India’s leading stock exchange, the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and the Varanasi District Administration have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance financial literacy and investor awareness among MSMEs. The initiative aims to facilitate fundraising through the NSE SME platform – NSE EMERGE – and implement a Student Skilling Program.
The MoU was exchanged between Shri Ankit Sharma, Chief Regulatory Officer, NSE, and Shri Himanshu Nagpal, Chief Development Officer, Varanasi District Administration. The event was attended by Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, along with other esteemed dignitaries including Dr. Neelkanth Tiwari, Shri Saurabh Srivastava, Shri Dharmendra Singh, Shri Hansraj Vishwakarma, and Shri S. Rajalingam.
As part of this collaboration, NSE, with support from the Varanasi District Administration, will conduct awareness drives through seminars, camps, workshops, and roadshows to spread financial literacy and investor awareness. The initiative will also provide guidance to MSMEs on fundraising through NSE EMERGE and support them throughout the listing process. Additionally, the MoU aims to equip youth with industry-relevant skills, enhancing their employability in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. This aligns with the Union government’s vision of unlocking human capital by making individuals employable or fostering self-employment opportunities.
Varanasi, with its expanding financial ecosystem, presents an opportunity to empower students, investors, and corporates. This collaboration aims to address various stakeholders within the financial landscape, ensuring enhanced financial literacy and investor empowerment.
Between April 2024 and February 2025, NSE has conducted 13,203 Investor Awareness Programs across 35 states and Union Territories in 14 languages, reaching 7.24 lakh participants. Over 4,500 students have been trained under the Student Skilling Program across various states. Additionally, 605 companies from diverse sectors are currently listed on NSE EMERGE, having collectively raised over INR 16,587 Cr, with a total market capitalization of approximately INR 1,85,000 Cr.
Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, said, “Financial literacy and investor awareness are essential pillars for economic empowerment. This collaboration between the National Stock Exchange and the Varanasi District Administration is a significant step toward creating new opportunities for MSMEs through capital markets and equipping our youth with industry-relevant skills. By enhancing investor awareness and fostering financial inclusion, this initiative will contribute to the economic growth of Uttar Pradesh and strengthen its position as a hub of entrepreneurship and development. I commend NSE and the administration for their commitment to empowering our citizens and driving financial progress in the state.”
Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE said, “Through initiatives like the investor awareness, guidance on fund raising via the NSE Emerge platform and Student Skilling Program, we aim to nurture a knowledgeable ecosystem for corporates and investors and equip young talents with the skills needed in today’s dynamic financial landscape.”
