How to Recover Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Shares from IEPF 

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Recovery of shares from the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is an important process for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) shareholders who have lost access to their investments. Due to reasons such as change in address, incorrect bank or demat details, non-updation of KYC, or lack of shareholder awareness, certain dividends remain unclaimed. When dividends remain unclaimed for seven consecutive years, the corresponding dividend amounts and shares are  transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) as per the Companies Act, 2013.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited is a leading Indian state-owned oil and gas company engaged in the refining, marketing, and distribution of petroleum products. With a strong presence across the energy value chain, BPCL serves millions of customers through its extensive network of fuel stations and industrial customers. Founded with a mission to ensure energy security for India, BPCL is listed on both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and is known for its focus on operational excellence, customer service, and sustainable energy solutions.

Historical Background

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited traces its origins to the early 1950s when the Indian government began establishing indigenous refining capacity following independence. The company was originally incorporated as Burmah Standard Oil Company (BSOCo) before being nationalized and renamed in subsequent decades. Over time, BPCL expanded its refining capacity and distribution network to become one of India’s core downstream energy companies.

Through strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development, BPCL strengthened its operational capabilities and diversified into petrochemicals, lubricants, and renewable energy ventures. The company has played a key role in meeting India’s growing energy needs, contributing to national development and energy security. Today, BPCL is recognized as a forward-looking energy major that blends traditional petroleum operations with sustainable initiatives to deliver value to shareholders, stakeholders, and the nation.

Financial performance

Recovery of shares from the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a crucial process for shareholders of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) who have lost access to their investments due to issues such as change of address, outdated KYC, inactive demat accounts, or unclaimed dividends. Under the Companies Act, 2013, if dividends remain unclaimed for seven consecutive years, both the unpaid dividend and the related BPCL shares are transferred to the IEPF. Eligible shareholders can reclaim them through the official IEPF mechanism.

BPCL is one of India’s premier state-owned oil and gas enterprises, engaged in refining, marketing, and distribution of petroleum products. Listed on both BSE and NSE, BPCL plays a vital role in national energy security, supplying fuel to retail, industrial, and commercial sectors. The company’s roots trace back to the 1950s, evolving from the Burmah Standard Oil Company to a government-owned corporation through nationalisation. It has continuously expanded its refinery capacity, logistics networks, and product portfolio, emerging as a leader in downstream energy operations.

Today, BPCL is focused on operational efficiency, digital transformation, and sustainable energy solutions, including diversification into petrochemicals, lubricants, and renewable energy. Its longstanding legacy, customer reach, and strategic infrastructure make it a cornerstone of India’s energy framework and an asset of enduring value for shareholders. 

 

  Dividends

       

Ex-Date

      Type

      Dividend (Rs)

07 Nov, 2025

    Interim

          7.50

31 Jul, 2025

      Final

        5.00

29 Jan, 2025

    Interim

          5.00

09 Aug, 2024

      Final

        10.50

12 Dec, 2023

    Interim

        21.00

 

    BONUS

 

Announcement Date

  Ex Bonus

        Ratio

09 May, 2024

      21 Jun, 2024

        1:1

30 May, 2017

  13 Jul, 2017

        1:2

26 May, 2016

  13 Jul, 2016

        1:1

25 May, 2012

  13 Jul, 2012

        1:1

25 May, 2012

  18 Dec, 2000

        1:1

Process

Step 1: Check Unclaimed Dividend or Share Status

The first step is to verify whether any dividend amount or shares of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have been transferred to the IEPF.

You can check the status through:

Option 1: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) – 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 Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)’s Registrar (RTA)

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has appointed a Registrar and Share Transfer Agent (RTA) to manage shareholder-related services.

Registrars

Data Software Research Company Pvt. Ltd, No. 19,

Pycrofts Garden Road, Off Haddows Road,

Nungambakkam,Chennai,

Tamil Nadu,600006

Email: bpcl@dsrc-cid.in

Tel. : 044-2821 3738 / 2821 4487

You must contact the RTA to obtain an Entitlement Letter, which confirms:

  • Number of shares transferred to IEPF

  • Unclaimed dividend amount

  • Claimant’s identity as the rightful shareholder

  • List of supporting documents required

Documents generally required at this stage:

  • PAN Card and Aadhaar Card

  • Shareholding details (Folio Number or DP ID–Client ID)

  • Client Master List (CML)

  • Cancel cheque of the bank ( Bank link with DMAT account)

  • Old dividend warrants, if available

  • Death Certificate If required

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:

  • Go to MCA Portal: Visit the MCA website

  • Login: Log in with your registered credentials.

  • Navigate: Go to "MCA Services".

  • Find IEPF-5: Under IEPF Services select IEPF-5 Web Form - Claiming unpaid amounts & shares.

  • Fill Online: Complete the web form with your details, PAN, Aadhaar, bank details, and claim specifics.

  • Submit & Get SRN: Submit the form online to generate a Service Request Number (SRN) and acknowledgement.

  • Download & Print: Print the filled Form IEPF 5 and the acknowledgement

Details required in IEPF Form 5:

  • Name, address, PAN, and Aadhaar

  • Company name- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) –

  • Number of shares claimed

  • Year-wise dividend details

  • Bank account details

  • Demat account details (DP ID and Client ID)

After submission:

  • Download the filled IEPF Form-5

  • 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 Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Nodal Officer (IEPF).

Mandatory Documents:

  • Signed IEPF Form-5

  • IEPF SRN Acknowledgment

  • Indemnity Bond (as per IEPF Rules, on non-judicial stamp paper)

  • Advance Stamped Receipt (duly signed by claimant and witnesses)

  • Entitlement Letter issued by RTA

  • Self-attested copies of PAN and Aadhaar

  • Cancelled cheque

  • Client Master List (CML) issued by the Depository Participant

  • 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:

  • Death certificate of the original shareholder

  • Legal heir certificate / succession certificate / probate / registered will

  • No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from other legal heirs, if applicable

  • Identity and address proof of all legal heirs

Such cases generally involve enhanced scrutiny and may take longer to process.

Step 5: Submission to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Nodal Officer

The complete document set must be sent via Speed Post or Courier to the Nodal Officer (IEPF) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at the bank’s registered office address.

Details to be mentioned:

Nodal officer: Smt. V. Kala,

Contact No: 91 - 022 - 2271 3000 / 4000

Email id:  kalav[at]bharatpetroleum[dot]in

Step 6: Verification by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

Upon receipt of documents, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

Verifies the claimant’s details with historical records

  • Checks authenticity and completeness of documents

  • 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 by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).If found satisfactory:

  • Shares are credited to the claimant’s demat account

  • Dividend amount is transferred to the claimant’s bank account

This completes the IEPF recovery process Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) shareholders.

Conclusion

Recovering shares and unclaimed dividends of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) from the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a well-defined legal process created to protect investor interests. When dividends remain unclaimed for seven consecutive years, the dividends and corresponding shares are transferred to the IEPF as per the Companies Act, 2013. Shareholders or their legal heirs, can reclaim them by completing the official recovery procedure.

The recovery journey involves verifying the status online, obtaining an Entitlement Letter from the Registrar (RTA), filing IEPF Form-5 on the MCA website and submitting the required documents to the BPCL Nodal Officer. Once BPCL validates the claim and sends a confirmation report to IEPF, the authority completes the final approval. After approval, the shares are directly credited to the claimant’s demat account and the dividend amount is transferred to the registered bank account.

With proper documentation and careful filing, the process is achievable even in inheritance or succession cases. Completing this recovery not only returns financial assets but also restores ownership in BPCL, an important public sector enterprise contributing to India’s energy sector and long-term economic growth.

FAQs

Q1. Why are my BPCL shares transferred to IEPF?

Ans. If dividends remain unclaimed for seven years in a row, BPCL is legally required to transfer both the unpaid dividend and the related shares to the IEPF for safekeeping.

Q2. Do I need to visit BPCL or IEPF physically?

Ans. No personal visit is usually needed. Most steps are done online and by courier but if documents are incomplete or special cases arise, you may be asked for clarification.

Q3. Can I apply if the shares were in my parent’s or spouse’s name?

Ans. Yes. Legal heirs can apply by submitting documents like the death certificate, legal heir certificate/succession documents and identity proof.

Q4. What if I lost the original share certificates?

Ans. You can still claim. Request duplicate certificates or verification from the Registrar (RTA); BPCL and the RTA will check internal company records.

Q5. Is a demat account mandatory to get back the shares?

Ans. Yes. The recovered shares are only returned in electronic (demat) form, so you must open a demat account before applying.

Q6. Can I claim multiple overdue dividends in one go?

Ans. Yes. You do not need separate applications. One Form IEPF-5 can include all pending dividends and shares from BPCL.

Q7. How long does the process usually take?

Ans. The process generally takes 60–120 days, depending on verification speed, document accuracy and complexity (especially in heirship cases).

Q8. What if details in my PAN, Aadhaar, or bank account do not match BPCL records?

Ans. You must first correct the records with BPCL/RTA before filing your IEPF claim to avoid rejection or delays.

Q9. How do I track my claim status after filing?

Ans. You can monitor progress through the SRN (Service Request Number) generated while filing Form IEPF-5 on the MCA website.

Q10. Is there any fee for the IEPF recovery process?

Ans. There is no government fee. However, expenses like notary charges, stamp duty for indemnity bond or courier costs may apply.

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