Chennai: Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), Asia’s first listed depository and custodian of over 17.5 crore demat accounts, hosted the CDSL Reimagine Symposium 2026, the third edition of its annual symposium titled “Reimagine: Securities Market through Data Synergy,” in Mumbai.
The CDSL Reimagine Symposium 2026 brought together policymakers, regulators, Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), intermediaries, industry leaders, and technology innovators to deliberate on the growing role of data in shaping a future-ready securities market.
As part of the Reimagine platform, CDSL also announced the winners of the inaugural Reimagine Ideathon 2026, a nationwide competition inviting students to reimagine investor education for a Viksit Bharat.
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CDSL Reimagine Symposium 2026: Data-Driven Securities Market Transformation
The symposium was presided over by Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), as Chief Guest.
The event was also attended by Sandip Pradhan, Whole-Time Member, SEBI, and Keki Mistry, Former Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, HDFC, as Guests of Honour, along with speakers and panelists from across the securities market ecosystem.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey said: “For decades, when we spoke of market infrastructure, we meant exchanges, clearing corporations, depositories etc. Today, there is another layer of infrastructure that is just as critical, though largely invisible – data. Data is the new plumbing of capital markets: unseen, indispensable, and powerful.
In this world, the quality of data, the security around it, and the governance frameworks that guide its use matter as much as capital and liquidity themselves. I also commend CDSL for organising the Reimagine Ideathon challenge, which has encouraged students across the country to participate in our investor education and awareness mission.”
The symposium featured three thematic panel discussions focusing on data-driven innovation at scale, trust as a cornerstone for market growth, regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity preparedness, and organisational and cultural shifts required to enable a data-centric securities market ecosystem.
Nehal Vora, Managing Director & CEO, CDSL, said: “The Reimagine Symposium reflects CDSL’s commitment to encouraging collaborative dialogue across the securities market ecosystem. As markets evolve in an increasingly digital environment, leveraging data responsibly and securely will be key to strengthening investor confidence and building inclusive and resilient securities market.”
Sandip Pradhan, Whole-Time Member, SEBI, said: “As India’s securities market continue to deepen and broaden, the role of data-driven insights and investor education becomes increasingly critical. Strengthening investor awareness and encouraging responsible participation are essential to sustaining market integrity and investor confidence. Platforms such as Reimagine provide a valuable forum to drive innovation while reinforcing these foundational objectives.”
Keki Mistry, Former Vice Chairman & CEO, HDFC, and Chair, Reimagine Ideathon Jury, said: “Platforms like the Reimagine Symposium are important for shaping the conversation on the future of India’s securities market, particularly as data and technology become central to market infrastructure.
The Ideathon added a refreshing dimension by engaging students in this discourse and encouraging practical, implementable ideas. Such initiatives will play a meaningful role in building the next generation of market innovators and informed market participants.”
Gurumoorthy Mahalingam, Chairperson and Public Interest Director, CDSL, said: “India’s capital markets are entering a phase where data, technology and governance must move in alignment.
Channelising domestic savings into productive market-linked assets, while ensuring strong data governance and investor protection, will be critical to funding India’s long-term growth. The Reimagine platform reflects this shared responsibility across institutions, intermediaries and regulators.”
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Winners of Reimagine Ideathon 2026
One of the key highlights of the CDSL Reimagine Symposium 2026 was the felicitation of winners of the Reimagine Ideathon 2026, a nationwide competition inviting students to reimagine investor education for a Viksit Bharat.
- Project Sahayak, Goa Institute of Management – Winner (₹5 lakh)
- Project Khet Nivesh, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial College, Lucknow – First runner-up (₹3 lakh)
- Project Nivi, BNM Institute of Technology, Bangalore – Second runner-up (₹2 lakh)
The Ideathon received over 1,000 registrations from institutions across 21 states and 2 union territories, with a total prize pool of ₹12 lakh.
CDSL Reimagine Symposium 2026: AI-Powered Panelist
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the symposium featured an AI-powered panelist that participated alongside industry experts and provided real-time data-driven insights on key themes, demonstrating the growing role of artificial intelligence in strengthening market intelligence and decision-making frameworks.
Launch of Amar Chitra Katha Investor Education Comic Series
As part of CDSL’s investor education initiatives, SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey launched CDSL Investor Protection Fund’s Amar Chitra Katha comic series in 12 languages, designed to translate complex financial concepts into story-based narratives to promote informed investing.
Through platforms like the CDSL Reimagine Symposium 2026, CDSL continues to promote innovation, investor education, and ecosystem collaboration aimed at building safe, inclusive, and future-ready securities markets aligned with the vision of Atmanirbharta for Indian investors.
