Recovery of shares from the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is an important process for shareholders of Coal India Limited (CIL) who have lost access to their investments due to issues such as change in address, outdated KYC, closed or inactive demat accounts, or missed dividend payouts. As per the Companies Act, 2013, if dividends remain unclaimed for seven consecutive years, the related dividend amount and corresponding shares are transferred to the IEPF. Eligible shareholders, or their legal heirs, can initiate the recovery procedure to regain ownership.
Coal India Limited, a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), is the world’s largest coal-producing company and a crucial contributor to India’s energy sector. The company plays a central role in fuel supply for thermal power generation and industrial consumption. It is listed on both BSE and NSE, and is known for its transparent governance, large-scale operations, and extensive workforce across India. With a strategic focus on efficiency, sustainability, and reliable energy delivery, Coal India remains essential to India’s power and industrial landscape.
Historical Background
Coal India Limited traces its roots to 1975, when the Government of India reorganized the national coal sector to improve management, productivity, and strategic control. Multiple collieries were brought under a single umbrella to create Coal India Limited, which eventually grew into a state-controlled coal mining giant. The company was granted Maharatna status, recognizing its scale, performance, and strategic importance to the Indian economy.
Over the decades, Coal India expanded its operations through its eight subsidiary companies, modernized mining technologies, and increased production capacity to meet the growing demand for coal in power generation, steel, cement, and industrial sectors. The company has also implemented initiatives for mechanized mining, safety improvements, environmental restoration, and renewable energy integration. Today, CIL stands as a backbone of India’s energy supply chain, contributing significantly to national development while working towards operational excellence and sustainable resource management.
Financial Performance
Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna PSU, is the world’s largest coal producer and a key contributor to India’s power sector and energy security. Established in 1975, the company operates through multiple subsidiaries, supplying coal to power, steel, and industrial consumers across the country. CIL is focused on increasing output to meet national demand, with production expansion targets of 1 billion tonnes by FY 2025–26 and 1.5 billion tonnes by 2029–30.
The company is modernizing operations through digitisation, mechanized mining, and improved logistics to enhance efficiency and transparency. Alongside coal production, CIL is investing in sustainability through mine reclamation, renewable energy projects, and emission reduction initiatives. With strong governance practices and strategic national importance, Coal India Limited remains a cornerstone of India’s energy ecosystem and an essential driver of industrial growth.
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|
Dividends |
|
|
Ex-Date |
Type |
Dividend (Rs) |
|
04 Nov, 2025 |
Interim |
10.25 |
|
21 Aug, 2025 |
Final |
5.15 |
|
06 Aug, 2025 |
Interim |
5.50 |
|
31 Jan, 2025 |
Interim |
5.60 |
|
05 Nov, 2024 |
Interim |
15.75 |
Step 1: Check Unclaimed Dividend or Share Status
The first step is to verify whether any dividend amount or shares of Coal India Limited (CIL) have been transferred to the IEPF.
You can check the status through:
Option 1: Coal India Limited (CIL) – Investor Relations Website
Visit the Investor Relations section of the bank’s official website and check the details under the “IEPF” section.
Option 2 : IEPF Authority Website
Visit the official IEPF portal and enter your Folio Number (for physical shares) or DP ID–Client ID (for demat shares) to verify whether any amount or shares have been transferred to the IEPF.
This step helps confirm the exact number of shares and dividend amount eligible for recovery.
Step 2: Contact Coal India Limited (CIL)’s Registrar (RTA)
Coal India Limited (CIL) has appointed a Registrar and Share Transfer Agent (RTA) to manage shareholder-related services.
Registrars
Alankit Assignments Ltd,
Main Building, 2nd Floor, 19,
N. Mukherjee,
Kolkata,West Bengal,700001
Email: rta@alankit.com
Tel. : 033 - 44014100/4200
You must contact the RTA to obtain an Entitlement Letter, which confirms:
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Number of shares transferred to IEPF
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Unclaimed dividend amount
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Claimant’s identity as the rightful shareholder
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List of supporting documents required
Documents generally required at this stage:
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PAN Card and Aadhaar Card
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Shareholding details (Folio Number or DP ID–Client ID)
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Client Master List (CML)
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Cancel cheque of the bank ( Bank link with DEMAT account)
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Old dividend warrants, if available
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Death Certificate If
After verification, the RTA issues the Entitlement Letter, which is mandatory for filing the IEPF claim.
Step 3: File IEPF Form-5 on MCA Website
Once the Entitlement Letter is received, the claimant must file IEPF Form-5 online through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal.
Steps to Access & File IEPF-5:
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Go to MCA Portal: Visit the MCA website
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Login: Log in with your registered credentials.
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Navigate: Go to "MCA Services".
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Find IEPF-5: Under IEPF Services select IEPF-5 Web Form - Claiming unpaid amounts & shares.
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Fill Online: Complete the web form with your details, PAN, Aadhaar, bank details, and claim specifics.
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Submit & Get SRN: Submit the form online to generate a Service Request Number (SRN) and acknowledgement.
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Download & Print: Print the filled Form IEPF-5 and the acknowledgement
Details required in IEPF Form-5:
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Name, address, PAN, and Aadhaar
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Company name – Coal India Limited (CIL)
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Number of shares claimed
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Year-wise dividend details
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Bank account details
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Demat account details (DP ID and Client ID)
After submission:
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Download the filled IEPF Form-5
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Download the SRN Acknowledgment
Both documents must be printed and signed.
Step 4: Prepare the Document Set for Physical Submission
The claimant must prepare a complete document set and submit Coal India Limited (CIL) Nodal Officer (IEPF).
Mandatory Documents:
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Signed IEPF Form-5
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IEPF SRN Acknowledgment
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Indemnity Bond (as per IEPF Rules, on non-judicial stamp paper)
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Advance Stamped Receipt (duly signed by claimant and witnesses)
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Entitlement Letter issued by RTA
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Self-attested copies of PAN and Aadhaar
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Cancelled cheque
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Client Master List (CML) issued by the Depository Participant
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Original share certificates (if shares were held in physical form)
If the Applicant Is a Legal Heir / Successor
If the original shareholder is deceased, additional documents are required:
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Death certificate of the original shareholder
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Legal heir certificate / succession certificate / probate / registered will
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No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from other legal heirs, if applicable
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Identity and address proof of all legal heirs
Such cases generally involve enhanced scrutiny and may take longer to process.
Step 5: Submission to Coal India Limited (CIL) Nodal Officer
The complete document set must be sent via Speed Post or Courier to the Nodal Officer (IEPF) of Coal India Limited (CIL) at the bank’s registered office address.
Details to be mentioned:
Nodal officer: Aniruddha pal
Contact No: 9433031046
Email id: apal.cil@coalindia.in
Step 6: Verification by Coal India Limited (CIL)
Upon receipt of documents, Coal India Limited (CIL)
Verifies the claimant’s details with historical records
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Checks authenticity and completeness of documents
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Ensures compliance with IEPF Rules and guidelines
After verification, the bank submits a verification report to the IEPF Authority, generally within 30 days.
Step 7: Approval by IEPF Authority
The IEPF Authority reviews the documents and verification report submitted Coal India Limited (CIL).If found satisfactory:
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Shares are credited to the claimant’s demat account
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Dividend amount is transferred to the claimant’s bank account
This completes the IEPF recovery process for Coal India Limited (CIL) shareholders.
Conclusion
Recovering unclaimed shares or dividends of Coal India Limited (CIL) from the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a structured process designed to protect shareholder rights and ensure that financial assets are not permanently lost. When dividends remain unclaimed for seven consecutive years due to inactive demat accounts, outdated personal information, or missed corporate communications, the related shares and dividend amounts are transferred to the IEPF as per the Companies Act, 2013. However, this transfer does not cancel ownership; the rightful shareholder or legal heir can recover them by following the official procedure.
The recovery journey involves verifying the transfer status online, collecting an Entitlement Letter from the Registrar (Alankit Assignments Ltd), filing the IEPF Form-5 on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal, and submitting the required physical documents to Coal India’s designated Nodal Officer. Upon completion of verification, CIL sends a confirmation report to IEPF, which then returns the shares to the claimant’s demat account and credits pending dividend amounts to the linked bank account.
For shareholders and families, especially in inheritance cases, the IEPF recovery process is an essential pathway to reclaim financial value, restore ownership, and maintain legacy investments in one of India’s most critical public sector enterprises.
FAQs
Q1. What is the most common reason CIL shares move to IEPF?
Ans. Unclaimed dividends for seven consecutive financial years trigger automatic transfer under the law.
Q2. Can I apply if my name spelling differs from old share certificates?
Ans. Yes, but you must correct your name through the RTA before submitting the claim.
Q3. What if my Aadhaar or PAN address differs from CIL’s records?
Ans. Update your KYC and address with your Depository Participant and RTA before filing to avoid rejection.
Q4. Can minors or senior citizens apply?
Ans. Yes. Minors apply through a legal guardian; senior citizens can apply independently with ID proofs.
Q5. Is stamp paper compulsory?
Ans. Yes, the indemnity bond must be executed on non-judicial stamp paper as per state value rules.
Q6. Can I claim shares if the demat account is recently opened?
Ans. Yes, a newly opened demat account is valid as long as it matches the claimant’s credentials.
Q7. What if dividends include multiple financial years?
Ans. All eligible years can be claimed together in one Form IEPF-5.
Q8. Will I receive interest on the unclaimed dividend?
Ans. No, IEPF refunds the actual transferred amount without interest.
