New Delhi, April 1 -- Some brokers now allow investors to gift securities to family and friends online, directly from their demat account. You can use this to easily gift shares, bonds, exchange traded funds and even mutual funds held in your demat account.

The facility, which relies on CDSL's Easiest (Electronic Access To Securities Information and Execution of Secured Transaction) system, is easier than the physical method, which involves filling and submitting a delivery instruction slip (DIS).

At present, discount brokers Zerodha and Fyers offer this service. You can also register directly on CDSL's Easiest platform to gift securities.

Visit your broker's website, go to the holdings you want to gift, click on send as a gift, enter ...