On November 8th, 2025, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, along 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), organized an Investor Education and Protection Workshop for rural women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at Sangoha, Karnal in Haryana. The theme of the workshop was "Viksit Bharat ke path par Saksham Naari".
The initiative promoted financial awareness, safe investment practices, and economic empowerment among rural women. Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA & Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, emphasized 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), delivered the Welcome Address. A thematic panel discussion moderated by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER, stressed the importance of sustained financial education. Mr. S.K. Sharma, Senior Consultant, AMFI, discussed mutual fund investments, and Dr. Rahul Raiya, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Karnal District, emphasized the role of local administration. Mr. Shailendra Nath Jha, Former Deputy General Manager & Deputy Ombudsman, Reserve Bank of India, spoke about safe banking practices.
IEPFA aims to promote investor education, awareness, and protection, administering the Investor Education and Protection Fund, refunding unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, debentures, and shares, and conducting extensive investor awareness programs, including financial literacy camps, grievance redressal, and digital tools like the IEPF-5 Form and Search Facility.
Key Entities Referenced
Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA): Authority under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs promoting investor education, awareness, and protection by administering the Investor Education and Protection Fund.
Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Groups of rural women targeted for investor education and financial empowerment in the workshop.
Viksit Bharat: A national vision for a developed India, focusing on empowering citizens through financial literacy and digital skills.
Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM): State mission collaborating with IEPFA to organize the investor education workshop.
Karnal, Haryana: Location of the Investor Education and Protection Workshop for rural women SHGs.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Investor Education and Protection Fund
Authority (IEPFA) organizes Investor education
and protection workshop for rural women
SHGs
Women are the true strength of Viksit Bharat and must be
financially aware, digitally skilled, and investment-ready :
CEO, IEPFA
Posted On: 09 NOV 2025 7:22PM by PIB Delhi
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
8th 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.
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