How to Cancel an IPO Application?

If you are wondering how to cancel your IPO application, discover the steps involved in the process and the guidelines regarding the withdrawal of an IPO bid.

With the number of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) increasing in recent years, you may find yourself investing in more than one fresh issue. However, it’s common to have second thoughts about an IPO application — especially if you have over-diversified in this segment. So, can you cancel an IPO application before the allotment? Or do you have to wait till listing to exit the position? 

In this article, we’ll answer these questions and take a closer look at how to withdraw your IPO application, depending on the mode of bidding. 

IPO Cancellation Rules for Different Investor Categories

Whether or not you can cancel an IPO application before the allotment depends largely on the investor category you belong to. Here is how the cancellation rules play out for different types of investors. 

Investor Category Meaning Rules for Cancelling an IPO Application 
Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) These are institutional investors who command high levels of capital. They cannot cancel their IPO bid.
Non-institutional investors (NII) like high-net-worth individuals These are non-institutional investors in the HNI category who invest over ₹2 lakh in the issue. They cannot cancel their IPO bid but can modify it. However, modifications that lower the bid are not permitted. 
Retail investors  These are individual investors who invest less than ₹2 lakh in the issue  They can cancel or modify the application at any time before the close of the subscription period. 
Employees These are employees of the company who invest in the IPO They can cancel or modify the application at any time before the IPO closes (if the investment value is below ₹ lakh). 
Shareholders These are existing shareholders of the company who also want to invest in more shares via the IPO

How to Cancel an IPO Application During the Subscription Period?

If you belong to any of the investor categories that can cancel the bid before the IPO closes, here is how you can withdraw your application. The process depends on the mode through which you applied — ASBA or non-ASBA. 

> How to Withdraw Your IPO Application if You Chose the ASBA Option? 

If you had chosen to go via the Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA) channel, here is how you can cancel your bid. 

  • Step 1: Log into your net banking portal or the app through which you submitted your bid.
  • Step 2: Head to the IPO tab and open the ‘Order Book.’
  • Step 3: Then, identify the transaction ID for your IPO bid.
  • Step 4: Select the option to withdraw, cancel your bid.
  • Step 5: Confirm this selection to complete the process.

> How to Withdraw Your IPO Application if You Chose the Non-ASBA Option?

If you submitted a non-ASBA application, you can follow the steps outlined below to complete the cancellation process. 

  • Step 1: Log into the mobile app or platform provided by your stock broker.
  • Step 2: Visit the IPO section and find the IPO application that you want to withdraw.
  • Step 3: Choose the option to cancel or withdraw your bid.
  • Step 4: Confirm your choice and revoke the accompanying UPI mandate to complete the process. 

Read More About How to Check IPO Allotment Status?

How to Cancel Your IPO Application on the Angel One App?

If you have applied for an IPO through the Angel One app and are wondering how to cancel your IPO application, there’s good news. Withdrawing or cancelling your IPO bid in the Angel One app is extremely easy. Here is what you need to do.

  • Step 1: Log into your Angel One account using your user ID and password. 
  • Step 2: Select the ‘IPO’ option on the home screen. 
  • Step 3: Tap the ‘IPO orders’ option and select the IPO order that you want to cancel
  • Step 4: Click on the ‘Cancel’ option and confirm this to withdraw your IPO bid. 

Important Things to Know About Cancelling an IPO Application

Knowing how to cancel your IPO application is one thing. However, in addition to this, you should also be aware of some other important aspects of withdrawing an IPO bid. They include the following:

  • There are no charges for cancelling your IPO application. 
  • While stock brokers now support 24/7 applications, the bids are forwarded to the exchange only between 10 AM and 5 PM. So, this is the window during which you can cancel your bid.
  • The time limits for cancelling a bid on the last day of the issue may be more stringent. 
  • The time limits for refunding the money debited, if any, vary from one bank to another. 
  • You can also choose to modify your application instead of cancelling it altogether. 

Check IPO Application Status

Reasons for Cancelling an IPO Application

Investors may have different reasons for cancelling your IPO bid. Some may be more prudent than others. Commonly, you may find yourself in this position due to any of the following reasons. 

  • Negative News About the Company

If any negative news about the company surfaces during the period between submitting your IPO application and the closure of the subscription period, you may want to cancel your bid. Issues like legal troubles, negative financial forecasts or loss of business can be negative triggers that may cause you to re-evaluate your IPO application. If such news arises, you need to know how to cancel your IPO application

  • Concerns About Overvaluation

Ideally, you must carry out fundamental analysis and assess a company’s valuation before you submit an IPO application. However, if concerns about the overvaluation of a company arise after you have applied for its IPO, you may rethink your decision to participate in the new public offer. In such cases, you may want to cancel your IPO application to avoid the possible losses from the stock price declining after the issue. 

  • Changes in Market Conditions

If an Initial Public Offer (IPO) is launched during a volatile phase, chances are, the market may change drastically between the IPO opening and closing dates. Such changes may increase the risk associated with the new issue and/or with your existing investments. These new developments could also make you reassess how suitable the IPO investment may be for your portfolio. If you find it unsuitable, you need to know how to withdraw your IPO application.

  • Liquidity Issues

Owing to market-related triggers or personal concerns, you may find yourself facing liquidity issues. For instance, a part of your funds may be locked up in long-term investments, or an asset that you intend to sell may be taking longer to liquidate than expected. Such unforeseen circumstances can lead to issues with liquidity and make you rethink the feasibility of investing in an IPO. So, you may want to understand how to withdraw your IPO application in such cases.

  • Change in Investment Strategy

Another common reason for wanting to cancel an IPO bid is simply because your investment goals and strategies may have changed. While it is always a smarter idea to assess your strategy before you bid in an IPO, some new developments may lead to changes in your risk tolerance, market outlook or financial goals. As a result, the IPO may no longer fit into your strategy, so you may want to cancel your application. 

Conclusion

This sums up all the key details of how to cancel an IPO application before the allotment. With the development of online trading technologies, cancelling an IPO bid has become much easier today for retail investors. That said, before you withdraw your application, ensure that your reasons for doing so are valid and not impulsive. This will prevent you from losing out on potentially rewarding issues or help you redirect the funds towards more lucrative investment avenues, as the case may be. 

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FAQs

Can I cancel my IPO application before the allotment?

Ideally, you should cancel your IPO bid before the subscription window closes. If the subscription period has passed, but the allotment has not yet occurred, you may submit a request for cancellation to the Registrar.

Are there any fees for cancelling an IPO application?

You do not incur any fees for cancelling an IPO application. The facility is available free of cost to eligible investors during the prescribed window of time.

How to withdraw my IPO application online?

You can log into your stock broker’s app or trading platform to withdraw your IPO application online. Alternatively, if you have applied via the ASBA channel, you can cancel the bid through your net banking portal.

How to withdraw my IPO application partially?

You cannot partially cancel your IPO application. However, you can always modify your bid during the period when the IPO is open for subscription.

Will I get a refund if I cancel my IPO bid?

When you apply for an IPO, your funds are temporarily blocked. They are only debited from your account on allotment. So, the question of refund does not arise before the allotment. Your funds will simply be unblocked when you cancel the bid.