Bhubaneswar: In a strategic move to promote financial literacy and youth empowerment, the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the Government of Odisha have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct wide-scale investor awareness programs and implement student skilling initiatives in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector across Odisha.
The MoU was officially exchanged between Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer at NSE, and Prashant Kishore Mohapatra, Special Secretary, Government of Odisha, in the esteemed presence of Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister of State (I/C) for Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, and Culture.
As part of the partnership, the NSE will roll out a comprehensive financial literacy and education campaign, including seminars, workshops, roadshows, and interactive knowledge sessions throughout Odisha. The goal is to empower individuals—including students, retail investors, and professionals—with critical financial knowledge and investment awareness.
“This MoU goes beyond knowledge dissemination; it’s about building a financially empowered Odisha,” said Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister of State.
“By equipping our youth with essential financial literacy and skills, we’re not just preparing them for employment but enabling them to become financially responsible citizens.”
The collaboration also includes NSE’s flagship Student Skilling Program, aimed at enhancing job-readiness by providing practical, industry-aligned BFSI training.
The initiative aligns with the Centre’s vision of unlocking India’s human capital and fostering both employment and entrepreneurship in the financial sector.
Financial Literacy and Future-ready India
“Our partnership with the Odisha Government is a step toward a financially aware and future-ready India,” said Sriram Krishnan, CBO, NSE. “We are committed to making financial literacy accessible while preparing the youth to thrive in the evolving financial services landscape.”
From April 2024 to March 2025, the NSE conducted over 14,679 investor awareness programs across all 36 states and union territories, reaching more than 800,000 individuals in 14 regional languages. Over 7,500 students have already benefited from the Student Skilling Program nationwide.
This initiative is expected to significantly strengthen Odisha’s financial ecosystem, improve financial inclusion, and increase career opportunities for the state’s youth in the BFSI domain.
