DOs & DON’Ts for Investors  

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SEBI: http://investor.sebi.gov.in/Reference%20Material/English-Folder.pdf

NSE: http://www.nseindia.com/content/assist/English_DD.zip
NSDL: https://nsdl.co.in/guidedtour/investor8.php

Or you may scroll down to check the details of DOs and DON’Ts for
Investors for different regulatory bodies.
 Securities and Exchange Board of India
A. ISSUE OF SECURITIES

DOs
9 Read the Prospectus/ Abridged Prospectus and carefully note:
Ê Risk factors pertaining to the issue.
Ê Outstanding litigations and defaults, if any.
Ê Financials of the issuers
Ê Object of Issue.
Ê Company history
Ê Background of promoters
Ê Instructions before making applications
9 In case of any doubt/problem, contact the compliance officer named in the offer
document.
9 In case you do not receive physical certificates/credit to demat account or
application money refund, lodge a complaint with compliance officer of Issuer
Company and post issue lead manager as stated in the offer document.
DON’Ts
9 Do not fall prey to market rumours.
9 Do not go by any implicit/explicit promise made by the issuer or any one else.
9 Do not invest based on bull-run of the market index/scrips of other companies in
same industry/issuer company.
9 Do not bank upon the price of the shares of the issuer company to go up in the
short run.

B. INVESTING IN DERIVATIVES

DOs
9 Go through all rules, regulations, bye-laws and disclosures made by the
exchanges.
9 Trade only through - Trading Member (TM) registered with SEBI or authorised
person of TM registered with the exchange.
9 While dealing with an authorised person, ensure that the contract note has been
issued by the TM of the authorized person only.
9 While dealing with an authorized person, pay the brokerage/payments/margins
etc. to the TM only.
9 Ensure that for every executed trade you receive duly signed contract note from
your TM highlighting the details of the trade along with your unique client-id.
 9 Obtain receipt for collateral deposited with Trading Member (TM) towards
margin.
9 Go through details of Client-Trading Member Agreement.
9 Know your rights and duties vis-à-vis those of TM/ Clearing Member.
9 Be aware of the risk associated with your positions in the market and margin
calls on them.
9 Collect / pay mark to market margins on your futures position on a daily basis
from / to your Trading member.

DON’Ts
9 Do not start trading before reading and understanding the Risk Disclosure
Documents.
Do not trade on any product without knowing the risk and rewards associated with it.

C. COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT SCHEME

DOs
9 Before investing ensure that the entity is registered with SEBI.
9 Read the offer document of the scheme especially the risk factors carefully.
9 Check the viability of the project.
9 Check and verify the background/expertise of the promoters.
9 Ensure clear and marketable title of the property/assets of the entity.
9 Ensure that the Collective Investment Management Company has the necessary
infrastructure to carry out the scheme.
9 Check the credit rating of the scheme and tenure of the rating.
9 Check for the appraisal of the scheme and read the brief appraisal report.
9 Read carefully the objects of the scheme.
9 Check for the promise vis-a-vis performance of the earlier schemes in the offer
document.
9 Ensure that CIMC furnishes a copy of the Annual Report within two months from
the closure of the financial year.
9 Note that SEBI cannot guarantee or undertake the repayment of money to the
investors.

DON’Ts
9 Do not invest in any CIS entity not having SEBI registration.
9 Do not get carried away by indicative returns.
9 Do not invest based on market rumours.
D. DEALING WITH BROKERS AND SUB-BROKERS

DOs
9 Deal only with SEBI registered intermediaries.
9 Ensure that the intermediary has a valid registration certificate.
9 Ensure that the intermediary is permitted to transact in the market.
9 State clearly who will be placing orders on your behalf
9 Insist on client registration form to be signed by the intermediary before
commencing operations.
9 Enter into an agreement with your broker or sub-broker setting out terms and
conditions clearly.
9 Insist on contract note/ confirmation memo for trades done each day.
9 Insist on bill for every settlement.
9 Ensure that broker’s name, trade time and number, transaction price and
brokerage are shown distinctly on the contract note.
9 Insist on periodical statement of accounts.
9 Issue cheques/drafts in trade name of the intermediary only.
9 Ensure receipt of payment/ deliveries within 48 hours of payout
9 In case of disputes, file written complaint to intermediary/ Stock Exchange/SEBI
within a reasonable time.
9 In case of sub-broker disputes, inform the main broker about the dispute within 6
months.
9 Familiarize yourself with the rules, regulations and circulars issued by stock
exchanges/SEBI before carrying out any transaction

DON’Ts
9 Do not deal with unregistered intermediaries
9 Do not pay more than the approved brokerage to the intermediary.
9 Do not undertake deals for others.
9 Do not neglect to set out in writing, orders for higher value given over phone.
9 Do not sign blank Delivery instruction slip(s) while meeting security pay-in
obligation.
9 Don’t accept unsigned/duplicate contract note/confirmation memo.
9 Don’t accept contract note/confirmation memo signed by any unauthorised
person.
9 Don’t delay payment/deliveries of securities to broker/ sub-broker.
9 Don’t get carried away by luring advertisements, if any.
9 Don’t be led by market rumours or get into shady transactions.
E. INVESTING IN MUTUAL FUND

DOs
9 Read the offer document carefully before investing.
9 Note that investments in Mutual Funds may be risky.
9 Mention your bank account number in the application form.
9 Invest in a scheme depending upon your investment objective and risk appetite.
9 Net Asset Value of a scheme is subject to change depending upon market
conditions.
9 Insist for a copy of the offer document/key information memorandum before
investing.
9 Note that past performance of a scheme is not indicative of future performance.
9 Past performance of a scheme may or may not be sustained in future.
9 Keep track of the Net Asset Value of a scheme, where you have invested.
9 Ensure that you receive an account statement for the money that you have
invested.
9 Update yourself on the performance of the scheme on a regular basis.
DON‘TS
9 Do not invest in a scheme just because somebody is offering you a commission
or other incentive, gifts etc.
9 Do not get carried away by the name of the scheme/Mutual Fund.
9 Do not fall prey to promises of unrealistic returns.
9 Do not forget to take note of risks involved in the investment.
9 Do not hesitate to approach concerned persons and then the appropriate
authorities for any problem.
9 Do not deal with any agent/broker dealer who is not registered with Association
of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).

F. BUYBACK OF SECURITIES

DOs
9 Read the special resolution regarding the proposed buy back in detail and then
vote for it.
9 Compare the price offered in buy back with market price during last few months,
Earning per Share, Book Value etc.
9 Determine whether the price offered is reasonable.
9 Read the instructions for making the application for tendering of shares carefully
and follow them.
 9 Ensure that your application reaches the collection centre well within time.
9 If you don’t get the letter of offer within reasonable period, contact the Merchant
Banker.
9 Mention all details as required in the letter of offer legibly.
9 Furnish all the documents asked for in the letter of offer.
9 Send application through the mode (post/courier/hand delivery/ ordinary post
etc.) specified in the letter of offer.
9 Contact Merchant Banker (MB) if no response is received from company/ MB
regarding consideration for tendered shares within stipulated time.
9 Contact Compliance Officer mentioned in the letter of offer in case of any
grievance against the company.
9 Contact the Registrar of Companies in case you feel that provision of the
Companies Act has been violated.
9 Contact the Merchant Banker in case of any grievance against the procedure
followed in the buy back.

DON’Ts

9 Don’t submit multiple applications.

9 Don’t forget to fill up the application legibly.
9 Don’t mutilate the application form.
9 Don’t cross/ cut in the application form.
9 Don’t send the application at wrong address.
9 Don’t send the application after the close of offer.
9 Don’t forget to give complete information in the application form.
9 Don’t forget to sign on application form.
9 Don’t give wrong/ contradictory information on the application form.

G. OPEN OFFER UNDER TAKEOVER REGULATIONS

DOs
9 Ensure that you are aware of all competitive offers and revision of offer before
deciding on accepting the offer.
9 Refer to national dailies/ SEBI website for details of competitive offers or
revisions of offers.
9 Note that the offer would be subject to statutory approvals, if any, mentioned in
the Letter of Offer.
9 Check whether the offer will result in delisting of the company.
9 In case of demateralised equity shares ensure credit is received to the Special
Depository Account before the closure of the Offer.
 9 Carefully note the timings/days for hand delivery of the documents mentioned in
the letter of offer.
9 Wait till last date for Offer Revision (i.e. 7 working days prior to date of closing of
offer) before tendering acceptance.
9 Submit the Form of Withdrawal accompanying the Letter of Offer at any specified
collection center upto 3 working days before date of closing of the Offer in case
you want to withdraw the shares tendered.
9 Ensure that signatures on Form of Acceptance, Transfer Deed, Depository
9 Instruction and Form of Withdrawal are in same order and same as those lodged
with the company.
9 In case of non receipt of Offer Document, you can tender or withdraw from the
9 Offer by making an application on plain paper giving the necessary details

DON’Ts
9 Don’t wait for the last date for the closure of the offer for tendering your
acceptance.
9 Don’t fill in the details of the buyer/transferee in the transfer deed to be sent.
9 Don’t file an incomplete application form/invalid documents.

H. DEALING IN SECURITIES

DOs
9 Transact only through Stock Exchanges.
9 Deal only through SEBI registered intermediaries.
9 Complete all the required formalities of opening an account properly (Client
registration, Client agreement forms etc).
9 Ask for and sign “Know Your Client Agreement”.
9 Read and properly understand the risks associated with investing in securities /
derivatives before undertaking transactions.
9 Assess the risk – return profile of the investment as well as the liquidity and
safety aspects before making your investment decision.
9 Ask all relevant questions and clear your doubts with your broker before
transacting.
9 Invest based on sound reasoning after taking into account all publicly available
information and on fundamentals.
9 Give clear and unambiguous instructions to your broker / sub-broker / depository
participant.
9 Be vigilant in your transactions.
9 Insist on a contract note for your transaction.
9 Verify all details in contract note, immediately on receipt.
 9 Crosscheck details of your trade with details as available on the exchange
website.
9 Scrutinize minutely both the transaction and the holding statements that you
receive from your Depository participant.
9 Keep copies of all your investment documentation.
9 Handle Delivery Instruction Slips (DIS) Book issued by DP’s carefully.
9 Insist that the DIS numbers are pre-printed and your account number (client id)
be pre stamped.
9 Incase you are not transacting frequently make use of the freezing facilities
provided for your demat account.
9 Pay the margins required to be paid in the time prescribed.
9 Deliver the shares in case of sale or pay the money in case of purchase within
the time prescribed.
9 Participate and vote in general meetings either personally or through proxy.
9 Be aware of your rights and responsibilities.
9 Incase of complaints approach the right authorities for redressal in a timely
manner.

DON’Ts

9 Don’t undertake off-market transactions in securities.

9 Don’t deal with unregistered intermediaries.
9 Don’t fall prey to promises of unrealistic returns.
9 Don’t invest on the basis of hearsay and rumors; verify before investment.
9 Don’t forget to take note of risks involved in the investment.
9 Don’t be misled by rumours circulating in the market.
9 Don’t be influenced into buying into fundamentally unsound companies (penny
stocks) based on sudden spurts in trading volumes or prices or non authentic
favorable looking articles / stories.
9 Don’t follow the herd or play on momentum - it could turn against you.
9 Don’t be misled by so called hot tips.
9 Don’t try to time the market.
9 Don’t hesitate to approach the proper authorities for redressal of your doubts /
grievances.
9 Don’t leave signed blank Delivery Instruction Slips of your demat account lying
around carelessly or with anyone.
9 Do not sign blank Delivery Instruction Slips(DIS) and keep them with Depository
Participant(DP) or broker to save time. Remember your carelessness can be
your peril.
 National Stock Exchange (NSE)

DOs

9 Familiarize yourself with the relevant provisions of rules, regulations, byelaws

and circulars issued by stock exchanges / SEBI from time to time, before carrying
out any transaction.
9 Ensure that the trades are executed on recognized exchange.
9 Deal with only SEBI registered intermediaries / authorized persons.
9 State clearly who will be placing orders on your behalf in writing.
9 Insist on client registration form to be signed by the broker before commencing
operations.
9 Enter into an agreement with your broker and insist on a copy.
9 Read the terms and conditions and understand the risk factor associated with the
stock marker investment.
9 Enter into a tripartite agreement with broker and sub broker in case you are
dealing through sub broker.
9 Ensure receipt of bills and contract notes from broker for trades done each day.
9 Issues cheques/drafts in trade name of the trading member only and deliver
shares into the business account (pool account) only.
9 Insists receipts of payment / deliveries within one working day of payout by the
Exchange
9 Review your contract notes / trades confirmation on daily basis when a trade is
executed as per Cir. No. NSE/CMO/0014/99 Download No. NSE/CMPT/1025
dt.15/6/1999 with reference to SEBI circular SMD/SED/CIR/93/23321
dt.18.11.1993.
9 Ensure that a statement of account is received from the broker on quarterly basis
for trades executed in that quarter as per Circular Ref No. NSEIL/Legal/6806
dt.24.10.05 & NSCC/F&O/C&S/132 dt.8.10.2002. Download
No.NSE/CMPT/3666
9 In case of disputes, file written complaints to intermediary/Stock Exchange/SEBI
within 10 days.
9 In case of sub broker disputes, inform the main trading member in writing about
the dispute within 3 months.
9 Check for public notice and press release made by the Exchange on the website.
DON’Ts

9 Do not deal with any third party/unregistered intermediaries/unauthorized

persons.
9 Do not make payment in cash / delivery of shares from any account other than
beneficiary account(Ref. Circular No.NSE/INSP/2003/21 dated September
01,2003 Download No.NSE/INSP/4377)
9 Do not make payment of money / delivery of shares in the personal account of
the authorized persons/sub brokers/employees of the trading member.
9 Do not deposit monies/shares with the trading member which is not deposited
specifically as margin and not linked to any trades executed on the Exchange.
9 Do not undertake deals for others.
9 Do not sign blank delivery instruction slip(s) while meeting security pay in
obligations.
9 Do not accept unsigned / duplicate contract note/memo.
9 Do not delay payment / deliveries of securities to trading member.
9 Do not get carried away by luring advertisements, if any.
9 Do not be led by market rumors or get into shady transactions.
9 Do not delay in taking up matters with regulatory bodies like the Exchange / SEBI
(To avoid attracting provision of byelaw 3 of byelaws of the Exchange pertaining
to limitation).
 National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL)
Precautions - NSDL
A. How Many Accounts do I need?

9 You can open more than one account if your requirements so demand.

9 You can hold shares, debentures, bonds, NSC, KVP in a single account.

9 You can save charges on multiple accounts by consolidating your holding into
one account, if there are no other compelling reasons to keep separate accounts.

B. What are the value added facilities on my account?

9 Speed – e

A facility to submit delivery instructions through internet is available. Check with

your DP for this service.

9 IDeAS

It enables account holders to view details of their holdings on the internet. Check
with your DP for this service.

C. Can I take a loan on my demat holdings?

9 You can pledge the securities in your accounts in favour of a lender (say a bank)
to avail of a loan.

D. Is there nomination facility in Demat Account?

9 Nomination can be made only by individuals holding beneficiary accounts either

singly or jointly.

9 The nominee needs to complete few formalities with the DP and get the
securities transferred into its account, in case the account holder dies.

E. Do I need to contact all companies for any updations in my personal details?

9 For your demat shares, your one point contact for all changes/updations is your
DP.
F. What precautions should I take to prevent misuse of securities lying in my
account?

9 Keep DIS book in safe custody.

9 When writing an instruction on DI slip, strike out the empty space.

9 Change your password frequently, if you are using internet facility for your Demat
Account.

9 Before giving Power of Attorney (POA) to any person for operating in your
account, understand the contents and implications of such POA.

G. I am not a frequent trader on stock exchange. What should I do with

Transaction Statement?

9 Check your transaction statement for any unauthorized debits/unintended credits

from/into your account.

9 Checks for direct credit of securities through corporate actions say bonus, rights,
mergers etc. into your account.

H. How much do I pay for my Demat Account?

9 You will have to contact to your DP for the details of charges structure.

9 Different DPs charge different fees.

9 NSDL charges DPs at uniform rate.

I. What kind of help can I get if I have any problem with my NSDL Demat Account?

9 You can contact your DP.

9 You can contact NSDL at 022-24994200 or email NSDL at [email protected] or

[email protected]