Top 5 Companies in IEPF with Highest Unclaimed Shares

 

Top 5 Companies in IEPF with Highest Unclaimed Shares (2025 Updated Guide)

Did you know that thousands of crores worth of unclaimed shares and dividends are lying with companies across India? Every year, a significant number of investors forget to claim their dividends, lose share certificates, or remain unaware of their investments. These unclaimed amounts are later transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF). In this article, we will explore the Top 5 companies in IEPF that currently hold the highest number of unclaimed shares, as per the latest available data and reports.

Understanding IEPF and Its Importance

Before diving into the list of companies, it’s important to understand what IEPF is. The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) was established under the Companies Act, 2013 to manage unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and shares that remain unpaid or unclaimed for seven consecutive years. Once the funds are transferred to IEPF, investors or their legal heirs can still reclaim them through a proper claim process using Form IEPF-5.

Top 5 Companies in IEPF with Maximum Unclaimed Shares

Here are the top 5 companies in IEPF known to have the largest volume of unclaimed shares and dividends in India:

1. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)

Reliance Industries, one of India’s largest conglomerates, has a substantial number of unclaimed shares and dividends transferred to the IEPF. Many shareholders lost track due to company mergers, share splits, and bonus issues. The IEPF website shows thousands of investors with unclaimed RIL shares awaiting recovery.

2. ITC Limited

ITC Limited, a top FMCG and hospitality giant, also has a high volume of unclaimed dividends. Many shareholders have not updated their KYC or bank details, leading to non-receipt of dividend payments, which are later moved to IEPF. The company’s investor section provides detailed steps to check and claim these shares.

3. Tata Steel Limited

Tata Steel is another major name featuring among the top 5 companies in IEPF. Due to its long-standing presence in the market and multiple shareholder generations, a considerable number of investors have unclaimed shares and dividends transferred to IEPF.

4. Infosys Limited

Infosys, one of India’s top IT companies, also reports a large number of investors with unclaimed dividends. Digital dividend transfers introduced in recent years have reduced this, but historical data shows a large chunk of shares still under IEPF.

5. State Bank of India (SBI)

Being one of India’s largest public sector banks, SBI holds a massive number of unclaimed shares and dividends in the IEPF. Many investors who purchased shares decades ago have not claimed them due to account closure or lack of awareness.

How Investors Can Recover Their Shares from IEPF

If your name appears in any of these companies’ IEPF lists, you can recover your investments by:

  1. Checking your unclaimed shares on the IEPF website.

  2. Filing Form IEPF-5 online.

  3. Sending required documents to the company’s Nodal Officer for verification.

  4. Awaiting final approval and credit of shares or dividends to your Demat or bank account.

Conclusion

The Top 5 companies in IEPF – Reliance Industries, ITC, Tata Steel, Infosys, and SBI – together hold a major portion of unclaimed shares in India. Investors should periodically check their investments and initiate claims promptly to avoid losing ownership. Awareness and timely action are the keys to protecting your financial assets.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Smart Money Habits in Your 20s, 30s, and 40s | Ultimate Financial Planning Guide

Top10 Benefits of EPF for salaried employees - supporting page

MCA’s Role in Regulating Unclaimed Shares & Dividends