What Is a Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) in a Demat Account?
Blog by Aliceblue News Desk
06 May 2026
7 minutes
New investors often hit this roadblock: you buy shares for delivery but can’t sell them from your own Demat account without extra paperwork. The Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) solves that. This simple form authorizes share debits and credits, and Alice Blue makes it effortless with free e-DIS on the ANT app.
Here’s exactly what DIS means for your trades, step-by-step processes, and why Alice Blue’s instant e-DIS beats competitors’ clunky systems.
What Is a Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) in a Demat Account?
A DIS is a slip used to move shares between Demat accounts. Your broker processes it through CDSL or NSDL, and you fill in the account details, quantity, and signature.
It is used mainly when shares need to be debited from your Demat account, especially when selling. If you do not use PoA, the DIS is also used for some off-market transfers.
SEBI requires this process for non-PoA accounts to reduce fraud. One DIS book usually has 10 slips, and each slip can handle up to 5 securities.
How does it work?
Selling Shares (Most Common Use)
- Place your sell order on the trading app (like Alice Blue ANT).
- After the market closes (5-6 PM cutoff), the app shows e-DIS or grab a physical slip.
- Fill FROM: Your Demat details (DP ID like IN300123, Client ID 8 digits, BO ID 16 digits).
TO: Broker’s pool account details. Add ISIN, quantity (e.g., “100” and “One Hundred Only”). - Authorize with OTP (e-DIS) or signature (physical).
- Shares move overnight. Ready for exchange settlement next morning (T+1).
Buying Shares (Rare, No PoA)
- Your buy settles in the broker’s pool account (T+1 day).
- Fill DIS reversed: FROM broker pool, TO your Demat details.
- Submit by the cutoff. Shares credit to you in 1-2 days.
Example: Selling 100 TCS Shares
You hold 100 TCS shares (ISIN: INE467B01029) in your CDSL Demat account (BO ID: 1308010000987654). On Tuesday at 9:30 AM, TCS trades at ₹4,200. You place a sell order for all 100 shares.
At 3:30 PM, the e-DIS request appears in your trading app:
FROM (Your Demat Account):
DP ID: IN300281
Client ID: 00091234
BO ID: 1308010000987654
TO (Broker Pool Account):
DP ID: IN300281
Client ID: 00091234
BO ID: M5000101
ISIN: INE467B01029
Quantity: 100 (One Hundred Only)
Reason Code: S11
Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number. The system confirms approval immediately.
Result: Shares will be debited from your Demat account on Tuesday evening. The sale settles on Wednesday (T+1), crediting ₹4,19,980 to your trading account after brokerage.
Key point: When selling, “FROM” is always your personal Demat account, and “TO” is your broker’s pool account. Verify both sets of details from your Demat statement before submitting.
Key Features
- Standard Fields: Every DIS has a serial number, date, FROM account details, TO account details, a list of ISINs (maximum 5 different stocks per slip), and a reason code. Reason codes tell why you’re transferring: “S11” for regular selling, “11” for off-market transfers like gifting.
- Annexure Rule: Need to transfer 6+ different stocks? Fill the main slip with 5, then attach an annexure sheet listing the rest with the same FROM/TO format. Brokers like Zerodha require this exactly.
- Stamp Duty: SEBI charges 0.015% only on shares leaving your account (debits during sales). The broker collects it upfront on the slip. No duty for credits.
- Validity Period: Slip works 30-60 days from the date you write (check your broker’s rule). After that, fill a fresh one.
Three Formats Available:
Type | How It Works | Cost | Speed |
Physical DIS | Paper form from the broker’s book | ₹15-50 per slip | 1-2 days |
e-DIS | Broker app OTP after sell order | Free | Instant |
CDSL TPIN | CDSL Easiest app, direct access | Free | 1 day |
Advantages
- Full Control: No need to give Power of Attorney (PoA) to the broker. You approve every transfer yourself.
- Fast e-DIS: Approve from your phone with OTP. No branch visits or paper.
- Low Cost: e-DIS is free. Physical slips only ₹15-50 each.
- Tax Proof: Every DIS creates clear records for ITR filing.
- Flexible Uses: Perfect for gifting shares to family, Demats, or releasing pledged shares.
- Portable: Works when switching brokers via off-market transfers.
Risks or Limitations
- Rejections Common: Signature doesn’t match (practice your exact bank signature). Wrong BO ID or Client ID. Quantity written differently in words vs numbers.
- Physical Hassles: Slips get lost in the mail or branch queues. Always photocopy before submitting.
- Hidden Costs: ₹20/slip adds up (₹200 for a 10-slip book). Stamp duty 0.015% on sales.
- e-DIS Setup: First time needs CDSL TPIN registration (SMS form, 2 days).
- Off-Market Extra Step: The target account owner must countersign the slip.
- Timing Risk: Miss 6 PM cutoff, transfer delays to next day.
DIS vs. Power of Attorney (PoA)
When You Compare | DIS/e-DIS | Power of Attorney (PoA) |
Setup | Fill the form every time you sell | Sign papers once at account opening |
Speed | Sells take overnight. Buys take 1-2 days | Shares move automatically, instantly |
Control | You personally approve every move | Broker can debit/credit without asking |
Cost | ₹15-50 per physical slip (e-DIS free) | Always free |
Cancel It | Stop using anytime | Need lawyer/notary (takes weeks) |
Best For | Beginners who want control | Heavy traders doing 100+ sells monthly |
PoA skips DIS but risks broker misuse (rare post-SEBI). Many like Zerodha push PoA; Alice Blue offers both.
DIS vs. CDSL TPIN/e-DIS
When You Compare | Broker e-DIS | CDSL TPIN |
Where Used | Only your broker’s app | CDSL website or Easiest app |
What It Does | Moves shares to the broker pool for selling | Moves shares to ANY CDSL account |
Setup Time | Ready immediately | Register once (SMS + form, 2 days) |
Daily Use | Perfect for selling stocks | Best for gifts, family transfers |
Speed | Instant OTP | Usually, the next day |
Quick note: Broker e-DIS = fast sells. TPIN = total freedom across all CDSL accounts (90% of India Demats). Use both if you switch brokers often.
Common Mistakes
- Words vs Numbers: Write “100” AND “One Hundred Only”. Mismatch = instant reject.
- Too Many Stocks: Max 5 ISINs per slip. 6+? Use the annexure sheet or split across slips.
- Bad Timing: Date expired (30 days max) or submitted after 6 PM cutoff = next day delay.
- Missing Fields: No reason code (S11 for sales) or stamp duty amount (0.015% of value).
- NSDL Extra: Attaches Client Master Report (CMR) copy for verification.
Who Should Use DIS
- Start Here: Beginners without PoA, holding 5-50 stocks long-term.
- Family Use: Gifting shares once a year between relatives.
- Broker Switchers: Moving your portfolio to a new broker.
- Skip If: You trade 100+ times monthly (get PoA instead) or do only intraday (no shares move).
- Best Fit: Small investors using free e-DIS. No branch visits needed.
Conclusion
DIS handles share transfers securely without giving your broker full Demat access. You now know exactly when to use it (sells, gifts, switches), the right FROM/TO order, and how to avoid the common rejections that trip up new investors.
Now ready to try it out? Log in to your trading app today, check your Demat holdings screen for exact FROM/TO details, and practice one e-DIS on your next sell. If stuck, message broker support with “DIS help” – they’ll send your pool IDs instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blog by Aliceblue News Desk
