ISIN in 30 seconds
An ISIN (International Securities Identification Number) is the globally unique, 12-character code assigned to every tradable security. Format: 2-letter country code + 9-digit identifier + 1 checksum digit.
Example: `INE733E01010` → India (`IN`) + 9-digit NSDL-assigned `E733E01010` (where the checksum is the trailing `0`).
Why it matters on unlisted shares
Unlike listed shares, there's no ticker. The ISIN is the only way to unambiguously identify which company's equity you're transacting in. Two things to always verify:
- The ISIN on the share page matches the ISIN the seller's broker quotes in the off-market transfer slip.
- The depository (CDSL or NSDL) matches the issuer's registrar. Some companies are dual-listed — the ISIN tells you.
Finding an ISIN
- On Polemarch, the ISIN is shown on every share page under the company name.
- Depositories publish ISIN lookups: CDSL · NSDL.
- Your CMR (Client Master Report) lists the ISINs of all holdings in your demat.
What can go wrong
- ISIN mismatch during transfer. The off-market transfer (Delivery Instruction Slip) has an ISIN field. If the seller populates a wrong ISIN, your broker will reject the receipt. Cross-check before signing.
- Different ISIN, same name. A company may issue different share classes (Equity vs Preference, Series A CCPS etc.). These have separate ISINs. Double-check you're buying the class you want.
Polemarch only lists ordinary equity unless explicitly labelled, and every transfer is reconciled against the ISIN and seller broker before funds are released.