IEPFA & SEBI to Launch Portal and Niveshak Shivirs to Help Investors

IEPFA & SEBI to Launch Portal and Niveshak Shivirs to Help Investors. The IEPFA along with capital market regulator Sebi, is planning to hold ‘Niveshak Shivirs’ across major cities in the coming weeks to help resolve issues of investors relating to share transfer and unclaimed dividend.
To empower the investors and streamline the process of reclaiming unclaimed financial assets, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is set to launch an integrated digital portal by August 2025. This initiative aims to streamline the process of tracking and transferring unclaimed dividends and shares, which collectively amount to over Rs.1 lakh crore.
Unclaimed Shares and Dividends
Over time, many investors have lost track of their investments due to reasons such as change of address, death of the original investor, or lack of awareness. Consequently, shares and dividends remain unclaimed.

Unclaimed Shares: These are shares that have remained inactive or unclaimed by the investor for a continuous period of seven years. In such cases, companies are mandated to transfer these shares to the IEPFA.

Unclaimed Dividends: Similarly, dividends declared by companies but not claimed by shareholders within seven years are transferred to the IEPFA. These unclaimed dividends, along with the unclaimed shares, transfer to the IEPFA.

Integrated Digital Portal: A One-Stop Solution
The challenges faced by investors in reclaiming their unclaimed assets, the IEPFA is launching an integrated digital portal, scheduled for launch by August 2025. This portal aims to simplify and expedite the process, making it more transparent and user-friendly.
Key Features of the Portal

Investors can monitor the status of their claims in real-time, ensuring transparency throughout the process.

The portal facilitates direct communication between investors and companies, reducing intermediaries and potential delays.

The portal will be connected with PAN, bank accounts, and depository records, which will help check your details quickly and correctly. This makes the claim process faster and more accurate.

The portal is made simple and easy to use so that anyone—even those who are not good with technology—can understand and use it without any problem

'Niveshak Shivirs': Bringing Awareness
In the digital portal, the IEPFA and SEBI are organizing 'Niveshak Shivirs' across major cities. These investor awareness camps aim to educate the public about the importance of claiming unclaimed assets and guide them through the process.
Objectives of 'Niveshak Shivirs'

Educate Investors: Provide information on the existence of unclaimed shares and dividends and the procedures to reclaim them.

Assist in Documentation: Help investors understand and gather the necessary documents required for the claims process.

On-the-Spot Assistance: Investors will get instant help at the camps to start their claim process right away.

Procedures and Relaxed Norms
To further ease the process, the IEPFA has introduced several investor-friendly measures:

Self-Attestation Replacing the requirement for notarized documents, investors can now submit self-attested copies, reducing the procedural burden.

Succession Certificate Waiver: For claims up to Rs.5 lakh, the need for a succession certificate has been waived, simplifying the process for legal heirs.

No Surety Affidavits: Investors no longer need to provide surety affidavits while making a claim.

Simplified Transmission Process: The overall process to transfer shares to legal heirs or rightful owners has been made easier and faster.

No FIR or Newspaper Ad Required: For lost shares valued below Rs.5 lakh, you don’t need to file an FIR or publish a newspaper advertisement anymore.

Steps to Reclaim Your Unclaimed Shares and Dividends

Visit the IEPFA Portal: Visit the official IEPFA website and Search the claims section.

Search for Unclaimed Assets: Enter your Name or other relevant details to search for any unclaimed shares or dividends associated with you.

Fill Out the IEPF-5 Form: Complete the required form with accurate information about your unclaimed assets.

Attach Necessary Documents: Prepare and attach self-attested copies of essential documents such as PAN card, Aadhaar card, and bank details.

Submit the Application: Send the completed form and documents to the respective company's nodal officer and the IEPFA for verification.

Track Your Application: Use the portal's tracking feature to monitor the status of your claim.

Importance of Reclaiming Unclaimed Assets 
Reclaiming unclaimed assets like forgotten shares or dividends is important because it’s your hard-earned money. Many people don’t even know they have money or investments lying unclaimed. Getting it back with the simple process . It also ensures that your investments don’t go to waste or stay with the government forever.
The collaborative efforts of the IEPFA and SEBI, through the launch of the integrated digital portal and 'Niveshak Shivirs', mark a significant step towards the investors and simplifying the reclamation of unclaimed financial assets. By these initiatives from the authorities, investors can now reclaim their rightful assets with ease and confidence.  
FAQ’s
Q1. What amounts are transferred to IEPF? 
Ans. All shares of the Company in respect of which dividends have remained unclaimed or un-encashed for seven consecutive years or more. 
Q2. How do I check my IEPF status? 
Ans. By visiting the official website of the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA). 
Q3. What is the process of share recovery? 
Ans. To recover shares, submit a claim form to the appropriate authority with the necessary supporting documentation

The IEPFA along with capital market regulator Sebi, is planning to hold ‘Niveshak Shivirs’ across major cities in the coming weeks to help resolve issues of investors relating to share transfer and unclaimed dividend.

To empower the investors and streamline the process of reclaiming unclaimed financial assets, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is set to launch an integrated digital portal by August 2025. This initiative aims to streamline the process of tracking and transferring unclaimed dividends and shares, which collectively amount to over Rs.1 lakh crore.

Unclaimed Shares and Dividends

Over time, many investors have lost track of their investments due to reasons such as change of address, death of the original investor, or lack of awareness. Consequently, shares and dividends remain unclaimed.

Unclaimed Shares: These are shares that have remained inactive or unclaimed by the investor for a continuous period of seven years. In such cases, companies are mandated to transfer these shares to the IEPFA.
Unclaimed Dividends: Similarly, dividends declared by companies but not claimed by shareholders within seven years are transferred to the IEPFA. These unclaimed dividends, along with the unclaimed shares, transfer to the IEPFA.

Integrated Digital Portal: A One-Stop Solution

The challenges faced by investors in reclaiming their unclaimed assets, the IEPFA is launching an integrated digital portal, scheduled for launch by August 2025. This portal aims to simplify and expedite the process, making it more transparent and user-friendly.

Key Features of the Portal

Investors can monitor the status of their claims in real-time, ensuring transparency throughout the process.
The portal facilitates direct communication between investors and companies, reducing intermediaries and potential delays.
The portal will be connected with PAN, bank accounts, and depository records, which will help check your details quickly and correctly. This makes the claim process faster and more accurate.
The portal is made simple and easy to use so that anyone—even those who are not good with technology—can understand and use it without any problem

'Niveshak Shivirs': Bringing Awareness

In the digital portal, the IEPFA and SEBI are organizing 'Niveshak Shivirs' across major cities. These investor awareness camps aim to educate the public about the importance of claiming unclaimed assets and guide them through the process.

Objectives of 'Niveshak Shivirs'

Educate Investors: Provide information on the existence of unclaimed shares and dividends and the procedures to reclaim them.
Assist in Documentation: Help investors understand and gather the necessary documents required for the claims process.
On-the-Spot Assistance: Investors will get instant help at the camps to start their claim process right away.

Procedures and Relaxed Norms

To further ease the process, the IEPFA has introduced several investor-friendly measures:

Self-Attestation Replacing the requirement for notarized documents, investors can now submit self-attested copies, reducing the procedural burden.
Succession Certificate Waiver: For claims up to Rs.5 lakh, the need for a succession certificate has been waived, simplifying the process for legal heirs.
No Surety Affidavits: Investors no longer need to provide surety affidavits while making a claim.
Simplified Transmission Process: The overall process to transfer shares to legal heirs or rightful owners has been made easier and faster.
No FIR or Newspaper Ad Required: For lost shares valued below Rs.5 lakh, you don’t need to file an FIR or publish a newspaper advertisement anymore.

Steps to Reclaim Your Unclaimed Shares and Dividends

Visit the IEPFA Portal: Visit the official IEPFA website and Search the claims section.
Search for Unclaimed Assets: Enter your Name or other relevant details to search for any unclaimed shares or dividends associated with you.
Fill Out the IEPF-5 Form: Complete the required form with accurate information about your unclaimed assets.
Attach Necessary Documents: Prepare and attach self-attested copies of essential documents such as PAN card, Aadhaar card, and bank details.
Submit the Application: Send the completed form and documents to the respective company's nodal officer and the IEPFA for verification.
Track Your Application: Use the portal's tracking feature to monitor the status of your claim.

Importance of Reclaiming Unclaimed Assets

Reclaiming unclaimed assets like forgotten shares or dividends is important because it’s your hard-earned money. Many people don’t even know they have money or investments lying unclaimed. Getting it back with the simple process . It also ensures that your investments don’t go to waste or stay with the government forever.

The collaborative efforts of the IEPFA and SEBI, through the launch of the integrated digital portal and 'Niveshak Shivirs', mark a significant step towards the investors and simplifying the reclamation of unclaimed financial assets. By these initiatives from the authorities, investors can now reclaim their rightful assets with ease and confidence.