Brokerage Charges in India: Explained

Whenever you buy or sell stock, you don’t only pay for the stock itself it also includes brokerage and other charges. It may look like a small brokerage charge, but it can significantly impact the return. Understanding these charges can help you significantly reduce your brokerage.

In today’s blog post, we will give you an overview of brokerage charges, their components, and how to choose the right broker.

What are brokerage charges?

Brokerage is a fee charged by a broker or brokerage firm for the services they offer, including the execution of transactions. Whenever you execute a trade, like buying a share or selling a share, you have to pay your broker a transaction fee called “Brokerage”. 

Features of Brokerage Charges

The key features of brokerage charges are as follows:

1. Per Transaction: Brokerage is charged by the broker on every transaction you make.
2. Different Pricing Models: A broker offers two types of pricing models: fixed percentage-based or flat fee per order.
3. Regulated: The maximum brokerage that a broker can charge is regulated by SEBI. However, the broker has the flexibility to change it within the limit.
4. Reducing Net Return: Brokerage will reduce the net return or profit earned from a transaction.
5. Additional Charges: In addition to brokerage, there are several other charges, a few of which are levied by the government, such as SEBI Turnover Fees, GST, etc.

Component of Brokerage Charges

The various components of brokerage charges include:

1. Brokerage: This is the primary charge levied by a broker for providing you with trading facilities. These fees can be of two types: fixed or percentage-based.
2. Securities Transaction Tax: STT is a tax charged by the government levy applicable mainly on equities and equity derivatives. The rate varies by trade type — for example, 0.1% on delivery trades (both sides) and 0.025% on intraday (sell side).
3. GST: Goods and Services Tax at a rate of 18% is applied on every buy and sell transaction. It is also applicable to exchange transaction fees and SEBI charges.
4. Exchange Transaction Charges: These fees are levied by the stock exchange, such as NSE, BSE, MCX, etc. 
5. Stamp Duty: The stamp duty is levied by the state government and is charged only on the buy side of the trade. The rate of stamp duty varies by the resident’s state.
6. SEBI Turnover Charges: This is a very nominal fee charged by the Securities and Exchange Board of India on the total volume.
7. DP Charges: Applicable when you sell shares from your demat account; usually ₹10–₹25 per ISIN, charged by your broker on behalf of the depository.

Read Also: Lowest Brokerage Charges Apps for Online Trading in India

Calculation of Brokerage Fee

Let’s understand the brokerage fee calculation using an example.

Suppose you purchased a share of XYZ Limited, and the share was trading around 500 INR. You purchased 1000 shares, and your broker will charge 0.10% as brokerage on the total traded volume. 

So in this case, the trade volume will be calculated as follows:

Share Price * Quantity

= 500 * 1000

= 5,00,000 INR.

Now, the brokerage will be calculated using the formula mentioned below:

Brokerage Fee = Trade Volume * Brokerage Rate(%)

= 5,00,000 * 0.10%

= 500 INR.

In this case, the brokerage charged by your broker will be 500 INR.

However, many popular discount brokers in India now charge a flat fee per order (for example, ₹20), which means even for a ₹5 lakh order, your brokerage could be capped at ₹20. Understanding how your broker calculates this fee is crucial, as frequent trades can significantly affect your returns.

Factors Affecting Brokerage Charges

The key factors affecting the brokerage charges are as follows:

1. Trade Volume: The brokerage charges are directly proportional to the trade volume. The higher the trade volume, the higher the brokerage.
2. Types of Securities: The brokerage charged by the broker depends on the type of security in which a person trades. The different types of security include equity, derivatives, commodities, and currencies.
3. Type of Broker: There are two types of brokers available in the industry. Full-time brokers and discount brokers both offer different kinds of brokerage models.

Different Types of Brokerage Firms

In India, there are generally two types of brokerage firms:

1. Full-Time Broker: A full-time broker offers end-to-end service to their user. Their services include broking services, investment advice, portfolio management services, etc. They charge higher brokerage or transaction charges than other types of brokers.
2. Discount Brokerage: These types of brokers primarily focus on providing low-cost trading. They charge flat fees per order. They provide only a trading platform, but they do not offer advisory services.

Read Also: Demat Account Charges Comparison 

What are Minimum Brokerage Charges?

Minimum brokerage charges refer to the lowest fee a broker imposes on any trade, regardless of its size. The exact amount varies across brokers and can depend on factors such as the type of trade, trading segment, and overall trade value. Since these charges directly impact profitability, traders should carefully review and compare brokerage structures before selecting a broker.

What are the Maximum Brokerage Charges that a Broker Can Charge?

The maximum brokerage that a broker can charge is regulated by SEBI, and it has set detailed guidelines for it. A broker cannot charge more than 2.5% for delivery and 0.25% for intraday trade volume.

How do you choose the right broker in terms of brokerage charges?

Choosing the right broker can help an investor save money; therefore, one must consider the factors mentioned below to choose the right broker in terms of brokerage charges.

1. Trade Type: Firstly, one must understand their need or type of trade that they wish to execute. If you are an intraday trader and trade by yourself, then you must go for a discount broker. However, if you are a long-term investor and depend on the research calls of the broking firm, then you must opt for a full-time broker.
2. Brokerage Charges: Then, one is required to compare the brokerage charges offered by different brokers and select the broker offering the lowest brokerage charges.
3. Customer Service: Customer service is an important factor that one should consider before choosing a broker. Choose a broker that offers a higher level of customer satisfaction and resolves the query promptly.

Read Also: Demat Account: Fees & Charges

Conclusion

On a concluding note, brokers are an unavoidable part of trading; having a demat account is mandatory to buy and sell stock. And each broker charges different transaction fees. One should keep a check on the brokerage they charge. Brokerage does not include only transaction costs; it also includes various statutory government taxes. Higher brokerage can significantly reduce the returns. Therefore, it is advisable to compare different brokers and choose one based on your needs and brokerage costs.

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