**Summary:**
On September 8, 2025, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, celebrated its 9th Foundation Day with a Round Table Conference in New Delhi. The conference theme was "Claiming the Unclaimed: Unlocking the Potential of Idle Financial Assets in India."
Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for innovative policy frameworks and interagency coordination. Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, highlighted IEPFA's initiatives to strengthen investor protection, simplify claim settlements, and promote financial literacy. Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER, moderated the conference, emphasizing collaborative reforms to improve transparency, reduce claim timelines and boost investor confidence.
The conference included participation from senior policymakers, regulators, and experts across various sectors, including representatives from SEBI (Mr. Sunil Kadam, Executive Director), RBI (Mr. Sunil Nair, Chief General Manager), ICSI (CS B. Narasimhan, Former President), PFRDA (Ms. Sumeet Kaur Kapoor, Executive Director), and IRDAI (Mr. R. K. Nair, Former Member). Discussions covered unlocking the potential of idle assets and efficient service delivery, with insights from Mr. Dhirendra Kumar, Board Member, IEPFA and CEO, Value Research; Shri Sashi Krishnan, Director, NISM; and Ms. Savithri Parekh, Company Secretary Compliance Officer, Reliance Industries Ltd.
A key focus was on IEPFA's commitment to transparency, technology, and trust. Ms. Akella highlighted initiatives such as the Integrated Portal for Claims and Refunds, simplified low-value claims, and financial literacy programs like Niveshak Didi and Niveshak Shivirs. The upcoming Niveshak Samadhan "Dial Your CEO" program was announced, outlining IEPFA's "Panchtattva" vision for faster refunds, AI-driven solutions, and establishing IEPFA as a trust anchor within India's financial system.
IEPFA, established on September 7, 2016, manages the Investor Education and Protection Fund, focusing on investor protection through the refund of shares, unclaimed dividends, and matured deposits/debentures. Further information can be found at www.iepf.gov.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA): An authority under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs responsible for managing the Investor Education and Protection Fund and safeguarding investor interests.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs: The government ministry under which the IEPFA operates.
Sanjeev Sanyal: Member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council; delivered the Keynote Address at the Round Table Conference.
Anita Shah Akella: CEO, IEPFA and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
New Delhi: Location of the Round Table Conference in Delhi.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI): Regulatory body for the capital market in India; Mr. Sunil Kadam, Executive Director, SEBI participated in the discussions.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Central bank of India; Mr. Sunil Nair, Chief General Manager, RBI participated in the discussions.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA): Regulatory body for pension funds in India; Ms. Sumeet Kaur Kapoor, Executive Director, PFRDA participated in the discussions.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
IEPFA Celebrates 9th Foundation Day with Round
Table Conference on “Claiming the Unclaimed:
Unlocking the Potential of Idle Financial Assets in
India”
The session witnessed the participation of senior
policymakers, regulators, and experts from diverse
sectors
Posted On: 09 SEP 2025 2:29PM by PIB Delhi
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
Government of India, celebrated its 9th Foundation Day with a Round Table Conference in New Delhi on
September 08, 2025. The theme of the conference was “Claiming the Unclaimed: Unlocking the Potential of
Idle Financial Assets in India.”
The conference was graced by Chief Guest, Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister’s
Economic Advisory Council, who delivered the Keynote Address. Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal emphasized the
critical need for innovative policy frameworks and inter-agency coordination to ensure that idle financial
assets are productively deployed for national development. He appreciated the initiatives undertaken by
IEPFA for significant process reforms.
Delivering the Inaugural Address, Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA & Joint Secretary, Ministry ofCorporate Affairs, highlighted IEPFA’s initiatives to strengthen investor protection, simplify claim
settlements, and spread financial literacy across India.
The Round Table Conference was moderated by Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER,
who underlined the importance of collaborative reforms to reduce claim timelines, improve transparency, and
build greater investor confidence.
The sessions witnessed the participation of senior policymakers, regulators, and experts from diverse sectors.
From the capital market and banking sector, the discussions featured Mr. Sunil Kadam, Executive Director,
SEBI; Mr. Sunil Nair, Chief General Manager, RBI; and CS B. Narasimhan, Former President, ICSI.
Representing insurance, pensions, and provident funds were Ms. Sumeet Kaur Kapoor, Executive
Director, PFRDA; and Mr. R. K. Nair, Former Member, IRDAI. The session on Paradigm Shift:
Unlocking the Potential of Idle Assets and Efficient Service included insights from Mr. Dhirendra Kumar,
Board Member, IEPFA & CEO, Value Research; Shri Sashi Krishnan, Director, NISM and Ms.
Savithri Parekh, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer, Reliance Industries Ltd.
The Round Table concluded with a collective commitment from all stakeholders to unlock the potential of
unclaimed assets, strengthen financial inclusion, and reinforce investor trust in the Indian financial ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA & Joint Secretary, MCA, emphasised on
the Authority’s journey towards becoming a trusted guardian of investor interests through reforms anchored in
transparency, technology, and trust. She highlighted key initiatives including the Integrated Portal for Claims
and Refunds, simplification of low-value claims, and financial literacy drives like Niveshak Didi and
Niveshak Shivirs. Announcing the upcoming Niveshak Samadhan – Dial Your CEO programme, she outlined
IEPFA’s Panchtattva vision to deliver faster refunds, adopt AI-driven solutions, and position IEPFA as a trust
anchor of India’s financial system, reaffirming that its true impact is measured in lives touched.
About IEPFA
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was established on September 7, 2016, under
the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. IEPFA is responsible for managing the Investor
Education and Protection Fund, which focuses on safeguarding investor interests by facilitating the refund of
shares, unclaimed dividends, and matured deposits/debentures. Through its initiatives, the IEPFA aims to
ensure transparency, protect investors' rights, and promote financial literacy across the country.
Find out more at: www.iepf.gov.in****
NB/AD
(Release ID: 2164912)