How to Apply for an IPO in Nepal via Mero Share
Applying for an IPO in Nepal is done entirely online through Mero Share. Here is exactly what you need and every step, from logging in to checking your allotment.
What you need before you start
Before you can apply for any IPO in Nepal, you need three things in place. Set these up once and every future IPO takes two minutes to apply for.
- A Demat account — a dematerialised account that holds your shares electronically, opened through a bank or broker acting as a Depository Participant (DP). See our Demat & CDSC guide.
- A Mero Share account — the online portal (run by CDS and Clearing Ltd, "CDSC") where you actually submit IPO applications. Your DP registers you and gives you a username; you set the password.
- A bank account with a CRN and C-ASBA registration — your money is blocked in your own bank account when you apply (this is the ASBA, "Applications Supported by Blocked Amount" system). Ask your bank to register you for C-ASBA and give you your CRN (Customer Reference Number).
Step-by-step: applying through Mero Share
Once an IPO is open (issues are usually open for a few days), here is the process:
- Go to meroshare.cdsc.com.np and log in with your DP ID, username and password.
- Open the "My ASBA" menu and click "Apply for Issue". You will see a list of currently open issues.
- Find the company whose IPO is open and click Apply.
- Enter the number of units (kitta) you want — for an ordinary IPO the minimum is usually 10 units at a face value of NPR 100, so a minimum application is around NPR 1,000.
- Select your bank, enter your CRN, set your transaction PIN, and submit.
- The application amount is now blocked (not deducted) in your bank account. If you are allotted shares, the money is taken; if not, the block is released.
That is the whole process. Confirm the exact minimum units and any fees on the issue notice, as they can vary by issue type.
Checking your allotment
After the issue closes, the issue manager and CDSC run the allotment. Because popular IPOs are heavily oversubscribed, allotment is done by lottery, and in strongly oversubscribed issues almost every applicant receives the minimum 10 units rather than the full amount they applied for.
You can check your result in two ways: log back into Mero Share and look under your application status, or check the CDSC / issue manager allotment announcement. If you are allotted, the shares appear in your Demat account and the money is debited; if not, the blocked amount is released back to you, usually within a few days.
Tips to avoid common mistakes
- One application per person per issue. Applying from multiple Demat accounts you control can get all your applications rejected. Apply once.
- Keep enough balance in the linked bank account for the full blocked amount, or the application fails.
- Apply the minimum (10 units) if your goal is just to "get in" — for oversubscribed IPOs, applying for more rarely means getting more.
- Do not miss the deadline — issues close on a fixed date; there is no late window.
- Double-check your CRN and bank — a wrong CRN is the most common reason an application does not go through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum amount to apply for an IPO in Nepal?
For an ordinary IPO the minimum is usually 10 units (kitta) at a face value of NPR 100, so about NPR 1,000, plus your bank blocks that amount until allotment. Confirm the exact minimum on each issue notice.
Do I need a Demat and Mero Share account to apply?
Yes. You need a Demat account (to hold shares) and a Mero Share account (to submit the application), plus a bank account registered for C-ASBA with a CRN. All three are one-time setups done through your bank or broker.
Can I apply for one IPO from multiple accounts?
No. Only one application per person per issue is allowed. Submitting multiple applications for the same IPO can lead to all of them being rejected.
What is a CRN in an IPO application?
CRN (Customer Reference Number) is a code your bank issues when you register for C-ASBA. You enter it in Mero Share so the application amount can be blocked in your bank account.
How is IPO allotment decided in Nepal?
When an IPO is oversubscribed (more applications than shares), allotment is by lottery. In heavily oversubscribed issues, most applicants receive only the minimum 10 units, and many receive none; the blocked amount of non-allottees is released.
What happens to my money if I do not get allotted?
Your application amount is only blocked, not deducted. If you are not allotted shares, the block is released back into your bank account, typically within a few days of the allotment.