The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India, celebrated its 8th Foundation Day in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and ICSI, in New Delhi, yesterday. IEPFA was formed on September 7, 2016, under the provisions of sub-section 5 of Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013.

The 8th Foundation Day commemoration focused on the IEPFA’s efforts towards investor protection. The occasion served as a testament to IEPFA’s ongoing efforts to foster a more resilient and informed investor community across the country. The Foundation Day conference was on the theme of “Empowering Investors: Financial Literacy as the Key to Combat Fraud and Digital Scams”. The theme reflected the growing need to equip investors with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard themselves in an increasingly complex financial landscape. In an age, where digital transactions are the norm and online scams are on the rise, the importance of financial literacy cannot be ignored.

During the keynote address by Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA and Joint Secretary, MCA, emphasised the IEPFA’s continued dedication to empowering investors through education and protection initiatives.

Additional remarks were delivered by Mr. Dhirendra Kumar, Board Member of IEPFA and Founder & CEO of Value Research, Lt. Col. Rajesh Kumar, General Manager of IEPFA, and CS Manish Gupta, Immediate Past President of ICSI, all of whom addressed the attendees and shared their insights.

Since its inception, IEPFA has worked towards its mission to safeguard the interest of investors and to promote financial literacy throughout the nation.

Over the past eight years, IEPFA has launched a series of impactful initiatives aimed at educating and empowering investors. These efforts have not only raised awareness about financial products and safe investment practices but have also played a crucial role in fraud prevention. The IEPFA’s commitment to fostering an informed and resilient investor base is evident in its wide-ranging activities, from the Niveshak Didi programme with India Post Payments Bank to the Niveshak Sarathi initiative with Common Service Centres. These programmes, along with Financial Literacy Camps in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Gyandarshan tele-lecture series with IGNOU, have reached diverse audiences, ensuring that financial education is accessible to all, regardless of location or background.

Recognising that a well-informed investor is a protected investor, IEPFA has developed segment-specific IEC materials tailored to different segments of the population. During the event, delegates launched a set of handbooks designed for school students, college students, homemakers, retirees, and self-help groups, each addressing the unique financial literacy needs of these groups. These efforts reflect IEPFA’s deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by different segments of the population and its dedication to addressing them effectively.

The conference also included a technical session on the theme “Empowering Investors: Financial Literacy as the Key to Combat Fraud and Digital Scams,” moderated by Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor at NCAER. The session featured insights from a government bodies and policymakers including Lt. Col. Rajesh Kumar, GM, IEPFA; Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Dy. Dir, IEPFA; Mr. Dhirendra Kumar, Board Member of IEPFA and Founder & CEO of Value Research; Mr. Rajeev Saksena, Joint Secretary (Investment), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance; Dr. Manas Shankar Ray, Former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (IRS) & Executive Director, SEBI; and Mr. Shailendra Nath Jha, Former DGM & Deputy Ombudsman, Reserve Bank of India.

The technical session concluded with an interactive questions-answers round, where participants had the opportunity to engage with panellists and discuss pressing issues related to investor protection and financial literacy.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Ruvit Kumar, Deputy Director, IEPFA, expressing gratitude to all participants and collaborators for their contributions for making the 8th Foundation Day a success.

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NB/KMN

Financial literacy as investor protection: targeted awareness programmes and materials to prevent fraud and digital scams. IEPFA, constituted under sub section 5 of Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013, reaffirmed its focus on investor protection through targeted financial literacy and fraud prevention initiatives. The Foundation Day highlighted partnership-based outreach, segment specific IEC materials, and programmes-such as postal and common service centre collaborations, tele lecture series, and financial literacy camps-alongside newly launched handbooks for distinct population groups to mitigate risks from fraud and digital scams.