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In May 2025, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), convened a strategic preparatory meeting at SEBI’s Mumbai office to launch the “NiveshakShivir” initiative. This nationwide investor outreach program aims to facilitate the reclamation of unclaimed dividends and shares by investors across India.

Key Features of “NiveshakShivir”

• Investor Helpdesks: Physical helpdesks will be set up to enable investors to interact directly with company representatives and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs) for end-to-end assistance in recovering unclaimed assets.
• Digital Search Facility: IEPFA provides an online portal (https://iepfa.gov.in/login) where shareholders can check if their shares have been transferred to the IEPF and file claims using Form IEPF-5.
• Streamlined Process: Clear guidance is provided for shareholders holding shares in dematerialized or physical form to verify and reclaim their unclaimed dividends and shares efficiently.
• Coverage: The initiative is set to launch first in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with plans to expand to other cities with high volumes of unclaimed investor assets.

Actions for Shareholders

• Demat Shareholders: Are encouraged to directly contact respective companies for clarification regarding shares liable for transfer to IEPFA.
• Physical Shareholders: Should verify share status on the IEPFA website and claim refunds if shares have been transferred.
• The initiative reduces dependence on intermediaries and improves transparency and efficiency in the recovery process.

About the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)

• Legal Basis: Established under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Function: Operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to protect investor interests, promote financial literacy, and manage the corpus of unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and shares transferred by companies.
• Objective: To foster a transparent, investor-friendly financial ecosystem through outreach and education programs like “NiveshakShivir.”