Events 
In continuation of its efforts to promote investor education and awareness, National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in collaboration with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and FORE School of Management, Gurugram, organized a hybrid workshop on “Digital Financial Literacy: The Panacea for Sustaining Financial Sector Resilience in the Journey to Viksit Bharat”.
A
t the outset, Prof. Sanghamitra Buddhapriya, Dean and Campus Head of the FORE School of Management, lauded NCAER for this first ever collaborative effort. She highlighted the growing importance of digital competence for future managers in today’s era of financial transformation. Delivering the inaugural address, Dr. B.B.L. Madhukar, Chairman, FORE, stressed that management institutions must equip students not only with technical skills but also with financial prudence and awareness, which are fundamental to building resilient markets.
In her keynote message, Smt. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, highlighted the Authority’s initiatives in investor protection, speedy refund of unclaimed financial assets, and nationwide awareness campaigns.
Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER, who moderated the discussion, emphasized that digital financial literacy must go beyond access—it should foster trust, resilience, and responsible participation in markets. Drawing from his vast policy experience, Dr. Mohapatra highlighted how financial sector stability and resilience, cybersecurity, and investor awareness together build the foundations of Viksit Bharat. He stressed that digital financial literacy is central to building trust and resilience in widening and deepening the financial markets.
Lt. Col. Aditya Sinha, General Manager, IEPFA, spoke on the Authority’s nationwide financial literacy programmes. He noted that digital tools, when combined with grassroots outreach, can empower diverse sections of society—from students to armed forces personnel—making them equal partners in India’s economic growth.
Ms. Himani Lath, SEBI SMART Trainer and former NSDL Manager, discussed the risks and opportunities of digital demat and trading platforms. She urged students to be vigilant about their rights as investors and to maintain digital financial discipline. Sharing case studies, she demonstrated how timely awareness can prevent major investor losses
Shri Shailendra Nath Jha, Former DGM & Deputy Ombudsman, RBI, elaborated on grievance redressal mechanisms in digital finance, including the Ombudsman scheme and complaint portals. He cautioned against rising threats such as UPI frauds and phishing, stressing that financial hygiene—like safeguarding passwords and verifying apps—is as vital as regulatory oversight in ensuring resilience.
Mr. Harsha Bhowmik, Director, Digital Economy & Fintech, Ministry of Finance, highlighted India’s leadership in fintech innovations such as UPI, CBDC, and AI-driven credit systems. He explained how policy must strike a balance between innovation and regulation, ensuring consumer protection while driving inclusive, sustainable growth in the digital economy.
Mr. Supriyo Gupta, Regional Head, NSE India Ltd., reflected on the digitization of stock markets and the increasing use of blockchain and algorithmic trading platforms. He emphasized the importance of financial literacy in mitigating risks arising from volatility and herd behaviour and encouraged management students to explore opportunities in analytics, compliance, and market risk management.
The workshop concluded with a vibrant Q&A session. The event reaffirmed the collective vision of IEPFA, NCAER, and FORE to build a financially literate India where digital empowerment safeguards investor trust and strengthens the resilience of the financial sector in the march towards Viksit Bharat 2047.