IEPF Share Recovery: Claim Unclaimed Shares in India & Retrieve Lost Shares with IEPF | |
The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) was established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to safeguard investors' interests by reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares. Many investors unknowingly lose their shares due to inactivity, and their holdings are transferred to the IEPF Authority after seven years. This guide explains the IEPF share recovery process, eligibility, and step-by-step claim procedure. What is IEPF Share Recovery? IEPF share recovery is the process through which investors or legal heirs can reclaim shares and dividends that have been transferred to the IEPF Authority. These shares may have been lost due to: Non-encashment of dividends for seven consecutive years. Inactivity in the Demat or physical shareholding. Corporate actions like mergers, acquisitions, or changes in shareholding structures. Who Can Claim Shares from IEPF? The following individuals/entities are eligible to claim shares from the IEPF Authority: Registered Shareholders who have lost access to their shares. Legal Heirs or Nominees of deceased shareholders. Successors or Legal Representatives in case of inheritance claims. Step-by-Step IEPF Claim Procedure To successfully recover unclaimed shares, investors must follow the procedure prescribed by the MCA and IEPF Authority. Step 1: Check Unclaimed Shares with IEPF Before filing a claim, verify whether the shares and dividends have been transferred to IEPF: Visit the IEPF website (https://www.iepf.gov.in). Use the Search Unclaimed Shares option. Enter details such as PAN, shareholder’s name, or folio number to check the status. Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents Prepare the following documents for the IEPF claim: Duly filled Form IEPF-5 (downloaded from the IEPF portal). Original Share Certificate/Demat Account Proof. KYC documents (PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, etc.). Cancelled cheque or bank details for fund transfer. Indemnity Bond and Affidavit as per MCA guidelines. Death Certificate (if applicable) in case of a deceased shareholder. Legal heir or succession proof (if applicable). Step 3: File IEPF-5 Form Online Login to the IEPF portal and fill Form IEPF-5. Attach scanned copies of required documents. Submit the form and generate an acknowledgment receipt. Take a printout of the acknowledgment along with the IEPF-5 form. Step 4: Submit Documents to the Company’s Nodal Officer Send a physical copy of the IEPF-5 form along with supporting documents to the Nodal Officer of the company that issued the shares. The company verifies the claim and forwards its recommendation to the IEPF Authority. Step 5: Processing and Approval by IEPF Authority The IEPF Authority reviews the claim and supporting documents. If the claim is valid, the authority approves the refund. Shares and dividends are transferred back to the claimant’s Demat account or bank account. Timeframe for IEPF Claim Processing The entire process can take 3 to 6 months, depending on the accuracy of documents and the response from the company’s Nodal Officer. Key Points to Remember Ensure all documents are correctly prepared to avoid delays. Keep a copy of the acknowledgment and IEPF-5 form for reference. Follow up with the company’s Nodal Officer to expedite processing. Seek professional help if the claim involves legal complications. Conclusion Recovering lost shares through IEPF is a structured process that requires compliance with MCA norms. By following the correct IEPF claim procedure, investors can retrieve their unclaimed shares and dividends. Timely action and proper documentation ensure a smooth claim process. ![]() | |
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Target State: All States Target City : Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Noida Last Update : 27 February 2025 12:11 PM Number of Views: 31 | Item Owner : Vivek Ranjan Contact Email: Contact Phone: 9988424211 |
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