New Delhi: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India, celebrated its 8th Foundation Day yesterday. The event, held in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), underscored IEPFA’s mission to empower investors and promote financial literacy.
Formed on September 7, 2016, under the Companies Act, 2013, IEPFA has been instrumental in safeguarding investor interests and educating the public on safe investment practices. This year’s Foundation Day theme, “Empowering Investors: Financial Literacy as the Key to Combat Fraud and Digital Scams,” highlighted the growing importance of equipping investors with knowledge and tools to navigate an increasingly digital financial landscape.
In her keynote address, Anita Shah Akella, CEO of IEPFA and Joint Secretary, MCA, reaffirmed IEPFA’s commitment to investor protection, stating, “Financial literacy is not just an option; it is a necessity in today’s world. Our efforts focus on empowering every investor with the knowledge to protect themselves from fraud and scams.”
Additional remarks were provided by 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. The speakers shared insights on the critical role financial education plays in preventing fraud and promoting informed decision-making.
Over the past eight years, IEPFA has launched a series of impactful initiatives, such as the Niveshak Didi program in partnership with India Post Payments Bank and the Niveshak Sarathi initiative with Common Service Centres. These programs, along with Financial Literacy Camps conducted with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Gyandarshan tele-lecture series with IGNOU, have made financial education accessible to a wide range of audiences across the country.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of handbooks tailored to different demographic segments, including school students, homemakers, retirees, and self-help groups. These materials reflect IEPFA’s commitment to addressing the diverse financial literacy needs of various population groups.
The Foundation Day also featured a technical session on the conference’s theme, moderated by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor at NCAER. The session included expert insights from industry leaders and policymakers, including Lt. Col. Rajesh Kumar, GM, IEPFA; Gaurav Gupta, Deputy Director, IEPFA; and Rajeev Saksena, Joint Secretary (Investment), Ministry of Finance, among others. The session culminated in an interactive Q&A, where attendees engaged with the panellists on pressing issues surrounding financial scams and investor protection.