In an inspiring gathering, the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) collaborated with the University of Hyderabad to host a pioneering workshop titled “Sustainable Financial Education: Building Informed Investors and Harnessing Youth Power for Viksit Bharat.” Taking place on October 27, 2025, at the Savitribai Phule DST Auditorium, this initiative aims to cultivate a robust community of financially savvy young Indians who will contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth.

A Convergence of Expertise and Enthusiasm

Bringing together academic leaders, government regulators, and eager students, this workshop served as a melting pot of ideas and strategies essential for empowering India’s youth. Discussions focused on the critical subjects of investor protection, behavioural finance, and digital-era economic engagement, facilitating a deeper understanding among participants about the necessity of informed financial decision-making.

Insights from Leaders

Setting the workshop’s tone, Prof. Debashis Acharya, Dean of the School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, welcomed attendees with optimism. The inaugural remarks by Prof. B. J. Rao, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, further emphasized the pivotal role that young Indians can play in steering the country towards a prosperous economic future.

A Vision for Robust Financial Literacy

Keynote speaker, Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO of IEPFA, inspired with her insights on building investor trust and transparency. During her address, she underlined the united efforts of IEPFA aimed at fortifying financial security and literacy across India, aligning with the country’s efforts to nurture financially responsible citizens.

Addressing Financial Challenges in the Digital Era

Dr. C. S. Mohapatra from NCAER highlighted the pressing need for continuous financial education and advocated for improved behavioural change among investors. He cautioned about the digital financial frauds that increasingly target uninformed youth, urging collaboration among academia and financial bodies to secure a safe financial environment.

Interactive Engagement with the Financial Gurus

A memorable highlight was the dynamic Q&A session where participants enthusiastically immersed themselves in real-world financial scenarios. This interaction not only addressed digital safety and fraud prevention but also promoted strategies for the youth to emerge as knowledgeable wealth creators of the future.

As stated in UoH Herald, the success of this event marked a significant step toward India’s economic transformation, emphasizing the vital role of financially informed youth in shaping a confident and inclusive financial system.

The essence of the workshop lay in its strong commitment to fostering a generation that can confidently navigate India’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, empowering youth to act as responsible stewards of India’s economic future.

Together, the efforts of IEPFA, NCAER, and the University of Hyderabad have amplified the call for financial literacy, setting a visionary path for the Indian youth toward a financially secure and knowledgeable Bharat.