The conclave brought together industry leaders, academics, and students for thought provoking discussions on the future of Indian finance in a rapidly changing global environment.

Prof. K.K. Ray, Convener of the Finance Conclave, welcomed the gathering on behalf of Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta, Hon’ble Founder, KIIT & KISS, and introduced the dignitaries. Setting the context, he emphasized the need for a resilient financial ecosystem for India’s journey towards mission Viksit Bharat 2047. He highlighted that the priority development areas would be AI-driven systems, ESG investing, UPI, PM Jan Dhan Yojna, digital currency and cybersecurity. He stressed that India’s progress must be driven by innovation.

Prof. Kumar Mohanty, Director, KSOM, delivered the Welcome Address, highlighting the Finance Conclave as a unique platform for students to engage with industry leaders. He emphasized KSOM’s strong industry-academia balance and noted that such conclaves bridge the gap between theory and practice. Prof. Mohanty encouraged participants to actively engage in the day’s deliberations.

Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, KIIT DU, highlighted Odisha’s emergence as a Fintech hub through global collaborations and initiatives like creating a Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub in Odisha. He said that KIIT’s Fintech labs and industry tie-ups have supported over 2,500 students with internships and offer and projects worth ₹900 crores. He urged students to embrace innovation, ethics, and sustainability and contribute to shaping India’s financial future.

Mr. Suresh P. Manglani, Executive Director & CEO, Adani Total Gas Limited, delivered the keynote address. He stressed that a strong financial and infrastructure system is vital for a developed India. He pointed to the double-engine model and initiatives like Aadhaar, UPI, PM Jan Dhan Yojna, and GST as key drivers that have strengthened inclusion, transparency, and economic growth by combining digital and physical ecosystems. Mr. Manglani highlighted India’s ongoing digital transition through reforms such as DigiYatra and CoWIN. On the regulatory front, he underlined the role of SEBI, IRDA, RBI, and CCI in building trust, supported by innovations such as T+1 settlement and instant trading that are reshaping financial markets. He also emphasized the importance of integrating the unorganized sector and noted how UPI has empowered small businesses through secure, low-cost digital payments.

Looking ahead, Mr. Manglani highlighted initiatives such as the Digital Rupee, DigiLocker, KYC portals, blockchain, AI/ML integration, GST 3.0, and the vision of “One Nation – One Tax” as crucial in shaping India’s financial future. Concluding his address, he stressed that transparency, innovation, and resilience will define India’s journey to becoming a developed nation and urged students to see themselves as active contributors to mission Viksit Bharat.

The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Arvind Tripathy, Dean, KSOM, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, alumni, and participants, and encouraged students to make the most of the conclave’s learning opportunities. He highlighted KSOM’s role in positioning Odisha as an emerging fintech hub and appreciated the support of dignitaries, faculty, and students in making the event a collaborative platform of ideas and insights.

The high-energy panel discussion that followed the inaugural session revolved around the theme “Vision 2047: Geopolitical Risks and Indian Financial Markets.” Moderated by Mr. Pawan Bindal, Chief Revenue Officer, L&T–SuFin, the panel featured Dr. Bijon Pani, Senior Fund Manager, Motilal Oswal Asset Management; Mr. Bhaskar Pandey, Partner in Technology & Transformation, Deloitte South Asia; Mr. Ashok Tyagi, Joint President & Deputy CFO, HDFC ERGO General Insurance and Mr. Mandeep Mehta, Group CFO, PB Fintech. The discussion offered rich insights into the impact of geopolitical risks and global changes on India’s financial markets and economy, noting issues like tariffs, interest rate volatility, and supply chain disruptions, while emphasizing India’s resilience through reforms such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Demonetization, and PM Gati Shakti. The panelists highlighted India’s rapid digital adoption, startup ecosystem, and young consumer base, which position the country strongly on the global stage. The discussions underscored the importance of financial inclusion, sustainability, and green practices, as well as the growing contributions of MSMEs, startups, and Global Capability Centers. With India emerging as a key industrial hub and a strong player in the G20, the panel suggested that the balance between innovation and robust regulatory frameworks would ensure sustainable growth.

Post-lunch, the conclave transitioned into its interactive segment, FINATIX, comprising parallel workshops designed to foster focused engagement between industry experts and students. The sessions featured distinguished speakers, including Mr. Subhendu Mahapatro, Senior Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo; Ms. Upasana Routray, Director, Morgan Stanley; Mr. Saswata Mojumdar, Senior Consultant, KPMG; Mr. Subhra Kumar Patra, Centre of Excellence Lead – Service Management & Resilience, Natwest Markets; Ms. Yaminee Roy, Senior Professional – Tech Risk at a Big Four firm; Mr. Tushar Ghosh, Publishing Director, Outlook Money; Mr. Debasis Panigrahi, Founder & Managing Partner, Mridayaa Ventures LLP; Mr. Bijon Pani, Senior Fund Manager, Motilal Oswal Asset Management; Mr. Manish Thacker, Deputy Head – Retail Sales & Head, Business Development, Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management; and Mr. Pawan Bindal, Chief Revenue Officer, L&T–SuFin. The workshops were on topics like Startups, SMEs, And Access to Capital, Sustainable Finance & ESG Investing, Financial Inclusion Through Digital Public Infrastructure, Quant Investing and its Future in Indian Markets and Geopolitical Risk & its Impact on Financial Markets.

By blending academic insights with professional perspectives, the conclave served as a dynamic platform for envisioning the future of finance in India, reaffirming KSOM’s commitment to developing leaders who will drive a resilient financial ecosystem on the nation’s path towards mission Viksit Bharat 2047.