How to re-KYC an existing Zerodha account

From WebNotes, a public knowledge base. Last updated 12 May 2026. Reading time ~7 min. Level: Beginner.

This guide explains how to complete a KYC renewal (re-KYC) for an existing Zerodha demat and trading account, covering the regulatory requirement, the documents needed, and the online process through Console.

Step-by-step procedure

Step 1: Understand why re-KYC is required

SEBI’s Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, and SEBI circular on Know Your Customer standards require intermediaries (including stockbrokers and depository participants) to periodically re-verify client identity and address information. This is called periodic KYC update or re-KYC.

The frequency depends on the client’s risk categorisation:

Low-risk clients: Re-KYC every 10 years.
Medium-risk clients: Re-KYC every 8 years.
High-risk clients: Re-KYC every 2 years.

Most retail individual investors are classified as low or medium risk. The risk classification is based on the KRA (KYC Registration Agency) records, the account’s trading patterns, and SEBI’s guidelines on client risk profiling.

In practice, Zerodha sends email notifications when re-KYC is due and shows a notice on the Console dashboard. If the re-KYC is not completed within the specified window, the account may be restricted: new positions may not be allowed, or the account may be frozen for debits. Existing holdings are not affected.

Step 2: Log in to Console and identify the re-KYC prompt

Go to console.zerodha.com and log in. If re-KYC is pending, a yellow or red notice banner at the top of the dashboard states “KYC update required” or “Action required: Complete re-KYC.” Click the link in the banner, or navigate to Account > Profile > Update KYC.

If the account is not showing a re-KYC prompt, the KYC is current and no action is required.

Step 3: Review current KYC details

The Update KYC page shows the details currently on file:

Name (from PAN)
Date of birth
Address (from last Aadhaar eKYC or from the submitted document)
Father’s name (for individual accounts)
Occupation
Annual income band

Review each field. If any details have changed (particularly address or income band), these can be updated during the re-KYC process.

Step 4: Complete Aadhaar eKYC for address and identity re-verification

Click Update via Aadhaar eKYC. Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number and request an OTP. Enter the OTP to re-authenticate with UIDAI.

UIDAI returns the current name, address, and date of birth from Aadhaar records. This data updates the KRA records for the account. If the Aadhaar address is outdated (old address still in UIDAI records), update the Aadhaar address first at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra before completing the re-KYC.

If the mobile number linked to Aadhaar has changed since the original account opening, the OTP will arrive at the new Aadhaar-linked number. Ensure that number is accessible.

Step 5: Update income information (if prompted)

Some re-KYC flows prompt the account holder to update the annual income band. The bands are typically:

Below Rs 1 lakh
Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh
Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh
Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh
Above Rs 25 lakh

Select the band that reflects current annual income. For salaried individuals, this is the gross annual salary. For business owners and self-employed individuals, this is the gross annual income before deductions.

If the income band has increased significantly since the last KYC, Zerodha may prompt for income proof upload (particularly if segment activation for F&O or currency is pending). This is handled in the same manner as segment income proof (see how to activate F&O segment on Zerodha).

Step 6: Update photograph and signature if prompted

Depending on the re-KYC policy at the time of the update, Zerodha may or may not request a fresh photograph and signature. If prompted:

Upload a current passport-size photograph (taken within the past 12 months).
Upload a fresh signature on white paper.

Follow the formatting requirements described in how to upload signature and photo for Zerodha.

Step 7: Review the updated KYC form

Before signing, a summary of all updated fields is displayed. Verify:

All details are accurate and reflect current information.
The Aadhaar address matches the current residential address.
The income band is correct.

If any detail is incorrect at this stage, do not proceed with the e-sign. Click Back to return to the edit screen and correct the relevant field.

Step 8: Sign the updated KYC form via Aadhaar e-sign

Click Proceed to e-sign. Authenticate with Aadhaar OTP:

Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number.
Click Request OTP.
Enter the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-registered mobile number.

The e-sign is applied to the updated KYC declaration and the data is submitted to the KRA (CERSAI, CDSL Ventures, or the relevant KRA where the account’s KYC record is held). An email confirmation is sent to the registered email address.

Step 9: Verify completion and check account status

After submission, the re-KYC is in a pending verification state. Verification by Zerodha’s back-office team and the KRA typically takes 1-3 business days. During this period, the account remains active and trading continues normally.

Check the Console dashboard after 3 business days to confirm that the re-KYC notice has cleared. If the notice persists after 3 business days, contact Zerodha support at support.zerodha.com.

What can go wrong

Aadhaar address is outdated: If the Aadhaar still shows a previous address, the re-KYC will update the Zerodha records with the old address. Update Aadhaar address at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in before proceeding, or upload an address proof document for the current address as an alternative.
Account frozen before re-KYC is completed: If the re-KYC deadline was missed, the account may be partially or fully frozen. Complete the re-KYC immediately; the freeze is lifted within 1-2 business days after successful submission.
Re-KYC prompt not visible despite account being due: If a re-KYC reminder was sent by email but no prompt is visible on Console, log out of Console and log back in. If the prompt still does not appear, contact Zerodha support to confirm the re-KYC requirement and obtain the direct update link.
Aadhaar OTP not received: If the UIDAI-registered mobile number is inactive, the OTP cannot be received and the re-KYC eKYC step cannot be completed. Update the Aadhaar mobile number at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra first. Zerodha may accept alternative document-based address proof in some cases; contact support to confirm.
Segment restrictions remain after re-KYC: If segment activation (F&O, currency, or commodity) was pending due to a re-KYC hold, re-submit the segment activation request after the re-KYC notice clears from Console.

How to complete Zerodha KYC online - Original KYC flow at account opening
How to fix a stuck KYC at Zerodha - Recovery steps if the re-KYC process stalls
How to verify PAN and Aadhaar e-sign with Zerodha - Aadhaar e-sign troubleshooting applicable to re-KYC
How to upload signature and photo for Zerodha - Photograph and signature update requirements
How to activate F&O segment on Zerodha - Segment activation after re-KYC is complete
How to track Zerodha account opening status - Checking account status during the re-KYC processing period

References

SEBI Circular on periodic KYC update (re-KYC) requirements (SEBI/HO/MIRSD/MIRSD-PoD-1/P/CIR/2023/37, 23 March 2023).
Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, Rule 9 (KYC norms for financial intermediaries).
KYC Registration Agency regulations: SEBI (KYC Registration Agency) Regulations, 2011.
UIDAI, Aadhaar address update portal: myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in (accessed May 2026).
Zerodha Console KYC update page: console.zerodha.com (accessed May 2026).

Reviewed and published by

WebNotes Editorial Team

The WebNotes Editorial Team covers Indian capital markets, payments infrastructure and retail investor procedures. Every article is fact-checked against primary sources, principally SEBI circulars and master directions, NPCI specifications and the official support documentation published by the intermediary in question. Drafts go through a second-pair-of-eyes review and a separate compliance read before publication, and revisions are tracked against the SEBI and NPCI rule changes referenced in the methodology section.

Last reviewed: 12 May 2026
Conflicts of interest: WebNotes is independent. No relationship with any broker, registrar or bank named in this article.

Time required	10-20 minutes online; up to 3 business days for verification
Documents needed	PAN, Aadhaar; updated address proof if address has changed
Cost	Free