In India, millions of investors are unaware that they might already own wealth lying forgotten in the form of unclaimed shares or dividends. Some bought shares decades ago and forgot about them. Others inherited investments from parents or relatives without even realising it. In fact, as per the latest data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, thousands of crores worth of shares and dividends are already parked with the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)—waiting to be claimed.
The situation has only become more relevant in 2025, with growing awareness about financial planning, succession, and forgotten investments. But here’s the challenge: most people don’t know how to check whether they have any unclaimed shares in their name.
Industry expert Ms. Chetna Shoor, Director of Expertvuw, explains:
“The biggest surprise for most clients is realising that they already have wealth sitting idle in IEPF or with companies. Awareness is the first step, and knowing how to check for unclaimed shares can change the financial future of entire families.”
This blog is your step-by-step guide to checking whether you have unclaimed shares in 2025—explained in simple, human terms.
Why Do Shares Go Unclaimed?
Before we dive into the process of checking, let’s first understand why shares go unclaimed in the first place. Many investors assume they are careful with their finances, but there are a number of real-world reasons this happens:
- Change of address: Investors moved houses but didn’t update records with the company or registrar.
- Change of name: After marriage or for other reasons, names on documents no longer match share certificates.
- Death of shareholder: Legal heirs don’t know about investments left behind.
- Physical certificates: Old paper certificates are forgotten or misplaced.
- Unclaimed dividends: Dividends not encashed for seven consecutive years lead to shares being transferred to IEPF.
Over time, small oversights grow into large amounts locked away—sometimes worth lakhs.
Step 1: Check with the MCA’s IEPF Website
The Government of India has made it possible to track unclaimed dividends and shares through the official IEPF portal (Investor Education and Protection Fund).
Here’s how you can check:
- Visit the IEPF website.
- Use the search facility to look up unclaimed dividend data.
- Enter your details such as company name, investor name, or folio number.
- If dividends remain unclaimed for seven years, the system will also show whether shares have been transferred to IEPF.
This is the official starting point for anyone who suspects they might have forgotten investments.
Step 2: Contact the Company or Registrar
The company where you originally bought shares, or its Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA), maintains detailed records of shareholders. If you suspect you had shares in a particular company, you can:
- Write to the company’s investor relations department.
- Approach the nodal officer for IEPF claims.
- Contact the RTA (like Link Intime, KFin Technologies, or others) with your PAN details.
They can confirm whether your dividends or shares are still with the company or already transferred to IEPF.
Step 3: Search Your Family Records
Many unclaimed shares come to light during succession disputes or financial planning sessions. Often, investments were made decades ago, and family members lose track over time. In 2025, with so many companies having gone digital, it has become easier to trace such holdings.
Look for:
- Old dividend warrants or share certificates.
- Bank passbooks showing dividend credits.
- Tax records reflecting dividend income.
- Any letters from companies or registrars.
Even if the paperwork looks old, it can serve as a clue to start your claim.
Step 4: Use PAN and Demat Integration
One of the biggest changes in recent years is the linking of PAN with demat accounts. Today, every demat and trading account must be linked to PAN and Aadhaar. If you already have a demat account, checking your holdings is easier.
By reviewing your Consolidated Account Statement (CAS), you can identify shares still active in your account versus those that may have gone unclaimed and transferred to IEPF.
Step 5: Seek Professional Assistance
The process of checking is one thing—filing an actual claim is another. Once you identify unclaimed shares, reclaiming them from IEPF requires:
- Filing Form IEPF-5 online.
- Submitting physical documents to the company’s nodal officer.
- Getting company approval.
- Having the claim verified and processed by IEPF Authority.
Each step requires accuracy and follow-ups. Small errors can lead to rejection. That’s where professionals like Expertvuw step in.
As Ms. Chetna Shoor points out:
“In our experience, most investors are able to check and discover their unclaimed shares on their own. But when it comes to recovery, professional guidance makes all the difference between a rejected claim and a successful one.”
The Growing Scale of Unclaimed Shares in 2025
The numbers are staggering. By 2025, crores of rupees worth of dividends and shares continue to remain idle with IEPF. This is money that belongs to investors or their families—but due to lack of awareness, it remains locked away.
The government’s intent is clear: safeguard this money until rightful owners come forward. But awareness and action must come from the investors’ side.
Real-Life Story: A Case of Hidden Wealth
Take the case of a Bangalore-based entrepreneur who discovered shares worth ₹12 lakh lying in IEPF under his father’s name. The family had no idea about the investment, as the certificates were tucked away in an old file. It was only while digitising records in 2024 that they stumbled upon them.
The initial attempt to recover the shares hit roadblocks because of missing succession proof. But with Expertvuw’s help, the claim was approved, and the shares were transferred back to the legal heirs.
Stories like these highlight why every family should check for unclaimed shares. Sometimes, forgotten wealth can rewrite financial plans.
FAQs on Checking for Unclaimed Shares in 2025
Is there a fee to check for unclaimed shares?
No, the IEPF website allows free access to check data.
Can I check using my PAN number directly?
Not always. PAN-linked searches are more effective through companies and registrars.
What if I don’t remember the company name?
Look for old paperwork, consult banks, or approach professional services for tracing.
Can heirs check and claim on behalf of deceased shareholders?
Yes, with proper legal heirship proof like a succession certificate, will, or nominee details.
Why Expertvuw in India for Recovery of Unclaimed Shares
Every year, crores of rupees worth of dividends and shares slip through the cracks in India’s financial system. They remain unclaimed for years and are eventually transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF). While this ensures that the money is safe, the process of reclaiming it is rarely as straightforward as it looks on paper. For many investors and their families, what should be a simple procedure turns into months of frustration, rejected applications, and lost hope. This is where Expertvuw has emerged as one of India’s most trusted partners in the recovery of unclaimed shares and dividends.
The most important reason why Expertvuw stands out is its specialisation in IEPF claims. Unlike generic financial consultants, Expertvuw has built its expertise in a niche domain where attention to detail and regulatory knowledge matter most. The recovery of unclaimed shares involves multiple stages: filing the IEPF-5 form online, submitting physical documents to the company’s nodal officer, ensuring verification by the company, and finally getting approval from the IEPF Authority. Each of these steps can fail for reasons as small as a spelling mismatch in documents or missing heirship proof. With a team trained to identify and resolve such challenges, Expertvuw reduces the risk of rejection dramatically.
Another reason why Expertvuw is trusted across India is the leadership of Ms. Chetna Shoor, a seasoned professional recognised as an industry expert in IEPF claims, share recovery, and unclaimed investments. Under her guidance, Expertvuw has handled cases ranging from small dividend claims to complex recoveries involving multiple heirs, old physical certificates, and decades of paperwork. Clients often highlight how her personal involvement and clarity bring confidence in a process that otherwise feels overwhelming.
What makes Expertvuw truly different is its end-to-end support. Most investors can find out if they have unclaimed shares through government websites or company records. But recovery is the real challenge. Expertvuw doesn’t stop at providing guidance—it manages the entire process, from verifying documentation to liaising with company nodal officers, following up with the IEPF Authority, and resolving queries until the claim is approved.
With Expertvuw, clients benefit from:
Reduced rejection risk due to expert document verification.
- Direct liaison with company nodal officers for faster approvals.
- Complete assistance until the claim is settled.
- Clear communication and transparency at every stage.
Expertvuw also ensures trust and transparency, which is especially important when families deal with old investments or inheritance-related claims. Questions about legal proof, succession certificates, or nominee disputes can create confusion. Expertvuw simplifies the process by giving clients a clear roadmap—what documents are required, how long the process may take, and what potential challenges may arise. Their structured approach eliminates guesswork and keeps clients informed throughout the journey.
In India, where thousands of crores worth of shares and dividends are still lying unclaimed, the need for a specialised consultancy has never been greater. Choosing Expertvuw means choosing experience, expertise, and assurance. As Ms. Chetna Shoor often says, “Recovering unclaimed shares is not just about paperwork—it’s about helping families reclaim their financial legacy.”
For anyone looking to recover unclaimed shares in India, Expertvuw is not just an option—it is the assurance that your rightful wealth will not remain idle, but will return to where it belongs: with you and your family.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Money Stay Idle
Unclaimed shares are not lost—they are simply waiting to be reclaimed. In 2025, with digital tools and government portals, it has never been easier to check whether you or your family have investments lying idle. The real key is awareness and timely action.
Checking is the first step. Recovering is the next. With expert guidance from industry leaders like Ms. Chetna Shoor and the team at Expertvuw, you can navigate the process confidently and ensure your rightful wealth comes back to you.
So, don’t wait until tomorrow. Take a few minutes today to check if you or your loved ones have unclaimed shares in 2025. That forgotten investment could be the financial boost your family didn’t even know it had.
