What should beginners check before selecting a stockbroker?

You’d check SEBI registration first, since this is non-negotiable and verifiable directly through SEBI’s official registered intermediary database, not just a claim on the broker’s website. Beyond that, you’d look at the complete cost structure, brokerage, DP charges, account maintenance charges, and any MTF interest rates, rather than just the headline brokerage number, since a ‘zero brokerage’ plan can still carry other charges that add up. You’d also check the platform’s reliability and user reviews specifically around order execution during high-volume periods, since an app that’s great in calm markets but struggles during volatile sessions can genuinely cost money through missed or delayed trades. Customer support responsiveness and the broker’s grievance redressal track record (checkable to some extent through SEBI SCORES complaint statistics, which SEBI publishes) matters more than it might seem upfront, since you’ll only truly test this when something actually goes wrong. Finally, you’d consider whether the broker’s segment offerings and tools (F&O availability, MTF, charting features) actually match what you plan to do, rather than picking based on brand recognition alone.