Recovery of Shares

A Guide on Recovering Lost Shares of Coal India Ltd from IEPF

A Guide on Recovering Lost Shares of Coal India Ltd from IEPF

Investment in shares of big public sector companies such as Coal India Limited (CIL) provides long-term value in the form of dividends and capital gains. However, most shareholders forget about their investments due to a lack of attention, old contact information, or unawareness about inheritance processes. Subsequently, their unclaimed dividends and shares are vested in the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) after seven years.

The recovery process of these lost assets may appear to be complex, but with proper knowledge and documentation, investors or their legal successors can easily recover their dues. This guide takes you through each and every step of the recovery process, from learning about Coal India’s history to step-by-step instructions on how to make a claim with IEPF and the advantages of doing so.   

About Coal India Limited

Coal India Limited (CIL) is the largest coal-producing company in the world and a major part of India’s energy infrastructure. Established in 1975, the company is owned entirely by the Government of India and is run under the Ministry of Coal. Based in Kolkata, CIL is a crucial player in maintaining India’s energy security by supplying almost 82% of India’s coal requirements.

It operates 322 mines across eight wholly owned subsidiaries. Its mines comprise underground, opencast, and mixed ones. Besides production, it maintains a separate planning and consultancy company for managing expansion and sustainability targets. With more than 2.3 lakh personnel, CIL makes considerable contributions to employment generation and GDP.

CIL is also a listed entity on both BSE and NSE, providing retail and institutional investors a robust opportunity to invest in India’s core industry sector. Being government-owned and having a pivotal position in the economy, CIL is classified as a ‘Maharatna’ PSU, a status that confers more financial independence and operating freedom.

Coal India Limited: Strengthening the Nation’s Energy Backbone

Coal India Limited (CIL), a flagship public sector undertaking, is the world’s largest coal-producing company and a vital support to India’s energy base.

World Leader: With the largest coal production capacity in the world, CIL provides a stable fuel supply to the power and industry sectors.

Investor Darling: High and stable dividend yields make it a good bet for long-term investors.

Industrial Backbone: CIL is the primary supplier of coal to power plants, steel plants, and cement units across the country.

Sustainability Focus: The company makes a conscious effort towards environmentally friendly mining and environmental care.

Robust Growth: With 703.21 million tonnes produced a 12.94% increase. CIL enhances national energy security and economic strength.    

Coal India Limited Share Price Trend

Coal India Limited has demonstrated resilience and consistent performance in recent times and is an interesting choice for income and long-term investors. Through early February of 2025, the company’s stock had been trading in the neighborhood of ₹368. There are forecasts from some analysts of potential value increases to approximately ₹538 later in the year, an almost 46% gain depending on market and industry performance.

This positive outlook is driven by several factors: increasing domestic coal demand, ongoing policy support from the Indian government, and the company’s strong financial fundamentals. Being the world’s largest coal producer, CIL is a key contributor to India’s energy security, which further enhances its strategic importance.

Historically, Coal India has also had a reputation for paying high dividends and providing consistent income to shareholders. Its business model, which is based on a commodity of necessity, has imparted the stock a relatively defensive nature, enabling it to retain value better than many peers in market downturns.

For long-term investors, especially retirees dependent on dividend income, forgoing the advantages of share ownership because of lost or unclaimed shares can be a serious financial loss. Keeping ownership records current is critical to fully share in the company’s growth and income potential.

Coal India Dividend History

Coal India has a consistent track record of declaring generous dividends, which is one of the primary reasons it is a favoured stock among income-focused investors. As a cash-rich public sector company with limited capital expenditure needs, it returns a large portion of its profits to shareholders.

Some key highlights from its dividend history include:

Announcement DateEx-Dividend DateDividend TypeDividend (Rs)
15 Jan, 202531 Jan, 2025Interim5.60
14 Oct, 202405 Nov, 2024Interim15.75
02 May, 202416 Aug, 2024Final5.00
30 Jan, 202420 Feb, 2024Interim5.25
18 Oct, 202321 Nov, 2023Interim15.25
08 May, 202318 Aug, 2023Final4.00
18 Jan, 202308 Feb, 2023Interim5.25
04 Nov, 202215 Nov, 2022Interim15.00
25 May, 202211 Aug, 2022Final3.00
08 Feb, 202221 Feb, 2022Interim5.00
23 Nov, 202106 Dec, 2021Interim9.00
14 Jun, 202102 Sep, 2021Final3.50
23 Feb, 202115 Mar, 2021Interim5.00
06 Nov, 202019 Nov, 2020Interim7.50
26 Feb, 202019 Mar, 2020Interim12.00
06 Mar, 201922 Mar, 2019Interim5.85
17 Dec, 201828 Dec, 2018Interim7.25
26 Feb, 201816 Mar, 2018Interim16.50
23 Mar, 201727 Mar, 2017Interim1.15
21 Feb, 201714 Mar, 2017Interim18.75
08 May, 202318 Aug, 2023Final4.00
18 Jan, 202308 Feb, 2023Interim5.25
04 Nov, 202215 Nov, 2022Interim15.00
25 May, 202211 Aug, 2022Final3.00
08 Feb, 202221 Feb, 2022Interim5.00
08 May, 202318 Aug, 2023Final4.00
18 Jan, 202308 Feb, 2023Interim5.25
04 Nov, 202215 Nov, 2022Interim15.00
25 May, 202211 Aug, 2022Final3.00
08 Feb, 202221 Feb, 2022Interim5.00
23 Nov, 202106 Dec, 2021Interim9.00
14 Jun, 202102 Sep, 2021Final3.50
23 Feb, 202115 Mar, 2021Interim5.00
06 Nov, 202019 Nov, 2020Interim7.50
26 Feb, 202019 Mar, 2020Interim12.00
06 Mar, 201922 Mar, 2019Interim5.85
17 Dec, 201828 Dec, 2018Interim7.25
26 Feb, 201816 Mar, 2018Interim16.50
23 Mar, 201727 Mar, 2017Interim1.15
21 Feb, 201714 Mar, 2017Interim18.75
26 Feb, 201614 Mar, 2016Interim27.40
20 Feb, 201503 Mar, 2015Interim20.70
08 Jan, 201417 Jan, 2014Interim29.00
20 May, 201306 Sep, 2013Final4.30
01 Mar, 201318 Mar, 2013Interim9.70
18 May, 201206 Sep, 2012Final0.50
24 Feb, 201215 Mar, 2012Interim9.50
12 May, 201108 Sep, 2011Final0.40
02 Feb, 201118 Feb, 2011Interim3.50

Investors who hold large quantities of CIL shares often depend on these payouts for recurring income. Losing access to these dividends due to non-claim or share ownership disputes could result in the loss of significant passive income over the years.

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What is IEPF and its Purpose?

The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) was formed by the Government of India under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013. It is handled by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) with a dual objective of:                         

  1. Educating investors about financial literacy and corporate governance.
  2. Safeguarding the interests of investors by retaining unclaimed shares, dividends, matured debentures, and other instruments that have not been claimed for seven consecutive years.

Shares or dividends, once they are shifted to IEPF, do not stay with the company or the shareholder. Yet, the shareholder or his legal heirs continue to have the right to recover these assets by filing a refund application in the specified form.

The IEPF acts as a safeguard mechanism, where unclaimed investor funds are not diverted and remain available for their legitimate owners even after years of dormancy.

Reasons for Coal India Shares and Dividends Becoming Unclaimed

There are several reasons for investors losing access to their Coal India shares and dividends, leading to their being transferred to IEPF:

  1. Change of Bank or Address: Investors tend not to give a change of address or bank details to the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA). Dividend warrants might get returned undelivered, and bank transfers bounce.
  2. Death of Shareholder: If the shareholder dies without notifying their legal heirs regarding their investments, the dividends will be unclaimed permanently.
  3. Lost or Misplaced Share Certificates: In the case of physical shareholding, losing share certificates can prevent investors from claiming ownership.
  4. Inactive Demat or Bank Accounts: If an investor’s bank or Demat account becomes dormant or is closed, the dividend cannot be credited, leading to its eventual transfer to IEPF.
  5. Lack of Awareness Among Legal Heirs: Legal heirs can be unaware of the deceased’s shareholding, and in the absence of succession documentation, such shares go unclaimed.
  6. Overlooked Communications: Investors who do not read emails or letters sent by the company for unpaid dividends can unknowingly lose their right.  

How to Verify Unclaimed Dividends?

Verifying if your Coal India shares or dividends have been shifted to IEPF has the following procedures:

  1. Check Your Portfolio: Begin by checking your investment records or Demat account statements. Obtain your Coal India shareholding details, such as folio or DP ID number.
  2. Go to the Coal India Investor Relations Page: Navigate to the official website of Coal India and proceed to the “Investor Relations” or “Shareholder Information” page. Search for the list of unclaimed dividends.
  3. Access Registrar’s Portal: Coal India’s RTA (Registrar and Transfer Agent), i.e., Link Intime or KFin Technologies, generally has a database of unclaimed dividends. Use your PAN or Folio number to access your status.
  4. Use the IEPF Website: Go to the official IEPF website at https://www.iepf.gov.in. In “Search Unclaimed Dividends,” enter your name, your father’s name, or folio details to check whether your dividends or shares have been shifted to IEPF.
  5. Stock Exchange Data: BSE and NSE both give details of companies and their unclaimed funds. Go to the page of Coal India and look for investor updates or unclaimed dividend information.
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Documents Required to Recover Lost Coal India Limited Shares

To successfully file a claim with IEPF, you’ll need the following documents:

  • Self-attested copy of PAN and Aadhar Card.
  • A cancelled cheque or a bank passbook with your name for dividend credit verification.
  • Client Master Report (CMR) or Demat account statement to establish ownership.
  • Original share certificate (if shares were held in physical format).
  • Indemnity Bond on a non-judicial stamp paper (as prescribed).
  • Stamp a paper affidavit supporting your claim.
  • Succession certificate, probate, or will (if legal heir claim).
  • IEPF-5 form downloaded and completed from the IEPF website.
  • Duplicate of Form IEPF-5 acknowledgement submission.

All the documents are required to be signed, self-attested, and in certain cases notarized or supported by an affidavit to verify the claim.

Process to Recover Lost Coal India Shares from IEPF

After verifying that your shares or dividends of Coal India Ltd have been credited to IEPF, go through this step-by-step process:

Step 1: Submit IEPF-5 Form Online

Go to the IEPF portal and download the IEPF-5 form. Enter all details like your name, company name (Coal India Ltd.), Folio/DP ID, share quantity, and dividend information.

Step 2: Submit Physical Documents to Nodal Officer

Upon submission, take a print of the completed form and affix all the documents as required. Post this set to the Nodal Officer of Coal India Limited.

Step 3: Company Verification

The Nodal Officer of Coal India will authenticate the claim and documents. If satisfied, they will make a verification report for the IEPF Authority.

Step 4: IEPF Authority Approval

IEPF checks the verification report and, if all is well, sanctions the claim. The shares are credited to your Demat account, and dividends are credited to your bank account.

Step 5: Track Status Online

You can check the status of your claim by putting in your SRN number on the IEPF portal under the “Track Claim Status” tab.

The procedure typically lasts for 3–6 months, depending on documentation accuracy and verification schedules.

Benefits of Retrieving Unclaimed Coal India Limited Shares

Given below are the benefits of retrieving unclaimed Coal India Limited shares-

  1. Monetary Recovery

Retrieving lost shares and dividends brings your investment back to life and re-establishes your entitlement to future profits and regular dividend payments.

  1. Restoration of Ownership Rights

Taking back control of your shares ensures that your shareholder rights, including voting rights, are re-established.

  1. Transfer of Wealth to Legal Heirs

For legal heirs, the recovery of shares facilitates the smooth succession of wealth and avoids future conflicts among relatives.

  1. Evading Legal Conflicts

Early recovery prevents protracted legal wars regarding ownership and succession.

  1. Inner Peace

Having the confidence that your assets are safe and under your control generates fiscal and emotional peace of mind, particularly for retirees or bereaved families.

How Can Enterslice Help You?

It can be difficult and paperwork-intensive to navigate the process of recovery of shares from IEPF. Enterslice, a reliable consultancy, is well-equipped to provide guidance to investors for recovering lost shares and dividends.  

Professional Guidance: Their expert staff guides you in making precise documents and avoiding frequent mistakes.

Start-to-Finish Assistance: From portfolio analysis to claim submission and follow-ups, they take care of everything.

Speedier Turnaround: Their knowledge of the system ensures that claim verification and resolution are faster.

Legal Assistance: In case of succession or inheritance complications, they offer the legal form and affidavits necessary for filing.

For those who do not know where to start or who get caught in between because of rejections or missing documents, Enterslice offers a straightforward, step-by-step solution for claiming what is yours.

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To Wrap Up

Coal India Limited shares have tremendous long-term profit and regular dividend income potential. But because of general oversights like not keeping contact information current or not notifying heirs about investments, many investors miss out on these opportunities.

Fortunately, the IEPF process is in place to protect such unclaimed assets. Provided one has the right papers and proper knowledge of the procedure, investors and legal successors can recover their financial entitlements.

Whether you decide to proceed on your own or take the services of a consultancy firm like Enterslice, acting in a timely manner is important. Your investment in Coal India is not merely a money asset, but it’s a heritage. Ensure you recover it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why are shares and dividends transferred to the IEPF?

    Shares and dividends are shifted to IEPF if they go unclaimed for seven straight years. This usually occurs because of outdated contact information, shut-down bank accounts, or the death of the shareholder without notification to legal heirs. As a precautionary measure, companies must transfer such dormant financial assets to the IEPF so that they don't fall into the wrong hands or get lost. Rightful owners or heirs can, however, retrieve them by filing the necessary documents with the IEPF Authority.

  2. What happens to my Coal India shares after they’re transferred to IEPF?

    Once your Coal India shares are shifted to IEPF, they remain with the government in a separate Demat account held by the IEPF Authority. Though you lose temporary possession, the ownership is not lost forever. You or your legal heirs can claim these shares and related dividends by filing Form IEPF-5 and providing supporting documents. Upon verification, the IEPF will release the shares and dividends to your account.

  3. Is there any timeline to redeem shares of Coal India Ltd from IEPF?

    You have no time limit or renewal date to redeem your shares or dividends of Coal India Ltd from IEPF. Even if they were with IEPF for several years, you or your legal heirs can claim them whenever you want by going through the correct procedure. But it is always advisable not to leave things for too long as share prices can change and legal documents may become difficult to obtain with the passage of time. Early action facilitates smoother and quicker recovery.

  4. Why are Coal India stocks in favour among investors?

    Coal India shares are in favour because they yield consistent returns, periodic dividends, and the Indian government's support. Being the world's biggest coal producer, the company contributes significantly to the energy supply in India. Owing to strong fundamentals and its “Maharatna” rating, CIL can reward investors with consistency. Retirees and long-term investors favour Coal India due to its financial security and consistent income through bountiful dividend payments every year.

  5. What is the latest trend in Coal India's share price?

    As of the first quarter of 2025, Coal India's stock is in the range of ₹368, with a possible upside projection of ₹538 at the end of the year, subject to market conditions. Growth is expected by analysts based on rising domestic coal consumption, government support through policy, and the sound financials of Coal India. Moreover, the company has a tradition of paying rich dividends, making the stock popular among income-oriented investors. The general mood in the stock market is still bullish and stable.

  6. Can I vote in company meetings after recovering shares?

    Yes, after your shares are credited back in your Demat account following a successful IEPF claim, you become entitled to all shareholder rights again. This covers voting at annual general meetings (AGMs), getting dividends, taking part in bonus or rights issues, and participating in shareholder events. You are considered a full shareholder once more, with your name officially on the company's share register. Ensure your contact and email information is up-to-date so you receive all necessary notices.

  7. How do I verify if my Coal India share or dividend is lying with IEPF?

    You may verify the status of your shares or dividends from the official IEPF website at www.iepf.gov.in. Search under “Search Unclaimed Dividends” with your name, father's name, and folio or Demat account number. You may also refer to Coal India's website or phone their Registrar and Transfer Agent. It pays to check your investment records periodically and immediately take action in case you find something missing or unclaimed

  8. Will I receive a notice if my shares are transferred to IEPF?

    Generally, companies try to send reminders or issue notices before transferring unclaimed shares and dividends to the IEPF. However, if your contact information is old or erroneous, you can miss these notices. That's why you need to ensure that your address, email, and phone number remain updated with the company or with your stockbroker. Don't depend solely on notifications; it's safer to check your holdings from time to time yourself by accessing the IEPF website or company portal.

  9. What are the documents required to receive Coal India shares from IEPF?

    To claim your shares, you’ll need: PAN and Aadhar (self-attested), a cancelled cheque or bank passbook, Client Master Report (CMR) or Demat statement, original or duplicate share certificate (if physical), an indemnity bond, an affidavit, legal documents like a succession certificate (for heirs), and the filled IEPF-5 form. All documents should be signed and submitted in physical form along with a copy of the IEPF-5 acknowledgement to Coal India’s Nodal Officer.

  10. How long will it take to refund my shares or dividends?

    The IEPF claim process will typically take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on the completeness and accuracy of your documents. Once you submit your documents to Coal India's Nodal Officer, the company will validate them and submit a report to IEPF. IEPF processes the refund once it receives and verifies the report. If all is well, the shares are transferred to your Demat account, and dividends are credited to your bank account.

  11. What if there are several heirs to the shares?

    If there are multiple legal heirs, all heirs must either jointly claim the shares or one heir must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the others. You’ll also need to provide legal proof such as a succession certificate or family settlement deed. In such cases, it’s important to keep all paperwork clear and signed by all parties involved. This ensures the IEPF and Coal India can verify and distribute the shares without future disputes.

  12. Why is it important to recover Coal India shares from IEPF?

    Recovering your Coal India shares from IEPF restores your financial rights and gives you access to regular dividend income and any capital gains from share price appreciation. If left unclaimed, these shares may never benefit you or your family. Also, owning shares means you can vote on company matters. Whether you’re the original investor or a legal heir, reclaiming these assets ensures your investments are protected and your family’s wealth is not lost.

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