Opening a Portfolio Management Services (PMS) account involves more documentation and structural steps than opening a mutual fund folio, primarily because securities are held directly in your own demat account rather than in a pooled scheme. This guide walks through the complete onboarding process.
Step-by-Step PMS Onboarding Process
1. Strategy Selection and Initial Discussion
Before any paperwork, you (ideally with guidance from a PMS distributor or advisor) shortlist and compare PMS strategies based on your risk profile, investment horizon, and goals. Review the Disclosure Document for each shortlisted strategy — covering track record, fees, and portfolio approach. See our guides on Types of PMS Strategies and PMS Fees Explained.
2. KYC (Know Your Customer)
Standard SEBI KYC documentation is required: PAN card, identity proof, address proof, bank account details, and income/net worth declaration. If you already have valid KYC (e.g., from a mutual fund or demat account), this step is typically faster via KYC re-verification rather than a fresh submission.
3. Portfolio Management Agreement
You sign a formal Portfolio Management Agreement with the SEBI-registered PMS provider. This document defines:
- The specific strategy/mandate you’re investing in
- Fee structure (fixed, performance, or hybrid — see PMS Fees Explained)
- Reporting frequency and format
- Exit terms, lock-in (if any), and termination clauses
4. Demat Account Opening
Most PMS providers require a dedicated demat account specifically for your PMS holdings, separate from any personal trading demat account. This keeps your PMS mandate operationally distinct from your other stock holdings.
5. Power of Attorney (POA) to Custodian
You grant a Power of Attorney to the custodian/depository participant, authorising the portfolio manager to execute transactions within your PMS demat account per the agreed mandate — without requiring your signature for every individual trade. The POA is scoped strictly to this account and does not extend to your other assets.
6. Custodian Arrangement Confirmation
An independent custodian (typically a bank or dedicated custodial services provider) holds your securities and cash, separate from the portfolio manager. This segregation is a key investor protection — always confirm this arrangement is in place, as it prevents co-mingling of your assets with the manager’s own funds.
7. Funding the Account
You fund the account either via:
- Cash transfer to the designated PMS bank account, or
- In-kind transfer of existing shares you hold (subject to the provider’s approval and fit with the strategy mandate)
See our guide on PMS Minimum Investment & Eligibility for the ₹50 lakh threshold and contribution rules.
8. Portfolio Deployment
Once funds/securities are verified, the portfolio manager begins deploying capital per the agreed strategy — either immediately or staggered over several weeks, depending on the manager’s market view and the strategy’s typical approach.
9. Ongoing Reporting
You begin receiving periodic statements — typically monthly portfolio statements (showing every holding, transaction, and valuation) and quarterly performance reports (showing returns against the benchmark), as agreed in the Portfolio Management Agreement.
Typical Timeline
| Stage | Approximate Duration |
|---|---|
| Strategy selection and Disclosure Document review | Investor-dependent |
| KYC verification | 1-3 business days (faster if already KYC-compliant) |
| Agreement signing and demat account opening | 2-5 business days |
| Funding and portfolio deployment | 1-5 business days after funds/securities clear |
| Total, from complete documentation to deployment | 5-10 business days (typical) |
NRI onboarding can take longer due to additional FEMA/RBI-related documentation — see our PMS for NRIs guide.
Documents Checklist
- PAN card
- Address proof (Aadhaar, passport, utility bill, etc.)
- Bank account details and cancelled cheque
- Income/net worth proof (as required by the provider)
- Passport-size photographs
- Signed Portfolio Management Agreement
- Demat account opening form (if a new account is needed)
- POA documentation for the custodian
What to Verify Before Signing
- Independent custodian arrangement — confirms your assets aren’t co-mingled with the manager’s funds
- Exit terms and any lock-in period — understand redemption timelines before committing
- Fee structure clarity — fixed fee, performance fee, hurdle rate, and high-water mark terms in writing
- Reporting frequency and format — how often and in what detail you’ll receive portfolio updates
How Meta Investment Helps
As an APMI-registered PMS Distributor (APRN01448), Meta Investment assists with strategy shortlisting, documentation coordination, and liaising with the PMS provider throughout onboarding — though the account is always opened directly between you and the SEBI-registered PMS provider. Book a Free Consultation to begin the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to open a PMS account in India?
The onboarding process typically takes 5-10 business days from submission of complete documentation to the portfolio manager beginning deployment of your funds, assuming KYC is already in place. This can take longer for NRI investors due to additional FEMA/RBI-related documentation, or if a new demat account needs to be opened.
Do I need a new demat account for PMS or can I use my existing one?
Most PMS providers require a dedicated demat account linked specifically to your PMS mandate, separate from any personal trading demat account you may already have. This is because the Power of Attorney (POA) you grant the portfolio manager applies specifically to this account, keeping your other holdings unaffected.
What is a Power of Attorney (POA) in the PMS onboarding process?
A POA is a legal authorization you grant to the PMS custodian/depository participant, allowing the portfolio manager to execute buy/sell transactions and manage your PMS demat account within the agreed mandate — without needing your signature for every individual trade. The POA is limited to the specific account and mandate; it does not give the manager access to your funds directly.
What is the role of a custodian in PMS?
A custodian is an independent entity (often a bank or dedicated custodial services provider) that holds your securities and cash on your behalf, separate from the portfolio manager. This segregation protects investors by ensuring the portfolio manager cannot co-mingle your assets with their own funds or other clients' assets — always confirm an independent custodian arrangement exists before onboarding.
Can I set restrictions on what the portfolio manager can invest in during onboarding?
For non-discretionary or advisory PMS mandates, you retain approval rights over specific trades or sectors. For discretionary PMS (the most common type), the mandate itself — agreed and signed at onboarding — typically defines any sector exclusions or specific restrictions; the manager then has full discretion within those boundaries without needing per-trade approval.
What happens after I fund my PMS account?
Once funds (or in-kind securities) are transferred and verified, the portfolio manager begins deploying capital as per the agreed strategy mandate, which may happen immediately or be staggered over several weeks depending on the manager's market view and the strategy's typical deployment approach. You will start receiving portfolio statements per the agreed reporting schedule (usually monthly).
