What is KRA?

KYC Registration Agency (KRA) is a SEBI-registered agency that maintains know your client (KYC) records of investors centrally. Once you complete KYC with any registered intermediary like a stock broker, mutual fund or depository, your information is saved with KRA, eliminating the need to submit again the next time you open an account with another intermediary. KRA functions under SEBI rules ensuring security of your personal information.

The KYC process is vital for financial regulations globally, including in securities markets. It ensures client identities are verified to prevent money laundering, fraud and any other illicit activities. In India, SEBI established the KRA agency to centralize KYC records, making the process more efficient.

According to SEBI, there are six registered agencies authorized as KRAs: 

1. Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL Ventures Limited) 
2. National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL Database Management Limited)
3. National Stock Exchange of India Limited (DotEx International Limited) 
4. Computer Age Management Services Pvt. Ltd. (CAMS KRA) 
5. Karvy Fintech Private Limited (Karvy KRA) 
6. Bombay Stock Exchange Technologies Pvt Ltd (BSE KRA)

Opening a demat account with Arihant is simple and paperless. By providing your Aadhaar and PAN information, Arihant fetches your information securely from the KRA system, making the account opening process seamless and efficient.