximum of two Demat accounts across all depository participants.
C-ASBA Registration Number (CRN) is a unique verification code issued by your bank linking your bank account to your Demat number for paperless IPO fund verification.