Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), Asia’s first listed depository and custodian of over 16.7 crore demat accounts, has initiated its inaugural Ideathon, an innovation challenge aimed at students. The Reimagine Ideathon is part of the 3rd Edition of CDSL’s Annual Reimagine Symposium. The objective is to engage young creative minds in developing solutions that transform how India learns, invests, and grows, promoting more responsible and inclusive market participation. The depository ecosystem safeguards assets belonging to over 21 crore investor demat accounts. There is significant potential to enhance securities market participation and address barriers preventing citizens from benefiting from this growth narrative.
Following similar initiatives by regulators like SEBI and RBI, CDSL aims to motivate young innovators to share their insights for broader financial inclusion. This initiative aspires to democratize market access by improving investor education and fostering conscious, responsible participation at scale. Participants may explore solutions through various methods such as gamification, behavioral nudges, communication, design, technology, or community-building. Solutions must embody three core principles: Empowerment, Inclusion, and Trust. Mr. Nehal Vora, Managing Director & CEO of CDSL, stated, “Reimagine Ideathon is a celebration of responsible innovation. In the rapidly changing market environment, technology acts as a catalyst and trust enhancer, empowering investors with essential tools and insights.
The securities market should be intuitive, inclusive, and accessible to every investor, reflecting CDSL’s dedication to nation building and the vision of an Atmanirbhar investor. An informed investor is a protected investor, capable of making decisions that align with their aspirations. We encourage students to help shape this future.” The Ideathon will reward creativity and innovation, offering a total prize pool of ₹11.5 lakh, which includes ₹5 lakh for the winning idea, ₹3 lakh and ₹2 lakh for the runners-up, and ₹75,000 each for the fourth and fifth positions. Registrations for the Ideathon 2025 will open on 17th November 2025. Teams of up to four students and one mentor (from the same institute) may participate.
More details on the problem statement, evaluation, and timelines can be found at https://ideathon.cdslindia.com/.