TRDEZ – Investor Charter

Investor Charter – Stock
Brokers

Key parameters which drive the support mechanism designed by a stockbroker for its customers

VISION

To follow highest standards of ethics and compliances while facilitating the trading by clients in securities in a fair and transparent manner, so as to contribute in creation of wealth for investors.

MISSION

  1. To provide high quality and dependable service through innovation, capacity enhancement and use of technology.
  2. To establish and maintain a relationship of trust and ethics with the investors.
  3. To observe highest standard of compliances and transparency.
  4. To always keep ‘protection of investors’ interest’ as goal while providing service.
  5. To ensure confidentiality of information shared by investors unless such information is required to be provided in furtherance of discharging legal obligations or investors have provided specific consent to share such information.

Services provided to Investors by stockbrokers include

  • Execution of trades on behalf of investors.
  • Issuance of Contract Notes.
  • Issuance of intimations regarding margin due payments.
  • Facilitate execution of early pay-in obligation instructions.
  • Periodic settlement of client’s funds.
  • Issuance of retention statement of funds at the time of settlement.
  • Risk management systems to mitigate operational and market risk.
  • Facilitate client profile changes in the system as instructed by the client.
  • Information sharing with the client w.r.t. relevant Market Infrastructure Institutions (MII) circulars.
  • Provide a copy of Rights & Obligations document to the client.
  • Communicating Most Important terms and Conditions (MITC) to the client.
  • Redressal of Investor’s grievances.

Rights of Investors

  • Ask for and receive information from a firm about the work history and background of the person handling your account, as well as information about the firm itself (including website providing mandatory information).
  • Receive complete information about the risks, obligations, and costs of any investment before investing.
  • Receive recommendations consistent with your financial needs and investment objectives.
  • Receive a copy of all completed account forms and rights & obligation document.
  • Receive a copy of ‘Most Important Terms & Conditions’ (MITC).
  • Receive account statements that are accurate and understandable.
  • Understand the terms and conditions of transactions you undertake.
  • Access your funds in a prescribed manner and receive information about any restrictions or limitations on access.
  • Receive complete information about maintenance or service charges, transaction or redemption fees, and penalties in form of tariff sheet.
  • Discuss your grievances with compliance officer / compliance team / dedicated grievance redressal team of the firm and receive prompt attention to and fair consideration of your concerns.
  • Close your zero balance accounts online with minimal documentation
  • Get the copies of all policies (including Most Important Terms and Conditions) of the broker related to dealings of your account
  • Not be discriminated against in terms of services offered to equivalent clients
  • Get only those advertisement materials from the broker which adhere to Code of Advertisement norms in place
  • In case of broker defaults, be compensated from the Exchange Investor Protection Fund as per the norms in place
  • Trade in derivatives after submission of relevant financial documents to the broker subject to brokers’ adequate due diligence.
  • Get warnings on the trading systems while placing orders in securities where surveillance measures are in place
  • Get access to products and services in a suitable manner even if differently abled
  • Get access to educational materials of the MIIs and brokers
  • Get access to all the exchanges of a particular segment you wish to deal with unless opted out specifically as per Broker norms
  • Deal with one or more stockbrokers of your choice without any compulsion of minimum business
  • Have access to the escalation matrix for communication with the broker
  • Not be bound by any clause prescribed by the Brokers which are contravening the Regulatory provisions.

Various activities of Stock Brokers with timelines

S.No.ActivitiesExpected Timelines
1.KYC entered into KRA System and CKYCR3 days of account opening
2.Client OnboardingImmediate, but not later than one week
3.Order executionImmediate on receipt of order, but not later than the same day
4.Allocation of Unique Client CodeBefore trading
5.Copy of duly completed Client Registration Documents to clients7 days from the date of upload of Unique Client Code to the Exchange by the trading member
6.Issuance of contract notes24 hours of execution of trades
7.Collection of upfront margin from clientBefore initiation of trade
8.Issuance of intimations regarding other margin due paymentsAt the end of the T day
9.Settlement of client fundsFirst Friday/Saturday of the month /
quarter as per Exchange preannounced schedule
10.‘Statement of Accounts’ for Funds, Securities and CommoditiesMonthly basis
11.Issuance of retention statement of funds/commodities5 days from the date of settlement
12.Issuance of Annual Global Statement30 days from the end of the financial year
13.Investor grievances redressal21 days from the receipt of the complaint

DOs and DON’Ts for Investors

S.No.DosDON’Ts
1.Read all documents and conditions being agreed before signing the account opening form.Do not deal with unregistered stock broker.
2.Receive a copy of KYC, copy of account opening documents and Unique Client Code.Do not forget to strike off blanks in your account opening and KYC.
3.Read the product / operational framework / timelines related to various Trading and Clearing & Settlement processes.Do not submit an incomplete account opening and KYC form.
4.Receive all information about brokerage, fees and other charges levied.Do not forget to inform any change in information linked to trading account and obtain confirmation of updation in the system.
5.Register your mobile number and email ID in your trading, demat and bank accounts to get regular alerts on your transactions.Do not transfer funds, for the purposes of trading to anyone other than a stock broker. No payment should be made in name of employee of stock broker.
6.If executed, receive a copy of Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction (DDPI) However, DDPI is not a mandatory requirement as per SEBI / Stock Exchanges. Before granting DDPI, carefully examine the scope and implications of powers being granted. Do not ignore any emails / SMSs received with regards to trades done, from the Stock Exchange and raise a concern, if discrepancy is observed.
7.Receive contract notes for trades executed, showing transaction price, brokerage, GST and STT etc. as applicable, separately, within 24 hours of execution of trades.Do not opt for digital contracts, if not familiar with computers.
8.Receive funds and securities / commodities on time as prescribed by SEBI or exchange from time to time.Do not share trading password.
9.Verify details of trades, contract notes and statement of account and approach relevant authority for any discrepancies. Verify trade details on the Exchange websites from the trade verification facility provided by the Exchanges.Do not fall prey to fixed / guaranteed returns schemes.
10.Receive statement of accounts periodically. If opted for running account settlement, account has to be settled by the stock broker as per the option given by the client (Monthly or Quarterly).Do not fall prey to fraudsters sending emails and SMSs luring to trade in stocks / securities promising huge profits.
11.In case of any grievances, approach stock broker or Stock Exchange or SEBI for getting the same resolved within prescribed timelines.Do not follow herd mentality for investments. Seek expert and professional advice for your investments.
12.Retain documents for trading activity as it helps in resolving disputes, if they arise.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

The process of investor grievance redressal is as follows:

1. Investor complaint/GrievancesInvestor can lodge complaint/grievance against
stock broker in the following ways:
Mode of filing the complaint with stock broker
Investor can approach the Stock Broker at the
designated Investor Grievance e-mail ID of the
stock broker. The Stock Broker will strive to redress
the grievance immediately, but not later than 21
days of the receipt of the grievance
Mode of filing the complaint with stock exchanges
i. SCORES 2.0 (a web based centralized
grievance redressal system of SEBI)
(https://scores.sebi.gov.in)
Two level review for complaint/grievance
against stock broker:
– First review done by Designated
body/Exchange
– Second review done by SEBI
ii. Emails to designated email IDs of Exchange
2. Online Dispute
Resolution (ODR)
platform for online
Conciliation and
Arbitration
If the Investor is not satisfied with the resolution
provided by the Market Participants, then the
Investor has the option to file the complaint/
grievance on SMARTODR platform for its resolution
through online conciliation or arbitration
3. Steps to be followed in
ODR for Review,
Conciliation and
Arbitration
1. Investor to approach Market Participant for
redressal of complaint

2. If investor is not satisfied with response of
Market Participant, he/she has either of the
following 2 options:

i. May escalate the complaint on SEBI
SCORES portal.
ii. May also file a complaint on SMARTODR
portal for its resolution through online
conciliation and arbitration.
3. Upon receipt of complaint on SMARTODR
portal, the relevant MII will review the matter and
endeavor to resolve the matter between the
Market Participant and investor within 21 days.
4. If the matter could not be amicably resolved,
then the matter shall be referred for conciliation.
5. During the conciliation process, the conciliator
will endeavor for amicable settlement of the
dispute within 21 days, which may be extended
with 10 days by the conciliator with consent of
the parties to dispute.
6. If the conciliation is unsuccessful, then the
investor may request to refer the matter for
arbitration.
7. The arbitration process to be concluded by
arbitrator(s) within 30 days, which is extendable
by 30 days with consent of the parties to dispute.

Level 1 – Approach the Stock Broker at the designated Investor Grievance e-mail ID of the stock broker. The Stock Broker will strive to redress the grievance immediately, but not later than 30 days of the receipt of the grievance. 

Level 2 – Approach the Stock Exchange using the grievance mechanism mentioned at the website of the respective exchange.

Complaints Resolution Process at Stock Exchange explained graphically:

Handling of Investor’s claims / complaints in case of default of a Trading
Member / Clearing Member (TM/CM)

Default of TM/CM
Following steps are carried out by Stock Exchange for benefit of investor, in case
stock broker defaults:

  • Circular is issued to inform about declaration of Stock Broker as Defaulter.
  • Information of defaulter stock broker is disseminated on Stock Exchange
    website.
  • Public Notice is issued informing declaration of a stock broker as defaulter
    and inviting claims within specified period.
  • Intimation to clients of defaulter stock brokers via emails and SMS for
    facilitating lodging of claims within the specified period.
  • Following information is available on Stock Exchange website for information of
  • investors:
  • Norms for eligibility of claims for compensation from IPF.
  • Claim form for lodging claim against defaulter stock broker.
  • FAQ on processing of investors’ claims against Defaulter stock broker.
  • Provision to check online status of client’s claim.
  • Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling of Claims of Investors in
    the Cases of Default by Brokers
  • Claim processing policy against Defaulter/Expelled members
  • List of Defaulter/Expelled members and public notice issued

Timelines for complaint resolution process at Stock Exchanges against stock brokers

S.No.Type of ActivityTimelines for activity
1.Receipt of ComplaintDay of complaint (C Day).
2.Additional information sought from the investor, if any, and provisionally forwarded to stock broker.C + 7 Working days.
3.Registration of the complaint and forwarding to the stock broker.C+8 Working Days i.e. T day.
4.Amicable Resolution.T+15 Working Days.
5.Refer to Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC), in case of no amicable resolution.T+16 Working Days.
6.Complete resolution process post GRC.T + 30 Working Days.
7.In case where the GRC Member requires additional information, GRC order shall be completed within.T + 45 Working Days.
8.Implementation of GRC Order.On receipt of GRC Order, if the order is in favour of the investor, debit the funds of the stock broker. Order for debit is issued immediately or as per the directions given in GRC order.
9.In case the stock broker is aggrieved by the GRC order, will provide intention to avail arbitrationWithin 7 days from receipt of order
10.If intention from stock broker is received and the GRC order amount is upto Rs.20 lakhsInvestor is eligible for interim relief from Investor Protection Fund (IPF). The interim relief will be 50% of the GRC order amount or Rs.2 lakhs whichever is less. The same shall be provided after obtaining an Undertaking from the investor.
11.Stock Broker shall file for arbitrationWithin 7 days from receipt of order
12.In case the stock broker does not file for arbitration within 6 monthsWithin 7 days from receipt of order

Handling of Investor’s claims / complaints in case of default of a Trading Member / Clearing Member (TM/CM)

Default of TM/CM

Following steps are carried out by Stock Exchange for benefit of investor, in case stock broker defaults:

  • Circular is issued to inform about declaration of Stock Broker as Defaulter.
  • Information of defaulter stock broker is disseminated on Stock Exchange website.
  • Public Notice is issued informing declaration of a stock broker as defaulter and inviting claims within specified period.
  • Intimation to clients of defaulter stock brokers via emails and SMS for facilitating lodging of claims within the specified period.

Following information is available on Stock Exchange website for information of investors:

  • Norms for eligibility of claims for compensation from IPF.
  • Claim form for lodging claim against defaulter stock broker.
  • FAQ on processing of investors’ claims against Defaulter stock broker.
  • Provision to check online status of client’s claim.

Level 3 – The complaint not redressed at Stock Broker / Stock Exchange level, may be lodged with SEBI on SCORES (a web based centralized grievance redressal system of SEBI) @ https://scores.gov.in/scores/Welcome.html

Investors Complaints

Data for month ending March 2025

S.No.Received fromCarried forward from previous monthReceived during the monthTotal PendingResolved*Pending for less than 3 monthsPending for more than 3 monthsAverage Resolution time^ (in days)
1.Directly from Investors0000000
2.SEBI (SCORES)0000000
3.Stock Exchanges0000000
4.Other Sources (if any)0000000
5.Grand Total0000000

Trend of monthly disposal of complaints

S.No.MonthCarried forward from previous monthReceivedResolved*Pending**
1.Apr-20240000
2.May-20240000
3.Jun-20240000
4.Jul-20240000
5.Aug-20240000
6.Sep-20240000
7.Oct-20240000
8.Nov-20240000
9.Dec-20240110
10.Jan-20250000
11.Feb-20250000
12March-20250000
Grand Total0110


*Includes complaints of previous months resolved in the current month, if any.

**Includes total complaints pending as on the last day of the month, if any.

^Average resolution time is the sum total of time taken to resolve each complaint in the current month divided by total number of complaints resolved in the current month.

*** Arbitration and Appellate matters.

# Inclusive of time utilized till the arbitration award is passed

Trend of annual disposal of complaints

S.No.YearCarried forward from previous monthReceived during the yearResolved during the yearPending at the end of the year
1.2023-20240000
2.2024-20250000
Grand Total0000