In a major move to empower investors and enhance financial inclusion, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)—under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)—is all set to launch a new integrated digital portal to help investors reclaim their unclaimed shares and dividends within days, instead of the current average processing time of over a year.
According to official estimates, more than ₹1 lakh crore worth of unclaimed shares—spanning over 1.1 billion units—are lying with the IEPFA. Additionally, around ₹6,000 crore in unclaimed dividends are yet to be returned to rightful investors.
Fast-Track Refund Mechanism via IEPFA Portal
The soon-to-be-launched IEPFA Integrated Portal is in its final testing phase and is expected to go live in August 2025, as per an official statement released on August 1 by the MCA. Once operational, this unified digital platform will significantly reduce the waiting period for approval and disbursement of claims.
“The time taken to release shares and dividends after approval—which currently stretches to a year—will now be reduced to just a few days,” a senior official told Moneycontrol.
What Makes the New Portal Special?
- Single-window digital platform for claims
- Integration with key stakeholders like Depositories, Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs), and the Public Financial Management System (PFMS)
- Aadhaar-based biometric verification and facial recognition for KYC compliance
- Enhanced risk metrics and security protocols
- Simplified process for low-value claimants
Also Read: Form 10E: Essential Tax Relief for Salaried Employees Receiving Arrears
Proposed ‘Niveshak Public Infrastructure (NPI)’ Ecosystem
The IEPFA is also exploring the creation of a robust Niveshak Public Infrastructure (NPI)—a centralized framework to onboard companies, RTAs, and depositories under one digital roof. The proposed system would enable single KYC authentication for investors, streamlining the reclaim process even further.
“At NPI, Aadhaar-based facial scans will act as proof of identity, minimizing paperwork and fraud risk,” a source familiar with the development noted.
Strengthening Investor Awareness and Support
Since its establishment in 2016, IEPFA has championed financial literacy and investor protection through initiatives like:
- Niveshak Didi
- Niveshak Panchayat
- Niveshak Shivir
These programs aim to educate citizens on making informed financial decisions and to foster a culture of financial responsibility.
Integrated Call Center & Simplified Claim Documentation
To further enhance transparency and investor experience, the IEPFA is set to roll out an Integrated Call Center, providing real-time assistance and query resolution for investors. The authority is also reviewing documentation norms for small-ticket claims to make the settlement process simpler and quicker.
