Tata Steel Limited: Recovery of Shares and Dividends from IEPF

CCl- Compliance Calendar LLP

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Tata Steel Limited, founded in 1907 by Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata, is one of the world’s oldest and largest steel companies and a flagship of the trusted Tata Group. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company began with a single plant in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, and today operates across 26 countries, serving vital sectors such as automotive, construction, engineering, and infrastructure.

Over the decades, Tata Steel has expanded its global presence through major acquisitions, including Corus Group (UK), NatSteel (Singapore), and Millennium Steel (Thailand), as well as domestic mergers like Tata Steel BSL and Tata Steel Long Products.

Beyond its business growth, Tata Steel stands out for its strong commitment to sustainability, ethics, and community welfare, championing education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives under its guiding philosophy of “leadership with care.”

This article covers Tata Steel’s inspiring journey from its early beginnings to its present global stature, highlighting its evolution, mergers, corporate milestones, and financial progress. It also provides a step-by-step guide for shareholders to recover unclaimed shares and dividends transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), ensuring that investors can easily reclaim what rightfully belongs to them.

Historical Background and Evolution

The journey of Tata Steel is closely intertwined with India’s industrial growth. Founded in 1907 by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata as the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO), it aimed to make India self-reliant in steel production at a time when the country relied heavily on imports. In 1912, the first ingot of steel was produced at its Jamshedpur plant, marking the birth of India’s steel industry.

Jamshedpur soon evolved into a model industrial township, reflecting Tata’s commitment to both business excellence and community welfare. During India’s freedom struggle, Tata Steel became a symbol of national pride, continuing operations through wars and economic challenges. After independence, it supplied steel for major national projects such as railways, dams, and bridges, earning the title “The Steel of the Nation.”

In the 1980s and 1990s, Tata Steel modernized its plants and shifted focus from production to customer satisfaction. The 1990s economic liberalization opened doors for global expansion. A defining milestone came in 2007 with the $12 billion acquisition of Corus Group Plc (UK), making Tata Steel one of the world’s top steel producers.

Today, over 117 years later, Tata Steel stands as a global materials and solutions company, known for innovation, sustainability, and its lasting contribution to both the economy and the environment.

Major Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring

Tata Steel’s strategic mergers and acquisitions have played an important role in shaping its international presence and operational excellence. Some of the key milestones include: 

  • Acquisition of Corus Group Plc (2007): A landmark $12-billion acquisition that expanded Tata Steel’s presence in Europe, giving access to high-grade technology and premium markets.

  • Acquisition of Bhushan Steel Limited (2018): Acquired through the IBC process and renamed Tata Steel BSL Limited, it enhanced the company’s domestic production capacity by over 5 million tonnes annually.

  • Merger of Tata Steel BSL and Tata Steel Long Products (2021–2023): Streamlined the group’s structure, reducing complexity and creating synergies across product lines.

  • Ongoing simplification: Tata Steel is in the process of merging multiple subsidiaries to create a more unified and efficient business model, focusing on scale, efficiency, and governance simplification. 

Through these strategic moves, Tata Steel has expanded its footprint, optimized its cost structure, and created a robust platform for future growth.

Business Operations and Global Presence

Tata Steel’s business model is integrated across the value chain, from mining and raw material sourcing to finished steel production and distribution.

Its major integrated steel plants include: 

  • Jamshedpur (Jharkhand): India’s first steel plant and one of the most efficient globally.

  • Kalinganagar (Odisha): A state-of-the-art facility with advanced technology for flat steel products.

  • Angul and Meramandali (Odisha): Newly acquired and developed units focusing on capacity expansion. 

Internationally, Tata Steel Europe operates large-scale steelmaking facilities at Port Talbot (UK) and IJmuiden (Netherlands), producing high-grade steel for automotive and construction industries across Europe.

The company’s distribution network spans over 50 countries, serving global clients with products such as automotive steel, hot and cold rolled coils, wire rods, rebars, and structural steel.

Sustainability and ESG Commitment

Tata Steel is among the first global steel producers to commit to carbon neutrality by 2045. Its sustainability roadmap focuses on: 

  • Transitioning to low-carbon steelmaking using renewable energy and hydrogen.

  • Achieving zero waste to landfill through circular economy practices.

  • Conserving water and biodiversity through integrated environmental management systems. 

The company publishes an annual Sustainability Report aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, showcasing transparency in its environmental, social, and governance performance.

Its commitment to sustainability has earned recognition from CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and the World Steel Association, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives

Tata Steel’s CSR initiatives stem from its founding principle: “What comes from the people must go back to the people many times over.”

Through the Tata Steel Foundation, the company invests heavily in community welfare, focusing on: 

  • Education: Programs like “Thousand Schools” and “Masti Ki Pathshala” promote inclusive learning.

  • Healthcare: Initiatives like the “Maternal and Newborn Survival” program and mobile health clinics serve rural communities.

  • Livelihoods: Skill development projects under “Samvaad” and “Tejaswini” empower women and youth.

  • Environment: Afforestation, watershed management, and waste recycling projects promote sustainable development. 

Over 2 million beneficiaries are impacted annually through Tata Steel’s CSR programs, setting benchmarks for corporate philanthropy in India. 

Step-by-Step Process to Recover Shares or Dividends from IEPF

Step 1: Check Unclaimed Dividend or Share Status

Start by checking whether your dividends or shares have been transferred to the IEPF. 

  • Visit the Investor Relations section of Tata Steel’s official website or the IEPF Authority website.

  • Enter your Folio Number (for physical shares) or DP ID/Client ID (for demat shares).

  • If your name appears in the list, it indicates your dividends or shares have been transferred to IEPF. 

Step 2: Contact Tata Steel’s Registrar and Share Transfer Agent (RTA)

Tata Steel’s RTA is MUFG Intime India Pvt. Ltd

Shareholders must contact MUFG Intime India Pvt Ltd. to verify their claim and obtain an Entitlement Letter, confirming the number of shares/dividends transferred to the IEPF. 

MUFG Intime India Pvt. Ltd, C 101, 1st Floor, 247 Park, L.B.S.Marg, Vikhroli (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra,400083

Tel.:

91 - 8108118484

Fax. :

022 - 49186060

Email:

csg-unit@in.mpms.mufg.com

Website:

www.in.mpms.mufg.com

Documents required for verification: 

  • Self-attested copies of PAN and Aadhaar

  • Shareholding details (Folio Number / Demat Statement)

  • Old dividend warrants or proof of ownership (if available)

  • Contact details (email, phone, and address) 

Once verified, the RTA issues an Entitlement Letter to proceed.

Step 3: Fill and Submit Form IEPF-5 on the MCA Website

This is the central step in the recovery process. 

  • Visit www.mca.gov.in

  • Under “MCA Services,” select Form IEPF-5.

  • Log in or register on the MCA portal.

  • Fill in the required details:

    • Name, PAN, Aadhaar, Email, and Address

    • Company Name: Tata Steel Limited

    • Number of shares/dividend amount claimed

    • Demat account details (DP ID/Client ID)

  • Submit the form and download the Acknowledgment with the SRN number for tracking. 

Step 4: Prepare and Send Physical Document Set

After submitting the online form, compile a physical set of documents: 

  • Signed and printed IEPF-5 Form with acknowledgment

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

  • Advance Stamped Receipt (with signatures of claimant and witnesses)

  • Entitlement Letter from RTA

  • Self-attested copies of PAN and Aadhaar

  • Cancelled cheque leaf and Client Master List (CML)

  • Original share certificates (if physical shares)

Additional documents for legal heirs: 

  • Death certificate of shareholder

  • Succession Certificate or Registered Will

  • NOCs from other legal heirs (if any)

  • ID and address proof of all legal heirs 

Send the full set via Speed Post or Courier to the Nodal Officer, Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001.

Step 5: Company Verification

After you send your documents, the company’s Nodal Officer checks your claim with the company’s records to make sure all the details match. The Nodal Officer may take help from the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) to confirm your shareholding and dividend details, but the final verification is done by the company.

If everything is correct, the Nodal Officer prepares a Verification Report and sends it to the IEPF Authority within 30 days of receiving your claim. This report helps the IEPF Authority confirm that your request is genuine and start the process of returning your shares or dividend.

Step 6: Approval and Credit by IEPF Authority

Once the IEPF Authority approves the claim: 

  • The shares are transferred directly to your Demat Account.

  • The dividend amount (if any) is credited to your registered bank account. 

This completes the recovery process.

Corporate Actions of Tata Steel Limited

Dividends

  • Tata Steel has consistently rewarded shareholders with dividends.

    • FY 2024–25: Final Dividend – Rs.3.60/share (face value Rs.1).

      The company’s dividend policy aligns with steady earnings and long-term growth.

Bonus Issues

    • 2004: 1:2 Bonus Issue 

Split

  • In2022, Tata Steel split its shares from a Rs.10 face value to Rs.1, improving liquidity and accessibility for investors.

Mergers and Demergers 

2023-24 :  The merger of 7 subsidiary companies with Tata Steel is expected to be completed in 2023-24 fiscal year, its CEO and managing director T V Narendran said. In September 2022, Tata Steel board had approved a proposal to merge six of its subsidiaries into itself for greater synergies, higher efficiency and reduce costs.Tracking these corporate actions is important since mergers or restructuring may impact share entitlements or dividend payouts, possibly leading to unclaimed shares.

Final Word

Recovering unclaimed shares or dividends from the IEPF may seem complicated, but it’s actually a simple process if done step by step. Tata Steel, known for its transparency and investor-friendly approach, makes it easier for shareholders to reclaim their lost investments.

“With the right documents in place and proper coordination with Tata Steel’s Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA), investors can easily recover their unclaimed shares and dividends.”

At Compliance Calendar LLP, we assist shareholders throughout this process, from checking eligibility to filing IEPF claim forms and coordinating with the company and authorities, ensuring a hassle-free recovery experience.

Reclaim your rightful shares with ease and stay a proud owner of one of India’s most trusted companies, Tata Steel Limited.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why is Tata Steel Limited considered a reliable company for investors?

Ans. Tata Steel Limited, part of the Tata Group, has earned the trust of investors for over a century through its honesty, transparency, and consistent performance. The company regularly pays dividends and follows fair corporate practices. What also sets Tata Steel apart is how it helps shareholders reclaim their unclaimed shares or dividends through a clear and transparent process.

Q2. How do Tata Steel shares or dividends become unclaimed?

Ans. This usually happens when shareholders forget to encash dividend cheques, move to a new address without updating their details, or don’t keep track of their Demat accounts. In some cases, the original shareholder may have passed away, and the shares remain untransferred. As per the Companies Act, 2013, if dividends stay unclaimed for seven years, both the dividends and related shares move to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF).

Q3. What exactly is the IEPF and how does it help investors?

Ans. The Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) is a government body that keeps unclaimed dividends and shares safe until the rightful owners, or their legal heirs claim them. It ensures that no investor’s money goes unprotected and provides a proper process to get back what’s rightfully theirs.

Q4. How can I recover my unclaimed Tata Steel shares or dividends?

Ans. You’ll need to file Form IEPF-5 on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website, take a printout of the acknowledgment, and send it along with your supporting documents to Tata Steel’s Nodal Office, Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001.Once the documents are verified, the IEPF Authority approves the claim and transfers the shares directly to your Demat account.

Q5. What documents should I keep ready for the recovery process?

Ans. You’ll need:

  • A copy of the filled IEPF-5 Form and acknowledgment

  • PAN and Aadhaar for identity verification

  • Client Master List (CML) of your Demat account

  • Cancelled cheque or bank proof

  • Indemnity bond and advance receipt

  • Any proof of shareholding, like old share certificates or dividend slips

    If you’re claiming on behalf of a deceased shareholder, you’ll also need the death certificate and legal documents like a succession certificate or will.

Q6. How does Compliance Calendar LLP help in the Tata Steel share recovery process?

Ans. At Compliance Calendar LLP, we take care of the entire process for you ,from checking your KYC details to preparing the required forms, collecting documents, and coordinating with Tata Steel’s RTA and the IEPF Authority. Our team ensures your claim is filed correctly and tracked till your shares are credited to your account. It saves you time, effort, and paperwork hassles.

Q7. Is updating KYC details mandatory before starting the recovery process?

Ans. Yes, absolutely. SEBI and MCA have made KYC updates compulsory for all shareholders. Your PAN, Aadhaar, mobile number, email ID, and bank details must be linked and up to date. Incomplete KYC is one of the biggest reasons for claim rejection or delay, so it’s best to verify everything before filing your claim.

Q8. How much time does it usually take to get back Tata Steel shares from IEPF?

Ans. On average, it takes around 3 to 6 months to complete the process. The exact timeline depends on how quickly the documents are verified by Tata Steel’s RTA and the IEPF Authority. Submitting accurate and complete paperwork from the start can help speed up your claim.

Q9. Can family members claim shares of a deceased Tata Steel shareholder?

Ans. Yes, they can. Legal heirs or nominees can recover the shares by submitting the death certificate of the shareholder along with succession documents (like a succession certificate, probated will, or legal heir certificate). Compliance Calendar LLP also assists legal heirs in completing these formalities smoothly so they can rightfully claim the shares.

Q10. Why should I recover my unclaimed Tata Steel shares now?

Ans. Your unclaimed shares are valuable assets and leaving them unclaimed means missing out on dividends and future growth. Recovering them helps you restore ownership and stay connected with one of India’s strongest and most respected companies. The process is straightforward, and with expert help from Compliance Calendar LLP, you can get your shares back.

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