The IEPFA Authority administers the Investor Education Protection Fund (IEPF), managing refunds for shares, unclaimed dividends, matured deposits/debentures, and promotes investor awareness.

Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority(IEPFA)

We frequently receive queries from individuals seeking guidance on obtaining IEPF claims for shares transferred to the IEPF. Section 124 (5) of the Companies Act, 2013 mandates the transfer of unclaimed dividends to the IEPF after 7 years.

The IEPF authority serves to protect the interests of common investors who, due to changes in name or address, may face difficulties in claiming their dues from the company. Shares are held in the authority's Demat account until claimed. Before transferring shares to the IEPF authority, companies must attempt to contact investors through email or phone to facilitate claims. If no response is received, the shares/dividends are transferred to the IEPF authority.

Here's how the IEPF claim is settled with the IEPF Authority:

Demat Account Requirement: To initiate an IEPF claim, you need to have a Demat account. If you don't have one, it's essential to open a Demat account, as IEPF claims are directly transferred to Demat accounts.

Download and Fill Form-5: Download the Form-5 from the IEPF website and fill in the required details. Submit the form online, and you will receive an acknowledgment, which should be saved for future reference.

Print Form-5 and Acknowledgment: Take a printout of Form-5 along with the acknowledgment.

Prepare Documentation: Collect all necessary documents required on a case-by-case basis.

Submission to Nodal Officer: Send the printed Form-5 and acknowledgment, along with the required documents, to the Nodal Officer for further processing.

Verification and Refund: The Nodal Officer, upon receiving the completed form and verification report from the company, will facilitate the release of the refund by the IEPF authority.

Following these steps ensures the proper processing of an IEPF claim, safeguarding the interests of investors whose shares have been transferred to the IEPF.

Download forms:

• e-forms - Web Form IEPF 5

• e-Form with instruction kit - Web Form IEPF 5 Instruction Kit