What is Vigilance Awareness Week?
Vigilance Awareness Week is observed every year across India to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability in public life. It is organized by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and observed by all government organizations, public sector undertakings, and financial institutions, including banks.
This year, Vigilance Awareness Week is being celebrated from 27th October to 2nd November, 2025, with the theme “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility.”
The observance coincides with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31st October), who is remembered as a symbol of honesty and good governance. The objective of the week is to create awareness among employees and the public about the importance of preventive vigilance, ethical conduct, and collective responsibility in combating corruption.
Message from the Chief Vigilance Officer
"Vigilance is not a separate activity, but a core part of our daily operations. It is the personal responsibility of every employee to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency. This Vigilance Awareness Week, let us recommit ourselves to building a bank that is fair, honest, and worthy of our customers' trust. Our integrity is our greatest asset."
Shri B.Ramachandraiah
Chief Vigilance Officer, APCOB
Vigilance for Our Customers: Protect Your Account
Your financial safety is our priority. Vigilance is a shared responsibility. Here’s how you can help protect your hard-earned money:
Never Share Your OTP, PIN, or CVV
APCOB Bank will NEVER call you, email you, or send you an SMS asking for your confidential details like OTP, ATM PIN, CVV, or Internet Banking Password. Anyone asking for this is a fraudster. Hang up immediately.
Beware of Phishing & Vishing
Do not click on suspicious links in emails or SMS messages. Fraudsters create fake websites that look like the real APCOB site to steal your login details. Always type `apcob.org` directly into your browser.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Avoid simple passwords like `123456`, `password`, or your date of birth. Create a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use the same password for banking as you do for social media.
A Guide for Staff: Common Vigilance Pitfalls
As employees, we are the first line of defense in protecting the bank’s integrity. Be aware of these common pitfalls:
- Password & Terminal Security: NEVER share your system password. ALWAYS lock your computer (Press Windows + L) when you step away from your desk, even for a minute.
- Bypassing KYC Norms: Do not “bend the rules” for friends, family, or important-looking customers. Incomplete or unverified KYC is a major compliance risk.
- Social Engineering: Be cautious of urgent phone calls (even if they seem to be from a senior official or IT) asking for sensitive information or to perform an unusual transaction. Verify the request through a separate, known channel.
- Gifts & Favors: Politely decline any gifts, meals, or favors that could be seen as an attempt to influence your decisions. When in doubt, report it to your supervisor or the Vigilance Department.
- Know the Whistleblower Policy (PIDPI): If you see something wrong, report it. The Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) resolution protects your identity. Reporting is a duty, not a betrayal. You can report concerns to: whistleblower@apcob.org
Schedule for the Week
Join us for the following activities planned throughout the week at our Head Office and branches:
Monday, Oct 27th:
- Integrity Pledge taking ceremony by all staff at 11:00 AM. Launch of posters and vigilance booklets by our chief guest, Shri. R. K. Mahana, General Manager, RBI
Tuesday, Oct 28th:
Essay competition for staff. Vigilance case study challenge completion by all the staff. Complete the challenge here
Wednesday, Oct 29th:
Drawing competition for staff.
Thursday, Oct 30th:
Quiz competition for staff.
Friday, Oct 31st (Sardar Patel Jayanti):
- Staff taking the e-pledge on the CVC portal. Access the e-pledge here.
Saturday, Nov 1st:
Closing ceremony by Smt. Bala Latha, Ex-IAS, Founder, CSB IAS Academy. Launch of Vigilance Manual 2.0, and gift distribution to winners of competitions held during Vigilance Awareness Week.
Our Commitment at APCOB
At Andhra Pradesh State Co-operative Bank Ltd. (APCOB), integrity is the cornerstone of our operations. We are fully committed to participating in Vigilance Awareness Week to strengthen our internal systems and promote ethical banking.
- Promoting Transparency: We strive for openness in our customer dealings and internal processes.
- Preventive Vigilance: We continuously strengthen our Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and transaction monitoring to prevent fraud and malpractice.
- Employee Sensitization: We conduct internal workshops and training to ensure all staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct.
Integrity Pledge for Citizens
We invite all our customers and fellow citizens to join this movement by taking the Integrity Pledge.
I believe that corruption has been one of the major obstacles to economic, political and social progress of our country. I believe that all stakeholders such as Government, citizens and private sector need to work together to eradicate corruption.
I realize that every citizen should be vigilant and commit to the highest standards of honesty and integrity at all times and support the fight against corruption.
I, therefore, pledge:
- To follow probity and rule of law in all walks of life;
- To neither take nor offer bribe;
- To perform all tasks in an honest and transparent manner;
- To act in public interest;
- To lead by example exhibiting integrity in personal behaviour;
- To report any incident of corruption to the appropriate agency.
Integrity Pledge for Organizations
As an organization, APCOB stands by its commitment to ethical and transparent governance.
We believe that corruption has been one of the major obstacles to economic, political and social progress of our country. We believe that all stakeholders such as Government, citizens and private sector need to work together to eradicate corruption.
We, therefore, pledge:
- To promote ethical business practices and foster a culture of honesty and integrity;
- To not offer or accept bribes;
- To commit to good corporate governance based on transparency, accountability and fairness;
- To adhere to relevant laws, rules and compliance mechanisms in the conduct of business;
- To provide a grievance redressal and Whistle Blower mechanism;
- To protect the rights and interests of stakeholders and the society at large.
Report a Concern
Be a vigilant citizen. If you encounter any instance of corruption or malpractice, please report it. Your identity can be kept confidential.
Contact APCOB’s Vigilance Department:
Shri B. Ramchandraiah;
Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO)
Our Activities
During this week, APCOB and its branches will be conducting:
- Administering the ‘Integrity Pledge’ to all employees.
- Organizing quizzes and essay competitions for staff.
- Displaying awareness posters and banners at all branches.
Vigilance FAQ
Common questions about vigilance for both our customers and staff.
What is KYC and why is it mandatory? (For Customers)
“KYC” stands for “Know Your Customer.” It is a mandatory process required by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for all financial institutions. Its purpose is to verify the identity and address of every customer to prevent identity theft, fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. By completing your KYC, you help us protect your account and ensure the safety of the entire banking system.
How can I tell a real APCOB email from a fake one? (For Customers)
Look for these red flags:
- Urgent Threats: Language like “Your account will be blocked immediately” or “Suspicious activity detected, log in NOW.”
- Sender’s Email: Look closely at the “From” address. A fake email might be `apcob.bank@gmail.com` or `info@apcob-security.com`. Our official emails will only come from an `@apcob.org` address.
- Suspicious Links: Hover your mouse over any link *without clicking* it. Your browser will show you the real destination address. If it looks strange, don’t click it.
- We Never Ask: We will NEVER ask for your Password, PIN, or OTP in an email.
What is the difference between Vigilance and an Audit? (For Staff)
Audit is a routine, post-transaction check to ensure that existing rules and procedures were followed correctly. (e.g., “Was the voucher signed by the correct authority?”). Audits check for procedural lapses.
Vigilance is a deeper investigation to find out *if* there was a *motive of corruption, dishonesty, or personal gain* involved in a decision or transaction. (e.g., “Was the voucher *intentionally* approved to benefit a specific person, even if the procedure was technically followed?”). Vigilance looks for improper motives.
Is my report as a whistleblower truly anonymous?
Yes. Under the CVC’s Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution, the identity of the complainant is fully protected. APCOB’s whistleblower@apcob.org email is managed by the Vigilance Department, and your report will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Reporting misconduct is a protected and vital duty, and we encourage you to speak up without fear.
