How to Apply for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Online in India: A Step-by-Step Guide

Investing in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) is one of the most popular ways to participate in the growth journey of a company from the very beginning. With the digitisation of the Indian stock market, the IPO application process has become simple, secure, and almost completely paperless.
Today, you can apply for an IPO online in just a few minutes using your broker's app, your bank's net banking portal, or a UPI-enabled application. However, simply submitting an application isn't enough. Understanding the right application method, investor categories, bidding process, allotment rules, and common mistakes can significantly improve your overall IPO investing experience.
This guide explains how to apply for an IPO online in India step by step, covering everything from eligibility and documentation to allotment and listing.
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What is an Initial Public Offering (IPO)?
An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the process through which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time and gets listed on stock exchanges like the NSE and BSE.
Instead of borrowing money from banks, companies raise capital from investors through an IPO. Investors, in return, receive ownership in the company in the form of shares. Today, investors can conveniently apply for an IPO online without visiting any physical branch or filling out paper forms.
Who can Apply for an IPO in India?
Before learning the application process, it's important to know who is eligible. You can apply for an IPO if you have:
- A valid PAN card
- An active Demat account
- A Trading account
- A bank account linked with your PAN
- A valid UPI ID (for UPI-based applications)
Without a demat account, shares cannot be credited after allotment, making it impossible to participate in an IPO.
Documents Required Before Applying for an IPO
Keep the following ready before starting your IPO application:
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar (if required for KYC)
- Demat Account Number (DP ID and Client ID)
- Trading Account
- Savings Bank Account
- Registered Mobile Number
- Valid UPI ID (for UPI applications)
Ensuring that your PAN, bank account, Demat account, and UPI ID belong to the same applicant helps avoid unnecessary application rejections.
Different Ways to Apply for an IPO Online in India
SEBI allows investors to submit an IPO application through two primary methods:
Apply Through UPI Using a Broker App
This is the most commonly used method by retail investors. Popular brokers provide an IPO section where investors can apply directly using UPI. The process is quick, paperless, and suitable for first-time investors.
Apply Through ASBA via Net Banking
ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) is another SEBI-approved method. Instead of paying immediately, your application amount is blocked in your bank account until the allotment process is completed. Many investors prefer ASBA because it eliminates the additional UPI mandate approval step.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for an IPO Online Using UPI
Follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Log in to Your Trading Platform
Open your broker's mobile app or web platform and navigate to the IPO section. You will find all currently open IPOs along with important details such as:
- Issue size
- Price band
- Lot size
- IPO opening and closing dates
- Minimum investment amount
Step 2: Select the IPO
Choose the IPO you wish to invest in. Before applying, take some time to review:
- Company fundamentals
- Business model
- Financial performance
- Industry outlook
- Valuation
- Risks mentioned in the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP)
Applying solely based on market buzz or Grey Market Premium (GMP) may not always be the right investment decision.
Step 3: Enter the Bid Details
Next, fill in:
- Number of lots
- Bid price
- Investor category
Retail investors are generally advised to select the Cut-off Price option. Choosing the cut-off price means you agree to purchase shares at the final issue price determined during the book-building process, reducing the risk of your application becoming invalid because of a lower bid.
Step 4: Enter Your UPI ID
Provide your registered UPI ID carefully. The UPI ID must belong to the same individual whose PAN is used for the IPO application. Incorrect UPI IDs or mismatched account details are among the most common reasons for failed IPO applications.
Step 5: Approve the UPI Mandate
This is one of the most important steps. After submitting the application, your UPI application (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM, Paytm, etc.) will receive a mandate request. Approve it before the prescribed deadline, usually 5:00 PM on the IPO closing day. Without mandate approval, your IPO application remains incomplete even if you submitted the form successfully.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for an IPO Using ASBA
Applying through ASBA is equally straightforward.
Step 1
Log in to your bank's internet banking portal.
Step 2
Locate the IPO or ASBA section under investments.
Step 3
Select the IPO you wish to apply for.
Step 4
Enter:
- PAN
- DP ID
- Client ID
- Number of lots
- Bid price
Step 5
Review all information carefully before submitting. Once submitted, your bank blocks the application amount instead of debiting it immediately. The amount continues to earn interest until allotment is finalised.
ASBA vs UPI: Which IPO Application Method is Better?
Both methods are SEBI-approved and safe. Retail investors generally prefer UPI because of its simplicity, while ASBA remains popular among investors looking for a bank-led application process.
Understand IPO Lot Size
Every IPO specifies a minimum lot size, which represents the minimum number of shares you must apply for. For example:
- Lot Size = 50 shares
- Issue Price = ₹200
Minimum investment = ₹10,000
Applications must always be made in multiples of the prescribed lot size.
Types of Investor Categories in an IPO
Understanding investor categories helps you know how allotment works.
Retail Individual Investor (RII)
- Investment up to ₹2 lakh
- Allotment through computerised lottery if oversubscribed
Small Non-Institutional Investor (sNII)
- Investment between ₹2 lakh and ₹10 lakh
Big Non-Institutional Investor (bNII)
- Investment above ₹10 lakh
Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs)
Institutional investors such as mutual funds, banks, insurance companies, and foreign institutional investors. Each category has a separate reservation, meaning retail investors do not compete directly with institutional investors for allotment.
What Happens After You Apply for an IPO?
Once your application is submitted successfully, several important steps follow before the shares are listed on the stock exchange.
Funds are Blocked
The application amount remains blocked in your bank account rather than being deducted immediately. You continue to earn interest on this balance until the allotment process is completed.
IPO Subscription Closes
After the issue closes, exchanges publish category-wise subscription data, showing demand from Retail, NII, and QIB investors. High subscription indicates strong investor interest but also lowers the probability of allotment in oversubscribed categories.
Basis of Allotment is Finalised
The registrar finalises the allotment, generally within T+1 or T+2 timelines, following SEBI's regulations. For oversubscribed retail issues, allotment is conducted using a computerised lottery system that gives every valid retail application an equal chance of receiving at least one lot.
Shares are Credited
If allotted, the blocked amount is debited, and the shares are credited to your Demat account before the listing date.
Refund or Fund Unblocking
If you do not receive an allotment, or receive only a partial allotment, the remaining blocked funds are automatically released by your bank, typically within one to two working days.
How to Check IPO Allotment Status?
You can track your IPO allotment through multiple official sources:
- Registrar's website
- NSE IPO portal
- BSE IPO portal
- Your broker's application
- Your Demat account
You'll generally need your PAN, Application Number, or DP/Client ID to check the status.
Understand IPO Allotment in Oversubscribed Issues
Many investors believe applying on the first day improves their chances. In reality, this is a misconception.
SEBI's allotment process follows a computerised, audited lottery for oversubscribed retail IPOs. Every valid application submitted within the IPO window has an equal probability of receiving an allotment, regardless of whether it was placed on the opening day or the closing day. If an IPO is subscribed 50 times in the retail category, each eligible application competes equally for the available lots.
How to Improve Your IPO Allotment Chances
While no strategy guarantees allotment, a few legally accepted approaches can improve your probability.
Apply at the Cut-off Price
Retail investors should generally bid at the cut-off price to ensure the application remains valid even if the final issue price is fixed at the upper end of the price band.
Apply Through Multiple Family PANs
Each PAN receives an independent chance in the retail lottery. Eligible family members with separate demat accounts can each submit one application, increasing the household's overall chances.
Apply for One Lot in Oversubscribed IPOs
Applying for multiple lots under the same PAN usually does not improve allotment probability in heavily oversubscribed retail IPOs. Instead, it blocks additional funds without increasing lottery entries.
Check Shareholder or Employee Quotas
Some IPOs reserve separate quotas for existing shareholders of a parent company or company employees. If you qualify, applying under these categories may improve your chances because subscription levels are often lower than the general retail category.
Common IPO Application Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors that may lead to rejection or delays:
- Entering an incorrect UPI ID
- Forgetting to approve the UPI mandate
- Applying multiple times using the same PAN
- Insufficient balance for fund blocking
- Mismatch between PAN, bank account, and demat account
- Bidding below the final discovered issue price
- Waiting until the final few minutes to apply, when heavy traffic may slow systems
Reviewing all details before submission can help prevent unnecessary complications.
Common IPO Application Errors and Their Solutions
Technical issues occasionally occur during heavily subscribed IPOs.
Mandate Not Received
If you don't receive the UPI mandate immediately, check the Mandates or AutoPay section of your UPI app. Sometimes the request doesn't appear as a notification.
Original ReqAuthMandate Not Found
This usually indicates a temporary issue with the sponsor bank or UPI network. Waiting for some time or re-initiating the application often resolves the issue.
No JSON Object Could Be Decoded
This is generally an exchange-side error during peak traffic. Refreshing the page or retrying later usually helps.
UPI Synchronisation Delay
Sometimes funds are blocked even though the mandate status appears pending. In such cases, wait for synchronisation before submitting another application.
How NRIs Can Apply for an IPO in India?
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can also participate in Indian IPOs, subject to applicable regulations. Generally, NRIs require:
- NRE or NRO bank account
- NRI Demat account
- PAN
- ASBA-enabled bank account
Most NRIs apply through the Non-Institutional Investor (NII) category, although eligibility may vary depending on the IPO and applicable regulations. Before applying, verify whether your broker supports IPO applications for NRI accounts, as some platforms currently do not offer this facility.
Taxation on IPO Shares
Receiving an IPO allotment is not a taxable event. Tax liability arises only when you sell the shares.
- Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If shares are sold within 12 months, gains are taxed according to the prevailing tax provisions.
- Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): If shares are held for more than 12 months, taxation applies as per the latest capital gains rules in force.
Since tax regulations may change over time, investors should refer to the latest Income Tax provisions or consult a qualified tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply for an IPO without a Demat account?
No. A Demat account is mandatory because IPO shares are credited only in electronic form.
Is UPI mandatory for IPO applications?
No. Retail investors can apply using either the UPI method through a broker or the ASBA facility through their bank.
Can I apply for an IPO from multiple accounts?
You can submit only one application per PAN for a particular IPO. However, different family members with separate PANs and Demat accounts may apply independently.
What happens if I don't receive an IPO allotment?
Your blocked funds are automatically released by the bank after the allotment process is completed.
Can I modify my IPO application?
Yes, modifications are generally allowed while the IPO remains open, subject to exchange timelines and category-specific rules.
Is applying on the first day better than the last day?
No. The timing of your application does not improve allotment chances, provided your application is valid and submitted before the IPO closes.
Can I sell IPO shares on the listing day?
Yes. Once the shares are credited to your demat account and the stock is listed on the exchange, you are free to sell them.
What accounts are mandatory for applying?
You need a demat account to hold shares, a trading account to sell them, and a PAN-linked Bank account to block funds.
Should I use ASBA or UPI for IPO?
ASBA (via net banking) is more reliable for high-traffic issues as it bypasses separate mandate approvals. UPI (via broker apps) is convenient but requires you to manually approve a mandate request in your payment app.
What does "Cut-off Price" mean?
Selecting this means you accept the final issue price decided by the company. It is highly recommended for retail investors to avoid rejection.
Can I apply multiple times to increase my chances?
No. Only one application per PAN is allowed for a single IPO. Multiple applications under the same PAN will result in automatic rejection.
What are the Retail vs. HNI (NII) limits?
Retail applications are for amounts up to ₹2 lakh. Any application above ₹2 lakh is classified as Non-Institutional Investor (NII/HNI).
How can I legally increase my allotment odds?
Use the "Family Strategy" by applying for one lot each from the unique Demat accounts of family members (spouse, parents, etc.). This gives you multiple entries in the computerized lottery.
What if I don't receive the UPI mandate request?
Check the specialised "Mandates" or "Auto-pay" section inside your UPI app settings. If it still doesn't appear, delete the bid and re-apply before the deadline.
Can Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) apply?
Yes, but only via ASBA using NRE or NRO accounts. In most cases, NRIs must apply in the NII category with a minimum of ₹2 lakh.
Conclusion
Applying for an IPO online in India is now easier than ever, thanks to SEBI-regulated digital processes like UPI and ASBA. Whether you're a first-time investor or someone who regularly participates in public issues, understanding the application process can help you avoid common mistakes and invest with greater confidence.
Before applying, ensure your Demat account, bank account, PAN, and UPI details are correctly linked. Read the company's prospectus, evaluate its business fundamentals, understand the risks involved, and avoid making investment decisions based solely on Grey Market Premium (GMP) or market hype.
A disciplined approach, proper research, and awareness of the IPO process can help you make more informed investment decisions over the long term. For more IPO insights, stock market updates, and investment education, stay connected with Swastika Investmart.


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