How to redeem inactive shares?

Asked by: Vincenzo Douglas  |  Last update: June 6, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (51 votes)

Redeeming inactive, old, or physical shares requires verifying ownership, researching the company’s current status via the transfer agent, and updating KYC details. If the company still exists, deposit certificates through a broker; if transferred to a government fund (like IEPF in India), file Form IEPF-5 with proof of ownership.

Can we sell inactive shares?

Once delisted, you cannot buy or sell that stock on regular exchanges. This happens when the company itself chooses to delist—often because the promoters want full ownership, the company plans restructuring, or a merger/acquisition is happening.

How do I claim unclaimed shares?

The IEPF protects your unclaimed dividends and shares, so they can still be claimed by you or your legal heirs in the future. You'll need to file Form IEPF-5, attach all relevant proofs, and go through the official approval process.

How do I find out if old shares are still valid?

You can search for details, like previous company names and the registered office address, free of charge. You should also check with the respective registrar to ensure that your certificates are still valid - a registrar being a place that hold details of the shares after they're offered to the public.

How to get money from delisted shares?

In cases of voluntary delisting, SEBI requires the company to offer an exit window to public shareholders. This allows investors to sell their shares back to the promoters at a price determined through the Reverse Book Building process.

Physical Shares ko Demat Mein Kaise Badle? (2025 Full Process)| DRF, IEPF & Inheritance

26 related questions found

What happens if I don't sell delisted shares?

If you miss the chance to sell during the delisting process, you can sell your shares to the promoter for at least one year after delisting at the same price. If you still don't sell, you can try selling your shares on the over-the-counter (OTC) market.

Do I lose my money if a stock gets delisted?

The value of your shares may also drop. However, if the company delisted voluntarily because it is going private or being merged with another company, you might receive cash for your shares or shares in the purchasing company. Understanding the reason for the delisting and how it may affect your shares can be helpful.

How to check inactive stocks?

Can I see the details of the stock that I held in the past but do not hold today? Yes, the details and the transaction history of the stock that you once held in the portfolio but don't have as on day can be viewed under the “Zero Holdings” section under the “Holdings” section.

What is the 10 year rule in stocks?

Barker, CWS®, explain our Henssler Ten Year Rule strategy, which allows investors to stay invested in the market through thick and thin. By securing 10 years of liquidity in fixed-income investments, investors can avoid selling stocks at a loss and give their portfolio time to recover, thus waiting out a down market.

What happens to shares that are not claimed?

Further, in terms of Section 124(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and the IEPF Rules, all shares in respect of which dividend has not been paid or claimed for 7 consecutive years or more, shall be transferred by the Bank to IEPF.

What happens to unclaimed shares if not claimed?

Every state has unclaimed property laws. If your account becomes inactive, or you haven't contacted Computershare for an extended period of time (generally three to five years), your shares may be classified as unclaimed property and transferred to the state through a legal process called escheatment.

What documents are required for Iepf claim?

Self-attested copy of PAN card. Original share certificate(s) (Physical Mode) / Copy of transaction statement duly certified by Depository Participant (DEMAT Mode). ✓ Any other Government ID proof of the nominee.

How can I check my unclaimed shares in IEPF?

To check the status of your shares, visit the official IEPF website, navigate to the "IEPF Claim Status" section, and enter your PAN or Folio Number.

Why do stocks become inactive?

A listed company can get itself delisted for a number of reasons like insufficient aggregate value of the company (based on the current share price and the number of outstanding stocks), bankruptcy, change in the company structure, etc. Read on to understand the types of delisting.

What is the 7% sell rule?

The 7% sell rule is a stock trading guideline to cut losses quickly, advising you to sell a stock if it drops 7-8% below your purchase price to protect capital, remove emotion, and prevent small losses from becoming catastrophic, a strategy popularized by William O'Neil's CAN SLIM method for growth investing. It assumes that truly strong stocks typically don't fall much below their buy point, so a dip signals something is wrong, requiring you to exit the trade to preserve funds for better opportunities.
 

Do I pay tax if I sell my shares?

When you come to sell or give away shares, you may have to pay capital gains tax, if they've risen in value since you bought or were given them. However, as with dividend tax, you have an annual capital gains tax allowance. It is only when your gains exceed this allowance that CGT is charged.

How to sell inactive shares?

Delisting of a company means that the company is removed (voluntary/involuntary) from the stock exchange of India. Investors holding shares of these companies can no longer trade on the stock exchange. In order to sell the shares, the shareholder has to sell them on the over-the-counter market.

Can I sell my delisted shares?

If you own a delisted stock or ETF within your self-directed investing account, you have the following options: Continue holding the shares in your account with the hope that the security eventually gets re-listed. Sell your shares by submitting a limit order for the security that has been delisted.

How do you get money from delisted shares?

Though delisting does not affect your ownership, shares may not hold any value post-delisting. Thus, if any of the stocks that you own get delisted, it is better to sell your shares. You can either exit the market or sell it to the company when it announces buyback.

Can you claim loss for delisted shares?

If you own securities, including stocks, and they become totally worthless, you have a capital loss but not a deduction for bad debt. Worthless securities also include securities that you abandon.