Shiv Nadar University Chennai Hosts Workshop on Digital Financial Literacy and Safer Money Choices for Gen-Z

Shiv Nadar University Chennai, in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, organised a workshop on "Digital Financial Literacy: Gen-Zs as Catalysts for Investor Education and Protection towards Viksit Bharat".
The workshop, conducted at Justice Pratap Singh Auditorium, Shiv Nadar University Chennai, brought together senior policymakers, economists, financial sector experts, and academicians to deliberate on the growing importance of digital financial literacy among Gen-Z and the catalytic role of youth in promoting responsible financial behaviour and investor awareness.
In her welcome address, Dr. Pushpa Trivedi, Senior Professor and Head, Department of Economics, Shiv Nadar University Chennai, highlighted the importance of integrating digital financial literacy into higher education and emphasized the role of universities in equipping youth with practical knowledge and responsible financial habits so that they can navigate an increasingly technology-driven financial environment.
Delivering the inaugural address, Prof. S. K. Bhattacharyya, Founding Vice Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University Chennai, underscored the importance of education, knowledge and innovation in preparing young citizens for the changing financial landscape and further highlighted the need to strengthen financial awareness among students and encourage them to become informed and responsible participants in the digital economy.
Sumit Garg, CEO, IEPFA, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, in his keynote address highlighted the importance of strengthening investor education and protection in an increasingly digital financial ecosystem. He emphasized that the expansion of digital financial services needs to be accompanied by awareness of investor rights, safe digital practices, financial fraud risks, grievance redressal mechanisms and responsible financial decision-making.
The panel discussion that followed brought together Dr. C. S. Mohapatra (IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER), Lt. Col. Aditya Sinha (General Manager, IEPFA), Dhanaraj T. (Executive Director, Indian Overseas Bank), Mathew George (Former Executive Director, United India Insurance Company Ltd.), and Sujatha Jayaraj (IRAS, Retd., Former Director Finance, Chennai Metro). The panelists discussed India's evolving digital financial ecosystem, the risks of cyber fraud and financial crime, the role of insurance in risk management, and the need for Gen-Z to build sound financial planning habits for long-term wellbeing. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where students engaged with speakers on digital transactions, investment awareness, cyber fraud prevention, and investor protection.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. N. Nallusamy, Registrar, Shiv Nadar University, Chennai.