Stories
SEBI Chief Warns Investors Against Finfluencers And High-Return Claims
- •SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey cautioned investors against relying on finfluencers, anonymous tips, and unrealistic return claims.
- •A SEBI survey revealed that while 63 percent of households know about market products, only 9.5 percent actually participate in the markets.
- •SEBI launched Project Jagrook at Panjab University to improve financial literacy and make market concepts easier to understand.
- •India's investor base has grown significantly, with demat accounts reaching 23.8 crore and market capitalization expanding to ₹472 lakh crore.
Key Questions Answered
SEBI has introduced Project Jagrook, a coordinated investor-education effort across television, print, radio, cinema, and digital platforms in multiple languages, alongside the MUST programme designed to enhance securities-market awareness among university students and close the gap between market knowledge and actual participation.
According to a SEBI survey, about 63% of households were aware of at least one securities-market product, but only 9.5% actively participated. Participation showed a stark contrast between urban areas at roughly 15% and rural areas at just 6%, while only 36% of investors demonstrated moderate to high knowledge of securities markets.
India's securities markets have grown significantly, with demat accounts reaching 23.8 crore and unique investors rising to around 15 crore. Market capitalization surged from approximately ₹95 lakh crore in FY16 to ₹472 lakh crore, while mutual fund assets under management expanded from ₹12 lakh crore to around ₹87 lakh crore.
