This strategic move aims to cater to the evolving demands of the financial sector by offering industry-aligned education, advanced financial tools, and real-world market exposure to future finance leaders.
In a significant step towards bridging the gap between academia and the financial industry, IMT Ghaziabad has officially launched the Centre for Financial Markets (CFM) in Mumbai. This strategic move aims to cater to the evolving demands of the financial sector by offering industry-aligned education, advanced financial tools, and real-world market exposure to future finance leaders.
Keynote Address by Navneet Munot: Highlighting India’s Financial Future
The launch event was graced by Navneet Munot, Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Asset Management Company Limited, who delivered a thought-provoking keynote address. He underscored the growing potential of India’s startup ecosystem, stating, “With a combination of a robust talent pool, increasing digitalization, and supportive government policies, India's startup scene is ready to soar to new heights. Understanding market trends and economic policies is crucial for effective wealth creation in today’s dynamic financial landscape.”
Continuous Evolution of IMT Ghaziabad’s Curriculum at CFM
The Centre for Financial Markets aims to stay ahead of the curve by continuously evolving its offerings. The curriculum is designed to integrate emerging trends such as fintech, AI-driven investments, and sustainable finance. Students enrolled at the CFM will benefit from industry-focused certifications and experiential learning, which are tailored to meet the growing demand for professionals in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. The centre’s expansion anticipates an increase in enrollment, more internship opportunities, and a deeper level of engagement with financial industry leaders, thus preparing students for leadership roles in financial markets.
Dr Atish Chattopadhyay, Director of IMT Ghaziabad, expressed pride in the institution’s contributions to the development of the Indian financial markets. He said, “Over the last 44 years, IMT Ghaziabad has significantly contributed to the growth of Indian financial markets through education, knowledge creation, and dissemination. I am glad that the Board, alumni, faculty, and staff have come together to launch the Centre for Financial Markets in Mumbai at a time when disruptive business models, political realignments, and artificial intelligence are challenging the traditional order.”
Both the institutes are popular for their programmes. A comparison between the two is presented based on fee and eligibility criteria:
Institute Name |
FPM Total Fee |
FPM Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
IMT Ghaziabad |
NA |
Graduation with a minimum 60% aggregate |
IMI Delhi |
INR 7.87 lakh |
Graduation with a minimum 60% aggregate |
The median salary packages offered during the (PG-2 year) placement drives of IMT Ghaziabad and MDI Gurgaon as per the NIRF reports have been presented in the following table:
| Institute Name | Median Salary Package (2023) | Median Salary Package (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| PGDM at IMT Ghaziabad | INR 16 LPA | INR 14 LPA |
MBA at MDI Gurgaon |
INR 26.13 LPA
|
INR 24.06 LPA
|
Clearly, the salary package offered at MDI Gurgaon is more that IMT Ghaziabad.
Dr Chattopadhyay further emphasized the crucial role of the Centre for Financial Markets in shaping finance professionals to address the pressing questions facing India’s evolving financial sector, particularly in the context of AI integration and financial innovation. “I am certain that the Centre for Financial Markets will play a vital role in addressing the pressing questions facing India’s financial sector and will nurture the next generation of finance professionals for the post-AI world,” he added.
Emerging Markets and Rise of Alternative Investments
With fintech advancements, regulatory harmonization, and the increasing influence of alternative investments, emerging markets like India are poised to attract more capital inflows. According to Dr. Chattopadhyay, key trends include a rise in Private Equity (PE)/Venture Capital (VC) funding, broader institutional participation, and greater digital asset integration, all of which will lead to enhanced market liquidity and economic stability in high-growth regions. These shifts are expected to further strengthen India’s position in the global financial ecosystem.
Dr Harsimran Sandhu, Chairperson of the Centre for Financial Markets and Professor of Finance at IMT Ghaziabad, spoke about the pivotal role the CFM will play in shaping finance professionals. “The Centre for Financial Markets at IMT Ghaziabad and Mumbai will play a pivotal role in shaping finance professionals through its PGDM BFS program, offered in partnership with NISM. The Mumbai immersion provides students with direct exposure to financial institutions and regulatory bodies. The curriculum is industry-aligned, focusing on banking, financial services, and alternative investments, complemented by a Bloomberg Finance Lab and strong BFSI placements,” Dr. Sandhu remarked.
The PGDM Banking and Financial Services (BFS) program, developed in collaboration with NISM Mumbai, offers students hands-on exposure to the financial sector. This partnership ensures direct interaction with industry practitioners, preparing future finance leaders for the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly changing financial landscape.
Strengthening Industry Connections and Career Pathways
IMT Ghaziabad’s Centre for Financial Markets aims to create strong, long-lasting relationships between academia and industry. Through corporate tie-ups, mentorship programs, and networking platforms, students gain access to industry-academia roundtables and direct engagement with financial institutions. The centre is set to boost recruiter participation, increase internship opportunities, and ensure high placement success rates, contributing to students' successful careers in banking, investment management, and alternative assets.
The university also plans to strengthen alumni networks, which will provide further career opportunities and ensure sustained industry engagement for its graduates. The CFM will serve as a hub for professionals, scholars, and leaders to collaborate, innovate, and drive impactful change in financial markets.
Vision for Future of Financial Education
The launch of the Centre for Financial Markets in Mumbai is a reflection of IMT Ghaziabad’s vision to advance financial research, industry collaboration, and cutting-edge education in financial markets. With a focus on preparing students for leadership roles in a dynamic financial world, CFM is set to become a key player in developing the next generation of finance professionals who will navigate the complexities of the modern financial landscape, especially in the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
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To ascertain which institute among IMT Ghaziabad and IMI Delhi is better for PGDM, candidates must compare their rankings, ROI, specialisations, etc. Given below is a brief comparison between the two Management institutes for their PGDM courses on the basis of parameters including, NIRF ranking under the Management category and tuition fee:
Institute Name
NIRF Ranking '24
PGDM Fee
IMT Ghaziabad
35
INR 20.3 lakh - INR 20.8 lakh
IMI Delhi
40
INR 22 lakh
NOTE: The above-mentioned fees are taken from official sources. They are still subject to change and hence, are indicative.