Daksh Sawhney Honoured with Rabindra Ratna Award 2026 for Contributions to Science, Technology and Financial Education

Daksh Sawhney of Karnataka has been honoured with the Rabindra Ratna Award 2026 for his contributions to Science and Technology, Education, and Financial Education. His work reflects the meaningful application of technology to education and social empowerment, particularly through initiatives aimed at improving financial awareness among young adults and underserved communities. At a time when financial services and investment opportunities are becoming increasingly accessible through digital platforms, the ability to understand financial concepts, evaluate risk and make informed decisions has become an important component of modern education. Through his innovative work, Sawhney has sought to make financial education more accessible, practical and relevant to people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Rabindra Ratna Award 2026 recognises individuals whose work demonstrates knowledge, innovation, dedication and a commitment to creating a positive impact. Sawhney’s recognition in the field of Science and Technology, with a special emphasis on Education and Financial Education, reflects the importance of his

efforts to connect technology with practical learning. His work demonstrates that technology can serve a purpose beyond convenience and automation. When thoughtfully designed, it can become a powerful educational medium capable of helping people acquire knowledge, develop confidence and make better-informed decisions.

A significant achievement in Sawhney’s professional journey is his development of “Persifolio,” a mobile investment educational platform created to bridge the financial knowledge gap among underserved and unreserved communities. The idea behind Persifolio addresses a growing challenge in contemporary society. While financial markets, banking services and investment opportunities are increasingly available through digital channels, access to information does not necessarily mean access to financial understanding. Many individuals, particularly first-time investors and people from low- to middle-income backgrounds, may find financial terminology and investment concepts complicated or intimidating.

Sawhney has approached this challenge by developing a platform that focuses on financial education and interactive learning. Persifolio is designed to simplify complex financial concepts and make them easier for users to understand. It introduces learners to important areas such as budgeting, portfolio construction, investment awareness and risk management. Through digital tools and simulation-based learning, the platform aims to create a more approachable environment in which users can develop an understanding of financial decision-making.

One of the notable aspects of Sawhney’s initiative is its reach. Through Persifolio, he has conducted and onboarded more than 4,000 young adults and low- to middle-income users. This outreach demonstrates the emphasis he has placed on extending financial education beyond traditional audiences. Rather than limiting financial learning to professional investors or individuals with specialised academic backgrounds, his project seeks to bring essential knowledge to ordinary users who may be at the beginning of their financial journeys.

Young adults represent an especially important audience for financial education. As individuals enter higher education, employment and independent living, they begin making decisions involving income, spending, savings and financial planning. The habits developed during these formative years can influence financial behaviour for many years to come. However, practical financial education is not always adequately integrated into conventional education systems. Many young people may complete formal education without receiving sufficient exposure to budgeting, investment principles, portfolio management or financial risk.

Sawhney’s work through Persifolio attempts to address this gap by introducing financial learning through a digital platform. His approach is based on the principle that financial knowledge should be accessible and understandable to people regardless of their economic background. By providing educational tools through a mobile application, he has created an avenue through which users can engage with financial concepts in a flexible and interactive manner.

The reported impact of Persifolio includes greater investment awareness among its users. This is a significant educational outcome because awareness is an important first step towards responsible financial decision-making. Individuals who have a better understanding of investment concepts can approach financial opportunities with greater caution and awareness. They can begin to recognise that investment decisions involve risk, require research and should be aligned with individual circumstances and objectives.

The purpose of financial education is not simply to encourage people to invest. Rather, it is to help them understand what investment means, how different forms of investment can work, what risks may be involved and why informed decision-making matters. Persifolio’s educational orientation reflects this broader perspective. By focusing on concepts such as risk management and portfolio construction, the platform aims to help users develop a more balanced understanding of financial markets.

One of the important features associated with Persifolio is its virtual stock-market simulator. Simulation-based education can provide users with an opportunity to explore investment concepts in a practical environment. Instead of relying exclusively on theoretical explanations, learners can engage with hypothetical market situations and observe how different decisions may affect an investment portfolio. Such an approach can make financial concepts more understandable, especially for individuals who are encountering them for the first time.

The virtual stock-market simulator also provides an opportunity to understand the relationship between decision-making and risk. Financial markets can change rapidly, and investment outcomes are never guaranteed. By experiencing simulated scenarios, learners can develop a greater appreciation for market uncertainty and the importance of considering risk before making financial decisions. The educational value of simulation lies in its ability to turn abstract concepts into experiences that users can explore.

Another important element of Persifolio is its focus on risk scores. Understanding risk is fundamental to financial literacy. New investors can sometimes focus primarily on potential returns without giving adequate attention to the possibility of losses. Financial education can help correct this imbalance by teaching users to consider both potential opportunities and potential risks. By incorporating risk-related information into the learning experience, Persifolio aims to encourage a more informed approach to investment.

Portfolio construction is another key concept addressed by Sawhney’s initiative. A portfolio is not simply a collection of individual investments. Effective portfolio planning involves considering objectives, risk tolerance, diversification and the relationship between different financial assets. Introducing users to these principles can help them understand why financial planning requires more than selecting individual investment opportunities.

For young adults and first-time learners, this kind of knowledge can be particularly valuable. Instead of viewing financial markets as a collection of isolated products, users can begin to understand the broader principles behind financial planning. Such awareness can encourage more thoughtful and structured decision-making.

The platform also incorporates personalised investment suggestions, which are intended to make the educational experience more relevant to individual users. Financial circumstances differ from person to person. A student, a first-time employee and a low-income household may have very different financial priorities and levels of risk tolerance. Personalisation can therefore help users understand financial concepts in relation to their own circumstances.

The broader significance of Sawhney’s work lies in his focus on communities that may have limited access to formal financial education. Financial literacy is sometimes viewed as a specialised subject reserved for professionals or people with substantial disposable income. However, financial knowledge is relevant across income levels. In many cases, people with limited financial resources may have an even greater need for effective budgeting, savings and risk awareness because financial mistakes can have significant consequences.

By working with low- to middle-income users, Sawhney is contributing to a wider understanding of financial inclusion. Financial inclusion should not be limited to access to bank accounts, digital payments or investment platforms. True participation also requires the knowledge needed to use financial services responsibly. An individual may have access to a financial product but still struggle to benefit from it if the associated risks and terms are not understood.

Education therefore forms a crucial foundation for meaningful financial inclusion. Sawhney’s work through Persifolio addresses this educational dimension by helping users become more familiar with financial concepts before making important decisions. The platform’s emphasis on awareness and learning reflects the idea that knowledge can help individuals participate more confidently and responsibly in the financial system.

The project also illustrates the growing role of technology in contemporary education. Learning is increasingly taking place outside traditional classrooms through mobile applications, online platforms, simulations and interactive digital tools. These technologies allow users to learn at their own pace and revisit concepts whenever necessary. Financial education is particularly suited to this approach because concepts such as budgeting, portfolio management and risk can be demonstrated through practical examples and simulated scenarios.

Sawhney’s work combines technological innovation with educational purpose. Rather than treating technology as an end in itself, he has used it as a means of delivering knowledge. This approach is significant because the social value of technology is often determined by how effectively it addresses real-world challenges. In the case of Persifolio, the challenge is the financial knowledge gap faced by individuals who may lack access to structured financial education.

His work also reflects an interdisciplinary approach. Science and technology, education and finance are often discussed as separate areas, yet Persifolio brings them together. Technology provides the infrastructure for the platform, education provides its learning framework, and financial knowledge provides the subject matter. This combination creates an initiative that seeks to address a practical social and educational need through innovation.

Sawhney’s achievement of receiving the Crest Award from the British Science Association further forms part of his record of recognition in the field of science and innovation. This achievement complements his ongoing work in technology and education and reflects his interest in applying scientific and technological thinking to practical challenges.

The development of Persifolio also highlights the changing nature of financial participation. Digital technology has made it possible for individuals to access investment information and financial services almost instantly. However, convenience can also create new challenges. The ease of accessing financial platforms can sometimes give inexperienced users the impression that investing is simple and risk-free. Effective financial education is therefore increasingly important to ensure that technological accessibility is accompanied by informed decision-making.

Sawhney’s emphasis on education addresses this concern. By introducing users to financial concepts before or alongside their exposure to investment opportunities, his platform encourages a learning-first approach. The objective is to create awareness and understanding rather than simply promoting financial participation.

Greater investment awareness among the users of Persifolio represents an important step in this direction. When individuals become more familiar with investment terminology, risk and portfolio principles, they can approach financial information with a more critical perspective. They may also become better prepared to evaluate financial choices according to their own circumstances rather than relying solely on assumptions or incomplete information.

Financial awareness can also contribute to long-term financial independence. Financial independence is not achieved through investment alone. It involves developing responsible habits, understanding income and expenditure, planning for future needs and making informed choices about available resources. Sawhney’s project connects these different aspects by introducing users to budgeting as well as investment education.

Budgeting is one of the foundational elements of financial planning. Before individuals can effectively consider investment opportunities, they need to understand their financial position. Knowing how much money is earned, how much is spent and how much can reasonably be saved or invested provides a basis for responsible planning. Persifolio’s focus on budgeting therefore complements its investment-oriented features.

The broader objective of breaking cycles of debt also gives the project social relevance. Limited financial knowledge can sometimes contribute to poor financial decisions, excessive borrowing or inadequate planning. While technology alone cannot eliminate such problems, education can help individuals recognise potential risks and develop greater awareness of financial consequences.

Sawhney’s initiative is therefore positioned at the intersection of technology, education and empowerment. His work demonstrates how a digital platform can be designed to provide knowledge to people who may not otherwise have access to specialised financial learning. By reaching more than 4,000 users, he has demonstrated the potential for technology-enabled financial education to reach a sizeable audience.

The significance of this work extends beyond the immediate users of Persifolio. Initiatives that promote financial literacy can contribute to a broader culture of informed financial behaviour. As users share knowledge with family members, friends and communities, awareness can potentially extend beyond the original participants. Financial education can therefore have a multiplier effect when individuals begin applying and communicating what they have learned.

The Rabindra Ratna Award 2026 recognises Sawhney’s contribution within this larger context. His achievement demonstrates that innovation can have educational and social dimensions. The development of Persifolio is not simply a technological exercise; it is an effort to use technology to address a practical knowledge gap.

His work also reinforces the importance of making complex subjects understandable. Financial markets can appear intimidating to beginners because of technical terminology and constantly changing information. Simplification, interactive learning and practical examples can help make these subjects more approachable. By developing a platform around these principles, Sawhney has sought to make financial education accessible to a broader audience.

The recognition is particularly relevant to the field of Science and Technology because it highlights the practical application of digital innovation. Technology becomes meaningful when it can address real problems and improve access to useful knowledge. Persifolio demonstrates one such application by using a mobile platform to deliver financial education and investment awareness.

For Karnataka, Sawhney’s achievement also represents the contribution of an individual from the state to the wider fields of technology and education. His work reflects the growing role of Indian innovators in developing digital solutions for contemporary social and economic challenges. The combination of technology and financial education has particular relevance in India, where digital financial participation continues to expand across different segments of society.

Looking ahead, the continued development of financial technology will make financial literacy increasingly important. New digital products, investment platforms and financial tools will continue to emerge. As this ecosystem becomes more complex, users will need not only access but also knowledge. Platforms that help individuals understand financial principles can contribute to building a more informed generation of users.

Daksh Sawhney’s work offers a practical example of this approach. Through Persifolio, he has worked to introduce financial concepts to young adults and low- to middle-income users, helping them develop greater investment awareness. His focus on budgeting, portfolio construction, risk management, personalised suggestions, risk scores and virtual simulation demonstrates an effort to make financial learning comprehensive and accessible.

The Rabindra Ratna Award 2026 therefore serves as recognition of Sawhney’s contribution to Science and Technology, Education and Financial Education. His journey illustrates the potential of technology to extend educational opportunities and address gaps in financial awareness. Through his initiative, he has demonstrated that financial education can be delivered in a way that is interactive, accessible and relevant to modern users.

Daksh Sawhney’s contribution ultimately reflects an important principle: technology is most valuable when it empowers people with knowledge. Persifolio’s engagement with more than 4,000 young adults and low- to middle-income users, together with its contribution towards greater investment awareness, demonstrates the potential of technology-driven financial education. By helping users understand budgeting, investment principles, portfolio construction and risk management, Sawhney is contributing to a more informed approach to financial decision-making.

His recognition through the Rabindra Ratna Award 2026 marks an important acknowledgement of this work. It celebrates his efforts to combine innovation with education and to use technology as a bridge between complex financial concepts and everyday learners. At a time when financial independence increasingly depends on knowledge and informed choices, initiatives such as Persifolio have considerable relevance. Sawhney’s work stands as an example of how science and technology can be directed towards educational empowerment, greater financial awareness and the development of a more financially informed society.