NISM and SEBI Turns the Spotlight of National Financial Literacy Quiz

BENGALURU:
The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), successfully conducted the Southern Regional Round of the National Financial Literacy Quiz (NFLQ) 2026 at the RNS Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, on August 8 and 9. The two-day event brought together undergraduate and postgraduate students from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana & Puducherry who competed in an interactive format covering financial markets, investment principles, investor protection and responsible financial practices.

The Bengaluru round marks the third regional round of NFLQ 2026, following the Western Regional Round held in Mumbai and the Northern Regional Round held in New Delhi. The nationwide initiative received participation from more than 4 lakh students in the college and online qualifying rounds. Based on their performance, leading teams progressed to the regional rounds being held across the Eastern, Southern, Northern, Central, Western and North-Eastern regions of India.

Addressing the participants, Sashi Krishnan, Director, National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), said, “The enthusiastic participation of students in the Southern Regional Round of NFLQ 2026 is a strong reflection of the growing importance young Indians place on financial knowledge and informed decision-making. By bringing financial literacy into an engaging competitive format, NFLQ enables students to go beyond theoretical understanding and develop a practical appreciation of financial markets, investing and investor protection. As the initiative progresses across regions, NISM is encouraged by the response from students and remains committed to strengthening financial awareness and building a financially informed generation.”

Deepti Agrawal, CGM, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), said, “Financial literacy is an important foundation for building informed and responsible investors. Initiatives such as the National Financial Literacy Quiz provide young minds with an opportunity to understand financial markets, develop sound financial habits and appreciate the importance of investor protection. The encouraging participation from students across the country is a positive indication of their growing interest in financial knowledge. Through continued efforts in financial education and investor awareness, SEBI remains committed to empowering the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions.”

NFLQ 2026 is part of NISM’s broader outreach programme aimed at strengthening students’ understanding of the securities market and encouraging informed financial decision-making. The quiz covers areas including financial products, market mechanisms, investor rights, regulations and the role of market intermediaries, helping participants develop practical knowledge of India’s financial ecosystem. The initiative is being conducted from July to September 2026, with regional rounds scheduled across Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Guwahati and Kolkata. The top-performing teams from these rounds will advance to the National Finale in November 2026, where they will compete for national honors at the NISM Campus, Patalganga, Rasayani, Maharashtra.

The Grand Finale will be held at NISM Campus, Patalganga, Rasayani, Maharashtra, where the top-performing teams from across the country will compete for national honors.

Prizes for Top three winners in each category of the regional rounds:
Undergraduate Category:
1st Prize – Rs. 40,000/- Department of Computer Science, Shri Gnanambika Degree College (Autonomous), Andhra Pradesh
2nd Prize – Rs. 30,000/- Department of Commerce, New Horizon College, Karnataka
3rd Prize – Rs. 20,000/- Department of Business Management & Commerce, St. Pious X Degree and PG College for Women, Telangana
Postgraduate Category:

1st Prize – Rs. 40,000/- Department of Management, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Hyderabad, Telangana
2nd Prize – Rs. 30,000/- PGDM, ICBM – School of Business Excellence, Telangana
3rd Prize – Rs. 20,000/- Department of Centre for Budget Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala
Additionally, 12 UG colleges from the Southern Zone qualified to advance to the National Rounds. The list of selected institutions is as follows:

Department of Computer Science, Shri Gnanambica Degree College (Autonomous), Madanapalli
Department of Commerce, New Horizon College, Bengaluru
Department of Business Management & Commerce, St. Pious X Degree and PG College for Women, Secunderabad
Department of Commerce, Shri Gnanambica Degree College, Madanapalli
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, A J Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mangaluru
Department of Commerce, Sri Krishna Adithya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore
Department of Engineering, RNS Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
Department of Commerce, Luminous Arts and Science College, Kottakal
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Bonam Venkata Chalamayya Engineering College, Odalarevu
Department of Engineering, BVRIT Hyderabad College Of Engineering For Women, Hyderabad
Department of B.COM/ B.SC/ BCA, GM University, Devangere

There were 12 PG colleges from the Southern Zone qualified to advance to the National Rounds. The list of selected institutions is as follows:
Department of Management, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Hyderabad
PGDM, ICBM-School of Business Excellence, Hyderabad
Department of Centre for Budget Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
Department of Commerce, St. Joseph’s College of Commerce (Autonomous), Bengaluru
MBA, PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore
Department of MBA, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Bengaluru
Department of Finance, Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Hyderabad
MBA, Aditya University, Kakinada
Department of MBA, RNS Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
Department of Management, Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai
MBA, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru
MBA, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai