• Ambuj Mishra
• Neel Mali
• Sneha Nandwani

Investment participation among young adults has increased in India due to the growth of digital financial platforms, social media influence, and expanding access to market-linked instruments. However, empirical evidence on student investment behaviour in tier-II urban contexts remains limited. This study investigates the investment patterns of college students in Surat City, with emphasis on awareness of investment avenues, preferred instruments, investment motives, risk tolerance, information sources, challenges faced, and measures that improve investment decision-making. A quantitative, descriptive research design was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 500 college students. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage analysis) to map behavioural trends and investor profiles. The findings indicate that 68.6% of students reported investing, while 68.2% demonstrated awareness of multiple investment options. Market-linked instruments such as stocks/bonds (45.2%) and mutual funds (39%) emerged as prominent preferences, alongside traditional choices like gold/silver (36.6%) and fixed deposits (19.8%), reflecting a hybrid investment orientation. Despite growing participation, risk tolerance is predominantly low (63.6%), and fear of loss (44.4%) and limited funds (38%) remain major constraints. Students primarily acquire investment knowledge through social media (38.6%) and academic exposure (31.6%); however, participation in formal financial literacy courses is limited (36.6%). Notably, students prefer improvement interventions through college finance workshops (34.8%) and guided investment apps (31%), suggesting strong demand for structured and technologyenabled financial education. The study recommends integrating practical financial literacy modules and guided digital learning tools within higher education to strengthen informed investment behaviour and reduce risk-related hesitation among student investors.

Investment behaviour; College students; Financial literacy; Risk tolerance; Digital investing; Surat; India.

"A Study on Investment Patterns among College Students in Surat City ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no.e312-e328, January-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601447.pdf

"A Study on Investment Patterns among College Students in Surat City ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no. ppe312-e328, January-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601447.pdf