How to Invest in Unlisted Shares?
If you’ve ever heard someone talk about unlisted shares and wondered whether they’re worth exploring, you’re not alone. Many investors in India are now looking beyond the stock market for early opportunities.
What Is Unlisted Shares
Unlisted shares refers to shares that aren't listed on stock exchanges like the NSE or BSE, such as startups, private businesses that are growing quickly or even established brands that haven't made the leap public yet.
In simple terms:
You are investing in a company before its IPO.
People invest in unlisted shares because:
They may be available at lower valuations
There is potential for high returns after IPO
You get early access to promising businesses
However, they are also less liquid and require more understanding.
Documents Needed to Open a Demat Account to Invest in Unlisted Shares
To invest in unlisted shares, you must have a Demat account. The good news is—there’s no special Demat needed. A regular Demat account works fine.
Here are the documents you’ll need:
PAN Card
Aadhaar Card
Address proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
Bank account details (cancelled cheque or bank statement)
Passport-size photograph
Once your Demat is active, you’re eligible to hold unlisted shares digitally.
Process to Invest in Unlisted Shares
Let’s break the process to invest in unlisted shares step by step, without jargon.
Step 1: Choose a trusted intermediary or unlisted share company
Unlisted shares are usually bought through unlisted share company:
Registered intermediaries
Wealth managers
Investment advisors
Always verify their credibility before proceeding.
Step 2: Select the company
You’ll be shown a list of available unlisted shares along with:
Price per share
Financials
Business background
Take time to understand what you’re buying.
Step 3: Make the payment
Once you confirm the deal:
You transfer funds via bank
The intermediary initiates the share transfer
Step 4: Shares credited to your Demat
The shares are credited to your Demat account, usually within 7–15 working days.
That’s it—you now own unlisted shares.
Can I Trust on Unlisted Share Investment
This is a very genuine question—and honestly, a smart one.
Yes, you can trust unlisted share investment, but only if you do it right.
Here’s how to stay safe:
Deal only with reputed and transparent intermediaries
Avoid offers that promise “guaranteed returns”
Ask for proper documentation and transaction proof
Understand that prices can fluctuate and liquidity is limited
Unlisted shares are not scams by default, but they are not meant for blind investing either.
What Is the Taxation on Unlisted Shares in India
Understanding unlisted shares income tax rules is very important.
Capital Gains Tax
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG):
If you sell within 24 months, gains are taxed as per your income tax slab.Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG):
If you hold for more than 24 months, gains are taxed at 20% with indexation benefits.
After IPO
If your unlisted shares later get listed via IPO, the holding period is still counted from your original purchase date, not the IPO date.
Always consult a tax advisor for accurate filing.
Can Unlisted Shares Be Held in Demat Account
Yes, absolutely.
Unlisted shares can be held in a Demat account, just like listed shares.
This makes tracking, transferring, and selling much easier and safer.
Earlier, unlisted shares were held in physical form, but today:
Most transactions happen in Demat
It reduces risk and paperwork
It ensures transparency
Conclusion
To sum it up, investing in unlisted shares can be rewarding if you:
Understand the business
Follow the right steps to buy unlisted shares
Stay patient and realistic about risks
It’s not a get-rich-quick option.
But for investors who think long-term and do their homework, unlisted shares can be a valuable part of a diversified portfolio.

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