RBI launches programme with focus on safe banking

Patna: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Patna office, started its Financial Literacy Week-2026 (FLW-2026) on Monday, on the theme “KYC—Your first step to safe banking.” The week-long campaign is part of RBI’s annual nationwide initiative to strengthen public awareness of essential financial topics and to encourage informed and responsible use of financial services.

FLW-2026 was inaugurated at the national level in Mumbai by Sanjay Malhotra, governor, RBI. In Bihar, the state-level launch took place at RBI Patna, led by Ajay Kumar, executive director, RBI, and Sujit Kumar Arvind, regional director, RBI Patna. The inauguration included the flagging off of a Financial Literacy Express carrying financial literacy messages, in the presence of Prabhat Kumar, GM, and other senior RBI officials, along with representatives from regulatory bodies and banks.


This year’s theme highlights the role of KYC as a key safeguard in an increasingly digital banking environment. While digital services improved convenience and access, they also increased exposure to risks such as identity theft, fraudulent KYC update requests, and money mule activities. The campaign emphasises that KYC is not merely a compliance formality, but a practical protection for customers and the financial system.

“Building on the previous year’s Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign and large-scale re-KYC efforts at the gram panchayat level, FLW-2026 will educate citizens on safe, customer-friendly KYC processes. It will also introduce the Central KYC registry (CKYC) for easier KYC across institutions, and warn against fake calls, messages, and links. RBI Patna, along with banks, SLBC, lead district manager offices, and other stakeholders, will conduct outreach programmes across Bihar using audio-visual canters, public displays, and targeted awareness sessions. Citizens are advised to keep KYC updated only through authorised channels and never share OTPs, PINs, passwords, or account details,” said the RBI’s press release.