Banking & Financial Awareness GK Digest : June 2025

IEPFA & SEBI Launch ‘Niveshak Shivir’ in Pune to Empower Investors

Current Context: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched the first-ever ‘Niveshak Shivir’ in Pune on June 1, 2025.

Here are the key points:

Investor Assistance: The event helped investors resolve issues related to unclaimed dividends and shares, update KYC and nomination details, and facilitate faster claim settlements.
Participation: Over 450 investors attended, engaging with dedicated service desks for direct assistance.
Investor Guide Brochure: A special NSDL brochure was launched, outlining the step-by-step process for reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares.
Future Expansion: Based on the success of this pilot event, more Niveshak Shivirs will be organized across major cities with high volumes of unclaimed investor funds.

ADB President Masato Kanda announced a five-year plan for India’s urban transformation

Current Context: On June 1, 2025, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda unveiled a five-year urban transformation plan for India, committing $10 billion towards urban infrastructure.

Key Highlights:

Major Investments: ADB will finance metro expansions and develop new Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors to enhance connectivity.
Urban Challenge Fund (UCF): ADB will support India’s flagship UCF to attract private investment for urban infrastructure.
Technical Assistance: $3 million will be allocated for capacity building in urban local bodies and the development of bankable projects.
Existing Commitments: ADB has already invested $4 billion in metro and RRTS projects in Delhi-Meerut, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, among other cities.