MUMBAI: In an effort to make investor awareness more visible and relatable, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), along with the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), has launched a multi-city public awareness campaign using auto rickshaws as moving information platforms.
The initiative encourages investors to carry out a “SEBI Check” before making any payment linked to the securities market. The focus is on verifying UPI IDs, bank account details and the registration status of intermediaries to avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes.
The campaign creatively builds on the everyday commuter phrase, “Meter toh check kiya”, a habit ingrained in urban travel. By adapting it to “Par kya aapne SEBI Check kiya?”, the messaging draws a simple parallel between checking a fare meter and verifying financial details, reinforcing caution as a routine behaviour.
More than 1,000 auto rickshaws across cities such as Mumbai, Surat, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Coimbatore, Indore, Patna, Delhi, Lucknow and Pune have been branded with the campaign message. The wide geographic spread is aimed at ensuring greater visibility across diverse investor communities.
Each vehicle carries QR codes that provide direct access to official SEBI platforms, including the SEBI Check portal, the SEBI Saathi app and the SEBI Investor website. These resources allow investors to verify intermediaries and access authentic information before making investment-related payments.
By embedding investor education into a common and highly visible mode of transport, the campaign seeks to normalise verification as part of everyday financial decision-making. The on-ground presence also helps bridge the gap between regulatory communication and the general public.
The auto rickshaw activation is part of a larger investor protection initiative by SEBI and NSDL focused on promoting informed participation, enhancing financial vigilance and reducing the risk of digital payment fraud in the securities market.
