Context
In June 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched ‘RBI Reelathon 2026’, a state-wide cyber financial fraud awareness campaign across approximately 150 colleges in Kerala. The initiative promotes financial literacy, cyber hygiene, safe digital banking, smart borrowing, and vigilance against emerging online financial threats through student engagement and a reel-making competition. It was inaugurated on 16 June 2026 at the RBI Office, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, by Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Ravada Chandrasekhar. The campaign is implemented through a three-phase programme: awareness sessions, reel-making competitions, and a grand finale. The top three winners will receive cash prizes of ₹75,000, ₹50,000, and ₹25,000.
The Three Phases
Phase 1: Awareness Sessions
- Financial literacy education.
- Safe digital practices.
- Smart borrowing practices.
- Conducted in about 150 colleges.
Phase 2: Reel-Making Competition
- Students create short videos on:
- Illegal loan applications.
- Mule accounts.
- Cyber financial frauds.
- Cyber hygiene.
- Multiple rounds of evaluation.
Phase 3: Grand Finale
- Held later in 2026.
- Best entries showcased on official social media platforms.
- Disseminated through: RBI, Kerala Police, banks, colleges, partner institutions.
Rewards (Verified)
| Rank | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₹75,000 |
| 2nd | ₹50,000 |
| 3rd | ₹25,000 |
Types of Cyber Financial Frauds Addressed
- Investment Scams: Fraudulent investment schemes promising high returns.
- Digital Arrest Scams: Impersonating law enforcement to extort money.
- Illegal Loan Applications: Predatory lending through fake apps.
- Fake Job Offers: Phishing for personal/financial details.
- Phishing Attacks: Deceptive emails/messages stealing credentials.
- Mule Account Networks: Bank accounts used to transfer/conceal illicit proceeds.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to RBI Reelathon 2026, consider the following statements:
- The campaign was launched in Kerala on 16 June 2026.
- It targets approximately 150 colleges across Kerala.
- The top three winners will receive cash prizes of ₹75,000, ₹50,000, and ₹25,000.
- The campaign was launched by the SEBI.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the campaign was launched by RBI, NOT SEBI.)
Q2. With reference to the cyber financial frauds addressed by Reelathon, consider the following statements:
- Investment scams, digital arrest scams, and illegal loan applications are key targets.
- Mule accounts are used by cybercriminals to transfer or conceal illicit proceeds.
- The “Golden Hour” is the earliest possible time to report cyber fraud for fund recovery.
- Cyber hygiene includes practices like strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q3. With reference to the three-phase implementation of Reelathon, consider the following statements:
- Phase 1 involves awareness programmes on smart borrowing and safe digital banking.
- Phase 2 involves reel-making competitions on cyber fraud themes.
- The grand finale is scheduled later in 2026.
- The campaign was inaugurated by the Kerala Chief Minister.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the campaign was inaugurated by Kerala DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar, NOT the Chief Minister.)
Q4. With reference to cyber fraud prevention infrastructure in India, consider the following statements:
- The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal is at cybercrime.gov.in.
- The cyber fraud helpline number is 1930.
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- CERT-In stands for Computer Emergency Response Team – India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because RBI (not SEBI) launched the campaign.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Kerala DGP (not CM) inaugurated.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
