Introduction
Zerodha is India's largest discount broker with over 1.6 crore users, and its Kite platform supports IPO applications via UPI for every mainboard and SME issue. Applying for an IPO on Zerodha is free — there is no charge for the application itself — and the whole process takes less than five minutes if your UPI handle is already linked.
This guide walks you through the complete 2026 IPO application flow on Kite, from logging in to checking allotment status.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:
- An active Zerodha account with completed KYC - A UPI handle linked to your primary bank account (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, or your bank's own app all work) - Sufficient balance in your bank account to cover one lot (₹14,000–15,000 for most mainboard IPOs) - An active IPO to apply for — check the open IPOs list on ipomarket.in
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Log in to Kite
Visit kite.zerodha.com and log in with your Client ID and password, then complete the 2FA via TOTP or Kite PIN.
Step 2: Navigate to IPOs
Click on **Bids** in the top menu and then **IPO**. You will see a list of all open and upcoming IPOs. Click on the one you want to apply for.
Step 3: Enter Application Details
- Select your investor category (Retail, sNII, bNII, or Employee if eligible) - Enter your UPI ID exactly as registered with your bank - Enter the number of lots — most retail investors apply for one lot at cut-off price - Choose "Cut-off Price" unless you want to bid at a specific level
Step 4: Approve UPI Mandate
Click **Submit**. Within 5 minutes you will receive a mandate request on your UPI app. Open the app and approve the mandate. The bank blocks the application amount in your account but does not debit it.
Step 5: Confirm Application
Go back to Kite and verify that your application shows "Blocked" or "Confirmed" status. If the mandate expires unapproved, the application is cancelled automatically.
Checking Allotment
On the allotment date, return to **Bids → IPO** in Kite. Allotment status will show "Allotted" or "Not Allotted" once the registrar publishes the results. You can also check directly on the registrar portal (KFintech or MUFG Intime) using your PAN or application number.
Common Issues
**"UPI mandate not received"** — Check that your UPI ID is correct and that your bank supports IPO mandates. BHIM UPI and paytm are known to occasionally drop mandates.
**"Application cancelled"** — This usually means the mandate was not approved in time, or the amount was debited and later reversed due to a bank error.
**"Failed to fetch IPOs"** — Kite rarely shows this during IPO subscription hours. Log out, log back in, and try again.
Tips to Improve Allotment Chances
- Apply from multiple family PAN cards on different demat accounts - Apply at cut-off price — this is treated as the highest bid - Apply on day 3 close to the cut-off time when GMP is most accurate - Avoid oversubscribed IPOs if you cannot tolerate partial allotment
Conclusion
Applying for an IPO on Zerodha is straightforward once you know the flow. The entire process takes under five minutes and costs nothing. Track your IPO applications, allotment status, and GMP all in one place on ipomarket.in.