- Programme underscores NSE’s nationwide mission to build informed, vigilant and resilient investors
- Sessions focus on risk-based investing, fraud prevention and responsible participation in capital markets
- SEBI’s ‘Check Before You Invest’ and ‘SEBI Check’ tools highlighted to curb scams and fake intermediaries
- Gujarat emerges as India’s third-largest investor base with over 1.1 crore registered investors
- Investor Protection Fund of ₹2,754 crore reflects NSE’s robust commitment to investor safety
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
RAJKOT, JAN 5
The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) conducted an Investor Awareness Programme in Rajkot, Gujarat, as part of its ongoing nationwide initiative to enhance financial literacy, promote responsible investing, and strengthen investor protection.
The programme drew enthusiastic participation from new and existing investors, professionals and students, reflecting the region’s growing engagement with capital markets. The initiative aligns with NSE’s broader objective of building a financially informed and resilient investor ecosystem that supports long-term financial wellbeing.
Empowering Investors Through Knowledge
Marking the new year as a time for smarter financial choices, the session began with an overview of financial and securities markets, emphasising the importance of selecting investment products aligned with individual goals and risk appetite. Key topics included investor rights and responsibilities, grievance redressal mechanisms, fraud and scam prevention, and the need for informed decision-making in a rapidly evolving financial environment.
The session strongly underlined that awareness, caution and verification are essential for investors navigating today’s increasingly digital and complex markets.
SEBI Tools to Combat Fraud Highlighted
Participants were informed about the recently introduced ‘SEBI Check’ mechanism, which enables investors to scan a QR code or manually verify bank account details and UPI IDs of SEBI-registered intermediaries before making payments.
Investors were urged to verify credentials prior to transactions, reinforcing the message of “check before you invest” to prevent fraud and financial loss.
Gujarat’s Expanding Investor Footprint
Gujarat continues to be a powerhouse in investor participation, with approximately 1.1 crore registered investors, making it the third-largest investor base in India. The state accounts for 8.7% of the country’s total investors and has recorded a 10-year CAGR of over 17% in investor growth.
In 2025 alone, nearly 11 lakh new investors were added in Gujarat. Rajkot ranks among the top five districts, contributing over 55% of new investor registrations in the state. Notably, 28% of Gujarat’s investors are women, exceeding the national average of 25%.
NSE Leadership on Investor Awareness
Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE, said: “Given Gujarat’s growing investor base, investor awareness is the strongest foundation. At NSE, we believe that informed investors make better decisions which contribute to long-term economic wealth creation. Through initiatives like this Investor Awareness Programme, we aim to empower citizens with the right knowledge, caution them against frauds, and help them participate safely in India’s growth story.”
Strong Investor Protection Framework
NSE’s Investor Protection Fund Trust (IPFT) corpus stands at approximately ₹2,754 crore, among the strongest investor protection mechanisms globally.
During FY25–26 so far, NSE has conducted over 16,000 Investor Awareness Programmes, reaching 8.3 lakh participants nationwide. These programmes cater to students, women entrepreneurs, rural investors, armed forces personnel and first-time investors.
The Exchange has also led high-impact awareness campaigns such as #SEBIvsSCAM, disseminated investor education messages across television, print and digital platforms, and partnered with mass-reach programmes like Kaun Banega Crorepati to amplify financial literacy.
Key Investor Safety Messages Reinforced
Participants were advised to:
- Beware of fake trading apps and unregistered entities
- Avoid schemes promising guaranteed or unusually high returns
- Exercise caution while trading in derivatives
- Verify intermediaries using SEBI’s “Check Before You Invest” and ‘SEBI Check’ facilities
- Rely only on SEBI-registered entities and official sources
