Investor Empowerment on the Ground: IEPFA’s Niveshak Shivir Brings Financial Clarity to Hyderabad

In a significant stride toward investor awareness and grievance redressal, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, successfully hosted the second edition of its Niveshak Shivir in Hyderabad on August 30, 2025. Held at Haryana Bhavan, Secunderabad, the one-day camp drew over 360 participants and marked a major milestone in India’s financial literacy and investor service outreach.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the event’s objectives, execution, and impact.

1. Purpose and Scope of the Shivir

- Niveshak Shivirs are part of a nationwide initiative to resolve long-pending investor claims and promote financial literacy  
- The Hyderabad edition focused on facilitating the transfer of unpaid dividends held for over six to seven years  
- It also offered on-the-spot assistance for Know Your Customer (KYC) updates, nomination changes, and claim settlements related to unclaimed shares and dividends  
- The camp aimed to eliminate intermediaries by enabling direct interaction between investors, companies, and Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs)  

2. Key Participants and Collaborators

- The event was jointly organized by IEPFA and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)  
- Senior officials present included Anita Shah Akella, CEO of IEPFA and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Jeevan Sonparote and Sunil Jayawant Kadam, Executive Directors at SEBI  
- Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) such as NSE, BSE, NSDL, and CDSL participated actively  
- RTAs including KFIN Technologies, MUFG Intime India, Bigshare Services, Datamatics Business Solutions, and Purva Sharegistry India set up dedicated kiosks for investor support  

3. Services Offered to Investors

- Investors received real-time assistance with updating KYC details and nominations, both for physical folios and demat accounts  
- Claims related to unclaimed dividends and shares were processed on-site, reducing turnaround time and paperwork  
- CDSL launched a new investor helpdesk to streamline query resolution and improve transparency  
- Participants were advised to carry valid government ID documents such as PAN, voter ID, or driver’s license for verification  

4. Financial Literacy and Awareness Sessions

- Alongside grievance redressal, the Shivir hosted educational sessions on safe investing, fraud prevention, and investor rights  
- Experts from SEBI and IEPFA conducted workshops tailored to first-time investors and senior citizens  
- The Kushal Niveshak initiative introduced Arth Chitra, a national-level poster-making competition to creatively promote financial literacy across age groups  

5. Impact and Feedback

- Over 360 claimants actively engaged with officials, with many reporting successful resolution of long-standing issues  
- The direct facilitation model was praised for its efficiency and transparency  
- Stakeholders from Hyderabad and surrounding regions expressed appreciation for the accessibility and professionalism of the event  
- The success of the Hyderabad Shivir builds on the momentum from the Pune edition held earlier this year  

6. Future Outlook and Expansion

- IEPFA plans to replicate the Niveshak Shivir model in other cities with high concentrations of unclaimed investments  
- Three permanent Niveshak Seva Kendras have already been opened in Hyderabad, with two more centers set to launch soon  
- These centers will offer year-round support for investor services, including dividend transfers, KYC updates, and claim tracking  
- The initiative reflects IEPFA’s commitment to building a secure, transparent, and investor-centric financial ecosystem  

The Hyderabad edition of Niveshak Shivir wasn’t just a camp—it was a catalyst. By combining service delivery with education, IEPFA and SEBI are redefining how investors engage with the financial system. As more Shivirs roll out across India, the message is clear: informed investors are empowered investors.

Sources: Moneycontrol, UNI India, Orissa Diary, WebIndia123, Press Information Bureau India