Zerodha DIS Delivery instruction CDSL

Zerodha DIS slip

From WebNotes, a public knowledge base. Last updated 20 May 2026. Reading time ~4 min.

The Zerodha DIS slip (Delivery Instruction Slip) is the physical or electronic instrument used to authorise a transfer or sell of CDSL-held shares from a Zerodha demat. Historically a physical paper slip; now mostly replaced by eDIS , DDPI , and the CDSL block mechanism .

What DIS is

A DIS is the demat-account equivalent of a cheque book: a tear-off slip that the holder fills with:

Source DP-ID + Client-ID (the holder’s demat).
Destination DP-ID + Client-ID (the recipient).
ISIN of the security.
Quantity.
Date and signature.

For a sell, the destination is the broker’s pool (pre-2024 era) or the buyer’s demat via clearing (post-2024 via block mechanism ).

When DIS is still used

In modern operation, DIS is rarely needed:

Inter-depository transfer initiated outside Zerodha (manual DIS to the destination demat).
Specific authorisation cases where electronic flows don’t apply.
Account transfer / close procedures.
Pledge instructions (in some cases; usually electronic now).

For routine Zerodha sells, the user doesn’t see a DIS; the eDIS / block mechanism handles it electronically.

Difference from eDIS

Aspect	Physical DIS	eDIS
Format	Paper slip	Electronic flow
Authentication	Wet signature	T-PIN + OTP
Speed	Slow (days)	Fast (minutes)
Audit trail	Paper-based	Electronic record
Convenience	Low	High

eDIS replaced physical DIS for most retail sell flows. Both required CDSL coordination; only the authentication mechanism differed.

How to obtain a DIS slip book

If you genuinely need physical DIS slips (rare):

Submit a request via Console > Support.
Verify identity.
Zerodha facilitates with CDSL.
DIS booklet sent to your registered address.

Issuance is free; the booklet contains several slips for serial use.

How to use a DIS slip (when needed)

Fill the slip with source / destination / ISIN / quantity.
Sign in wet ink.
Submit to the broker (Zerodha) for processing.
Broker submits to CDSL.
CDSL processes the transfer per instruction.

Processing typically takes T+1 to T+2 working days.

Why physical DIS still exists

Despite electronic alternatives, physical DIS remains in CDSL’s framework for:

Edge cases not covered by eDIS.
Inter-broker transfers initiated outside the user’s primary broker.
Legal / compliance scenarios needing wet signature.
Account closure procedures.

For 99% of retail flows, the user never encounters a physical DIS.

Security concerns with physical DIS

A signed but unused DIS is a potential security risk:

Lost / stolen DIS could be misused (filling in details and submitting).
The signature on file with CDSL must match exactly.
Best practice: keep unused DIS slips in a secure location, not in publicly accessible documents.

The shift to electronic authentication has substantially reduced this risk.

Filling errors

If a DIS is filled incorrectly:

Most fields can be corrected (with the holder’s confirmation).
Major errors require a new slip.
CDSL may reject DIS with mismatched signatures or details.

For sensitive transfers (large quantities, valuable holdings), double-check before submission.

DDPI as the modern alternative

For users who want to eliminate DIS entirely from their flow:

DDPI (Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction) is a one-time-signed authorisation that covers most of the use cases DIS used to cover. Once DDPI is signed:

Sells flow electronically.
Pledge / un-pledge electronic.
Mutual fund transactions electronic.
No DIS needed for these flows.

Most Zerodha clients sign DDPI at onboarding and never touch a physical DIS.

External references

References

CDSL, Delivery Instruction Slip operational guidelines, cdslindia.com.
Zerodha Support, DIS and electronic alternatives, support.zerodha.com.
SEBI, Demat transfer framework, sebi.gov.in.

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