SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Wednesday urged Army personnel to approach investment decisions with discipline, preparedness and vigilance, stressing the need to protect their savings and secure their families’ financial future.
Pandey was addressing an Investor Awareness Programme organised by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) for Army personnel in Leh. Nearly 500 personnel, including commissioned officers and jawans, attended the programme.
He said the demanding nature of military service and long periods away from home can leave personnel vulnerable to unauthorised investment schemes, fraudulent digital trading platforms, cyber fraud and promises of assured returns.
Pandey advised investors to align their investment decisions with their financial needs, family responsibilities and risk-taking capacity rather than focusing solely on higher returns. He urged personnel to diversify investments, understand products and associated risks, invest regularly and deal only with registered intermediaries and regulated products.
Cautioning against fraud, he advised investors to verify investment applications and payment details before transferring money. He highlighted SEBI initiatives including Validated UPI Handles, SEBI Check and the Verified App Label.
Pandey also stressed keeping spouses or nominees informed about investments and maintaining updated KYC, nomination, mobile, email and bank details.
He urged investors to rely on official information and verified sources and referred to Project Jagrook, SEBI’s investor-awareness initiative.
Summing up his message, Pandey said investors should “Plan. Diversify. Verify. Nominate. Stay Invested.”
AMFI Chief Executive Venkat N. Chalasani said financial literacy also involved risk management, goal-based planning and protecting savings from cyber threats and unauthorised schemes.
