The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), on January 28, 2026, has invited comments from stakeholders on the draft amendments to simplify and expedite the refund process for claims filed with the Authority under the Companies Act, 2013. The consultation aims to improve efficiency in processing refunds relating to unclaimed dividends, shares, debentures and other eligible amounts transferred to the IEPF.
The draft proposals, issued under section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016, inter alia, seek to streamline claim verification through companies, rationalise documentation (especially for low-value claims), omit provisions rendered redundant due to integration with Bharatkosh/PFMS, and align IEPF procedures with amended SEBI Takeover and Delisting Regulations. Clear thresholds for “Low-Value Claims” have also been proposed to ease compliance.
Stakeholders may submit comments by February 27, 2026, via email or through the MCA e-Consultation module, in the prescribed format. The proposed amendments are annexed to the notice for public feedback and will be finalised after due consideration of stakeholder inputs.
[File No. IEPFA-15/1/2023]
