About the Program:
The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) and FPSB India have collaborated to launch a joint program aimed at integrating the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification with academic programs at NISM. This initiative aligns with NISM’s commitment to enhance educational offerings and equip students with essential skills and knowledge for successful careers in the finance industry.
Program Objectives
The Post Graduate Program in Financial Planning (PGPFP) is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of financial planning principles, strategies, and tools. The course aims to develop expertise in areas such as investment planning, tax planning, retirement planning, risk management, and estate planning. By the end of the program, participants will be well-equipped to offer sound financial advice, help clients achieve their financial goals, and maintain ethical and client-centered practices in line with global financial planning standards.
For Whom?
• Aspiring financial planners looking to build a career in financial advisory services.
• Finance professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in personal financial planning.
• Individuals working in banking, insurance, and wealth management who want to deepen their understanding of financial planning.
• Students pursuing careers in finance, investment management, or related fields who wish to specialize in personal financial advisory services.
Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the structure, functions, and regulatory aspects of financial markets.
2. Develop the ability to design personalized investment plans based on asset allocation, risk tolerance, and financial goals.
3. Apply risk management techniques and estate planning strategies, including insurance solutions and wealth transfer mechanisms.
4. Create comprehensive retirement and tax planning strategies that ensure tax-efficient and sustainable retirement income.
5. Analyse and evaluate mutual funds and fixed-income securities, enhancing skills in portfolio selection and investment analysis.
Why PGPFP by NISM and FPSB India?
The National Institute of Securities Markets has carved a niche for itself in both education and research. Since 2009, it has conducted a number of niche programs of durations ranging from one month to two years, with more than 1000 alumni rendering their services in professionalizing the markets. NISM has also fulfilled its research mandates through research projects for the Ministry of Finance and SEBI. It has also been conducting training programs for officers from IRS, IAS, ICLS, CAG, SEBI, RBI, etc. The Institute’s training programs have also benefitted regulatory staff members from SAARC nations and the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) nations. Customized corporate training programs also feature regularly as part of its ongoing activities.
With this rich experience in education and research over a decade, the program has been carefully crafted to impart the complete set of knowledge and skills in vital and emerging application areas, benchmarked with the best in India and overseas.
During the industry interaction sessions held at NISM, the participants get an opportunity to interact with esteemed officers of SEBI, stock exchanges, market intermediaries and industry experts from various domains of the financial markets.
NISM’s Library has a collection of around 10,000 books, apart from various periodicals. It has one of the richest collections in the country in Economics, Finance, Securities Markets and Compliance. Subscription to electronic journals through EBSCO is also available, for accessing scientific journals.
FPSB India, on the other hand, is the leading professional body dedicated to setting global standards for financial planning education in India. As the owner of the internationally recognized CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification, FPSB India plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of financial planning professionals in the country. By collaborating with NISM, FPSB India aims to provide a comprehensive pathway for aspiring financial professionals to build a successful career in the realm of financial services.
The CFP certification, regarded as the gold standard in financial planning globally, prepares candidates to meet the rising demand for skilled financial planners who can deliver holistic financial advice to clients in a complex and evolving market. By blending NISM’s academic expertise with FPSB India’s industry-aligned certification, this collaboration ensures that participants of the PGPFP program receive both a solid educational foundation and the practical skills necessary to excel in the financial services industry. This program, therefore, opens up a wide range of career opportunities, positioning graduates to excel in various roles such as financial advisors, wealth managers, and investment specialists.
Together, NISM and FPSB India create a unique offering that addresses the burgeoning demand for skilled professionals in India’s financial services industry while maintaining global standards in financial planning education.
Program Architecture
The duration of the program is 12 months. The course is structured into four semesters, each lasting three months. There will be a total of 10 modules. Each term consists of 90 hours of contact teaching and 10 hours dedicated to assignments, presentations, and classroom quizzes. The total contact teaching hrs for the course will be 360 hrs, as detailed below:
|
# |
Module |
Certification for the Exam |
Teaching Hours |
Handled by |
|
Term 1 |
Securities Markets Foundation |
NISM Series-XII: Securities Markets Foundation Certification Examination |
15 |
NISM |
|
Investment Planning |
FPSB® Investment Planning Specialist |
60 |
FPSB INDIA |
|
|
Mutual funds foundations |
NISM-Series-V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination |
15 |
NISM |
|
|
Term 2 |
Risk and Estate Planning |
FPSB® Risk and Estate Planning Specialist |
60 |
FPSB INDIA |
|
Fixed Income Securities |
Internal Evaluation |
15 |
NISM |
|
|
Securities Analysis |
NISM-Series-XV: Research Analyst Certification Examination |
15 |
NISM |
|
|
Term 3
|
Retirement and Tax Planning |
FPSB® Retirement and Tax Planning Specialist |
45 |
FPSB INDIA |
|
Investment management and Sustainable finance |
Internal Evaluation |
30 |
NISM
|
|
|
Investment Advisors |
NISM-Series-X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1) Certification Examination |
15 |
NISM |
|
|
Term 4 |
Integrated Financial Planning |
FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning |
75 |
FPSB INDIA |
|
Investment Advisors- Operational and Regulatory Aspects |
NISM-Series-X-B: Investment Adviser (Level 2) Certification Examination |
15 |
NISM |
|
|
Professional Ethics (Self Learning e-module) |
5 hrs |
|||
|
Total Modules 10 |
Total hrs – 360 hrs |
|||
In addition to the core curriculum, the program includes two immersive weeks at NISM campus. The immersion weeks covers workshops on Behavioural Finance, Communication Skills, and Leadership Skills Development program.
Four days campus immersion at the beginning of the program and eight days campus immersion during the second module. The dates of the campus immersion will be intimated separately. The lodging and boarding charges for twin occupancy (non-AC) will be included in the program fee. However, all traveling expenses shall be borne by the individual candidate.
Accommodation for out stationed candidates coming to attend the campus immersion program would be available from the noon of one day prior to the start date to the afternoon of one day after the end date of the campus immersion program.
Teaching Pedagogy and Learning Resources
Instructional Methods:
Hybrid lectures and case studies
Resources:
1. Textbooks and Reference Books: Recommended readings from industry, standard texts on financial planning, portfolio management, and investment analysis. The reference book will be made available in NISM Library at NISM campus.
2. Bloomberg Terminal, Prowess, Ace, Morning Star Research Database: Resources for real-time financial data, analytics, and market trends, integrated into course learning and labs.
3. NISM and FPSB Resources: Certification materials and exam preparatory resources from NISM (National Institute of Securities Markets) and FPSB (Financial Planning Standards Board).
Delivery Mode & Teaching Resources
The program will be conducted in hybrid mode. The lectures will be delivered by a distinguished panel of NISM faculty, market professionals, seasoned industry experts, and officers from SEBI, ensuring that learners benefit from real-world expertise and regulatory perspectives. This combination of academic rigor and professional experience equips participants with the skills needed to excel in today’s dynamic financial markets.
Program Schedule
The program will be offered on weekends in a hybrid model i.e., the classes will be held in a physical classroom located in NISM Bhavan, Vashi (Navi Mumbai) and will be delivered online simultaneously. *
The class timings would be as follows:
|
Day |
Indicative Timings |
Teaching Hours |
|
Saturday |
6:00 pm to 9:15 pm |
3 hours (including break) |
|
Sunday |
10:00 am to 5:15 pm |
6 hours (including breaks) |
Assessment and Evaluation
Participants are required to pass all examinations including NISM and FPSB certifications for successful completion of the program. In addition to certificate exams (NISM and FBSM certification), internal assessment comprising of Individual and group assignments, quizzes etc., will also be conducted for each module.
Completion of the three FPSB exams is mandatory to obtain the PGPFP, except for the FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning module. Participants who successfully complete all the mandatory NISM and FPSB India certifications, along with the required internal assignments and minimum attendance, will be eligible for a Certificate of Completion from NISM and FPSB jointly.
Students can complete remaining certifications within three months after the last semester.
Placement Support: FPSB India provide placement and Shadow CXO mentoring to sincere and bright students of the programme.
Admission Process
Eligibility
• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent with 50% marks.
Selection Criteria
Candidates will be shortlisted based on their Profile and Performance in the Interview (online).
How to apply?
Candidates willing to apply should first register themselves on https://apply.nism.ac.in/pgpfp-application-form
Step 1: New Registration: Upon successful registration, a User-ID and Password will be sent to the registered email ID and mobile number of the candidate.
Step 2: Application process: Thereafter, candidates are required to log-in and complete the application process by paying application fee. After making the payment of application fee of Rs. 500/- (transaction charges, gateway charges, portal charges etc. to be borne additionally by the candidate).
Program Fee
The consolidated program fee for PGPFP 2025-26 is Rupees Two Lakhs Ninety-seven Thousand only (2,97,000/-) inclusive of 18% GST. The detailed breakup of the fees is as follows:
|
Particulars |
Instalment (Rs.) |
|
Program fee |
2,50,000 |
|
Add: GST @ 18% |
45,000 |
|
Total fee (Inclusive of GST) |
2,95,000 |
|
Alumni fund |
2,000 |
|
Total Fee |
2,97,000 |
|
Due Date |
Within 7 calendar days from issue of admission Letter |
Following certifications exam fees included in the total Fees,
1. NISM Series-XII: Securities Markets Foundation
2. NISM-Series-V-A: Mutual Fund Distributor
3. NISM-Series-XV: Research Analyst
4. NISM-Series-X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1)
5. NISM-Series-X-B: Investment Adviser (Level 2)
6. FPSB® Investment Planning Specialist
7. FPSB® Risk and Estate Planning Specialist
8. FPSB® Retirement and Tax Planning Specialist
9. FPSB® Integrated Financial Planning
The above fee is inclusive of 9 certifications offered by NISM and FPSB indicated above.
Fee Refund Policy
Entire fee including application fee is non-refundable.
Important Dates
| Particulars |
Date |
|---|---|
| Start Date for Application | December 01, 2024 |
| Last Date for Application | March 09, 2025 |
| Date of Screening Test/ Interview | Will be intimated separately |
| Declaration of Merit List | Will be intimated separately to the Selected candidate. |
| Commencement of Program | April 16-20, 2025 |
* The Management reserves the right to change, amend program structure, dates and fees as and when it deems fit. Hybrid classes will be conducted only if there are more than 5 (Five) students opting to attend classes physically from Vashi (Navi Mumbai).
Helpdesk: +91 82680 02412
Email: pgpism@nism.ac.in