Short answer — for beginners I’d pick one of these (depending on whether you want lowest cost, the simplest app, or hand-holding):

• Best low-cost / full-featured (good if you want to learn and grow): Zerodha (Kite + Coin). Trusted, powerful tools and extensive free learning (Varsity). AMC is low for small holdings (BSDA rules) and standard Zerodha AMC slabs are published on their support/pricing pages. (zerodha.com)

• Easiest / zero‑hassle for absolute beginners: Groww. Paperless onboarding, very simple UI, no account‑opening fee and Groww waives account‑maintenance charges (AMC = ₹0). Good if you’ll mostly buy-and-hold stocks and mutual funds. (groww.in)

• Balance of low cost + fast onboarding: Upstox. Free account opening and trading + simple app; Upstox highlights zero opening charges and low transaction costs. (help.upstox.com)

• Best if you want advisory / research + easy onboarding: Angel One. Free account opening, AMC usually waived first year, and ongoing plans for advisory and recommendations for new investors. (angelone.in)

• If you prefer a bank 3‑in‑1 (savings + trading + demat) with branch support: ICICI Direct / Kotak / HDFC Securities. They cost more (higher AMC/brokerage) but give strong support, research and seamless bank integration — ICICI Direct lists its charges and features on its site. (icicidirect.com)

Quick comparison points (for beginners)

• Account opening: most leading brokers now offer free, paperless account opening (Aadhaar e-sign / PAN / bank details). (groww.in)
• AMC / maintenance: Groww advertises AMC = ₹0; Zerodha/Angel/Upstox publish small or waived first‑year AMCs and BSDA (Basic Service Demat Account) rules apply — check each broker’s page for your exact slab. (groww.in)
• Brokerage: for beginners, prefer brokers that offer zero delivery brokerage (or very low) and transparent flat fees for intraday/F&O. Most discount brokers (Zerodha, Upstox, Groww, Angel One) offer ₹0 delivery brokerage or flat ₹20/order models — check current pricing before you open. (zerodha.com)

How to choose for yourself (pick one)

• Want lowest ongoing cost + strong tools → Zerodha or Upstox. (zerodha.com)
• Want simplest mobile experience and to combine MF + stocks easily → Groww. (groww.in)
• Want advisory/research & a guided start → Angel One or a full‑service broker. (angelone.in)

Quick steps to open a Demat (typical, paperless)

1. Keep PAN, Aadhaar, cancelled cheque / bank details, and a photo/phone handy.
2. Start online signup on the broker’s site/app → e‑KYC via Aadhaar (or video/IPV) → e‑sign with PAN → link bank (for payments).
3. Verification completes (usually within hours to a couple of days) and your trading + demat IDs are issued. (Each broker shows step‑by‑step onboarding on their help pages.) (groww.in)

If you want, tell me which of these matters most to you (lowest fees, easiest app, bank tie‑up, or advisory) and I’ll recommend the single best broker and link the exact signup/pricing page.