Nagaland: Financial Literacy Week 2026 inaugurated in Kohima

The inaugural function of Financial Literacy Week (FLW) 2026 was held at The Grey Suit, De Oriental Grand, Kohima, on February 9.
Financial Literacy Week 2026, observed nationwide from February 9 to 13, was inaugurated by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra in Mumbai under the theme “KYC – Your first step to safe banking.” The campaign seeks to highlight the importance of Know Your Customer (KYC) as the foundation of safe and secure banking.
In Nagaland, the programme was inaugurated by Finance Commissioner, Kesonyü Yhome. Addressing the gathering, Yhome said financial literacy must be understood both from the perspective of the common people and the banking institutions. He noted that digital banking has eased processes by reducing paperwork, but stressed that banks too must strengthen their own literacy to ensure mutual understanding among stakeholders.
He pointed out that Nagaland has often been unfairly portrayed as a “villain” in loan repayment, while in reality the situation is not as negative. He assured that the government was extending full support to banks and urged them to not be apprehensive about Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). Yhome emphasized the need for small-ticket loans catering to common people and small enterprises, adding that banking culture in the state must begin with building trust between clients and service providers.
Calling Nagaland a disadvantaged society compared to mainland states, he said the focus must be on ensuring benefits reach people quickly. He urged banks to facilitate services without unnecessary conditions, while acknowledging the need to fine-tune protocols to suit local realities.
It was informed that last year, a nationwide campaign was undertaken at the Gram Panchayat level to achieve saturation of Financial Inclusion schemes, including re-KYC of bank accounts. Building on this, FLW 2026 aims to educate the public on all aspects of KYC—clarifying its simplicity, introducing Central KYC (CKYC), cautioning against fraudulent calls and links, and sensitising people about the risks of becoming money mules.
Throughout the week, RBI along with banks and stakeholders will organise awareness programmes and outreach activities across the country, reinforcing the message that KYC is not merely a regulatory formality but a critical safeguard for a secure financial ecosystem.