Demat account can be opened through one of the several authorized banks or financial institutions. You can check your holding online, using the Internet banking facilities of these banks.

Holding a demat account reduces brokerage charges, makes pledging/hypothecation of shares easier, enables quick ownership of securities on settlement resulting in increased liquidity, avoids confusion in the ownership title of securities, and provides easy receipt of public issue allotments.

In most of the banks, an individual account can be opened resident or non-resident category depending upon the resident status of the applicant.

Visit the following banks with online Internet banking facility who also provide the facility to open a demat account. You can view the instructions and signup with one of them to open a demat account.

ICICI Bank - http://www.icicibank.com

HDFC Bank - http://www.hdfcbank.com

Bank of Punjab - http://www.bankofpunjab.com

Standard Charted Bank of India - http://www.standardchartered.com

IDBI Bank - http://www.idbibank.com

HSBC - http://www.hsbc.co.in

Union Bank of India - http://www.unionbankofindia.com
etc.