What Is IEPF?

Have you or your family invested in shares years ago and forgotten about them? You’re not alone. Every year, crores worth of unclaimed shares and dividends are transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) by companies. Most people don’t even realize they have wealth lying unclaimed with the government. If you suspect you or your loved ones have unclaimed shares , this blog will walk you through what they are, how they go unclaimed, and—most importantly—how to recover them. 🔍 What Are Unclaimed Shares? Unclaimed shares refer to equity investments (like shares of companies) that have not been claimed by the rightful owners for an extended period—usually seven consecutive years . These can include: Shares held in physical certificate form Shares inherited but not transferred Shares held jointly or singly with no action taken Shares linked to inactive or closed demat accounts Dividend income not claimed for years If dividends on these shares remain unclaimed for seve...

    Have you or your family members forgotten about old shares or dividends that haven’t been claimed for years? If these remain unclaimed for too long, they get transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) . But what happens if you don’t claim them in time? Let’s understand the consequences of not claiming IEPF shares and how it may affect your rightful ownership. What is IEPF and Why Are Shares Transferred to It? The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was created by the Government of India to protect investor interests. According to Section 124 of the Companies Act, 2013, if any dividend remains unclaimed for 7 consecutive years , the associated shares are transferred to the IEPF. This means both the unclaimed dividend and the shares are moved to the government’s fund — but they can still be reclaimed by the rightful owners or their legal heirs. Consequences of Not Claiming IEPF Shares in Time 1. Loss of Ownership Rights Temporar...