Understanding Nuances of Financial Markets and Ensuring Investor Protection in the Digitalized World

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), in collaboration with the Office of Chief Skill Development Centre, ONGC, organized a workshop on “Understanding Nuances of Financial Markets and Ensuring Investor Protection in the Digitalized World” at the ONGC Auditorium in Agartala on June 16, 2025. The workshop is part of a continuing initiative to promote financial awareness and investor protection in India’s increasingly digital financial landscape.

Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Janjua, ED-Asset Manager, Agartala, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the relevance of financial education programs in resource-rich but financially underserved regions like Tripura. The keynote message by Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs underscored IEPFA’s mission to protect investor interests and build a robust awareness ecosystem.

The workshop featured a dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor at NCAER. He steered the conversation by explaining the complexities of financial markets and products and the need for remaining watchful and knowledgeable on the patterns of scams and frauds that are on the rise along with digitalization. While Government and regulators have built investor protection frameworks, investors themselves need to understand the nuances of digital transformation in financial market and remain vigilant in their journey towards maximizing financial well-being.

Key panel interventions included:

• Mr. Apurba Roy, Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Tripura, was represented by Mr. Akinchan Sarkar, Additional Secretary, who provided valuable insights into state-level governance and investor protection efforts giving examples of integration of treasury and beneficiary management systems. He also stressed on the importance of insurance and pension sector in comprehensive financial inclusion.
• Prof. Shubhrabaran Das, HoD, Dept. of Economics, Tripura University, explained the types of investment and patterns. His deliberation covered the nuances of financial markets and associated risks giving examples from commodity derivatives and equity market as also how to protect investors
• Mr. Nitin Singh, Financial Services Specialist & State Project Lead, RAMP Tripura, highlighted on-ground experiences and empowered the audience with tailored financial knowledge, secure access to digital financial tools, and institutional safeguards essential for building an inclusive and resilient investor protection ecosystem in a fast-evolving nuance of digital market.

The panel addressed emerging challenges and opportunities in investor protection, the role of financial literacy in the digital age, and actionable recommendations to build a resilient financial ecosystem.

The session concluded with a highly interactive Q&A session that followed a warm vote of thanks by Mr. MSBA Khan, GGM, Drilling, Head Drilling Services, ONGC as he hoped for continuing with similar collaboration in future.