📋 How to Apply for IPO Online in India 2026 — Complete Guide
Applying for an IPO online in India in 2026 takes less than 5 minutes once you have a demat account. Whether you use UPI through your broker or ASBA through your bank's net banking portal, the process is straightforward and fully digital. This guide covers every step — from choosing the right lot size to approving the UPI mandate — so you never make a costly application mistake. Check all currently open and upcoming IPOs on IPOView before you apply.
📋 What You Need Before Applying for an IPO
Before applying for any IPO, make sure you have all four of the following in place. You need a valid PAN card that is linked to your demat account. You need an active demat account opened with any SEBI-registered depository participant. You need a trading account with a stockbroker that supports IPO applications. And you need a bank account linked to your demat account with sufficient balance to cover the full application amount — which will be blocked during the subscription period but not debited unless you receive allotment.
🔵 Method 1 — How to Apply for IPO Through UPI (Most Popular)
The UPI-based IPO application method is the most popular and convenient way for retail investors to apply for IPOs in India. Here is the complete step-by-step process.
Step 1 — Log into your broker: Open your stockbroker's app or website — Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, Angel One, 5paisa, or any other SEBI-registered broker. Navigate to the IPO section which is usually found under the Invest, Markets, or Products menu.
Step 2 — Select the IPO: Find the IPO you want to apply for in the list of currently open IPOs. Click on it to see the full details — price band, lot size, minimum application amount, and closing date. Verify that the IPO is still open for subscription before proceeding.
Step 3 — Choose number of lots: Enter the number of lots you want to apply for. Remember that the maximum investment for retail investors is ₹2 lakhs — so calculate how many lots fit within this limit at the cap price. For the best allotment chances in an oversubscribed IPO, apply for the minimum 1 lot.
Step 4 — Select cut-off price: Always select the cut-off price option rather than entering a specific price within the band. This ensures your application remains valid regardless of where the final issue price is set within the price band. Bidding below the cut-off price risks application rejection if the final price is set above your bid.
Step 5 — Enter your UPI ID: Enter the UPI ID linked to your bank account — for example your@upi handle from Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or your bank's UPI app. Make sure this UPI ID is active and linked to an account with sufficient balance.
Step 6 — Submit the application: Review all details — lot size, price, UPI ID — and submit the application. Your broker will forward your bid to the stock exchange.
Step 7 — Approve the UPI mandate — CRITICAL STEP: Within a few minutes of submitting your application, you will receive a payment mandate request in your UPI app. Open your UPI app immediately and approve the mandate by entering your UPI PIN. This step is mandatory — if you do not approve the mandate before the stipulated deadline (usually 5 PM on the day of application), your application will be automatically cancelled and you will lose your slot in that day's application window.
🔵 Method 2 — How to Apply for IPO Through Net Banking (ASBA)
The ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) method through your bank's net banking portal is the alternative to UPI-based applications. It is available through most major banks in India and works well for investors who prefer banking portals over broker apps.
Step 1: Log into your bank's net banking portal — SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Bank, or any other bank that offers IPO application through net banking.
Step 2: Look for the IPO or ASBA section. In SBI net banking it is under e-Services. In HDFC it is under Offers. In ICICI it is under Investments. In Axis Bank it is under Investments and Insurance.
Step 3: Select the IPO you want to apply for from the available list of currently open IPOs.
Step 4: Enter your demat account number (16-digit DP ID and Client ID), PAN number, number of lots, and select cut-off price as your bid price.
Step 5: Review all details carefully — especially your demat account number — and confirm the application. Your bank will immediately block the required amount from your account. No UPI mandate approval is needed for net banking ASBA applications.
📊 How to Apply for IPO Through Specific Brokers
How to apply IPO on Zerodha: Log into Zerodha Console or Kite, go to Portfolio and click IPOs. Find your IPO, click Bid, enter UPI ID, quantity, and price. Approve mandate in your UPI app.
How to apply IPO on Groww: Open Groww app, tap Explore at the bottom, select IPO. Choose the IPO, select lots and cut-off price, enter UPI ID, and submit. Approve the mandate notification in your UPI app.
How to apply IPO on Upstox: Open Upstox app, go to Discover and select IPO. Choose your IPO, enter number of lots, select cut-off price, enter UPI ID and submit. Approve mandate in your UPI app within 30 minutes.
How to apply IPO on Angel One: Log into Angel One app, go to IPO section, select IPO, choose lots and cut-off price, enter UPI ID and submit. Approve the UPI mandate in your banking app.
⚠️ Common IPO Application Mistakes to Avoid
Not approving the UPI mandate: This is the most common reason for IPO application failure. Always approve the mandate in your UPI app within the deadline — typically 5 PM on the day of application.
Bidding at a specific price below cap: Always select cut-off price. Bidding at ₹190 when the cap is ₹200 risks rejection if the final price is set above ₹190.
Applying with the same PAN twice: Submitting more than one application with the same PAN — whether through different brokers or different bank accounts — results in automatic rejection of all applications from that PAN.
Insufficient bank balance: Ensure your linked bank account maintains a balance at least equal to the full application amount throughout the subscription period — even after the mandate is approved, a drop below the required amount can cause your application to be rejected.
Entering the wrong demat account number: Double-check your 16-digit demat account number before submitting — copy it directly from your demat statement rather than typing from memory.
📅 When to Apply — Day 1, 2 or 3?
For UPI-based applications, applying on Day 1 or Day 2 is strongly recommended over waiting until Day 3. On the final day of subscription, UPI network and broker platforms experience very high traffic — increasing the risk of technical delays that cause you to miss the mandate approval window. Applying early also gives you more time to resolve any technical issues. Check all currently open IPO subscription windows on IPOView and apply well before the closing deadline.
🔍 Conclusion
Applying for an IPO online in India in 2026 is a simple 5-minute process once you understand the steps. Always bid at cut-off price, approve your UPI mandate immediately, and never apply with the same PAN from multiple accounts. Track all open and upcoming IPOs with subscription dates, lot sizes, and price bands on IPOView — your complete IPO information platform.