TPIN preauthorisation on Zerodha
TPIN preauthorisation is a one-time consent mechanism (similar to DDPI) that allows a Zerodha client to authorise the broker in advance for sells, eliminating the per-trade T-PIN entry. Historically this was an alternative to the per-trade T-PIN + OTP eDIS flow ; now largely superseded by DDPI and the CDSL block mechanism .
What preauthorisation provided
Pre-2024: Without preauthorisation, every sell of a CDSL-held share required the user to enter T-PIN + OTP. For active traders this was significant friction.
With preauthorisation:
- One-time consent recorded with CDSL.
- The broker (Zerodha) authorised to trigger sells.
- No per-trade T-PIN + OTP required.
Effectively a “PoA-lite” framework.
Difference from full PoA
| Aspect | Full Power of Attorney (PoA) | TPIN preauthorisation |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Broad (broker can debit demat freely) | Narrow (sell instructions only) |
| Duration | Long-term (years; until revoked) | Configurable; typically annual |
| Risk | Higher (broker control wider) | Lower (specific to sells) |
| Approval | Wet signature + notary | OTP-confirmed |
Pre-2022, PoA was the norm for retail demat accounts. After SEBI’s circular limiting broker PoA scope, TPIN preauthorisation and similar narrow consents replaced it.
Replacement by DDPI
DDPI (Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction) is the current preferred narrow-consent framework, replacing both PoA and TPIN preauthorisation. DDPI:
- One-time signed (electronically).
- Scope: sell, pledge, mutual fund transactions.
- Revocable by the user.
Most Zerodha clients post-2022 sign DDPI during onboarding, bypassing both PoA and TPIN preauthorisation.
Current operational practice
For a Zerodha client today:
- With DDPI signed: No T-PIN preauthorisation needed; DDPI covers the sell flow.
- DDPI not signed: Per-trade T-PIN + OTP via eDIS flow (or CDSL block mechanism if applicable).
- CDSL block mechanism active: Most sells handled via block without T-PIN entry; T-PIN required only for specific cases (pledge, transfer).
The friction of per-trade T-PIN has been largely eliminated by these layered changes.
If you don’t have DDPI
If you opted out of DDPI at onboarding (or signed up before DDPI was offered):
- You can still sign DDPI now via Console > Profile > DDPI.
- Or continue with per-trade T-PIN + OTP for sells.
Most users find DDPI worthwhile for the friction reduction.
Edge cases
- Pledge / un-pledge: Still requires T-PIN + OTP (DDPI doesn’t cover this scope).
- Inter-depository transfer: User-initiated; T-PIN + OTP usually needed.
- Specific authorisation cases: May fall outside DDPI scope.
In these edge cases, the T-PIN + OTP flow is the path.
Security consideration
Even with DDPI signed:
- The broker can only initiate sells (not arbitrary debits).
- The sell still flows through the standard exchange settlement.
- User can revoke DDPI at any time.
- T-PIN remains the user’s secret for the rare cases needing it.
See also
- Zerodha eDIS T-PIN OTP
- CDSL TPIN regime (eDIS)
- How to recover a forgotten CDSL T-PIN on Zerodha
- How to regenerate CDSL T-PIN
- Generate CDSL TPIN on Zerodha
- Validity of CDSL TPIN
- CDSL block mechanism for pay-in
- Direct payout to demat SEBI rule
- Zerodha DIS slip
- Zerodha client ID lookup
- Zerodha customer care number
- Is Zerodha safe
- Kite Holdings tab explained
- Margin pledge (Zerodha)
- P symbol on holdings page
- Delivery instruction slip CDSL
- DDPI (India)
- Demat account
- CDSL
- NSDL
- SCORES (SEBI grievance portal)
- Settlement cycle changes 2025-26
- T+1 settlement in Indian equity
- Kite (Zerodha)
- Zerodha
- Zerodha Console
- SEBI
External references
References
- SEBI, DDPI framework and PoA restrictions, sebi.gov.in.
- CDSL, TPIN and preauthorisation, cdslindia.com.
- Zerodha Support, DDPI vs T-PIN preauthorisation, support.zerodha.com.