The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, organised a panel discussion on “Aapki Poonji Aapka Adhikaar – Learning and Way Forward” at the Samarasta Auditorium, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, on June 22, 2026. The programme brought together policymakers, regulators, experts and investor awareness advocates to deliberate on strengthening investor rights, facilitating the reclamation of unclaimed financial assets, and charting the way forward for a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

A publication named “Claiming the Unclaimed: Unlocking the Potential of Idle Financial Assets in India”  unveiled by Ms. Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, Chairperson, IEPFA and Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, along with other distinguished dignitaries. The book is intended to serve as a comprehensive knowledge resource for policymakers, researchers, financial institutions, and investors, while contributing to the national discourse on investor protection and financial inclusion.

The panel discussion on “Aapki Poonji Aapka Adhikaar – Learning and Way Forward” explored key challenges and opportunities in improving awareness about unclaimed assets, streamlining claim processes, and strengthening stakeholder collaboration. The discussion highlighted the need for greater outreach, technology-driven solutions, and coordinated efforts among regulators, financial institutions, and investor protection agencies.

Sharing the Authority’s vision and ongoing reforms, Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, highlighted IEPFA’s continued efforts to simplify claim settlement processes, strengthen digital platforms, and expand investor awareness initiatives across the country. She reiterated the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that investors and their families can reclaim their rightful assets with greater ease and transparency.

Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, Chairperson, IEPFA and Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, emphasised the importance of investor empowerment as a cornerstone of financial inclusion and economic growth. She highlighted the need for sustained awareness campaigns and citizen-centric reforms to ensure that unclaimed assets are returned to their rightful owners efficiently.

In his special address, Shri M. Nagaraju, Former Secretary, Department of Financial Services, shared valuable insights on strengthening financial governance and creating robust systems to address the issue of unclaimed assets across sectors.

The deliberations  during the event reaffirmed the collective commitment of all stakeholders towards enhancing investor awareness, improving access to financial assets, strengthening trust in financial institutions, and advancing the shared goal of financial inclusion for all.

IEPFA was established under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, to administer the Investor Education and Protection Fund across the country. The Authority is entrusted with safeguarding investor interests by facilitating refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and debentures transferred to the Fund. For more information, visit: www.iepf.gov.in.

Investor education and protection drive unclaimed asset recovery through awareness, streamlined claims, and coordinated financial inclusion efforts. Investor education and protection initiatives were advanced through a panel discussion on 'Aapki Poonji Aapka Adhikaar - Learning and Way Forward' and the launch of the book 'Claiming the Unclaimed: Unlocking the Potential of Idle Financial Assets in India.' The discussion focused on strengthening investor rights, improving awareness about unclaimed assets, streamlining claim processes, and promoting coordinated efforts among regulators, financial institutions, investor protection agencies, policymakers, and experts to support financial inclusion. IEPFA's agenda emphasised simplification of claim settlement, expansion of digital platforms, and wider investor awareness campaigns to help investors and their families reclaim rightful assets.