What is IEPF?
The Investor Education and Protection Fund is created under the Companies Act, 2013 and administered by the IEPF Authority under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It receives, among other things, dividends that have remained unpaid or unclaimed for seven years and the shares on which dividend has remained unpaid or unclaimed for seven consecutive years.
Why do dividends remain unpaid?
- Change of address or bank account that was never updated
- Dividend warrants lost or expired
- Holder deceased and the family unaware of the holding
- Incomplete KYC with the RTA
- Simply forgotten investments
When are shares transferred to IEPF?
Companies must first move unpaid dividend into a separate account. If dividend on shares remains unpaid or unclaimed for seven consecutive years, the company must transfer those shares to the IEPF Authority's demat account, after notifying shareholders. Transfer does not end your ownership: you can claim them back.
Who may submit a claim?
The original shareholder
Whose shares or dividend were transferred.
Legal heirs
Of a deceased shareholder, with proof of entitlement.
Nominees and survivors
In cases where their position is recognised under the rules for the holding.
An authorised representative
The revised form is reported to permit filing through a representative with an authority letter; confirm on the current form.
The IEPF claim journey
A general outline. Individual cases can differ.
- 1
Establish the holding
Confirm the company, folio or demat details, the number of shares and that they were transferred to IEPF.
- 2
Prepare your details and documents
Identity, bank and demat details, and — for heirs — documents establishing entitlement.
- 3
File Form IEPF-5 online
On the MCA portal. The system generates an acknowledgement and an SRN.
- 4
Send documents to the company's Nodal Officer
As the current instructions specify, by a trackable method, with the SRN clearly shown.
- 5
Company verification
The company verifies your claim against its records and reports to the IEPF Authority.
- 6
Review and processing by the Authority
The claim may be accepted, queried or rejected.
- 7
Credit of shares or payment of dividend
Shares to the claimant's demat account; dividend and other amounts to the claimant's bank account.
Company and RTA coordination
Every company that has transferred shares to IEPF must appoint a Nodal Officer for IEPF matters. The company or its RTA can provide the details of the transfer you need for the form. After you file, the Nodal Officer verifies the claim and the supporting documents. This verification stage is where claims most commonly slow down.
Query handling and resubmission
If the company or Authority finds an error or omission, you will receive a query. Respond clearly and completely, and keep proof of what you send. See our guide on handling an IEPF claim query.
Common reasons for delay
Slow company verification
Nodal Officer review can take time.
Mismatched details
Names, signatures, folio numbers or share counts differing from records.
Incomplete documents
Missing certificates, unclear copies or wrong formats.
Repeated queries
Each query round adds time.
Document checklist
Checklist: claim shares or dividend from IEPF (Form IEPF-5)
Applies to: Claimant is the original holder, or a legal heir, claiming from IEPF
A starting checklist drawn from the revised Form IEPF-5 (in force from 6 October 2025). The company's Nodal Officer and the IEPF Authority decide what they need in your case.
Details you will need to enter
- Company name and the folio number or DP ID / client ID of the original holding
- Number of shares and the financial years of unpaid dividend, as far as known
- Reason the shares or dividend were not received or encashed
- A working mobile number and email IDThe revised form verifies these by OTP.
Claimant documents
- Proof of identity and PAN of the claimant
- Demat account details (Client Master List) into which shares are to be credited
- Bank account details, with a copy of a blank cancelled cheque leafAs indicated for the revised form; confirm on the portal.
- Authority letter, if a representative files on your behalfIf applicable
Company-side papers
- Original share certificates, where shares are held in physical formIf applicable
- Indemnity bond, if the current instructions require oneIf applicable
- Entitlement letter from the company or RTAIf applicableReports differ on whether it is now optional. Check the portal.
If the original holder has died
- Attested death certificateIf applicable
- Proof of relationship and legal heirship; succession certificate or other court document where applicableIf applicable
- NOC from other legal heirs or nominees, affidavit and indemnity, as the instructions requireIf applicable
IEPF claim FAQs
Who can make an IEPF claim?
Is the claim made to the company or to the IEPF Authority?
Can IEPF Assist guarantee approval or timing?
Services that can help
IEPF Claim Assistance
Help preparing and following up an IEPF-5 claim for shares or dividends transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund.
Read moreUnclaimed Shares Recovery
Help locating and recovering old, forgotten or unclaimed shares — whether held in the company's books, with an RTA, or transferred to IEPF.
Read moreLegal Heir Share Claims
Help for legal heirs claiming shares and dividends of a deceased shareholder — from tracing to transmission or IEPF claims.
Read moreNRI IEPF Claim Assistance
Help for NRIs and overseas legal heirs dealing with IEPF claims and Indian shareholdings from abroad.
Read moreWant help with your IEPF claim?
We help you prepare, organise and follow up. Approval and timing rest with the company and the IEPF Authority.
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