Guides
A growing collection of how-to guides and reference notes.
- Freak-trade loss penalty
Freak trades (extremely off-market executions) on NSE / BSE may trigger trade annulment or specific penalty treatment. Explains the framework.
- Freak trade square-off on Zerodha
When a freak trade triggers an exchange-mandated square-off, how Zerodha handles it. Covers the framework and the user's options.
- Finfluencer SEBI ban, impact on Zerodha referrals
SEBI's 2024 framework banning unregistered finfluencers from providing investment advice or earning broker referrals. Explains the rules, the impact on Zerodha's referral programme, and what's still allowed.
- F&O profits available same day
F&O daily MTM profits are credited to the trading account same day (end of day), available for fresh margin / trades the next day. Explains the cycle vs equity T+1 settlement.
- F&O LTP change on Positions before market opens on Kite
Why an F&O contract's LTP on the Kite Positions tab can change before the market opens. Explains overnight settlement, post-market session, and the difference between LTP and settlement price.
- Exposure margin on Zerodha
Exposure margin on Zerodha (and Indian F&O) is the fixed-percentage buffer added on top of SPAN. Explains the rationale, the rates per contract type, and how it differs from SPAN.
- Exit G-Sec before maturity
How to sell a G-Sec held in your Zerodha demat before maturity via the secondary market. Liquidity caveats and process.
- Exchange penalty rates
Exchange-imposed penalty rates for margin shortfall, order errors, and other violations. Per SEBI's framework: 0.5%, 1%, or 5% per day.
- Exchange mass cancel reason
When Kite shows 'exchange mass cancel' as an order rejection reason, the exchange has cancelled a batch of orders. Explains the typical triggers and recovery steps.
- Exchange margin types (SPAN, ELM, Adhoc, VAR)
The four main exchange margin types in India: SPAN (Standard Portfolio Analysis of Risk), ELM (Extreme Loss Margin), Adhoc margin, and VAR (Value at Risk). Explains each and how they combine.
- Event tag on the Kite marketwatch
What the event tag on a Kite marketwatch scrip row means: corporate action indicator covering dividends, splits, bonus, rights, mergers and AGM dates. Explains the icon, the calendar, and how to read the announcement.
- ELM (Extreme Loss Margin) on Zerodha
ELM (Extreme Loss Margin) is a tail-risk buffer added on top of SPAN for F&O positions. Explains what ELM covers, the rate per contract, and the relationship to Exposure margin.
- EGRs (Electronic Gold Receipts) on Zerodha
Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) are gold-backed instruments tradable on NSE / BSE. Explains the framework and how Zerodha clients can access them.
- Edit / delete G-Sec order on Kite
How to modify or cancel a G-Sec bid placed via Kite before the auction cut-off. Explains the window and the steps.
- DVR shares on Kite
DVR (Differential Voting Rights) shares trade on Kite with the DVR suffix. Explains the structure, why companies issue them, and trading considerations.
- Ditto term insurance: how it compares plans and is it good (2026)
Is Ditto good for term insurance? How the IRDAI-licensed advisory compares plans, the FY2023-24 claim ratios, cover sizing, riders, and 80C and 10(10D) tax.
- Ditto Insurance versus traditional insurance brokers and agents
How Ditto's advice-led corporate-agent model compares with traditional insurance agents and brokers in India: commission, incentives, and IRDAI licence type.
- Ditto health insurance: plans, insurers compared, and how it works (2026)
What Ditto health insurance is, how its advisory model works, insurers it compares with IRDAI claim ratios, Section 80D limits, and Ditto vs PolicyBazaar.
- Dirty price vs clean price buy average
Difference between dirty price (settlement price) and clean price (quoted price) for G-Secs. How Zerodha computes your buy average.
- Direct payout to demat SEBI rule
SEBI's October 2024 direct-payout-to-demat rule routes equity sale proceeds and share credits directly to the client's demat account, bypassing the broker's pool account. Explains the framework, the transition timeline, and the implications.
- Delivery volume percentage on the Kite marketwatch
Delivery volume percentage on Kite shows the share of total volume that resulted in actual demat-account delivery rather than intraday squareoff. Explains the metric, how Kite computes it, and how to read it.
- Delivery shares under Positions on the same day on Kite
Why CNC delivery purchases can briefly appear under the Positions tab on the buy day before settling into Holdings. Explains T1 lifecycle and the difference from MIS positions.
- Delivery margin field on Kite
The delivery margin field on the Kite funds page reflects the additional margin held against open F&O positions in their last few days before physical settlement. Explains the calculation and the pre-expiry margin layer.
- DDPI requirement for SLB
Why DDPI (Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction) is required for SLB transactions on Zerodha. Covers the framework and signing process.
- Day's P&L on Holdings: how Kite calculates it
How the Day's P&L column on the Kite Holdings tab is calculated. Covers the previous-close formula, end-of-day adjustments, corporate-action handling, and the differences from Overall P&L.
- Day's change in absolute and percentage on Kite
The day's change column on the Kite marketwatch shows the move from previous close in both absolute (rupees) and percentage terms. Explains the calculation, toggle, and edge cases like ex-date adjustments.
- Dashboard and funds calculation flow on Kite
The order in which Kite computes the funds-page values: starts from cash and pledged collateral, subtracts margin used, accounts for premium credits, and shows the net usable. Walks through the full flow.
- Credit from T1 holdings unavailable on the same day on Kite
Why the sale proceeds from a T1 holding (shares bought today not yet settled) cannot be used the same day for new buys on Kite. Explains the T+1 settlement cycle and SEBI's framework.
- Covered call margin benefit
A covered call (long stock + short call) gets margin benefit on the short call leg because the underlying stock provides delivery. Explains the structure and the savings.
- Corporate bonds on Zerodha
Zerodha bonds platform offers select corporate bonds, NCDs, and tax-free bonds. Coverage, ratings, and how to buy.