MCA and SEBI Simplify Claiming Unclaimed Shares and Dividends for Investors

MCA and SEBI Simplify Claiming Unclaimed Shares and Dividends for Investors. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have come together with a strong mission — to help investors get back their unclaimed shares and dividends more easily. They are doing this through several new steps, like organizing special camps called Niveshak Shivirs, Niveshak Didi, integrated portal, senior citizens' support, etc. and launching a new online portal, and introducing more investor-friendly services. These efforts show a clear commitment to protecting investors and making the financial system more trustworthy for everyone.
Why are these Steps Being Taken?
Every year, a lot of dividends and shares remain unclaimed by investors. Reasons could be change of address, missing bank details, death of the original shareholder, or simply people forgetting about old investments.
Over time, this unclaimed money is transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA). But getting back these shares or dividends has been a slow and difficult process for many investors.
To make things easier, faster, and more investor-friendly, MCA and SEBI have decided to actively reach out to investors, guide them, and simplify the claim process.
What Are 'Niveshak Shivirs'?
'Niveshak Shivirs' are special investor camps organized across India by the MCA and SEBI.
The goal of these camps is simple:

Help investors update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details

Assist in completing nominations for shares

Fix any problems or mistakes in existing claims

Solve issues where companies are not responding

Help investors with physical share certificates to dematerialize (convert into digital format)

These camps act like one-stop help centers. Investors can walk in, get personal help from company representatives and RTAs (Registrar and Transfer Agents), and start the process of reclaiming their unclaimed assets.
This is a big step because earlier, investors had to run around multiple offices or face long delays. Now, they can get most of the work done under one roof.
Who Will Be There to Help You?
At these camps, you will find:

Representatives from companies

Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs)

Officials from MCA and SEBI

Support staff to guide senior citizens and physically challenged investors

If you are holding physical shares (old paper share certificates), experts at the camp will help you start the dematerialization process. This is necessary because nowadays shares are maintained digitally in a DEMAT account.
Role of Companies
Companies with a large amount of unclaimed shares or high-value shares are being encouraged to actively take part in these investor camps.
Their participation is important because:

It helps in solving investor grievances directly.

It speeds up the process of verification and claim settlement.

It builds trust between investors and companies.

By working closely with investors, companies can also show that they care about investor rights and transparency.
Launch of a New Integrated Portal
Besides the camps, MCA is planning to launch a new integrated portal by August 2025. This online platform will be a one-stop solution for investors who want to claim unclaimed dividends and shares.
Key features of the portal will include:

Online submission of claims

Step-by-step guidance

Access to necessary forms and documents

Tracking status of your claim

Online help and support services

With this portal, you won't need to visit offices or send multiple emails. You can start and complete your claim process online from the comfort of your home.
Special Support for Senior Citizens
The MCA has recognized that elderly investors face more problems while claiming their assets. To make things easier for them, they are planning two big changes:

Lower the priority age from 75 years to 70 years immediately.

Later, include all individuals above 60 years under the special priority category.

This means that claims made by senior citizens will be processed faster than others. It ensures that older investors quickly get back what is rightfully theirs without unnecessary waiting.
Introducing 'Niveshak Didi': A Unique Initiative
Another special project is the introduction of 'Niveshak Didi' — a unique effort to educate and empower women investors, especially in rural areas.
'Niveshak Didi' are women trainers who will:

Educate women investors about their rights and options

Guide them on how to claim unclaimed dividends and shares

Spread awareness about safe and smart investing

So far, over 1,300 'Niveshak Shivirs' have been conducted, and more than 4 lakh investors have been educated through these programs.
By involving women more actively, the government is ensuring that financial literacy reaches every part of the country, even remote villages.
Why Are These Changes Important?
The main reasons behind these new steps are:

Protect investor interests: Investors often lose their rightful money because of a lack of awareness or complicated procedures. These steps aim to fix that.

Encourage financial inclusion: Helping more people access and benefit from financial services makes the economy stronger and fairer.

Build trust in the system: When investors see that claiming their money is easy and transparent, their trust in the financial system grows

Ultimately, the aim is to make sure that no investor loses their money just because of a complicated process.
How Can You Take Advantage?
If you think you or someone you know may have unclaimed dividends or shares:

Attend a 'Niveshak Shivir' near you.

Keep your documents ready — PAN card, Aadhaar card, old share certificates (if any), bank details, death certificate of the shareholder (if applicable), etc.

Update your KYC details if they are outdated.

Complete the nomination process if not done earlier.

Check the MCA and SEBI websites for updates about the new portal launch.

Seek help from RTAs or company representatives during the camp.

You can also encourage senior citizens or women investors in your family to participate and reclaim their rightful investments.
Final Thoughts
The joint efforts by MCA and SEBI through 'Niveshak Shivirs,' 'Niveshak Didi,' the upcoming integrated portal, and special support for senior citizens are truly game changers for investors in India.
By making the claim process easier, quicker, and more transparent, these steps will empower lakhs of investors to reclaim their forgotten wealth.
It’s not just about getting back unclaimed money — it’s about building a system where every investor feels valued, protected, and confident in participating in India's financial markets. If you have investments lying unclaimed, now is the perfect time to come forward and claim what is rightfully yours.
Stay informed. Stay protected. Become a smart investor today!

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have come together with a strong mission — to help investors get back their unclaimed shares and dividends more easily. They are doing this through several new steps, like organizing special camps called Niveshak Shivirs, Niveshak Didi, integrated portal, senior citizens' support, etc. and launching a new online portal, and introducing more investor-friendly services. These efforts show a clear commitment to protecting investors and making the financial system more trustworthy for everyone.

Why are these Steps Being Taken?

Every year, a lot of dividends and shares remain unclaimed by investors. Reasons could be change of address, missing bank details, death of the original shareholder, or simply people forgetting about old investments.

Over time, this unclaimed money is transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA). But getting back these shares or dividends has been a slow and difficult process for many investors.

To make things easier, faster, and more investor-friendly, MCA and SEBI have decided to actively reach out to investors, guide them, and simplify the claim process.

What Are 'Niveshak Shivirs'?

'Niveshak Shivirs' are special investor camps organized across India by the MCA and SEBI.

The goal of these camps is simple:

Help investors update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details
Assist in completing nominations for shares
Fix any problems or mistakes in existing claims

Solve issues where companies are not responding
Help investors with physical share certificates to dematerialize (convert into digital format)

This is a big step because earlier, investors had to run around multiple offices or face long delays. Now, they can get most of the work done under one roof.

Who Will Be There to Help You?

At these camps, you will find:

Representatives from companies
Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs)
Officials from MCA and SEBI
Support staff to guide senior citizens and physically challenged investors

Role of Companies

Companies with a large amount of unclaimed shares or high-value shares are being encouraged to actively take part in these investor camps.

Their participation is important because:

It helps in solving investor grievances directly.
It speeds up the process of verification and claim settlement.
It builds trust between investors and companies.

By working closely with investors, companies can also show that they care about investor rights and transparency.

Launch of a New Integrated Portal

Besides the camps, MCA is planning to launch a new integrated portal by August 2025. This online platform will be a one-stop solution for investors who want to claim unclaimed dividends and shares.

Key features of the portal will include:

Online submission of claims
Step-by-step guidance
Access to necessary forms and documents
Tracking status of your claim
Online help and support services

With this portal, you won't need to visit offices or send multiple emails. You can start and complete your claim process online from the comfort of your home.

Special Support for Senior Citizens

The MCA has recognized that elderly investors face more problems while claiming their assets. To make things easier for them, they are planning two big changes:

Lower the priority age from 75 years to 70 years immediately.
Later, include all individuals above 60 years under the special priority category.

This means that claims made by senior citizens will be processed faster than others. It ensures that older investors quickly get back what is rightfully theirs without unnecessary waiting.

Introducing 'Niveshak Didi': A Unique Initiative

Another special project is the introduction of 'Niveshak Didi' — a unique effort to educate and empower women investors, especially in rural areas.

'Niveshak Didi' are women trainers who will:

Educate women investors about their rights and options
Guide them on how to claim unclaimed dividends and shares
Spread awareness about safe and smart investing

So far, over 1,300 'Niveshak Shivirs' have been conducted, and more than 4 lakh investors have been educated through these programs.

By involving women more actively, the government is ensuring that financial literacy reaches every part of the country, even remote villages.

Why Are These Changes Important?

The main reasons behind these new steps are:

Protect investor interests: Investors often lose their rightful money because of a lack of awareness or complicated procedures. These steps aim to fix that.
Encourage financial inclusion: Helping more people access and benefit from financial services makes the economy stronger and fairer.
Build trust in the system: When investors see that claiming their money is easy and transparent, their trust in the financial system grows

Ultimately, the aim is to make sure that no investor loses their money just because of a complicated process.

How Can You Take Advantage?

If you think you or someone you know may have unclaimed dividends or shares:

Attend a 'Niveshak Shivir' near you.
Keep your documents ready — PAN card, Aadhaar card, old share certificates (if any), bank details, death certificate of the shareholder (if applicable), etc.
Update your KYC details if they are outdated.
Complete the nomination process if not done earlier.
Check the MCA and SEBI websites for updates about the new portal launch.
Seek help from RTAs or company representatives during the camp.

You can also encourage senior citizens or women investors in your family to participate and reclaim their rightful investments.

Final Thoughts

The joint efforts by MCA and SEBI through 'Niveshak Shivirs,' 'Niveshak Didi,' the upcoming integrated portal, and special support for senior citizens are truly game changers for investors in India.

By making the claim process easier, quicker, and more transparent, these steps will empower lakhs of investors to reclaim their forgotten wealth.

It’s not just about getting back unclaimed money — it’s about building a system where every investor feels valued, protected, and confident in participating in India's financial markets. If you have investments lying unclaimed, now is the perfect time to come forward and claim what is rightfully yours.

Stay informed. Stay protected. Become a smart investor today!