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Unclaimed Assets: A massive sum belonging to the people of India—originally held with banks in the form of shares and assets—now lies unclaimed. No one knows who the rightful owners of this wealth are.

Many of us Indians engage in various forms of investment. These are typically long-term investments, made with an eye toward the future. However, substantial sums belonging to Indians currently lie unclaimed across the stock market and within banks. This is no small or trivial amount; rather, it comprises assets and funds worth crores. This revelation comes from a study conducted by ‘1 Finance Research.’

The Sum Runs into Crores

According to a report by 1 Finance Magazine, as of December 2025, approximately ₹89,000 crore remains locked in the shares of 1,671 listed companies. The report indicates that these assets lie unclaimed across various sectors, including bank deposits, shares, insurance, and the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). The total value of these unclaimed assets amounts to a staggering ₹2.2 lakh crore—wealth for which there are currently no claimants. Furthermore, these funds and assets are not merely lying dormant; they are also gradually falling victim to inflation, steadily eroding in value over time.

Where is the Unclaimed Money Located?

These funds are scattered across a wide spectrum, ranging from banks to the stock market. Specifically, ₹97,545 crore lies in bank deposits with no claimants; this money is eventually transferred to the RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. According to the fund’s regulations, these deposits accrue a simple interest rate of merely 3 percent. Additionally, ₹89,004 crore is locked in equity shares across 1,671 listed companies. Meanwhile, ₹20,062 crore remains unclaimed within the insurance sector; this sum represents amounts related to policy maturity, death claims, or surrender values. Finally, ₹10,915 crore lies unclaimed within the EPF, with no one coming forward to claim it. Of these, 38 percent of EPF accounts have remained dormant for years. Furthermore, crores of rupees belonging to individuals are also stuck in mutual funds. This includes a sum of ₹3,452 crore for which there are no claimants.

Why does this situation exist?

When making investments, some people overlook essential steps. For instance, many forget to designate a nominee at the time of investment or fail to update this information over time; consequently, these funds become stuck. Failing to provide family details during the investment process is another major contributing factor. Many individuals are simply unaware of how to file a claim, which also results in their money remaining unclaimed. Therefore, it is imperative to adhere to all prescribed procedures while making investments. Additionally, one should also keep family members informed about their investments.