Beyond Your Degree

Why NISM Certifications and Internships Matter in the Financial Market

Summer vacations are here. Some of you are waiting for your final results, while others have already started planning for a Master’s degree, MBA, Chartered certifications, or other professional courses. Many students are also considering a career in the financial services industry—directly or indirectly through sectors such as:

• Banking
• Insurance
• Mutual Funds
• Stock Broking
• Merchant Banking
• Research Firms
• KPO/BPO Financial Services
• Wealth Management
• Financial Advisory

However, most students face the same questions:

• – How do I start my career?
• – Where should I begin?
• – Is my degree enough to get a good job?
• – Will AI impact my career opportunities?
• – Is AI taking over the financial sector?
• – How can I increase my chances of getting hired?

While these questions can be answered very well by AI tools like ChatGPT, I would like to share my personal experience from more than 13 years in the financial market.My journey started as a 16-year-old stock market trader with just ₹10,000 of capital. Over the years, I progressed through various roles and eventually became a Company Director managing more than ₹400 Crore of funds for Super HNI clients. Today, I am also actively involved in educational and social initiatives.

The Reality of the Job Market Yes, there are plenty of opportunities in the financial sector. But today’s employers are looking beyond degrees. They want candidates who possess:

• – Practical knowledge
• – Internship experience
• – Industry certifications
• – Communication skills
• – Problem-solving ability

Interestingly, this situation is not new.

Back in 2016, when I completed my B.Com in Finance, one of my close friends, Sushant Shetty, completed his B.A. in Economics. We both shared a passion for stock markets, traded together, and spent countless hours learning about financial markets.When it came to getting our first jobs in a stock broking firm, he secured a position with a salary of ₹22,000 per month before I did. Two weeks later, I got my first job at ₹14,000 per month.Today, he works as an Assistant Vice President (AVP) at an international research firm.

What made the difference?

It wasn’t his degree.

The difference was that he had completed:

• – A 3-month internship
• – NISM Equity Derivatives Certification
• – NISM Currency Derivatives Certification
• – NISM SORM (Securities Operations and Risk Management) Certification

These additional qualifications gave him an edge over many other candidates, including me.

India’s Financial Market industry is currently one of the fastest-growing employment sectors, especially in Banking, Financial Services, Insurance (BFSI), FinTech, Mutual Funds, Wealth Management, and Stock Market services. In 2026, the demand for skilled beginners has increased significantly because companies are now looking for candidates who possess practical market knowledge along with academic qualifications. Recent hiring trends show that BFSI sector recruitment has grown by nearly 25–30% compared to previous years, with thousands of entry-level opportunities opening across metro and tier-2 cities.

For beginners entering the financial market industry, the average starting salary generally ranges between ₹2.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh per annum depending on the role, skills, certifications, and communication ability. Entry-level positions such as Mutual Fund Relationship Executive, Equity Dealer, Financial Advisor, Customer Investment Associate, and Banking Sales Officer usually offer salaries between ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 per month. More technical roles such as Research Analyst Trainee, Risk Analyst, Financial Analyst, and Investment Banking Analyst can offer higher packages ranging from ₹5 lakh to even ₹15 lakh per annum in reputed organizations.

Currently, major companies actively hiring freshers and beginners include HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finance, Groww, Zerodha, Angel One, Motilal Oswal, NJ Wealth, Morningstar, CRISIL, Deloitte India, and EY India. These organizations are continuously looking for young candidates who understand investment products, customer handling, and basic financial analysis.

The minimum educational qualification required for most beginner roles is graduation in Commerce or Management-related fields such as B.Com, BBA, BMS, BAF, BBI, BA Economics, or MBA Finance. However, companies increasingly prefer candidates with professional certifications because they demonstrate industry readiness. Certifications from National Institute of Securities Markets (NiSM), NCFM, CFA, CFP, or FRM significantly improve employability. Among these, NiSM certifications have become highly popular because they are affordable, industry-recognized, and directly connected with mutual funds, equity markets, derivatives, and investment advisory services.

The most demanded skills in the current market are Advanced Excel, communication skills, sales ability, financial modeling, mutual fund knowledge, risk management understanding, and data analysis using Power BI. Additionally, companies are now valuing candidates who can combine finance knowledge with technology and AI tools. Practical exposure, internships, client interaction, and certification-based learning have become more important than traditional theoretical education alone.

Geographically, the highest number of financial market opportunities are concentrated in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Delhi NCR. Mumbai remains the financial capital of India and offers the largest number of opportunities in stock broking, investment banking, wealth management, and mutual funds. Bengaluru is rapidly growing as a FinTech and analytics hub, while Pune has become a strong center for banking operations, financial services, and back-office support. Hyderabad is also emerging as an important destination for research analyst and financial data processing roles.

Overall, the Indian financial market sector offers strong career growth for beginners who are willing to develop practical skills and industry certifications. The industry is moving towards skill-based hiring rather than degree-only hiring. Students who start early with certifications like NiSM, practical internships, communication development, and digital finance skills can build stable careers with excellent long-term growth opportunities.

Career Opportunities After NiSM Certifications 

Role	Recommended NiSM Certification	Freshers Salary (Approx.)	Experience Salary (3-5 Years)
Relationship Manager	Mutual Fund Distributors (Series V-A)	₹18,000 – ₹30,000	₹8 LPA
Mutual Fund Advisor	Series V-A	₹20,000 – ₹35,000	₹12 LPA
Equity Dealer	Series VIII Equity Derivatives	₹20,000 – ₹40,000	₹6 – ₹15 LPA
Research Analyst Assistant	Research Analyst Certification	₹25,000 – ₹45,000	₹8 – ₹20 LPA
Investment Advisor Associate	Investment Adviser Certification	₹25,000 – ₹50,000	₹10 – ₹25 LPA
Operations Executive	SORM Certification	₹18,000 – ₹30,000	₹4 – ₹8 LPA
Wealth Management Associate	Multiple NiSM Certifications	₹25,000 – ₹50,000	₹8 – ₹30 LPA
Insurance & Financial Planning Executive	Mutual Fund + Insurance Certifications	₹20,000 – ₹40,000	₹5 – ₹15 LPA

Salary ranges may vary depending on location, company, skills, and market conditions.

The Degree Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think

One important lesson I learned throughout my career is this:If you are passionate about working in finance, your degree stream matters less than your skills, certifications, and experience.

Whether you come from:

• – Commerce
• – Arts
• – Science
• – Economics
• – Management

You can build a successful career in financial services. Employers are increasingly hiring candidates who demonstrate practical knowledge and industry readiness rather than relying solely on academic qualifications.

My Recommendation to Students

Recently, I advised my nephew and his friends to start preparing for NISM certifications while pursuing their graduation.

My recommendation was simple:

1. Complete relevant NISM certifications.
2. Gain practical exposure through internships.
3. Develop communication and analytical skills.
4. Start building professional networks early.

I also connected them with an organization that provides:

• – NISM coaching
• – Internship opportunities
• – Career guidance
• – Placement assistance

The best part is that the entire program is available at an affordable one-time cost of approximately ₹3,000–₹5,000. For students who are serious about building a career in financial markets, this can be a valuable investment.

Final Thoughts

The financial industry is evolving rapidly. AI will certainly change the way we work, but it will not replace professionals who possess domain knowledge, critical thinking, relationship management skills, and practical experience.

The future belongs to those who continuously learn and adapt.

Don’t wait until graduation to prepare for your career. Start building your skills today.A degree may open the door.But certifications, internships, and experience help you walk through it.Your future employer is not just looking at your degree. They are looking at your capability.

Take action today—start planning for your financial future, or consult.

Contact us for your wealth management and more information.

Email: pramod.gamare@hotmail.com

Phone: 7559411986