How to Apply for an IPO in India in 2026 — Complete Beginner's Guide

Applying for an IPO in India has become much simpler over the past few years, especially with UPI-based applications. If you have been curious about IPOs but unsure where to start, this step-by-step guide covers everything. What Is an IPO? An Initial Public Offering is when a private company offers shares to the public for the first time via NSE or BSE. It gives retail investors a chance to own a stake in a company from day one of listing — sometimes at valuations lower than the post-listing market price. Step 1: Open a Demat and Trading Account You need a Demat account (holds shares) and a trading account (buys/sells them). Leading SEBI-registered brokers include Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, Angel One, and ICICI Direct. Account opening is fully digital, takes 1–2 days. Requirements: PAN card, Aadhaar, bank details, selfie. Step 2: Link Your UPI ID All retail IPO applications today use UPI-ASBA. Make sure your UPI ID (e.g., yourname@okaxis) is active and linked in your broker account. Step