**Executive Summary**
This report, answered on February 2, 2026, addresses the initiatives of the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) to enhance services for investors. It details the features of the integrated portal and call center, the progress in claim processing, the Electronic Verification Report (EVR) mechanism, and the roadmap for increasing digital service accessibility, particularly for rural and semi-urban investors. The report highlights advancements in automation, claim processing efficiency, and outreach programs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Integrated Portal and Call Center:**
* The integrated portal facilitates seamless service delivery by harmonizing MCA-21, depositories, and PFMS through API integration, significantly reducing claim settlement turnaround time.
* The synced call center provides real-time updates to claimants. The toll-free number is 14453, and information is available in 11 languages via multilingual IVRS.
* **Claim Processing:**
* Around 32000 claims have been approved since the portal's launch in August 2025, a significant increase from the previous year.
* **Electronic Verification Report (EVR):**
* After filing form IEPF-5, the company must file the EVR within 30 days.
* The IEPFA processes the approved EVR until securities are transferred to the claimant's account.
* The EVR is digitally signed by the company's Nodal Officer, and EVR forms are integrated with depositories for auto-validation.
* **Roadmap for Digital Service Accessibility:**
* IEPFA has adopted a structured approach to enhance the accessibility and availability of its digital services, especially for rural and semi-urban investors.
* IEPFA has expanded outreach through awareness camps in underserved areas with limited banking access.
* The "Niveshak Didi 2" program strengthens financial awareness through simple content on various financial topics, using a multi-layered mobilization model including Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi and ASHA networks, trained local volunteers, and community-based communication channels.
**Impact Analysis**
**Investors**
*Impact:* Investors, particularly those in rural and semi-urban areas, will experience improved accessibility to IEPFA services and enhanced financial awareness. The streamlined claim processing and real-time updates contribute to greater efficiency and transparency.
*Action Required:* Investors should utilize the integrated portal, call center, and awareness programs to access services and information, and file the required forms accurately and on time.
**Companies**
*Impact:* Companies are responsible for filing the Electronic Verification Report (EVR) within 30 days of the application.
*Action Required:* Companies must ensure timely and accurate filing of the EVR, with digital signatures, to facilitate the claim process. They need to integrate their systems with depositories for auto-validation.
**IEPFA**
*Impact:* IEPFA is responsible for implementing and maintaining the integrated portal, call center, and outreach programs.
*Action Required:* IEPFA needs to ensure the continuous improvement of the digital services, expand outreach efforts, and monitor the effectiveness of the "Niveshak Didi 2" program.
Key Entities Referenced
Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA): A statutory body established to promote investor awareness and protect investor interests; responsible for managing unclaimed dividends and shares.
Electronic Verification Report (EVR): A mechanism used for digital verification of claim documents related to transfer of shares and dividends by IEPFA.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs: The ministry responsible for administering the Companies Act and other laws related to corporate affairs; oversees the IEPFA.
Niveshak Didi 2: IEPFA's outreach program for strengthening financial awareness, especially for first-time vulnerable investors.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 239
ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026/MAGHA 13, 1947 (SAKA)
INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND AUTHORITY
239. SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY:
Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the salient features of the integrated portal and dedicated call cenre launched
by the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) to facilitate
services for the investors;
(b) the number of claims processed so far alongwith the extent to which these
measures have curtailed the timelines for transferring shares and dividends to the
real stakeholders;
(c) the details of the Electronic Verification Report (EVR) mechanism and its role
in digital verification;
(d) whether the Government has prepared any roadmap to increase the
accessibility and availability of IEPFA’s digital services, especially for rural and
semi-urban investors; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND MINISTRY
OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(HARSH MALHOTRA)
(a): The Integrated Portal has been launched to facilitate seamless delivery of
services to claimants by harmonising MCA-21 system, depositories, and PFMS.
Once a claim is approved on MCA-21, the system automatically generates the files
for execution on the depositories and PFMS portals through API Integration. This
automation has significantly reduced the turnaround time for the claim settlement
process. Further, the call centre, which is synced with the Integrated portal,
facilitates real time update to the claimants. Toll free number of the call centre is
14453 and the information is available in 11 languages. Multilingual IVRS is
available round the clock.
(b): Around 32000 claims have been approved since the launch of the Integrated
Portal in August 2025 which is a significant increase from that of previous year.
(c): After application form IEPF-5 is filed by the claimant, the Electronic Verification
Report (EVR) is filed by the company within 30 days. The approved EVR isprocessed by Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) till
securities are transferred in the claimant’s account. The EVR is signed through
Digital Signature of the Nodal Officer of the company. The EVR Forms are
integrated with the Depositories wherein details are auto validated through the
depositories.
(d) & (e): The IEPFA has adopted a structured, multi-pronged roadmap to enhance
the accessibility and availability of its digital services, with special focus on rural
and semi-urban investors.
IEPFA has significantly expanded its outreach in rural and under-served
areas through awareness camps in regions with limited banking access ensuring
wider accessibility of digital financial services in these regions. Under its
outreach programme “Niveshak Didi 2”, IEPFA has strengthened financial
awareness, especially for first-time vulnerable investor, with simple content on
savings, budgeting, credit use, digital services, investments, insurance and fraud
prevention. These camps use a multi-layered mobilisation model involving Self-
Help Groups (SHGs), Anganwadi and ASHA networks, trained local volunteers, and
community-based communication channels.
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