The opportunities and challenges posed by digital advancements were also highlighted in the workshop

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) organised a workshop on "Digitalisation of Financial Education: A Modern Approach for Investor Protection and Capital Market Development". The workshop took place on November 11, 2024, at the BSE International Convention Hall in Mumbai.

Designed to explore the transformative role of digital technologies, the workshop focuses on enhancing financial literacy, protecting investors, and fostering sustainable growth in the capital markets. As the financial ecosystem continues to evolve, understanding the opportunities and risks associated with digital tools and platforms has become critical for ensuring the safety of investors while supporting the long-term development of India’s capital markets.

Since its establishment, the IEPFA has conducted numerous conferences, seminars and workshops aimed at enhancing financial literacy and awareness. These initiatives have played a pivotal role in educating investors and equip them with the tools to make informed financial decisions.

The workshop commenced with the inaugural address by Mr. Sundararaman Ramamurthy, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at BSE India Ltd., shared insights into BSE’s commitment to promoting investor education, as well as the role of digitalisation in empowering investors and facilitating informed decision-making.

Presenting the Keynote Address Ms. Anita Shah Akella, Chief Executive Officer of IEPFA and Joint Secretary at Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, focused on the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen investor protection mechanisms and the role of IEPFA in ensuring that investors have the tools and resources necessary to understand the complexities of the financial markets.

She further discussed the importance of digital education in modernizing financial literacy efforts across India and stated, “In today’s digital age, it is essential for investors to be equipped with the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions. By embracing technology, we can ensure that investor protection and financial education reach every corner of India, empowering citizens and fostering sustainable growth in our capital markets.”

Featuring a distinguished panel of experts who shared their insights and experiences on various aspects of digital financial education, investor protection, and capital market development, the speakers comprised Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor at NCAER, who was the moderator and speaker; Mr. Shashikumar V., Executive Director at SEBI; Mr. Sashi Krishnan, Director at NISM and former Chief Executive Officer of NPS Trust; Mr. Navneet Munot, Chairman of AMFI and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at HDFC AMC Ltd.; Ms. Kamala Kantharaj, Capital Market Expert & Chief Regulatory Officer at BSE India Ltd.; and Mr. Bharat Panchal, Cyber Security Expert and Former Chief of Risk Management at NPCI.

Concluding with the vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Khushro Bulsara, Chief Risk Officer at BSE India Ltd., acknowledged the contributions of all speakers and participants, and emphasised that such workshop marks an important step in fostering a more digitally literate and secure financial ecosystem for Indian investors.

About IEPFA:

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was established on September 7, 2016, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. IEPFA is responsible for managing the Investor Education and Protection Fund, which focuses on safeguarding investor interests by facilitating the refund of shares, unclaimed dividends, and matured deposits/debentures. Through its initiatives, the IEPFA aims to ensure transparency, protect investors' rights, and promote financial literacy across the country.

About NCAER:

NCAER is India’s oldest and largest independent economic think tank, set up in 1956 to inform policy choices for both the public and private sectors. It is one of a few independent think tanks world-wide that combines rigorous economic analysis and policy outreach with deep data collection capabilities, particularly for large-scale household surveys. NCAER is led by its Director General, Dr. Poonam Gupta, the institution’s first woman head, who assumed office on 1 July 2021, and it is governed by an independent Governing Body currently chaired by Mr Nandan M. Nilekani.

About BSE:

Established in 1875, BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) is Asia’s first and the world’s fastest stock exchange with a trading speed of 6 microseconds. As India’s leading exchange group, BSE has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Indian corporate sector by providing an efficient platform for raising capital. Over the years, BSE has expanded its services to include trading in equities, currencies, debt instruments, derivatives, and mutual funds. BSE's prestigious SENSEX index is widely tracked globally, and BSE continues to be a key player in the financial markets.

Digital financial education strengthens investor protection and capital market development through technology enabled literacy and risk awareness. Digitalisation of financial education is presented as a mechanism to enhance investor protection and support capital market development by widening reach, improving risk awareness, and modernising literacy efforts. The IEPFA, NCAER and BSE convened experts to discuss deployment of digital tools, the roles of government and market institutions in scalable education, and the need for coordinated stakeholder action-including regulatory outreach, platform risk management, and cybersecurity integration-to implement accessible investor education and protective mechanisms.