Saksham Niveshak: IEPFA’s 100-Day Push to Empower India’s Retail Investors
IEPFA’s 100-day Saksham Niveshak campaign is empowering India’s retail investors by recovering unclaimed shares, promoting KYC compliance, and boosting shareholder awareness through nationwide grassroots outreach.
NewsSutra
Introduction
India’s financial landscape is undergoing a quiet revolution, not just in markets but in the very fabric of public participation. Spearheading this movement is the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), which recently launched its ambitious 100-day “Saksham Niveshak” investor awareness campaign. The initiative is a multifaceted drive focusing on reclaiming unclaimed dividends, strengthening KYC compliance, and building a culture of shareholder activism. As India’s retail investor base grows at an unprecedented pace, this campaign seeks to ensure they are not only present but also protected and proactive.
The Background: Why Saksham Niveshak, Why Now?
India has witnessed a dramatic spike in retail investor participation over the past decade, driven by increased financial inclusion, digital platforms, and rising aspirations for wealth creation. However, this growth has also revealed structural gaps—particularly around investor literacy, unclaimed investments, and lack of financial due diligence.
The IEPFA, under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has long been working to bridge these gaps. With over ₹5,600 crore in unclaimed dividends and shares currently lying idle, the urgency of addressing the issue became even more pressing. The Saksham Niveshak campaign is designed to tackle this inertia—educationally, legally, and systemically.
Campaign Goals: Three Pillars of Financial Vigilance
1. Reclaiming Unclaimed Dividends and Shares
One of the key focuses of the campaign is to encourage investors to track and recover unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and shares that may have transferred to the IEPF over time due to inactivity. In many cases, these assets belong to legal heirs or investors unaware of their entitlements.
By using a combination of on-ground workshops, data tools, and helpdesks, the campaign is assisting investors in navigating the reclamation process. Detailed sessions on filling IEPF claim forms, understanding Section 124 of the Companies Act, and required documentation are making a tangible difference at the grassroots level.
2. Strengthening KYC and Compliance Awareness
The campaign also emphasizes the importance of regular Know Your Customer (KYC) updates, particularly in demat accounts and bank details. Several investors lose access to dividends and shares simply because of outdated information.
To combat this, IEPFA is working in coordination with registrar and transfer agents (RTAs), SEBI, and depository participants (DPs) to roll out pan-India KYC camps, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
3. Promoting Shareholder Activism and Financial Rights
The “Saksham Niveshak” campaign isn’t just about recovery; it’s about empowerment. One of the lesser-discussed facets of retail investing in India is the lack of shareholder participation in AGMs, voting rights, and corporate decision-making.
IEPFA is using this platform to remind investors that owning a share means owning a voice. By distributing simplified guides on shareholder rights, promoting proxy voting literacy, and building digital tools for investor participation, the campaign seeks to inject democratic engagement into capital markets.
A Ground-Level Approach: Outreach with Purpose
What sets Saksham Niveshak apart is its execution strategy. Instead of relying solely on digital communication, the campaign is heavily grounded in grassroots efforts:
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100-day roadshows across key urban and rural centers
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Workshops in schools and colleges to instill early financial literacy
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Collaboration with CSCs (Common Service Centres) for localized engagement
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Street plays, video content in regional languages, and mobile vans to reach non-digital natives
The campaign is deliberately multilingual, recognizing that India's investor base is linguistically and culturally diverse. Content is being delivered in over 10 languages, ensuring inclusivity and better retention.
Technology Meets Tradition: The Role of Digital Infrastructure
Digital tools have been embedded in the campaign to ensure trackability and long-term impact:
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IEPF Claim Tracker Portal: Investors can now easily verify if they have unclaimed shares or dividends using their PAN or demat account numbers.
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Interactive Mobile App: A pilot version includes claim status, investor helpline access, and digital resources on financial literacy.
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Webinars with Experts: Regular online sessions with certified financial planners and retired officials from MCA/SEBI provide clarity and reassurance.
These innovations bridge the knowledge gap without excluding those who rely on traditional forms of communication.
Impact Metrics So Far
As of the first 45 days of the campaign, over 1.2 lakh investors have participated in workshops, and 6,500+ claims have been initiated. RTAs report a sharp uptick in queries related to unclaimed securities and demat linking, a trend that is expected to continue.
In collaboration with state governments, certain school boards are also considering including basic investor literacy in their senior secondary curriculum, a testament to the campaign’s influence.
The Bigger Picture: Creating a Culture of Ownership
At its core, the Saksham Niveshak campaign is not just about documentation or paperwork. It’s about creating a financially aware, legally protected, and socially responsible investor class. By democratizing access to financial resources and demystifying investment processes, IEPFA is laying the groundwork for long-term economic resilience at the individual level.
This aligns with the Government of India’s broader goals of financial empowerment under schemes like Digital India, Jan Dhan Yojana, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Investors who are confident, informed, and engaged are more likely to contribute to nation-building—not just financially, but also through active corporate citizenship.
Challenges Ahead: Bridging the Final Gaps
Despite early success, several challenges persist:
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Many claimants are elderly or legal heirs unfamiliar with the IEPF process.
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Discrepancies in old company records can delay verification.
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A large chunk of investors are still unaware that such unclaimed assets exist.
IEPFA acknowledges these issues and is working with registrars, company boards, and public sector banks to streamline reconciliation. There are also efforts to simplify claim forms further and introduce video KYC to reduce procedural bottlenecks.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for Responsible Investing in India
The Saksham Niveshak 100-Day Campaign is more than a government initiative; it is a public movement toward financial dignity and justice. As India aims to become a global economic powerhouse, its strength will be defined not just by GDP, but by how informed and empowered its citizens are in managing wealth.
Through this campaign, IEPFA is planting the seeds for a more resilient, aware, and participative financial future—one investor at a time.
