At some point you will be asked for your Client Master Report (CMR) — when you transfer shares to another account, switch brokers, claim inherited securities, or buy unlisted shares. It is a free, digitally-signed PDF that your broker issues to certify your demat account details. Here is what is in it, when you need it, and how to get yours in minutes.
What is a Client Master Report?
A CMR is a digitally-signed PDF certificate issued by your broker (your Depository Participant) that lists the master details of your demat account exactly as held with the depository (CDSL or NSDL). It is the authoritative proof of who you are and how your account is set up — the document anyone moving securities into or out of your account will ask to see. You may also see it called a CML (Client Master List); the two terms mean the same thing.
What a CMR contains
A CMR pulls together every identifying detail of your demat account in one signed page:
| Field | What it shows |
|---|---|
| DP ID + BO ID | Your full demat account number (the depository participant ID plus your beneficiary owner ID) |
| Depository | Whether your account is with CDSL or NSDL |
| Name & date of birth | As per your KYC |
| PAN | Linked to the account |
| Bank account details | Mapped for dividends / payouts |
| Nominee details | Registered nominee(s), if any |
| Contact | Registered email and mobile |
| Account type | Resident or NRI; individual or corporate |
If you are unsure whether your account sits with CDSL or NSDL, the CMR settles it — or you can tell from the account-number format explained in our CDSL vs NSDL guide.
When you need a CMR
- Off-market share transfer: moving shares to another demat account requires the receiving account''s CMR so the details are entered correctly — central to the process in our share transfer guide.
- Switching brokers / DP migration: the new broker needs your CMR to map the transfer.
- Transmission of inherited shares: claimants supply the CMR of the account that will receive the securities (see transmission of shares after death).
- Buying unlisted / pre-IPO shares: the seller credits shares to your demat using your CMR details.
- Account modification or closure: to confirm the existing account structure.
How to download your CMR
It is free and usually quick:
- Log in to your broker''s web platform or app.
- Find the CMR / Client Master Report option — it is commonly under Account, Reports, or Profile.
- Request it; most discount brokers generate the signed PDF instantly or email it to your registered email ID within a short time.
Bank-led brokers may require you to email the request from your registered address. Either way there is normally no charge for downloading your CMR. Because it carries your bank and personal details, share it only with the specific broker, registrar or counterparty who needs it.
CMR vs CML vs DP ID — clearing up the jargon
CMR and CML are the same document under two names. The DP ID and BO ID are two parts inside the CMR that together make your demat account number — the DP ID identifies your broker''s depository connection, and the BO ID identifies you as the beneficiary owner. When someone asks for "your demat details" for a transfer, the CMR is the clean, signed way to provide all of them at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Client Master Report (CMR)?
A CMR is a digitally-signed PDF certificate issued by your broker (depository participant) that lists the master details of your demat account as held with CDSL or NSDL — including your DP ID and BO ID, name, date of birth, PAN, bank details, nominee information and contact details. It is the authoritative proof of your demat account structure, asked for whenever securities are moved into or out of your account. It is also called a CML (Client Master List).
Why do I need a CMR for a share transfer?
For an off-market share transfer, the receiving account''s CMR is needed so the demat details — DP ID, BO ID, name and depository — are entered correctly and the shares land in the right account. The CMR is also required when switching brokers, migrating between depository participants, claiming inherited shares through transmission, and buying unlisted or pre-IPO shares.
How do I download my Client Master Report?
Log in to your broker''s web platform or app and look for the CMR or Client Master Report option, usually under Account, Reports or Profile. Most discount brokers generate the signed PDF instantly or email it to your registered email ID. Bank-led brokers may ask you to send the request from your registered email. It is normally free to download.
Is there any charge for a CMR?
No, downloading your Client Master Report is generally free. Because it contains sensitive personal and bank details, share it only with the specific broker, registrar or counterparty that genuinely needs it for a transfer, account migration or transmission.
What is the difference between CMR and CML?
There is no difference — Client Master Report (CMR) and Client Master List (CML) are two names for the same document. Both contain your full demat account master details. The DP ID and BO ID shown inside it are the two components that together form your demat account number.
Sources: CDSL and NSDL depository participant guidelines; broker CMR / CML issuance documentation. Process and location of the download option vary by broker. Current as of 2026.