1 Billion Unclaimed Shares Worth ₹1 Lakh Crore Lie With IEPFA: Here Is How to Claim Them

India has a staggering volume of unclaimed financial assets. According to official estimates, nearly 1 billion unclaimed shares, valued at around ₹1 lakh crore, are currently lying with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA). These shares belong to investors who failed to claim dividends or did not update ownership details for several years.

Why Do Shares Get Transferred To IEPFA?

Shares are transferred to the IEPFA when dividends remain unclaimed for 7 consecutive years. This usually happens due to outdated contact details, lack of awareness, death of the shareholder without nomination, or lost physical share certificates. Once transferred, investors lose direct access until a formal claim is made.

What Is Changing Now?

To address delays and improve efficiency, the IEPFA is preparing to introduce an AI-powered feature on its integrated portal. The new system aims to speed up the processing of low-value claims below ₹5 lakh, which may now be settled within 6–7 days, compared to nearly a month earlier.

The AI tool will assist in document verification and validation. However, final approval will still involve a manual check, ensuring accuracy and fraud prevention before shares are transferred back to investors.

Who Can Claim These Shares?

Any original shareholder, legal heir, or nominee can apply to recover shares or dividends transferred to IEPFA. This includes retail investors, senior citizens, and families who may not be aware of inherited investments.

Step-By-Step Process To Claim Shares

The claim process is fully online and involves the following steps:

• Visit the IEPFA integrated portal and fill out Form IEPF-5
• Submit details of shares, dividends, and personal information
• Upload required documents such as identity proof, address proof, and shareholding evidence
• Submit the claim to the concerned company for verification
• After company verification, IEPFA reviews and approves the claim
• Shares and dividends are credited to the claimant’s demat and bank account

For deceased shareholders, additional documents such as succession certificates or probate may be required.

Why This Matters For Investors

With such a large value locked away, the IEPFA data highlights the importance of updating KYC details, adding nominees, and tracking investments regularly. Many investors are unaware that they own shares, especially those bought decades ago or inherited from family members.

Read more: US$11 Billion, One City: Why is Tata Sons Going All InOn Navi Mumbai?

Conclusion

The presence of 1 billion unclaimed shares worth ₹1 lakh crore shows the scale of forgotten wealth in India’s capital markets. With the upcoming AI-driven claim processing system, recovering shares (especially smaller claims) is expected to become faster and smoother. Investors and legal heirs should proactively check IEPFA records and reclaim what rightfully belongs to them before further delays.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.