Which documents are required for F&O activation?

Beyond the identity and address proof already used for the demat and trading account, F&O activation specifically requires income proof to demonstrate financial capacity for derivatives trading. Commonly accepted documents include the last six months of bank account statements, salary slips (for salaried individuals), a copy of the latest Income Tax Return (ITR) with acknowledgment, Form 16, a copy of the demat holding statement showing existing investments above a certain value, or a net worth certificate from a chartered accountant. Brokers generally accept any one of these, not all of them together, so you check the specific list your broker accepts before assuming you need every document type. Self-declared income without any supporting document is generally not accepted for F&O activation, since SEBI’s framework requires documented proof, not just a stated income figure.