RBI's Financial Literacy Week: Focus On Women's Empowerment

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched its Financial Literacy Week 2025 on February 24, 2025. This year, the focus is on women’s financial literacy. The theme is “Financial Literacy: Women’s Prosperity”.

The central bank has taken several initiatives in the past to improve financial literacy among the members of the public. Financial Literacy Week is one of them, which started in 2016, intending to promote financial awareness. As per RBI’s press release, RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra, on the occasion of launching financial literacy week, urged the banks ‘to use all available channels to continue to promote financial literacy, particularly among women’. The aim is an inclusive and sustained growth.

Last year, the theme was “Make a Right Start–Become Financially Smart”. It was focused on the young generation to instill financial discipline in them and enhance their understanding of banking, investments, etc.

Initiatives For Financial Literacy

Besides the week-long financial literacy campaign RBI observes in February every year, it runs several other programs and initiatives throughout the year. These include the running the National Centre For Financial Education (NCFE) to promote financial education through workshops, training programs, seminars, etc., and commercial banks’ led Financial Literacy Centres (FLCs) in districts, especially in rural areas, to run monthly camps and raise awareness about financial products among school children, senior citizens, farmers, self-help groups, and small and micro-entrepreneurs.

Another initiative is ‘RBI Kahta Hai’ to disseminate information about banking facilities and services for the general public and senior citizens, and other relevant topics, such as digital banking, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and so on.

RBI also collaborated with several state education boards in 2022 to include financial literacy modules in school education. Separately, there is a microsite, that RBI runs to spread financial awareness through games, films, and other resources.

Financial literacy is important for everyone. Handling finances and wealth is equally important as earning money and building wealth.

Starting on February 24, 2025, the financial literacy week will be observed till February 28, 2025. Multimedia campaigns will be run during this period to spread financial awareness around the theme.

Such campaigns aim to enhance general awareness about finances, learn about it, and develop financial acumen. Money management is a skill that extends beyond just securing a job; it remains useful throughout life. Whether it is a salaried employee, a self-employed individual, a homemaker, or a student trying to make the best use of pocket money, financial literacy is essential. Basic financial needs, like opening a bank account, investing in different financial instruments, linking savings and investments to specific goals, and planning for the long term, such as retirement.