A merger is when two or more companies combine into one to pool resources and operations, while a demerger is when a company splits into separate entities to focus on different businesses.

A merger/demerger involves several steps and hence takes time. Here’s what you should know:

1. Process & Timeline
   • The company must first get legal and regulatory approvals.
   • A record date is fixed to determine which shareholders are eligible.
   • Only after this, the new shares are allotted and later listed on the exchange. This is why shares may not appear in your demat immediately.
2. Eligibility
   • If you held the company’s shares in your demat account on the record date, you are automatically eligible to receive the new shares.
3. How to Confirm if a Merger/Demerger Happened
   • Visit the company’s official website → Investor Relations / Announcements.
   • Check your registered email inbox for company updates.
   • Go to NSE/BSE websites → Search your company → View Corporate Announcements.
4. Impact on Your Existing Shares
   • Your old shares are either converted into the new merged entity’s shares or adjusted as per the demerger ratio. Any change reflects automatically in your demat once the process completes.