“Niveshak Shivir” launched by IEPFA and SEBI for Simplifying Reclaim of Unclaimed Dividends and Shares

In a continued effort to enhance investor outreach and streamline the process of reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, organised a preparatory meeting in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) at the SEBI Office, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai on Friday i.e. May 9, 2025.

The meeting was attended by Smt. Anita Shah Akella, CEO of  IEPFA and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, along with IEPFA officials; Shri Ananth Narayan G., Whole-Time Member, SEBI; Shri Shashi Kumar Valsakumar and Shri Jeevan Sonparote, Executive Directors, SEBI; and other SEBI officials. Representatives from key financial market infrastructure institutions were also present, including the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL), and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs) such as Link Intime and KFin Technologies.

This strategic meeting marks a crucial milestone in the rollout of “Niveshak Shivir” – a nationwide investor assistance initiative aimed at enabling investors to reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares with greater ease, improving financial literacy and reducing reliance on intermediaries. The initiative will feature dedicated helpdesks, allowing investors to interact directly with company representatives and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs) for end-to-end assistance.

To facilitate better communication with shareholders whose shares are liable for transfer to the IEPFA, the following action points were deliberated:

1.  Shareholders holding shares in dematerialized form, due for transfer to IEPFA, are encouraged to contact the respective company directly for clarification and support;
2. Shareholders holding shares in physical form should verify the status of their shares on the IEPFA website.  If the shares have already been transferred, they can initiate a claim by filing Form IEPF-5. Alternatively, they may contact the company’s Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) for assistance; and
3. The IEPFA provides a search facility that enables shareholders to check whether their shares have been transferred to the IEPFA or are still with the company. This allows claimants to determine the current status of their shares, facilitating timely action and minimizing delays in the recovery process.

IEPFA Search Facility:    https://iepfa.gov.in/login

The “Niveshak Shivir” initiative will commence later this month in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with plans to expand to other cities with high volumes of unclaimed investor asset

About IEPFA

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to safeguard investor interests and promote financial literacy across India. Through partnerships and outreach initiatives like “Niveshak Shivir,” IEPFA aims to foster a transparent and investor-friendly environment in the Indian financial ecosystem.

For more information, visit

https://www.iepf.gov.in/content/iepf/global/master/Home/Home.html

Unclaimed shareholder assets: new initiative simplifies reclaiming dividends and shares through helpdesks, search facility and RTA assistance. IEPFA and SEBI launched 'Niveshak Shivir' to simplify reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares through dedicated helpdesks and direct engagement with company representatives and RTAs. Dematerialised shareholders are advised to contact their company for support; physical shareholders should use the IEPFA search facility to verify transfer status and, if shares have been transferred, initiate recovery by filing the prescribed claim form or seeking assistance from the company RTA. The search facility is the primary means to determine current custody of shares.