Financial Literacy Week 2026 Inaugurated in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
The Financial Literacy Week (FLW) 2026 was officially launched for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. This week-long event, organized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from February 09 to February 13, 2026, aims to enhance financial awareness and promote safe banking practices among the citizens.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of key officials including Rachna Sharma, Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department; Sh. Vidhu Shekhar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; Sh. Deepak Dubey, Joint Director Information, Jammu; Shri Vikas Mittal, GM/O-i-C, NABARD, Jammu; Shri Sunit Kumar, CGM, J&K Bank; along with controlling heads of banks, as well as officers and representatives from various Government departments, RBI, banks, financial institutions, and UTLBC J&K and Ladakh.
Chief Secretary, in his address to bankers and stakeholders, emphasized the significance of financial inclusion as a shared responsibility of all institutions, reflecting the Gandhian principle of “Sarvodaya through Antyodaya”. He highlighted the direct correlation between financial access and empowerment with seven of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Underlining recent achievements, the Chief Secretary commended the collaborative efforts during the three-month financial inclusion campaign from July to October 2025. These initiatives focused on saturating benefits under various Government of India schemes, resulting in the KYC updation of nearly 5.9 lakh accounts, covering about 51 percent of the targeted accounts.
The Chief Secretary also acknowledged the collective efforts of institutions such as RBI, NABARD, SEBI, PFRDA, and banks in promoting financial awareness among citizens. He noted the introduction of financial literacy lessons in JKBOSE curriculum and emphasized the importance of financial integration through governance.
With the theme for this year being “KYC – Your First Step to Safe Banking”, the Chief Secretary stressed the adoption of a Centralised KYC mechanism to simplify financial transactions and enhance defense against financial fraud and cyber threats. He reiterated the close link between comprehensive financial inclusion and the vision of Viksit Bharat and sustainable development.
Emphasizing grassroots outreach, the Chief Secretary advocated for the effective utilization of Common Service Centres (CSCs) and the network of Self Help Groups (SHGs) to enhance financial awareness at the community level. He also suggested leveraging ATM kiosks, social media platforms, and railways for mass financial education.
The theme for FLW 2026, “KYC – Your First Step to Safe Banking”, aims to educate the public on aspects of KYC compliance, including Basics of Know Your Customer (KYC), Central KYC Registry (CKYC), and Account Hygiene and Financial Discipline, highlighting the importance of KYC in ensuring safe and secure banking practices.
Chandrashekhar Azad, Regional Director of RBI Jammu, emphasized the success of the previous nationwide campaign at the Gram Panchayat level and the active support of RBI Jammu, banks, and stakeholders in promoting Financial Inclusion schemes and re-KYC of bank accounts.
FLW 2026 seeks to build on the awareness generated through previous campaigns by educating the public on the simplicity of completing KYC compliance through safe and convenient modes, including Central KYC (CKYC). The campaign also aims to raise awareness about the risks of fraudulent activities related to KYC updation.
Throughout the week, RBI, in collaboration with banks and stakeholders, will conduct awareness programs and outreach activities across the country, including the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, to ensure sustained impact and reinforce the importance of KYC in building a secure and trustworthy financial ecosystem.
