Parliament Question: Investment Awareness Programmes in the Country

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5031 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026/CHAITRA 02, 1948 (SAKA) INVESTMENT AWARENESS PROGRAMMES IN THE COUNTRY 5031. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE: Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is organising any investment awareness programmes in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof, including the objectives and main features of such programmes; (c) whether the Government has organised such progrmmes in rural areas of the country during the last two years; (d) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria fixed for the selection of rural areas for the said purpose; and (e) the details of funds allocated and utilised for this purpose during the last three years and the current year? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (HARSH MALHOTRA) (a) & (b) The Ministry of Corporate Affairs through Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) is organising Investor Awareness Programmes (IAPs) across the country. The objectives and main features of these programmes are as under: (i) Promoting financial literacy: Educating stakeholders on basic financial concepts, responsible financial behaviour, and safe usage of financial services. (ii) Enhancing investor awareness: Spread knowledge about investor rights, investment risks, and informed decision-making. (iii) Awareness about financial fraud and cybercrime: Create awareness about scams, phishing attempts, fraudulent investment schemes, and digital payment frauds. (iv) Promoting safe digital financial practices: Encourage secure use of digital banking, mobile payments, and online platforms. (v) Strengthening citizen protection: Empower individuals to identify, avoid, and report fraudulent financial activities.(c) & (d): These IAPs are organised across the country with a focus on rural and under-served regions. Rural areas for IAPs are selected based on specific criteria such as being underserved, remote including Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns and villages. About 75% of the programmes are conducted in these locations using the wide network of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). (e): The details of funds utilized for this purpose by IEPFA during the last three years and the current year are as under: Funds Utilized Financial year (₹ in Crore) 2022-23 8.45 2023-24 3.40 2024-25 5.07 2025-26 (Till Date) 2.69 ******