Overview
Stockbrokers (also called Dealers, Sub-Brokers, or Authorised Persons) execute equity, F&O, currency, and commodity trades for retail and institutional clients. The Indian retail-investor base has exploded — from 3.6 crore demat accounts in 2020 to 15+ crore in 2025 — driven by Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, Angel One, ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities. The discount-brokerage revolution has shifted compensation from traditional commission models to subscription and flat-fee structures. Top performers at full-service brokerages combine financial-product expertise with relationship management.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Execute buy/sell orders on equity, F&O, currency, commodity markets; advise clients on equity selection and portfolio allocation; explain new IPOs, mutual funds, structured products; manage client onboarding (KYC, demat account setup); generate research reports for client distribution; conduct daily market opening briefings; coordinate with research analyst team on call-action ideas; respond to client queries on positions and margin calls; build long-term client relationships; comply with SEBI regulations on advice and disclosures.
Skills required
- Equity, F&O, currency, and commodity market knowledge
- Trading platforms (Zerodha Kite, Angel One, ICICI Direct, NSE NEAT, BSE BOLT)
- Technical analysis and chart-reading basics
- Fundamental analysis for equity selection
- Knowledge of SEBI regulations and code of conduct
- Client relationship management
- Risk and margin calculations
- Communication of complex products in plain language
Education path
Bachelor's degree (any discipline; B.Com / Economics preferred). NISM (National Institute of Securities Markets) Series VIII (Equity Derivatives) and Series IX (Currency Derivatives) certifications mandatory for trading. NCFM (NSE) modules for specialist topics. For senior advisory: CFA Levels I-III increasingly valued. MBA Finance / CFA accelerates senior dealer / portfolio management tracks. SEBI registration as Authorised Person mandatory.
Career progression
- 1Junior Dealer / Authorised Person (0-3 yrs)
- 2Dealer (3-7 yrs)
- 3Senior Dealer / Branch Manager (7-12 yrs)
- 4Sales Trader / Institutional Dealer (12-18 yrs)
- 5Head of Sales Trading / Wealth Manager (18+ yrs)
Top employers in India
Useful certifications
- NISM Series VIII Equity Derivatives
- NISM Series IX Securities Markets Foundation
- NCFM modules
- CFA Levels I-III
- NISM Series XV Investment Adviser (for advisory)
- JAIIB / CAIIB (banking-finance combination)