The PG Diploma in Financial Planning is a 1-2 year program that aims to impart to students superior skills and knowledge in personal and corporate finance management. Topics that are generally covered under this syllabus are Investment Planning, Risk and Insurance Planning, Retirement Planning, Taxation, Estate Planning, and Financial Markets. The course equips the student to teach people and corporations on how to maximize their financial assets, build wealth, and operate within risks.
In order to be considered under this program, most applicants should have a bachelor's degree in any field in a recognized university and often have an aggregate of 50% and above. Certain institutes can ask the candidate to take entrance exams or personal interviews so that their abilities in finance and planning can be checked. Individuals in the finance, insurance, banking, or allied professions usually acquire this diploma to supplement their knowledge and improve their career opportunities.
The annual fee that one will be charged for doing a PG Diploma in Financial Planning varies between INR 50,000 and INR 200,000, depending upon the college and mode of study (regular or distance learning). Prominent institutions to have this program are the International College of Financial Planning (ICOFP), the Indian Institute of Financial Planning (IIFP), the Institute of Indian Financial Planning (IIFP), the IIRWM - Institute of Integrated & Regular Wealth Management, and the NISM - National Institute of Securities Markets. There are also surcharges in the juncture of private institutes, which mostly produce flexible schedules and certification choices.
People who have completed this diploma have a chance to work as a Financial advisor, Wealth advisor, Investment advisor, Tax advisor, Insurance advisor, and Risk Analyst. They work in banks, in financial advisory firms, insurance firms, mutual fund houses, and in the financial department of any corporation. The entry -level salary usually ranges between INR 3-5 LPA, and the experienced professionals and certified planners get to earn between INR 7-12 LPA or even more on an annual basis, depending on their experience and clients.
Table of Contents
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning Highlights
- What is a PG Diploma in Financial Planning?
- Why Study PG Diploma in Financial Planning?
- Who Should Study PG Diploma in Financial Planning?
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning Eligibility Criteria
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning Entrance Exams 2025
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning College in India
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning Admission Process 2025
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning Syllabus
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning Job Opportunities in India
- PG Diploma in Financial Planning FAQs
PG Diploma in Financial Planning Highlights
Given below are the basic key highlights for the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning:
What is a PG Diploma in Financial Planning?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning is a one-year course specifically aimed at training graduates on how to manage their finances, make investment plans, and offer financial advice. The course is suitable for persons who wish to develop knowledge on wealth accumulation, retirement planning, taxes, and risk assessment of individuals and organizations.
Investment vehicles, portfolio management, insurance planning, estate planning, and financial regulations compliance constitute key areas incorporated in the curriculum. It also enables students to acquire expertise in goal setting in finances, ethical advisory skills, Excel, and other financial planning software skills. Graduates can seek employment in banks, wealth management firms, or insurance firms or work as independent financial planners (certified financial planners, CFPs) advising clients on how to make sound financial decisions.
Why Study PG Diploma in Financial Planning?
The course of PG Diploma in Financial Planning is very pragmatic and is focused towards professionals who are keen to establish or develop a career in personal finance, investment advisory, and wealth management. It also conforms to the international practices such as CFP and SEBI guidelines. Few reasons to pursue this course are:
- Sector-specific and worldwide acceptable: The course syllabus explains the investment strategies, risk control, tax planning, estate planning, and management of retirement benefits, which are pertinent to becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or licensed advisor.
- Numerous shortages in the financial sectors: The financial literacy and the rise in wealth creation have led to the need for planners in banks, NBFCs, wealth firms, insurance, and FinTech setups. Individuals possessing this diploma can easily penetrate or advance in such positions.
- Flexible and freelance work opportunities: There are options on whether to work full-time in companies or not, as it is possible to work on your own as a self-employed advisor or consultant and give your clients the option of portfolio and insurance planning.
- Improvement in earning capacity: They combine investment advisory and regulatory expertise, and graduates are in a position to earn high-value clients, resulting in either big commissions, bonuses, or fee-based packages, frequently surpassing regular salaried packages.
Who Should Study PG Diploma in Financial Planning?
Below are some key points describing who should opt for a PG Diploma in Financial Planning:
- Graduates in Commerce, Finance, or Economics who want to specialize in the area of personal finance, investment strategies, wealth management, or retirement planning.
- Any working person in the banking, insurance, NBFC, or financial advisory firm who wants to update their skills with a professional and work-ready course.
- Students who are interested in becoming Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), Investment Advisors, or even embarking on becoming Wealth Consultants, whether by working within a firm or as independent financial professionals.
- Individuals who may be interested in assisting the clients in their financial ambitions, like saving for education, property purchase, retirement income, or tax optimization.
- People who intend to join the blossoming FinTech industry, where more digital financial planning plans/digital robo-advisors are available.
- Graduates seek to grow their employment opportunities and profitability with a lucrative financial services industry, which is very competitive, through acquisition of special skills and training that are SEBI-friendly.
PG Diploma in Financial Planning Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning program are listed below. These may differ slightly depending on the institution:
- The applicants should have cleared a Bachelor's in Commerce, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or any other stream from a recognised university.
- The qualifying degree should have 50% or more marks. The SC/ST/OBC would have up to 5% relaxation in some institutes.
- Bankers, insurance, accounting, or financial professionals are sometimes prompted to apply and are even preferred.
- Other well-renowned institutions (such as IIFP, IMS Proschool, or NSE Academy) would also give personal interviews or aptitude tests to take admissions.
- The last year of graduating students can provisionally apply, pending passing exams, before the program is administered.
PG Diploma in Financial Planning Entrance Exams 2025
Most admissions are merit-based, but certain institutes conduct entrance exams or interviews. Here are a few notable ones:
Click to know more about PG Diploma in Banking
PG Diploma in Financial Planning College in India
Provided below is the list of some of the best colleges in India for studying PG Diploma in Financial Planning. Students must fulfill eligibility norms to enroll in these premier institutes.
Also read about PGDM Finance
PG Diploma in Financial Planning Admission Process 2025
Admission to the PG Diploma in Financial Planning at the International College of Financial Planning (ICOFP) is primarily based on merit and academic qualifications, followed by document verification and a possible personal interview.
Step 1: Go to the official site of the ICOFP https://www.icofp.org and refer to the admissions to see the notifications, eligibility, important dates, and details of the application.
Step 2: You could fill out the application form for the PG Diploma in Financial Planning program. Submit a required set of documents and the fee of application (typically INR 1000-2000).
Step 3: The candidate would be selected mostly on the basis of the qualifying examination reflection (E.g. commerce, finance, etc. marks at the time of graduation). Depending on the type of candidate, ICOFP can carry out a personal interview and a kind of aptitude test to evaluate the level of knowledge and competence of the applicant.
Step 4: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the ICOFP campus or online to verify and submit documents and (if required) have a personal interview.
Step 5: The candidates should pay the required fee of admission on time or within the published deadline so as to secure his/her place and be issued with the provisional admission letter.
Step 6: Report to ICOFP on the mentioned day for verification of original documents and orientation within the program to commence the course.
Required Documents:
- Graduation Degree Certificate and Mark Sheets (All Years)
- Proof of Date of Birth (Class 10 Certificate or equivalent)
- Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, etc.)
- Passport-size Photographs (recent)
- Transfer Certificate / Migration Certificate (if applicable)
- Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Work Experience Certificate (if applicable and relevant to the course)
PG Diploma in Financial Planning Syllabus
The PG Diploma in Financial Planning covers financial planning principles, investment analysis, taxation, retirement planning, and risk management, preparing students for professional roles in the financial services sector. For reference the syllabus followed at International College of Financial Planning (ICOFP) is given below:
Candidates can also pursue MBA Financial Management
PG Diploma in Financial Planning Job Opportunities in India
After completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning program, students can pursue various Job Profiles. Given below are some of the famous Job Roles you can pursue after completing the course. Along with the top recruiters and Average Pay.
PG Diploma in Financial Planning FAQs
Will the PG Diploma in Financial Planning enable the student to manage complicated client portfolios and economic risks?
Absolutely. In this diploma, broad financial planning skills such as risk management and tax planning and other areas, namely retirement solutions and investment analysis, are covered. The students are made to learn how to lay out client-specific portfolios that bear risk and reward, even in turbulent market settings. A special emphasis is also done on adjusting financial strategies according to shifting economic situations to make the graduates advise the clients effectively in a situation of market crumble or in market crises.
Does the curriculum contain behavioral finance and ethical advisory practices?
Yes. The curriculum will cover behavioral finance to know how the mind can be psychologically biased in investment decision-making. It also emphasizes good ethics, standards of fiduciary, and good communication skills by training the students to establish trustworthy client associations using sound and professional advisory services.
After this diploma, what are the advanced certifications/career opportunities?
For credibility, graduates may take up certification such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst CFA or Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA). The possible career paths are as financial advisors, wealth managers, insurance advisors, and portfolio analysts in banks, non-bank finance companies, or individual consultants.
Does one have to belong to the finance background in order to take this PG Diploma?
Yes. The diploma is divided to apt only with commerce, management, and even engineering and science candidates, because it starts with a syllabus containing basic financial knowledge and progresses on to complicated planning methods. This will give a wide scope of profession to most professionals who may wish to join the financial advisory profession.
What are the typical career paths after completing this diploma?
Graduates can work as financial planners, investment advisors, wealth managers, risk analysts, relationship managers, and insurance consultants. Employment opportunities exist in banks, financial advisory firms, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and independent consultancies.
Can the diploma lead to further certifications or education?
Yes. Many pursue certifications such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Chartered Accountant (CA) to enhance their credentials. Additionally, graduates often pursue MBA or specialized master’s programs in finance or business analytics to further their careers.
