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Ramalingam Kalirajan |10874 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 04, 2025

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more

Question by Madhusudan on Jul 18, 2025Hindi

Long back around 1983-84 or so I had invested some amount in UTI's MASTER SHARE. The bunch of share certificates is lost in transit when I shifted my house. Amount invested is around Rs. 45000/-. How can I recover those shares? Who can help me? Regards

Ans: It is good that you remember the investment. This shows your financial awareness.
Many investors forget such old investments. You have taken the right step by asking for help.

Let us explore how you can recover your lost UTI Mastershare units.

Please follow each step carefully. Stay hopeful. Recovery is possible.

» Understand What UTI Mastershare Is
– It is a mutual fund scheme started by UTI in 1986.
– Earlier, it issued physical certificates for units.
– Now it is managed by UTI Mutual Fund in demat or statement form.

» Check If Your Units Still Exist
– Units may have been converted to electronic form (demat or folio).
– Even if they are physical, the records will be with UTI AMC.
– If dividends were reinvested, the value could be higher today.

» Prepare Basic Investment Details
– Note the year of investment (around 1983–84).
– Estimate the amount (you mentioned Rs. 45,000).
– Try to remember the city, bank branch, or agent used.
– Mention your PAN if available at the time.
– Write down all your past addresses since 1983.

» Contact UTI AMC (Asset Management Company)
– Visit: www.utimf.com

– You can also email: service at utimf.com
– Request for a duplicate unit statement.

– Mention investment year, name, and amount.
– Tell them about lost share certificates.
– Share your old address and identity proof.
– Attach any document with your signature.

» Fill Out the Relevant Forms
– UTI may ask you to fill “Duplicate Certificate Request” or “Indemnity Bond” form.
– You might also need to submit KYC documents.
– Self-attested PAN, Aadhaar, and old address proof will help.

» Get Signature Attestation from Banker
– The forms need your signature attested.
– Visit your bank branch and request attestation.
– Your bank manager will stamp and sign it.

» Submit a FIR or Police Complaint (Optional but Useful)
– File a non-traceable certificate or FIR for lost certificates.
– Many AMCs require it to issue duplicate units.
– Mention your move and transit loss.

» Submit the Documents to UTI Office
– You can submit to any UTI Financial Centre.
– Find the nearest one on their website.
– Carry originals and photocopies for verification.
– Take acknowledgment of receipt.

» Track the Recovery Process
– UTI will verify your documents.
– If matched, they will reissue units.
– You may get statement in physical or demat form.
– This process can take 3–6 weeks.

» Dematerialise If You Get Physical Certificate Again
– If UTI issues new physical units, convert to demat.
– It is safer and avoids future loss.
– Submit the certificates to your demat account provider.

» Update PAN and KYC Records
– Ensure your PAN is linked to the mutual fund folio.
– Do KYC with any mutual fund distributor or CAMS/KFintech.
– Updated KYC makes future transactions smoother.

» Check if Your Units Were Unclaimed or Transferred to IEPF
– After 7 years of no activity, funds can be moved to IEPF.
– IEPF is Investor Education and Protection Fund.
– Visit www.iepf.gov.in to search for your name.
– If found, you can apply to reclaim through UTI.

» Avoid DIY, Prefer Expert Assistance
– You can take help from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
– CFP can guide on exact documentation and follow-up.
– They can help check all mutual fund databases.
– If needed, they can even contact UTI on your behalf.

» Don’t Approach UTI Directly If You Face Issues
– Try Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs) like CAMS or KFintech.
– These agencies manage investor records for UTI.
– You can raise service requests with them also.
– Visit www.camsonline.com or www.kfintech.com.

» Value Recovery Can Be Significant
– Rs. 45,000 invested in 1983 could have grown well.
– With bonuses, dividends, and compounding, value may cross several lakhs.
– You may have earned reinvested NAV gains as well.
– Be patient during the tracing process.

» What to Avoid
– Do not sign blank documents.
– Avoid third-party agents without proper identity.
– Don’t discard old papers related to investment.
– Avoid applying for reissue multiple times. It causes confusion.

» After Recovery, What Next?
– Convert to electronic form to avoid further risk.
– Update mobile and email for alerts.
– Review all your old investments and consolidate them.
– Keep soft and hard copies in secure locations.

» How to Prevent Similar Issues in Future
– Keep a physical file of all investments.
– Also store digital scan in cloud storage.
– Use a tracking app or Excel sheet to monitor.
– Share details with spouse or children.

» Use This Opportunity to Reassess Investment Goals
– Recovered amount can be reinvested wisely.
– Choose diversified mutual funds for long term.
– Use regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner.
– Avoid direct mutual funds if not an expert.

» Disadvantages of Direct Funds
– No expert review or portfolio correction.
– No regular monitoring of market changes.
– No tax efficiency guidance during exit.
– No personalised goal tracking.
– Higher risk of wrong fund selection.

» Benefits of Regular Mutual Fund Plans through CFP
– Active tracking and personalised advice.
– Suitable funds picked based on your goals.
– Market ups and downs handled smartly.
– Periodic review and rebalancing done for you.
– Proper exit planning to save tax.

» Avoid Index Funds in Future
– Index funds follow market blindly.
– No protection during market falls.
– Do not generate alpha returns.
– Active funds are better with professional help.
– Your goal may need better growth than index.

» Final Insights
– You have done well by remembering and asking.
– Tracing old investments takes time. Stay consistent.
– You could be holding a valuable legacy investment.
– Protect it better this time.
– Use a Certified Financial Planner to reinvest safely.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.