Ex-Dividend Deadline: Earn ₹0 If You Buy 1 Day Late

When a company declares a dividend, there's a cut-off date called the ex-dividend date. Buy shares on or after that date and you miss the payout entirely — even if you hold the stock for months after.

Here's what happened: Several companies including P&G Hygiene, Taj GVK Hotels, Jindal Drilling, Suprajit Engineering, and Vadilal have announced dividends with ex-dates falling around September 1.. The ex-dividend date is the cut-off: investors must own shares before this date to be eligible for the declared dividend payout.. Under India's T+1 settlement cycle, shares bought on the ex-date itself do not count — you must purchase at least one trading session earlier..

What you should do: Check the exact ex-dividend date for any stock you want before placing a buy order — this information is listed on the BSE/NSE website under corporate announcements.. Verify your bank account linked to your demat is active and updated with your broker, so the dividend credit reaches you without delays.. Avoid buying shares purely to capture a dividend without evaluating the stock — the share price typically falls by the dividend amount on the ex-date, wiping out any short-term gain..

Pro tip: Under T+1 settlement, the record date and ex-date are now the same in India — unlike the old T+2 era where they differed by one day. Don't use old guides that say 'buy two days before'.

If you're considering settling a loan, our loan settlement guide walks through the process.