Women are the true strength of Viksit Bharat and must be financially aware, digitally skilled, and investment-ready : CEO, IEPFA

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the aegis of Ministry of Corporate Affairs in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), and Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM), successfully organised an Investor Education and Protection Workshop for rural, women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). It was organised on 8^th November,2025 at Sangoha, Karnal in Haryana on the theme “Viksit Bharat ke path par Saksham Naari”

The initiative aimed to promote financial awareness, safe investment practices, and economic empowerment among rural women. The workshop brought together experts, regulators, academicians, and members of women SHGs to discuss strategies for building financial confidence and inclusion in the digital economy. This aligns with India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat driven by empowered and informed women.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA & Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, highlighted that women are the true strength of Viksit Bharat and must be financially aware, digitally skilled, and investment-ready. She emphasised IEPFA’s flagship initiatives—Niveshak Didi and Niveshak Shivir—which equip women with the knowledge to save, invest wisely, and safeguard themselves from financial frauds.

Mr. Suraj Bhan, CEO, Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM), in his Welcome Address, underlined the pivotal role of women in driving India’s economic progress. A thematic panel discussion followed, moderated by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER, who stressed the importance of sustained financial education, behavioural change, and trust-building for inclusive financial growth.

Further, Mr. S.K. Sharma, Senior Consultant, AMFI, discussed how mutual fund investments and systematic saving habits can enhance women’s financial independence. Dr. Rahul Raiya, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Assandh, Karnal District, emphasised the role of local administration in supporting SHGs to access financial services. Mr. Shailendra Nath Jha, Former Deputy General Manager & Deputy Ombudsman, Reserve Bank of India, spoke about safe banking practices, awareness, and robust grievance redressal systems to prevent digital financial frauds.

The event concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, celebrating yet another milestone in IEPFA’s ongoing mission to build financially literate citizens capable of making informed and secure financial decisions.

About IEPFA

The Government of India established the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs with the objective of promoting investor education, awareness, and protection. IEPFA is entrusted with administering the Investor Education and Protection Fund, refunding unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, debentures, and shares to rightful investors, and conducting extensive investor awareness programs across the country. Through its initiatives such as financial literacy camps, grievance redressal, and digital tools like the IEPF-5 Form and Search Facility, the Authority works towards building a financially resilient and informed investor community.

Investor education and protection: empowering rural women with financial literacy, safe investment practices, and digital fraud awareness. IEPFA organised a workshop for rural women SHGs to promote financial awareness, safe investment practices, digital inclusion and fraud prevention, highlighting flagship initiatives Niveshak Didi and Niveshak Shivir. The Authority's operational remit-administering the Investor Education and Protection Fund, refunding unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, debentures and shares, and conducting investor awareness and grievance redressal using digital tools-was emphasised as foundational to building sustained financial education, trust, and access for women in the formal financial system.