Published: 14 March 2026RBI / LatestLY / bankingfinance.inEconomy
RBI Launches 'Thoda Dhyan Se' Campaign During 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week
AQuick answer
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched the 'Thoda Dhyan Se' digital payment safety campaign during the 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week (March 9–13, 2026); separately, RBI's Authentication Mechanisms for Digital Payment Transactions Directions, 2025, issued on September 25, 2025, take effect from April 1, 2026 for domestic digital payments, subject to specified exemptions.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) observed the 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) from March 9–13, 2026, with RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra inaugurating the campaign. The theme for DPAW 2026 centred on safe and responsible adoption of digital payment channels across India's urban and rural population.
As part of the week-long initiative, the RBI launched a new multi-media awareness campaign titled 'Thoda Dhyan Se' (Pay a Little Attention), targeting users across social media, television, and radio platforms to educate them on avoiding digital payment frauds, phishing attacks, and UPI scams. The campaign aligns with the ongoing 'Har Payment Digital' mission, which promotes digital transactions across all segments of society.
Separately, RBI's Authentication Mechanisms for Digital Payment Transactions Directions, 2025, issued on September 25, 2025, take effect from April 1, 2026 for domestic digital payment transactions, subject to specified exemptions.
For Rajasthan, digital payments have grown significantly through the Jan Dhan ecosystem, and the DPAW initiatives align with the state's 'Digital Rajasthan' mission. The RBI's focus on financial literacy is especially relevant for Rajasthan's semi-urban districts where mobile banking penetration is growing but fraud vulnerabilities persist.
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Who launched the RBI's pilot 'Awareness Program on Digital Payments' during the 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week observed from March 9-13, 2026?
Explanation · Correct answer DRBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched the pilot 'Awareness Program on Digital Payments' on March 12, 2026, as part of the 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week observed during March 9-13, 2026. The pilot was planned in Maharashtra with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited and aimed to conduct in-person awareness programmes for rural and semi-urban participants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 'Thoda Dhyan Se' campaign and who launched it?
'Thoda Dhyan Se' (meaning 'Pay a Little Attention') is a digital payment safety awareness campaign launched by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra during the 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) held from March 9–13, 2026. The campaign uses simple, vernacular messaging to educate citizens — particularly in rural and semi-urban areas — about digital payment frauds, phishing, vishing, and safe transaction practices to reduce financial cybercrime.
What is the mandatory Two-Factor Authentication rule announced by RBI and from when does it apply?
RBI announced that Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) will be made mandatory for all high-value digital transactions effective April 1, 2026. 2FA requires users to verify their identity through two independent factors (e.g., password + OTP) before a transaction is completed. This measure aims to reduce unauthorised transactions and financial fraud in the digital payments ecosystem, especially given India's exponential growth in UPI and online banking volumes.
What was the theme of the 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week and what scale of outreach was involved?
The 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW), held March 9–13, 2026, was organised under the theme 'Har Payment Digital' (Every Payment Digital). The initiative involved mass outreach through banks, payment system operators, and civil society organisations across India. DPAW is an annual initiative by RBI aimed at expanding the reach and responsible use of digital payment infrastructure among all segments of the population.
What is the scale of India's digital payment ecosystem and why does it make fraud prevention critical?
India's digital payment ecosystem processed over 16,000 crore (160 billion) transactions in FY2025, driven largely by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This massive transaction volume creates a correspondingly large attack surface for cybercriminals. With digital fraud incidents rising, RBI's regulatory interventions — such as mandatory 2FA and the 'Thoda Dhyan Se' campaign — are aimed at building user awareness and enforcing technical safeguards to protect the integrity of the payments ecosystem.
What types of digital payment frauds does RBI warn against and how can citizens protect themselves?
RBI warns against phishing (fraudulent emails/messages mimicking banks), vishing (phone calls impersonating bank officials), SIM-swap fraud, fake QR codes, and UPI handle spoofing. Citizens can protect themselves by: never sharing OTPs or PINs with anyone (not even bank employees), verifying before scanning QR codes, using only official bank apps, enabling transaction alerts, and reporting suspicious activity to their bank and cybercrime helpline (1930).
