Essentials

Before you invest

The checks, documents and official links to sort out before your first transaction — and the small details that cause trouble years later if they are wrong now.

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Every mutual fund folio is keyed to a PAN. If you do not have one, this is the first step and everything else waits on it.

Apply for PAN (Protean)

Folios are opened in the name the records carry, not the name you usually write. A mismatch surfaces years later, at redemption, when it is far harder to fix.

Check name on the Income Tax e-Portal
For privacy the portal shows only the structure of the name, not the full spelling. Count the letters in each part and match them against how you intend to write it.

KYC is held by KRAs, and status can differ between them. Check first — many people are already registered but not validated, which stops transactions without any obvious reason.

Check KYC status (CAMS KRA) Initiate fresh KYC / update KYC Download Aadhaar (UIDAI) PAN–Aadhaar link status
Validation, KRA by KRA

Each one behaves slightly differently. The method that works is noted against each.

CAMS KRA Use Edge360 to validate with Aadhaar.
CVL KRA Upload a masked Aadhaar when prompted.
NDML KRA Use the DigiLocker method to validate with Aadhaar.
Karvy KRA Proceed through the validation page.
Dotex KRA Submit physical documents at any KRA office and email dotex_kraops@nsekra.com.

Spreading folios across accounts creates mandate and IFSC mismatches, and slows every redemption you will ever make. Pick one account, enable net banking on it, and keep it.

If they disagree, fix the records first. Correcting a name after folios and mandates exist is considerably more work than doing it now.

  • PAN number, and the name exactly as PAN records hold it
  • Address as per Aadhaar
  • Bank account details, with net banking enabled
  • Email address and mobile number
  • Nominee details — including their ID, email and mobile
  • Your preferred SIP date

If the same email or mobile is shared with a family member, the relationship has to be declared. Left undeclared, it is treated as Self and can hold up transactions later.

Paperwork sorted. Now the thinking.

Getting the documents right is the easy half. What you invest in, and why, matters more.

What to know before investing Run the numbers

Every link on this page points to an official portal operated by the relevant authority, registrar or exchange. MFD Central is not affiliated with any of them, earns nothing from these links, and cannot access or process your KYC. Requirements change from time to time — always follow the instructions given on the official site itself. Nothing you tick on this page is recorded or sent anywhere.