Tax Consultant
1853 Points
Posted on 23 July 2026
A single Form 121 filed through one depository does NOT automatically cover securities held in a different depository.
CDSL and NSDL are separate systems. When you file Form 121 through CDSL, it covers bonds held in your CDSL demat account. For bonds held in your NSDL account, you need a separate Form 121 filing on the NSDL platform.
Where to file based on where the bonds are held:
- Bonds in CDSL: file Form 121 via CDSL's e-services portal (web.cdslindia.com)
- Bonds in NSDL: file Form 121 separately via NSDL's IDeAS or Speed-e platform
- Directly held bonds or bonds registered in issuer's records: file Form 121 with the paying company or its registrar (like KFINTECH or Link Intime)
Also, the eligibility condition: Form 121 is only valid if your estimated total income for the year does not exceed the basic exemption limit (same condition as the old 15G). If your total income is above the exemption threshold, TDS deduction cannot be avoided through this form.
This [Form 121 guide for 2026](https://taxgarden.in/blog/form-121-15g-15h-tds-exemption-india-2026) covers the depository-specific filing steps and the eligibility rules.