Chandigarh, November 19, 2025: Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), Asia’s first listed depository and the trusted custodian of over 16.7 crore demat accounts, has announced the launch of its first-ever Reimagine Ideathon, a nationwide innovation challenge aimed at students. The initiative forms a key pillar of the 3rd Edition of CDSL’s Annual Reimagine Symposium, the organisation’s flagship platform dedicated to financial inclusion, awareness, and responsible investor participation.
Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators
The Reimagine Ideathon invites young innovators to conceptualize solutions that redefine how India learns about investments, engages with financial markets, and benefits from the country’s economic growth. The objective is clear:
to build a future where investor education is creative, accessible, and rooted in empowerment, inclusion, and trust.
With the depository ecosystem safeguarding the assets of over 21 crore investor demat accounts, CDSL believes the next phase of growth lies in deepening market participation and addressing the systemic barriers that prevent many citizens from becoming confident, informed investors.
A National Push for Financial Inclusion
Aligning with broader ecosystem efforts led by regulators such as SEBI and RBI, CDSL’s Ideathon aims to bring fresh perspectives from students who can challenge the status quo and design solutions for real-world adoption.
The initiative reinforces India’s journey toward Atmanirbharta by empowering youth to craft interventions that enhance investor literacy, increase responsible engagement, and democratize access to the securities market.
Open Canvas for Creative, Responsible Innovation
Participants are free to choose the tools and mediums that best express their ideas. CDSL encourages solutions leveraging:
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Gamification
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Behavioral nudges
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Communication design
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Digital technology
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Community-driven engagement
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User-friendly digital interfaces
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Alternate learning formats
Entries must embody the core principles shaping the future of India’s investor ecosystem:
1. Empowerment
Solutions that equip people with knowledge, tools, and confidence to make sound financial decisions.
2. Inclusion
Ideas that expand market access to underserved groups and bridge financial literacy gaps.
3. Trust
Interventions that strengthen transparency, credibility, and investor confidence in the system.
Leadership Speak: A Commitment to Nation-Building
Mr. Nehal Vora, MD & CEO, CDSL, emphasized the Ideathon’s purpose in shaping the investors of tomorrow:
“Reimagine Ideathon is a celebration of responsible innovation. In the ever-evolving market landscape, technology serves as a catalyst and flywheel of trust that empowers investors with the right tools and insights. The securities market must be intuitive, inclusive, and accessible to every investor, and this Ideathon reflects CDSL’s commitment to nation building and to strengthening the vision of an Atmanirbhar investor. An educated investor is a protected investor; empowered to make informed decisions that reflect their aspirations. We invite students to participate in shaping that future.”
Vora’s message underscores CDSL’s conviction that innovation-led education is essential for building a financially confident citizenry capable of engaging with India’s rapidly expanding markets.
Attractive Rewards for Transformative Ideas
To recognize and encourage breakthrough thinking, CDSL has announced a prize pool of ₹11.5 lakh, distributed as follows:
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₹5,00,000 — First Prize
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₹3,00,000 — Second Prize
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₹2,00,000 — Third Prize
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₹75,000 each — Fourth & Fifth Positions
The rewards reflect CDSL’s commitment to supporting young talent and inspiring students to take bold, impactful creative risks.
Registration and Participation Details
Registrations open on November 19, 2025, inviting student teams from across India to participate.
Eligibility & Participation Guidelines:
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Teams may consist of up to four students.
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Each team must have one mentor from the same academic institution.
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Students from colleges, universities, and professional institutes are welcome.
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Detailed information about the problem statement, evaluation criteria, formats, and timelines can be accessed at:
https://ideathon.cdslindia.com/
The Ideathon is structured to offer a learning-rich experience, ensuring participants interact with real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to India’s financial empowerment landscape.
A Step Toward Building an Investor-First, Investor-Ready India
CDSL’s Reimagine Ideathon is more than an innovation contest — it is an invitation to students to help shape the future of India’s investor ecosystem. By blending creativity, technology, behavioural insights, and a deep commitment to public trust, the initiative aims to redefine how investors interact with markets and make informed financial choices.
By placing students at the center of this transformation, CDSL reinforces its belief that India’s growth story must be inclusive, sustainable, and built on a foundation of financial literacy and technological empowerment.
