How a Simple Task Led Me into a Labyrinth of Forms and Procedures

In India, our love affair with forms, applications, and documents is something special. It’s like an addiction, and no amount of A.I. or digital innovation seems to help. Recently, I had to get a duplicate share certificate issued for my mother. The shares, traded on the stock market, were originally held in my late father’s name. Little did I know that this task would involve filling out more forms than I could count.

It all started with a dozen forms. Each one asked for the same details—Folio Number, Share Certificate Number, and other repetitive information. Some of these had to be printed on INR 500 or INR 100 stamp paper, and yes, notarized as well. I grumbled but understood this much. But then came the personal indemnity forms, legal heir certificates signed by a gazetted officer, and even a police complaint to be attached. By the time we got everything ready, several months had passed. Just as I thought I was done, the company (or rather, the registrar) decided to change the formats of these forms. No major changes, just cosmetic ones. But guess what? I had to start all over again. At this point, I couldn’t help but wonder if all this was a deliberate effort to make applicants like me give up.

Sure, I understand that some of this is due to legal requirements. But surely, there’s a simpler way to handle all this? If the shares are held in digital format (DEMAT), the entire process is easier. Even for issuing duplicates, which now must be sent to a DEMAT account, the process could be more efficient. How about a simple web form that generates a consolidated document with all the indemnity and guarantees needed?

So, while we dream of a digital utopia with seamless processes, our nation’s love affair with paper forms, photocopies, and stamp papers refuses to fade. It’s not just the government; private companies and regulators seem equally, if not more, obsessed with paperwork. They have little incentive to innovate and make things easier for customers. We might have AADHAAR, India Stack, and all the tech in the world, but those beloved piles of paperwork will outlive us all. Long live forms—the true backbone of Indian bureaucracy and corporate processes! Without them, what would become of our precious photocopy shops, stamp vendors, and our favourite pastime of chasing signatures? Let’s face it, in India, paper is king, and we’re all just its loyal subjects!