Frequently Asked Question

What is the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)?

The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a fund established by the Government of India. It holds unclaimed dividends and shares that remain unclaimed for a specific period.

What is an unpaid dividend?

An unpaid dividend refers to any dividend that has not been paid or claimed within 30 days from its declaration date.

What happens to unpaid dividends initially?

If a dividend remains unclaimed or unpaid for 30 days after declaration, the company is required to transfer the amount to a designated Unpaid Dividend Account with a scheduled bank within the next 7 days.

When are unclaimed dividends or shares transferred to IEPF?

Any amount remaining unclaimed in the Unpaid Dividend Account for seven consecutive years is transferred to the IEPF. Additionally, shares for which no dividend has been claimed or paid for seven consecutive years or more are also moved to the IEPF.

Will my shares be transferred to IEPF if I have claimed dividends in the last 7 years?

No. If you've claimed or received a dividend even once in the past 7 years, your shares will not be transferred to IEPF.

How can I claim my dividends or shares from IEPF?

To claim your shares or dividends from IEPF, follow these steps:

1. Contact the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) to get an entitlement letter.
2. Register on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website. For guidance, watch the instructional video at mca.gov.in.
3. Fill and submit the e-Form IEPF-5 online.
4. After submission, send the required physical documents to the company’s Nodal Officer.

How do I fill out the IEPF-5 form?

Refer to the Instruction Kit for Form IEPF-5 (PDF) available on the MCA website for step-by-step guidance.

How can I check if my IEPF-5 form is correctly filled?

Click on Check Form after filling in the e-Form. The system will validate if all required fields are complete and display any errors. Once validated, you’ll see the message: Form level pre-scrutiny is successful.

Can I make changes after validation?

Yes. Click Modify, make the necessary changes, and then click Check Form again.

Is there a fee for submitting the IEPF-5 form?

There is no fee. However, when prompted for a payment option, choose Pay Now to generate the required acknowledgement, even if the amount is zero.

What physical documents need to be submitted after filing online?

Send the following to the company's Nodal Officer:

• Printed and signed copy of the filled IEPF-5 form.
• Acknowledgement (Service Request Number) from online submission.
• Notarised Indemnity Bond with your signature.
• Self-attested ID proof (Aadhaar for residents, Passport/OCI/PIO for non-residents).
• Proof of entitlement (e.g., RTA letter, share certificate).
• Cancelled cheque leaf with your name printed.
• Self-attested copy of bank passbook.
• Self-attested copy of PAN Card.
• Self-attested Client Master Report (CMR) of your demat account.
• Notarised death certificate (if a joint holder is deceased).

How should the Indemnity Bond be prepared?

• For claims ₹10,000 or more, or share refunds: Use non-judicial stamp paper as per your state’s Stamp Act.
• For dividend claims under ₹10,000: Use plain paper.
• It must be notarised and include the date, place, claimant's and witness's signatures.

Can I use the specimen formats directly for annexures?

No. Do not submit annexures printed directly from specimen formats. Use them as guides and prepare your own documents with accurate personal details.

Where should I send the physical documents?

Send all required documents to the company’s Nodal Officer (IEPF) at its registered office, in an envelope clearly labelled:
“Claim for refund from IEPF Authority”

How long does it take to process an IEPF claim?

Processing time varies based on the company and the IEPF Authority’s verification. After the company verifies your documents, the request is forwarded to the IEPF Authority for final approval.

What if my claim is rejected?

You will receive a communication explaining the reason for rejection. You may rectify the issue and resubmit your claim accordingly.

Where can I get additional help?

For further assistance, you can reach out to:

• The Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) of the company
• The company’s Nodal Officer (IEPF)
• The MCA Helpdesk for technical queries related to form filling