Answer: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Notes: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kotak Mahindra Bank and launched the ‘Niveshak Shivir’ initiative to boost digital investor awareness and financial literacy in India. The IEPFA was set up in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013 to manage the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) and safeguard investor interests. It works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. ‘Niveshak Shivir’ is a joint effort by IEPFA and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to simplify the process of reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares. These camps will begin in May 2025 in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, targeting areas with high numbers of unclaimed dividend holders. One-stop kiosks will help investors update Know Your Customer (KYC) details, verify claims, and receive instant help for grievances. The aim is to reduce reliance on intermediaries and prevent fraud and misinformation.
