I would like to gift some shares to my children/relatives. How do I get them registered in their names? Does this involve stamp duty?

The procedure for registration of shares gifted (held in physical form) is the same as the procedure for a normal transfer. The stamp duty payable for registration of gifted shares would be @ 25 paise for every 100 rupees or part thereof, of the market value of the shares prevailing as on the date of the document, if any, conveying the gift or the date of execution of the transfer deed, whichever is higher. In case the shares held in demat form are gifted, no stamp duty is payable, however there are certain transaction charges which are levied by the concerned Depository Participant.