SEBI has launched Project Jagrook with its 'Samajh Se Investing Simple' campaign to enhance financial literacy among Indian investors. The initiative, launched on October 5, 2026 at Panjab University, Chandigarh during World Investor Week, runs through March 2027 with partnerships including exchanges, depositories, AMFI and NISM. As reported by CNBC TV18, the campaign aims to help investors understand market risks, verify payments, and avoid investment fraud, focusing on decision-making clarity rather than pushing more people into markets.
SEBI has introduced a comprehensive 3-step verification process to help investors identify fraudulent investment advice and protect their savings. The regulator emphasizes that before trusting any viral investment tip, investors must verify three critical factors: 1. Intermediary registration - carefully verify SEBI registration status through official sources to avoid unauthorized entities, 2. Trading app authenticity - download applications only from verified platforms like Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and 3. Payment details verification - use SEBI's 'Check tool' to analyze payment details before transferring funds. This message has been sent to citizens' WhatsApp numbers to raise awareness about the importance of independent verification over trusting viral tips.
The campaign addresses reach through English, Hindi and 11 regional languages across television, social media, mobile apps and digital advertising. SEBI has launched an official WhatsApp channel with verified blue tick to combat impersonation in the messaging medium. The campaign features educational modules covering 'understand before you invest', 'choose regulated products', 'start early and stay invested', and 'beware of fraud'. The SEBI Investor Awareness Test (SIAT), hosted by NISM, gauges user knowledge and suggests learning paths for both first-time and experienced investors.
The campaign's most distinctive feature is the MUST initiative (Mentoring of University/College Students by Trainers). Faculty and senior students are trained and certified as partner trainers to teach financial literacy and fraud prevention on campus. SEBI is working with the Association of Indian Universities to extend this across institutions. The initiative aims to shape investing habits for young people about to earn their first salary through structured learning rather than social media feeds, with educational materials including a student leaflet comparing investing to a trek that emphasizes market volatility preparation.
SEBI continues to warn against unsolicited stock tips and fraudulent WhatsApp/Telegram groups that promise high returns. The regulator has identified astroturfing tactics where fraudsters operate invitation-only groups through overseas mobile numbers and circulate unauthorised buy and sell calls. SEBI advises investors to verify registration status of market intermediaries through official SEBI resources and avoid platforms recommended through fraudulent groups. The campaign's success will be measured through behavioural metrics including whether new investors can explain their holdings, existing investors can spot misleading claims, and people know where to verify and complain.
