THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Thursday urged Army personnel to approach investing with the same discipline, preparedness and vigilance with which they serve the nation, stressing the need to protect hard-earned savings and secure their families’ financial future.

Addressing nearly 500 Army personnel, including commissioned officers and jawans, at a specialised Investor Awareness Programme organised by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) in Leh, Ladakh, Pandey said investment decisions should be guided by an individual’s financial needs, family responsibilities and risk-taking capacity rather than being driven solely by the prospect of higher returns.

Given the demanding nature of military service and the limited time personnel may have to manage their personal finances, the SEBI chairman cautioned them about unauthorised investment schemes, fraudulent digital trading platforms, cyber fraud and misleading promises of assured or unusually high returns.

He advised investors to diversify their investments, understand financial products and associated risks before investing, start early and invest regularly. Investors, he said, should deal only with registered intermediaries and regulated products.

Pandey also urged Army personnel to remain vigilant while making digital payments and investing through online platforms. He highlighted SEBI initiatives such as Validated UPI Handles, SEBI Check and the Verified App Label, which enable investors to verify intermediaries, payment mechanisms and investment applications before committing their money.

Emphasising the importance of family preparedness, Pandey said service personnel, who often spend long periods away from their homes, should ensure that family members are aware of their investments and know where relevant records are maintained and whom to approach if assistance is required.

He advised investors to keep nominations, KYC details, mobile numbers, email addresses and bank details updated and maintain a consolidated record of their investments.

 “Plan. Diversify. Verify. Nominate. Stay Invested,” Pandey said, summing up the five principles he wanted investors to follow.

He also urged investors to rely on official information, deal only through regulated entities and use verified sources when making financial decisions. Referring to SEBI’s nationwide investor-awareness initiative Project Jagrook, he said investor education was being expanded through multiple modes and Indian languages.

 “Just as preparedness and discipline are essential for protecting the nation, financial preparedness is important for securing one’s family,” Pandey said, adding, “A little preparation today can take care of a much bigger responsibility tomorrow.”

Speaking at the event, AMFI Chief Executive Venkat N Chalasani said financial literacy was not merely about investing but also about risk management, goal-based planning and protecting hard-earned savings from cyber threats and unauthorised financial schemes.

 “A Viksit Bharat is built on the active participation of every citizen in India’s growth story. While our armed forces personnel remain dedicated to protecting the nation's borders, it is equally important that they have every opportunity to engage in and benefit from the country’s economic journey as we march toward 2047,” Chalasani said.

Marking a milestone in investor education, Pandey also launched AMFI’s first-ever “Pocket Guide to Understanding Mutual Funds” at the event.

The guide has been designed as a simple and practical reference for first-time and prospective investors and explains fundamental investment concepts, the benefits of disciplined investing and key market safeguards in an easily portable format.

The programme was also attended by Major Gen Praveen Chabra, Vishist Seva Medal, GOC Sub Area, along with a large gathering of Army personnel, underscoring the focus on protecting service members from financial fraud and promoting informed investment decisions.

SEBI and AMFI said the initiative seeks to equip Armed Forces personnel with practical financial knowledge and help them translate their inherent discipline into systematic, goal-based investing, thereby supporting the preservation of hard-earned savings and building long-term financial resilience.

As part of his Leh itinerary, the SEBI chairman also visited the region’s asset management company branch operated by Nippon India Mutual Fund and interacted with local investors to understand their financial journeys and experiences.