The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is gearing up for a large-scale investor awareness campaign across all segments of the capital market, with a focus on responsible investing, cyber fraud prevention, and market risk education. SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, speaking at the Bombay Society of Chartered Accountants (BCAS) event on July 5, 2025, emphasized the need for nuanced, investor-centric regulation.
“We’re launching a massive campaign to tackle issues like cyber fraud and promote responsible investing,” Pandey stated. He warned against inexperienced investors entering the Futures and Options (F&O) segment without adequate understanding, urging the need for balanced, diversified portfolios based on individual risk profiles.
In a significant move towards fintech security, SEBI announced that from October 1, new features—Validated UPI and SEBI Check—will be introduced. These tools will allow investors to verify the authenticity of UPI handles and bank accounts, aiming to curb fraudulent activity in financial transactions.
Highlighting regulatory innovation, Pandey proposed a light-touch approach for sophisticated investors and confirmed that SEBI and the RBI are jointly finalizing mechanisms for direct retail investment in G-secs through brokers—mirroring equity market participation.
SEBI is set to roll out a nationwide investor awareness campaign targeting cyber fraud risks, irresponsible F&O trading, and lack of diversification. Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey stressed that regulation must evolve based on investor maturity. From October 1, tools like SEBI Check and Validated UPI will boost transaction safety. Plans are also in motion for enabling retail access to government securities through brokers.
