IEPFA-SEBI Strategic Planning Meeting Held in Mumbai

Current Context: On May 9, 2025, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) held a strategic planning meeting at SEBI’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) office in Mumbai.

• Chaired by: Smt. Anita Shah Akella, CEO of IEPFA & Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• Organized by: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) in collaboration with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
• Constituted by: Officials from IEPFA, SEBI, NSE, BSE, NSDL, CDSL, and leading Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs)

Highlights of the Meeting:

• Launch of “Niveshak Shivir”, a nationwide initiative to help investors reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares.
• Dedicated investor helpdesks in cities with high volumes of unclaimed assets, starting with Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
• Guidelines for shareholders, including steps for dematerialized and physical share recovery through IEPFA’s online search facility.
• Direct investor engagement, reducing reliance on intermediaries and enhancing trust in the financial system.
• Pre-registration for investor camps enabled via QR code-linked Google Forms, with logistical support from ICAI and SEBI regional offices.

Question:

Q.1 What is the main objective of the newly launched initiative “Niveshak Shivir”?
a) Promoting cryptocurrency investments
b) Reducing GST on stock trading
c) Helping investors reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares
d) Enhancing digital payment awareness

Answer: c) The initiative "Niveshak Shivir" is a nationwide campaign focused on assisting investors in reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares, improving financial inclusion and awareness.