CDSL hosts the 3rd edition of its Annual Symposium, Reimagine:
Securities Market through Data Synergy
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Chennai, February 11,
2026: Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), Asia’s
first listed depository and trusted custodian of over 17.5 crore demat
accounts, hosted the 3rd edition of its annual symposium, “Reimagine:
Securities Market through Data Synergy,” in Mumbai. The symposium
convened policymakers, regulators, leading Market Infrastructure Institutions
(MIIs), intermediaries, industry leaders, and technology innovators to
deliberate on the role of data in shaping future-ready securities market. As
part of the Reimagine platform, CDSL also announced the winners of the
inaugural Reimagine Ideathon 2026, a nationwide competition inviting students
to reimagine investor education for a Viksit Bharat.
The Reimagine symposium was
presided over by Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman, Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI), as Chief Guest. The event was also graced
by Shri Sandip Pradhan, Whole-Time Member, SEBI, and Shri Keki Mistry, Former
Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, HDFC, as Guests of Honour, along
with eminent speakers and panelists from across the securities market
ecosystem.
Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey,
Chairman, SEBI, speaking on the occasion said, “For decades, when we
spoke of market infrastructure, we meant exchanges, clearing corporations,
depositories etc. Today, there is another layer of infrastructure that is just
as critical, though largely invisible - data. Data is the new plumbing of
capital markets: unseen, indispensable, and powerful. In this world, the
quality of data, the security around it, and the governance frameworks that
guide its use matter as much as capital and liquidity themselves. I also
commend CDSL for organising the Reimagine Ideathon challenge, which has
encouraged students across the country to participate in our investor education
and awareness mission.”
The symposium featured three
thematic panel discussions focusing on data-driven innovation at
scale, trust as a cornerstone for market growth, regulatory frameworks,
cybersecurity preparedness, and the organisational and cultural shifts required
to enable a data-centric securities market ecosystem.
Shri Nehal Vora,
Managing Director & CEO, CDSL, setting the context for the
symposium, said, “The Reimagine Symposium reflects CDSL’s commitment to
encouraging collaborative dialogue across the securities market ecosystem. As
markets evolve in an increasingly digital environment, leveraging data
responsibly and securely will be key to strengthening investor confidence and
building inclusive and resilient securities market.”
Shri Sandip Pradhan,
Whole-Time Member, SEBI said “As India’s securities
market continue to deepen and broaden, the role of data-driven insights and
investor education becomes increasingly critical. Strengthening investor
awareness and encouraging responsible participation are essential to sustaining
market integrity and investor confidence. Platforms such as Reimagine provide a
valuable forum to drive innovation while reinforcing these foundational
objectives.”
Shri Keki Mistry, Former
Vice Chairman & CEO, HDFC, and Chair, Reimagine Ideathon Jury said “Platforms
like the Reimagine Symposium are important for shaping the conversation on the
future of India’s securities market, particularly as data and technology become
central to market infrastructure. The Ideathon added a refreshing dimension by
engaging students in this discourse and encouraging practical, implementable
ideas. Such initiatives will play a meaningful role in building the next
generation of market innovators and informed market participants.”
Shri Gurumoorthy
Mahalingam, Chairperson and Public Interest Director, CDSL said “India’s
capital markets are entering a phase where data, technology and governance must
move in alignment. Channelising domestic savings into productive market-linked
assets, while ensuring strong data governance and investor protection,
will be critical to funding India’s long-term growth. The Reimagine platform
reflects this shared responsibility across institutions, intermediaries and
regulators.”
Winners of Reimagine Ideathon
2026
One of the key highlights of
the symposium was the felicitation of winners of the inaugural Reimagine
Ideathon 2026, a nationwide competition inviting students to reimagine investor
education for a Viksit Bharat. Project Sahayak from Goa Institute of Management
emerged as the winner, receiving the top prize of ₹5 lakh from a total prize
pool of ₹12 lakh. Project Khet Nivesh from Shri Ramswaroop Memorial College,
Lucknow, and Project Nivi from BNM Institute of Technology, Bangalore, secured
the first and second runner-up positions, winning ₹3 lakh and ₹2 lakh
respectively. The Ideathon received over 1,000 registrations from institutions
across 21 states and 2 union territories.
AI-Powered Panelist at
the Symposium
In a first-of-its-kind
initiative, the symposium featured an AI-powered panelist that participated
alongside industry experts and provided real-time data-driven insights on key
themes, demonstrating the growing role of artificial intelligence in strengthening
market intelligence and decision-making frameworks.
Launch of CDSL IPF’s
Amar Chitra Katha Investor education comic series
As part of CDSL’s broader
investor education initiatives, SEBI Chairman Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey also
launched CDSL Investor Protection Fund’s Amar Chitra Katha comic series in 12
languages at the symposium, translating complex financial concepts into engaging,
story-led narratives to drive informed investing.
Through platforms like the
Reimagine Symposium, CDSL continues to strengthen its commitment to promoting
innovation, investor education and ecosystem collaboration. By fostering a
data-driven and trust-centric market environment, CDSL aims to contribute
towards building safe, inclusive and future-ready securities markets aligned
with the vision of Atmanirbharta for Indian investors.
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