On 2nd July, 2025 the department of Management Studies organized an Investors Awareness Programme sponsored by SEBI and NSE. Dr. A. Dhanalakshmi (Security Market Trainer) SEBI-NSE was the resource person. The session covered the following: The primary market section explains various types of public offerings including Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Further Public Offerings (FPOs), Rights Issues, Preferential Issues, and Bonus Issues. It distinguishes between fresh issues (new securities) and offers for sale (existing securities). The ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) mechanism is highlighted, where application amounts are blocked in investors’ accounts until allotment decisions are made.

Due diligence is emphasized as the systematic process of analyzing material and non-material facts before investing. The document stresses that “investment without due diligence is like driving on a highway blindfolded.” Key areas for investigation include company management and corporate governance, financial statements and competitor analysis, brand value and customer satisfaction, and sector performance and economic factors. Due diligence sources include company websites, stock exchange platforms, and social media. The analysis should follow either bottom-up or top-down approaches, examining economy, industry, and company-specific factors.

The trading and settlement mechanisms section outlines the complete trading process from order placement to settlement. Cash dealings are strictly prohibited, with specific timelines for pay-in and pay-out of funds and securities. Buy trades require upfront margins, while sell trades need prior share availability confirmation. Securities must be received within 24 hours of payout (T+1), and funds are settled within the same timeframe.

Several critical warnings are provided for investor protection. No minimum guarantee or fixed returns exist in securities markets, as all returns are subject to market risks. Investors should beware of WhatsApp/Telegram messages promising 8-10% monthly returns or “guaranteed” profits, and avoid algorithmic trading platforms and binary options that fall outside regulatory protection. The document emphasizes the importance of verifying broker credentials through NSE’s website, checking registration details, disciplinary actions, complaint history, and compliance officer information, while dealing only with SEBI-registered intermediaries.

A structured complaint mechanism exists through multiple channels including NSE’s online portal and Investor Service Centers, SEBI’s SCORES platform, email and physical letters, and arbitration and appeal mechanisms. The document concludes with essential guidelines including avoiding cash dealings, not signing blank KYC forms, never sharing passwords, avoiding herd mentality, investing in understandable businesses, not timing markets, and staying away from unverified stock tips. The Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) helps investors track their complete portfolio across asset classes, while modern investor protection includes the SAA₹THI app, SCORES 2.0 platform, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mechanisms, making grievance redressal more accessible and efficient for retail investors.

In fine, the students were made to register for the free SEBI-Investors Certification Examination at free of cost.