Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)

28 February 2014 • Samrish Bhanja and Sonam Malkotia

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Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)

28 February 2014 • Samrish Bhanja and Sonam Malkotia

Important Note: The provisions for transfer of dividend to Investor Education and Protection Fund have been amended w.e.f. 7th September 2016. For latest provisions, see Various Timelines Under the Companies Act, 2013 for IEPF Compliances.

Provisions Under the Companies Act, 1956

Every now and then, MCA is issuing notices to all the Corporates, be it Private, Public or Listed entities, who have not uploaded information in form 5INV containing information of unclaimed and unpaid amounts as specified in Section 205C(2) of the Companies Act, 1956. MCA has notified that Investor Education and Protection Fund (Uploading of information regarding unpaid and unclaimed amounts lying with companies) Rules, 2012, has mandated every company to file e-Form 5INV containing the information of unclaimed and unpaid amounts 

Why IEPF?

Section 205 C is a salutary and virtuous provision. It has been enacted to ensure that a company does not unjustifiably and unduly enrich themselves, as the depositors have failed to stake claim and have not been paid for a period of seven years from the date the amount became due. Thus, if a person makes a claim within a period of seven years, Section 205 C will not apply.

What all amounts are covered under Section 205C(2)?

Section 205C (2) enumerates the amounts that remains unpaid and unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date they became due for payment is credited to the fund. They include unpaid dividend, share application money received for allotment and due for refund, matured deposits, interest accrued on these amounts, etc.

The word “unclaimed” used in the proviso to Section 205 C (2) clarifies that in case a claim is made within a period of seven years from the date amount became due and payable; the money shall not be transferred to the said fund. 

Annual Disclosure in form 5 INV to be filed w.r.t unclaimed amount as on AGM within 90 days thereof 

  • Every company shall file eform 5INV containing the information of unclaimed and unpaid amounts as on the date of AGM or the date on which it should have been held as per the provisions of section 166 of the Act. The form is to be filed within a period of 90 days of AGM as stated above.
  •  An excel sheet has to be uploaded within 14 days of uploading of Form 5INV containing the Investor information. Excel files are to be uploaded year wise in respect of a particular Form 5-INV. The excel file shall contain information, namely, the names and addresses of the persons entitled to receive the sum;  the nature of amount, the due date for transfer into the Investor Education and Protection Fund, etc.

The aforesaid information shall be duly verified and certified by a chartered accountant or a company secretary or a cost accountant practicing in India or by the statutory auditors of the company.

              For detailed procedure, please visit www.iepf.gov.in 

Default in filing of information

If a company fails to furnish and upload information or furnishes and uploads false information on the website, the company, and every officer of the company who is in default, shall be liable with a fine as per Section 629A of the Companies Act, 1956 (Rs. 5000/- and if the contravention continues shall be liable to Rs. 500/- per day).

If no Unpaid/Unclaimed moneys, whether Form 5INV to be filed?

The Company having unpaid/unclaimed moneys as referred to in Section 205C(2) are only required to disclose the unpaid and unclaimed amount and Form 5INV is required to be filed. In case there is no unpaid and unclaimed amount, then there is no need to file Form 5INV. 

The amount remaining unclaimed for 7 years to be credited to IEPF

Any amount remaining unclaimed for 7 years is required to be credited by the companies to the Fund, within a period of thirty days of such amounts becoming due to be credited to the Fund. 

Form 1 to be filed with MCA w.r.t the amount credited to IEPF

Every Company shall, when effecting a credit to the account of the Fund, will separately furnish to the concerned Registrar of Companies a statement in Form 1 duly certified by a Chartered Accountant or a Company Secretary or a Cost Accountant practicing in India or by the Statutory Auditors of the company wherein the details of the Challans is to be filled.

Records to be maintained for 3 years w.r.t amount transferred to IEPF

It is mandatory that each Company keep a record relating to folio number, Certificate Number etc. in respect of persons to whom the amount of unpaid or unclaimed dividend, application money, matured deposit or debentures, interest accrued or was payable, for a period of three years and the Committee or Sub-Committee shall have powers to inspect such records of that period. 

No claim shall lie after transfer of unpaid dividend to the IEPF

In Nivedita Sharma vs. MCA and others, Delhi HC stated that  period of seven years is substantially long. The investors or public when they deposit the amount must make a claim within seven years otherwise they will lose their right to make the claim. Rules of limitation are founded on consideration of public policy. It ensures that litigants are diligent in seeking remedies in court and prohibits stale claims. It ensures promptitude and assist vigilant persons who do not sleep over their rights. Laws prescribing reasonable period of limitation have been upheld, though whenever the period prescribed expires, a claimant suffers, but this invariably happens as the said litigant has been grossly negligent and has failed to take steps.


21 comments

  1. We have submitted form no IEPF No 5 on 10-01-2018 and you have ack and copy was generated vide SRN NO G 73152381 dated 10-01-2018 .In this connection we have sent letter and e mail still we have not received any reply. Your Toll free no always bussy
    Kindly look in to this matter and reply when we will get the shares and dividend of Gujarat Borosil Limited

  2. 1.Have the rules and forms for claiming refunds in respect of matured debentures,unpaid dividends from Investor Education and Protection Fund under Section 125 (3)(a) of Companies Act 2013 been notified? What is the position as I want to claim refunds.
    2. Is unpaid interest on debentures also covered by the above quoted provision ?

    1. 1. Section 125(3)(a) is not notified yet, as per the provisions of companies act,1956 you can’t claim the fund once transferred in IEPF account.
      2. Interest on debenture is also covered in IEPF account.

  3. I understand from the various articles seen so far, that unclaimed dividend once transferred to IEPF account can never be claimed. Is there any change in policy, where senior citizens who were not aware can be considered eligible to claim the dividend from IEPF? Please advise.

    1. As per Companies Act, 2013 unclaimed dividend can be claimed by following the procedure prescribed by Central Government for entertaining a claim against the IEPF by shareholders/claimants/ legal heirs.

  4. I HAD BOUGHT 400 SHARES OF GAIL IN 1997 TRANSFER OF THESE SHARES WERE HELD BACK DUE TO CRB CAPITAL MARKETS ETC SCAM AND CASE SEBI V,S.CRB REMAINED LOCKED IN DELHI HIGH COURT TILL DECEMBER 2013 NOW MCS TRA HAVE PAID DIVIDENDS ONLY FROM 2008 TO TILL DATE FOR PRIOR PERIOD 97 TO 2007 THEY ARE ASKING ME TO CONTACT MCA,WHO DOIES NOT REPLY AT ALL ON THIS POINT.KINDLY ADVISE THE STATUS/RIGHT COURSE TO CLAIOM SAME.ALTHOUGH BENCH APPOINTEDBY DELHI HIGH COURT HAS DIRECTED MCS /GAIL TOPAY DIVIDENDS W.E.F.97

    1. Answers to such queries cannot be answered here as it requires detailed facts, information and documents. We advise you to consult a legal advisor personally with complete facts of the case and other necessary legal documents.

  5. In one of the very small private Ltd Co.,having share application money of Rs.1.45 lakhs from family members,notice is recd from MCA about filing of INV-5. The said amount is refunded to the share applicants in the month of October, 2013,(since business is going to be closed down),though nothing was due for refund.Form 23AC and ACA is not e-filed for F.Y.2013-14, which will be e-filed now. What reply should be given ? Pl. guide.

  6. i had shares of two companies, but due to intravance i cant received some dividands warrent and same was transfered in to iepf.now can i claim those warrants money from iepf

  7. I got notice from ROC U/s.205C for filling Form INV 5
    In one case , i kept 4Rs as pending allotment
    In another case I kept 10L as pending allotment, but allotment made after receiving this notice..
    I met Roc people they advise to file FormINV5
    Kindly advise me.

    1. 1. As per the Investor Education and Protection Fund (Uploading of information regarding unpaid and unclaimed amounts lying with companies) Rules, 2012, Form 5INV is required to be filed only in case there are unclaimed and unpaid amounts as referred to in sub-section (2) of section 205C of the Act.
      2. In case the company does not have any unclaimed and unpaid amounts as on the date of AGM, then in such case, it is not required to file Form 5INV, just because there is Share Application money appearing in the books it doesn’t mean that it is unclaimed.

  8. One of our client Company has received notice under Sec. 205C. In that Case, a nominal amount has been carried forward as Application money since 1999. The Company has neither filed any form 5 INV nor uploaded any details on any websites. Notice requires the Company to upload details on websites. Please guide me how to give reply to this notice.

  9. I got notice from ROC U/s.205C for filling Form INV 5
    In one case , i kept 4Rs as pending allotment
    In another case I kept 10L as pending allotment, but allotment made after receiving this notice..
    I met Roc people they advise to file FormINV5
    Kindly advise me.

  10. If there are Share Application money pending for allotment in balance sheet in PVt. Ltd. Company is come under the amount mentioned in B point whereas there is no amount due for refund

    1. Dear Sanjay
      Only amount which are UNCLAIMED and UNPAID shall be taken into consideration. Share application money pending but NOT due for refund doesn’t fall into the category of UNPAID and UNCLAIMED. Hence such amounts are not covered under Section 205C.

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