Zerodha has transformed retail trading in India with its low-cost, transparent pricing model. Intraday traders, who rely on speed, volume, and cost-efficiency, benefit the most from Zerodha’s structure. To trade effectively, traders must understand the detailed breakdown of charges applied to intraday trades. Every rupee spent on fees directly impacts net profit, so learning how these charges work gives traders a competitive edge.
Let’s break down all the essential intraday charges Zerodha applies, using the latest information available in 2025.
1. Brokerage Charges
Zerodha follows a flat-fee model that simplifies brokerage for intraday equity trades. The platform charges 0.03% of the transaction value or ₹20 per executed order, whichever comes out lower. This model helps small and large traders alike.
Example:
Suppose you buy 500 shares of a stock at ₹200 each:
- Transaction value = ₹1,00,000
- 0.03% of ₹1,00,000 = ₹30
- Zerodha charges ₹20 since it is the lower of the two values
If you place both a buy and a sell order on the same day (as in all intraday trades), you pay brokerage on both.
So for this example, total brokerage = ₹20 (buy) + ₹20 (sell) = ₹40
Zerodha applies this charge across segments – equity, commodity, and currency – which gives you a consistent cost structure to work with.
2. Securities Transaction Tax (STT)
The government charges STT to regulate securities trading. In intraday equity trading, the tax applies only on the sell side at a rate of 0.025% of the sell transaction value.
Example:
If you sell shares worth ₹1,00,000, the STT becomes:
- ₹1,00,000 × 0.025% = ₹25
This charge remains fixed regardless of profit or loss on the trade.
3. Transaction Charges
The stock exchanges (like NSE or BSE) impose transaction charges for facilitating trades. The rate depends on the exchange where the trade takes place.
- NSE charges 0.00297% of total turnover
- BSE charges 0.00375% of turnover
Example:
For a trade of ₹1,00,000 on NSE:
- ₹1,00,000 × 0.00297% = ₹2.97 (per leg, both buy and sell apply separately)
These are fixed by the exchanges and get included automatically in your trade bill.
4. GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Zerodha adds 18% GST on the combined value of:
- Brokerage
- SEBI charges
- Exchange transaction charges
You don’t pay GST on the entire trade value, only on the specific charges listed above.
Example:
If total of brokerage, SEBI, and exchange charges = ₹50, then:
- GST = ₹50 × 18% = ₹9
5. SEBI Turnover Charges
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates the markets and collects a nominal fee to fund its operations. It charges ₹10 per crore (₹1,00,00,000) of turnover on all trades.
Example:
For a ₹1,00,000 trade:
- SEBI charge = ₹10 ÷ 1,00,00,000 × ₹1,00,000 = ₹0.01
Though the amount seems small, it adds up with higher trading volumes.
6. Stamp Duty
Stamp duty applies only on the buy side of intraday trades. The rate is 0.003% of the transaction value.
Example:
For a buy order worth ₹1,00,000:
- Stamp Duty = ₹1,00,000 × 0.003% = ₹3
Each state used to apply its own rate, but since July 2020, a centralized uniform stamp duty applies nationwide.
7. Auto Square-Off Charges
Zerodha allows you to hold intraday positions until a set cutoff time. If you don’t close the position manually, Zerodha will square it off automatically. This action triggers an auto square-off charge of ₹50 plus GST per order.
To avoid this unnecessary cost, always monitor your positions and exit them well before cutoff.
8. Call and Trade Charges
If you don’t use the Zerodha Kite platform and instead call their dealing desk to place orders, Zerodha charges ₹50 per executed order for the “Call and Trade” service.
Use the Kite web or mobile platforms to avoid this fee unless a technical issue or accessibility constraint forces you to use the phone-based option.
9. Pledging Charges (For Margin Trading Facility)
Zerodha also offers Margin Trading Facility (MTF), where you pledge your stocks to borrow funds and buy more. If you use this facility, Zerodha charges:
- ₹30 per ISIN for every pledge request
- Daily interest of 0.04% on the funded amount
- The same intraday brokerage model (₹20 or 0.03%, whichever is lower)
- Auto square-off fee of ₹50 if Zerodha closes your MTF position
This allows you to take leveraged positions, but you must calculate the interest impact carefully.
10. Hidden Costs: Slippage and Impact Costs
Though not officially part of Zerodha’s fee structure, traders must remain aware of indirect costs like slippage (the difference between expected and actual execution price) and market impact cost (price changes caused by your own trade volume).
You can reduce these costs by:
- Trading in high-liquidity stocks
- Avoiding large market orders
- Using limit orders where possible
- Monitoring bid-ask spreads closely
Zerodha’s interface provides Level 2 market depth to help you analyze liquidity before executing orders.
Understanding Total Cost with an Example
Let’s say you buy and sell 500 shares at ₹200 in the same day. Here’s how your charges might look:
- Turnover: ₹1,00,000 (buy) + ₹1,00,000 (sell) = ₹2,00,000
- Brokerage: ₹20 (buy) + ₹20 (sell) = ₹40
- STT: ₹25 (sell side only)
- Transaction Charges (NSE): ₹2.97 (buy) + ₹2.97 (sell) = ₹5.94
- GST on charges: 18% of ₹45.94 ≈ ₹8.27
- SEBI Fees: ₹0.02
- Stamp Duty: ₹3 (buy side only)
Total Charges: ₹40 + ₹25 + ₹5.94 + ₹8.27 + ₹0.02 + ₹3 = ₹82.23
That’s ₹82.23 in costs on a ₹2,00,000 turnover trade. If you earn less than this on the trade, you lose money. Hence, knowing your breakeven point is critical.
Why Charges Matter in Intraday Trading
Intraday traders often execute multiple trades in a single session. Even a small per-trade cost multiplies quickly across a high volume of trades. Zerodha’s low brokerage model gives traders an advantage, but overlooking hidden charges like STT, auto square-off fees, or interest on MTF can eat into profits fast.
Successful intraday traders track every rupee spent, calculate the breakeven before every trade, and make sure their profits outweigh the charges.
Final Thoughts
Zerodha’s intraday charges remain among the lowest in the Indian market. The flat ₹20 cap per order encourages volume trading without escalating costs. However, smart trading goes beyond low brokerage. Understanding all components—from brokerage and GST to STT and slippage—empowers you to trade efficiently.
Intraday trading works best when you keep costs under control, plan entries and exits with discipline, and avoid last-minute auto square-offs. Zerodha offers the tools and fee structure to help you succeed—but it’s up to you to use them wisely.
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