National Launch from Mumbai
Financial Literacy Week 2026 was inaugurated at the national level in Mumbai by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The launch marked the beginning of coordinated outreach efforts by RBI offices, banks, and financial institutions to educate people on safe banking behaviour.
RBI officials highlighted that financial literacy has become increasingly important as banking services rapidly migrate to digital platforms, making customers more vulnerable to cyber threats and social engineering scams.
State-Level Inauguration in Patna
In Bihar, the state-level launch of FLW-2026 took place at the RBI Patna office. The programme was led by Ajay Kumar, Executive Director of RBI, along with Sujit Kumar Arvind, Regional Director of RBI Patna. Senior officials, representatives of banks, and regulatory bodies were also present.
As part of the launch, a Financial Literacy Express was flagged off to carry awareness messages to different districts. The mobile initiative is designed to reach both urban and rural populations with simplified information on safe financial practices.
Why KYC Matters More Than Ever
RBI officials emphasised that KYC is not merely a regulatory requirement but a vital safety mechanism for customers. Proper KYC helps banks verify identities, prevent misuse of accounts, and reduce risks related to money laundering and financial fraud.
With the expansion of digital banking, fraudsters increasingly exploit fake KYC update requests, phishing links, and impersonation calls. The RBI noted that many victims unknowingly share sensitive details, leading to financial losses.
Focus on Digital Safety and Fraud Prevention
Building on last year’s Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign and large-scale re-KYC drives at the gram panchayat level, FLW-2026 aims to educate citizens about safe and customer-friendly KYC processes.
The campaign also introduces the Central KYC Registry (CKYC), which allows customers to complete KYC once and use it across multiple financial institutions. RBI has warned the public against responding to unsolicited calls, messages, or links claiming to update KYC.
Outreach Across Bihar
RBI Patna, in coordination with banks, the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), and Lead District Manager offices, will conduct extensive outreach activities across Bihar. These include audio-visual vans, public displays, community meetings, and targeted awareness sessions.
Citizens have been advised to update KYC details only through authorised bank channels and never share OTPs, PINs, passwords, or account information with unknown individuals.
Strengthening Trust in the Banking System
The central bank believes that informed customers are the strongest defence against financial crime. By improving awareness at the grassroots level, RBI aims to strengthen public trust in the banking system and ensure safer adoption of digital financial services.
