By Ramesh Sharma Your PAN card is the single most powerful identification document in India’s financial infrastructure — it links your bank accounts, tax records, mutual fund folios, and demat accounts into a unified identity across all regulatory systems. Because your PAN is registered with both CDSL and NSDL at the time of demat account opening, it can be used as a lookup key to retrieve your demat account number directly from the depository’s portal — no broker login required, no physical documents needed.
Why PAN Works for Demat Account Retrieval
When you open a demat account with any SEBI-registered broker, your PAN card number is submitted as a mandatory KYC element and registered with the depository (CDSL or NSDL). The depository links your PAN to your BO ID in its internal records. Both CDSL and NSDL have investor-facing portals that allow PAN-based lookup to retrieve account information — making PAN the fastest non-login route to finding your demat account number.
Method 1: CDSL Easi Portal — PAN-Based Lookup
Step 1 — Visit CDSL Easi. Open your browser and navigate to web.cdslindia.com. Select Easi from the main menu.
Step 2 — Use Forgot BO ID. On the Easi login page, look for the “Forgot BO ID” or “Know Your BO ID” option. Click it.
Step 3 — Enter PAN and Date of Birth. Input your PAN card number and date of birth for identity verification. Some portals also ask for your registered email or mobile number for OTP verification.
Step 4 — Retrieve Your Demat Account Number. After verification, your 16-digit CDSL BO ID is displayed on screen. Note this down and store it in a secure location.
Method 2: NSDL IDeAS Portal — PAN-Based Access
Step 1 — Visit NSDL IDeAS. Navigate to nsdlindia.com and go to the IDeAS (Internet-based Demat Account Statement) section.
Step 2 — Register if Not Already Registered. First-time IDeAS users need to register with their PAN and other account details. If already registered, proceed directly to Step 3.
Step 3 — Log In with PAN. Enter your PAN card number as the login identifier. Complete the OTP verification to your registered mobile number.
Step 4 — View Account Details. Once logged in, your NSDL demat account’s DP ID and Client ID are displayed in the account information section.
Method 3: CDSL’s Investor Services Mobile App
CDSL provides a dedicated investor app — myeasi — that allows PAN-based account lookup and holding verification. Download the myeasi app, register with your PAN and mobile OTP, and your linked CDSL demat account number and holdings are displayed directly.
Method 4: KFintech or CAMS for Linked Mutual Fund + Demat Accounts
If your demat account holds mutual fund units, platforms like KFintech (kfintech.com) or CAMS (camsonline.com) — the two major RTAs for mutual funds in India — allow PAN-based consolidated portfolio lookup. Your demat-held mutual fund units will show the associated demat account details.
Method 5: Broker’s Forget Client ID Feature
Most major brokers have a “Forgot Client ID” or “Forgot User ID” option on their login pages. Enter your PAN card number and registered mobile number, verify the OTP, and your Client ID (which forms the second half of your 16-digit demat account number) is displayed. Combine it with your broker’s DP ID (found on the broker’s website or by contacting support) to construct the full 16-digit number.
Overview Table: PAN-Based Demat Account Number Retrieval
| Method | Portal / App | Steps | Instant? |
| CDSL Easi — Forgot BO ID | web.cdslindia.com | PAN + DOB → OTP | Yes |
| NSDL IDeAS | nsdlindia.com | PAN registration → OTP login | Yes (after registration) |
| CDSL myeasi App | myeasi mobile app | PAN + mobile OTP | Yes |
| Broker’s Forgot Client ID | Any major broker login page | PAN + mobile OTP | Yes |
| KFintech / CAMS | kfintech.com / camsonline.com | PAN → view linked demat | For MF demat holders |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I find my demat account number using only my PAN card?
Yes — both CDSL’s Easi portal and NSDL’s IDeAS portal allow PAN-based lookup to retrieve your demat account number after mobile OTP verification.
Q2. What if I have multiple demat accounts linked to the same PAN?
All demat accounts linked to your PAN — across different brokers — will appear in the CDSL or NSDL portal’s account lookup result. SEBI permits multiple demat accounts.
Q3. Is it safe to use PAN on the CDSL or NSDL portal?
Yes — both web.cdslindia.com and nsdlindia.com are SEBI-regulated official government infrastructure portals. Always verify the HTTPS URL before entering any personal details.
Q4. What is myeasi by CDSL?
CDSL’s official mobile app for investors — allows PAN-based login, real-time holdings view, transaction history, and nominee management without going through your broker.
Q5. What if my PAN is not linked to my demat account?
PAN is a mandatory KYC element for demat accounts — if not already linked, your broker will require a KYC update before the account can be used for trading. Contact your broker’s customer care to complete PAN linking.