The Saksham Niveshak Campaign launched by the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs marks a significant step toward investor empowerment in India. This national campaign, which ran for 100 days from 28th July to 6th November 2025, focused on raising awareness among shareholders about unclaimed dividends and the need for updating KYC and nomination details. The overarching goal of the campaign was to help investors reclaim their rightful dividends and prevent the unnecessary transfer of shares to the IEPFA.
Background and Purpose of the Saksham Niveshak Campaign
The Saksham Niveshak Campaign was born out of a pressing need: millions of shareholders across India remain unaware of dividends that rightfully belong to them. The root cause often lies in outdated records, incomplete KYC, or lack of communication from companies. These unclaimed dividends eventually get transferred to the IEPFA after a prescribed period.
To address this information gap, the Saksham Niveshak Campaign was launched as a collaborative and proactive effort between companies, regulators, and investors. The campaign also emphasized the importance of preventing the loss of investments and encouraged individuals to take charge of their financial records and responsibilities.
Key Objectives of the Campaign
The Saksham Niveshak Campaign revolved around three core objectives:
- Resolving Cases of Unclaimed Dividends
The campaign actively supported the resolution of pending cases where companies held unclaimed dividends. It encouraged them to initiate communication with shareholders and assist in disbursing the funds. - Promoting KYC and Nomination Updates
Investors were encouraged to update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details and nomination information. This step is crucial to ensure seamless credit of future dividends and to avoid complications due to incorrect or missing data. - Ensuring Direct Dividend Payments to Investors
One of the primary aims of the campaign was to ensure that dividends are credited directly into the accounts of rightful shareholders without delays or intermediary hurdles.
Role of IEPFA in Investor Protection
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, dedicated to protecting investor interests and promoting financial literacy across India. It manages funds related to unclaimed dividends and shares that have not been claimed for seven consecutive years.
Apart from the Saksham Niveshak Campaign, the IEPFA runs several investor-centric initiatives such as:
- Niveshak Didi – A programme aimed at educating rural women investors.
- Niveshak Panchayat – Community engagement sessions for spreading financial literacy.
- Niveshak Shivir – Camps organised to help investors access IEPFA services and resolve grievances.
These efforts show the authority’s commitment to reaching the last-mile investor with relevant, timely, and actionable information.
Collaborations for Greater Financial Inclusion
One of the noteworthy developments during the Saksham Niveshak Campaign was the collaboration between the Department of Posts and the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). This partnership enabled seamless KYC verification for over 24 crore mutual fund investors, making it easier for individuals to stay compliant and access their investments.
The move comes at a time when India’s investor base is expanding rapidly—with nearly 1 crore new investors added in FY25 alone. The integration of postal services with mutual fund companies supports financial inclusion by bringing essential services closer to rural and semi-urban areas.
Investor Actions and Long-Term Benefits
The campaign strongly advised shareholders—especially those holding physical share certificates or those with outdated contact information—to act without delay. The key actions recommended included:
- Updating KYC details with their respective companies or registrars.
- Dematerialising shares to ensure direct credit of dividends.
- Adding or updating nomination details to avoid legal complications.
By taking these steps, investors can prevent their shares and dividends from being transferred to IEPFA, thereby safeguarding their financial assets.
These actions also facilitate smoother inter-generational wealth transfer, as nomination details help identify rightful heirs quickly. This is especially important in India, where a significant portion of wealth remains locked in physical or inherited financial instruments.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Empowered Investing
The Saksham Niveshak Campaign represents a landmark initiative in India’s journey toward transparent and inclusive investing. By encouraging shareholders to update their records, reclaim unclaimed dividends, and stay KYC-compliant, the campaign has made a real impact in the lives of thousands of investors.
It has also highlighted the need for collaborative governance, where regulators, financial institutions, and the public work together to ensure that investments serve their intended purpose—securing the financial future of citizens.
As the investor ecosystem continues to grow in size and complexity, sustained efforts like Saksham Niveshak will be key to maintaining trust, accountability, and empowerment in India’s capital markets.
