Why in news?
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India jointly organised a Niveshak Shivir in Jaipur on 6 December 2025. The camp provided a one‑stop platform for investors to reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares, update their Know‑Your‑Customer (KYC) details and resolve pending claims. The government also launched a three‑month nationwide awareness drive titled “Aapki Poongi, Aapka Adhikar” (Your Money, Your Right) to help citizens locate unclaimed financial assets. In October 2025 new rules simplified Form IEPF‑5 to streamline refund procedures.
Background
The Investor Education and Protection Fund was set up under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013. When dividends, matured deposits or shares remain unclaimed for seven years, companies must transfer these amounts to the fund. The IEPFA, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, administers the fund, refunds rightful claims to investors or their heirs, and runs financial literacy programmes.
Recent initiatives
- Niveshak Shivir: At the Jaipur camp, investors could interact directly with companies and registrars. Dedicated kiosks facilitated immediate redress of grievances, on‑the‑spot KYC and nomination updates, and processing of claims for unclaimed dividends and shares held for six to seven years.
- Awareness campaign: The “Your Money, Your Right” campaign, launched on 4 October 2025 by the Finance Minister in Gandhinagar, aims to spread awareness about unclaimed assets across banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and post offices. Citizens are guided on how to trace and claim their money through digital tools and simplified procedures.
- Form IEPF‑5 amendments: Changes effective 6 October 2025 require applicants to attach an entitlement letter from the company and an authority letter if filing through a representative. Claimants may now file solely for shares without specifying an amount, and the form includes fields for the full sixteen‑digit Demat account number and details of authorised representatives. These changes are intended to reduce rejections and speed up claim processing.
The IEPFA’s outreach is part of a broader effort to strengthen investor protection and financial inclusion. By helping citizens recover dormant investments and educating them on financial rights, the authority seeks to build trust in formal financial markets and encourage responsible investing.
Source: PIB
