India has the world’s
youngest population. Yet for millions of young Indians entering the workforce
every year, some of the biggest questions they face are not about finding a
job, but about managing money. How can I become financially independent?
What should I do with my first salary? How do beginners start investing? Which
skills will help me stay relevant in an AI-driven world? These are
increasingly the questions young Indians are asking, and HDFC Securities
believes they deserve as much attention as career advice.
On International Youth
Day, HDFC Securities is highlighting financial literacy as one of the most
important future skills. While digital literacy, AI capabilities and technical
expertise are increasingly shaping employability, financial literacy determines
how individuals convert income into long-term financial security. Understanding
how to budget, save, invest and plan for the future
is no longer optional, it is becoming a core life skill.
Commenting on the
occasion, Dhiraj Relli, Managing Director & CEO, HDFC Securities,
said: "Skills create opportunities, but financial skills create
resilience. As young Indians step into the workforce and pursue careers across
the gig economy, entrepreneurship and the digital economy, knowing how to
manage money and invest with discipline becomes just as important as
professional expertise. In a world increasingly shaped by AI and technology,
financial literacy gives individuals the confidence to build wealth, make
informed decisions and participate in the economy on their own terms."
He further added: "Young
people today have access to more information, investment opportunities and
digital tools than any generation before them. What will differentiate
successful investors is not access, but the ability to use that information
wisely. Starting early, investing consistently and maintaining a long-term
perspective remain some of the most powerful habits for building wealth.
Financial literacy empowers young people to make better decisions throughout
their financial journey, from managing their first salary to achieving
financial independence."
Recognising this need, HDFC Securities has been working to bridge the financial literacy gap through its flagship KnowYourMoney (KYM) initiative. The programme is designed to answer exactly the questions young people ask most frequently, from how to budget, save and invest responsibly to understanding financial planning, emergency funds and the basics of capital markets. Delivered through an interactive app, classroom learning, community workshops and strategic partnerships with organisations including Wagons Learning Foundation, EmpowHER India and Access Livelihoods Foundation, KYM aims to make financial education practical, accessible and relevant.