Thiruvananthapuram: State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar on Monday officially launched the ‘RBI Reelathon 2026’, a statewide awareness campaign organised by the Reserve Bank of India Thiruvananthapuram office. The initiative aims to educate college students on cyber financial fraud prevention, safe digital banking, and smart borrowing practices.
The campaign is designed to reach students across 150 colleges in Kerala, making it one of the largest youth-focused cyber awareness drives in the state.
Three-Phase Structure of the RBI Reelathon 2026
The awareness programme has been structured as a three-phase initiative.
In the first phase, colleges will conduct sessions on:
- Smart borrowing practices
- Safe digital banking habits
- Awareness on cyber financial fraud risks
The second phase will focus on student participation through a reel-making competition, where participants will create short videos on key cyber safety themes such as:
- Illegitimate loan applications
- Mule account networks
- Digital financial frauds
- Cyber hygiene and online safety practices
DGP Warns on Rising Cyber Crimes and Social Engineering Threats
Addressing the launch event, DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar expressed concern over the alarming rise in cyber crimes, stating that cyber fraud has evolved into a serious social issue affecting all sections of society, not just a technological problem.
He highlighted several emerging threats, including:
- Fraudulent investment schemes
- Digital arrest scams
- Fake job offers
- Illegitimate loan applications
- Mule account operations
He further cautioned that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting young people through social engineering techniques and misuse of digital platforms.
Importance of “Golden Hour” in Cyber Crime Reporting
The DGP stressed the critical importance of the “Golden Hour” in cybercrime cases. He urged victims to report incidents immediately through official channels, noting that swift action significantly increases the chances of:
- Freezing fraudulent transactions
- Tracing cybercriminals
- Recovering lost money
Participation from Senior Banking and Financial Officials
The event was attended by several senior dignitaries, including:
- Banking Ombudsman for Kerala E B Chindan
- SBI Kerala Circle Chief General Manager K V Bangarraju
- Heads of major public sector banks
Their presence highlighted the coordinated efforts between banking institutions, regulators, and law enforcement agencies to strengthen cyber safety awareness.
Awards and Grand Finale for Best Reels
The campaign will culminate in a gala finale later this year, where shortlisted entries will compete for top honours.
Winners will receive cash prizes of:
- ₹75,000 for first prize
- ₹50,000 for second prize
- ₹25,000 for third prize
Winning entries will be showcased on the official RBI social media platforms and further amplified through Kerala Police digital channels to maximize awareness reach.
About RBI Reelathon 2026 Initiative
The ‘RBI Reelathon 2026’ is part of a broader financial literacy and cyber safety campaign by the Reserve Bank of India. It aims to promote responsible digital banking practices, youth engagement, and awareness against financial frauds through creative digital participation across educational institutions.
