National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), Mumbai Admission Process
Admission
NISM Mumbai Admissions Process 2025
The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) conducts its admissions through both merit-based and entrance exam-based criteria. For its various postgraduate and certificate-level programs, the institute accepts entrance test scores such as CAT, MAT, and XAT. These programs are offered across several disciplines including Business and Management Studies, Information Technology, Law, Data Science, Banking, Finance, and Insurance. Students aspiring to join NISM can submit their applications online through the official website.
The tuition fee structure at NISM varies depending on the level and type of program. For postgraduate courses, the total fee ranges between INR 1,65,000 and INR 6,00,000. Meanwhile, for certificate-level programs, the total fee falls between INR 1,200 and INR 4,10,000. Candidates who are shortlisted for admission must pay the applicable fees to confirm their seat at the institute.
NISM recognizes scores from well-known management entrance exams such as CAT (Common Admission Test), MAT (Management Aptitude Test), and XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) for admission to its management-related programs.
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Securities Markets) – PGDM (SM)
About the Program:
PGDM (SM) is an AICTE approved two-year Post-Graduate Diploma Programme in Management, where the students get exposure to varied subjects and verticals of securities markets including Economics, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Equity Valuation, Fixed Income Securities, and Derivatives & Risk Management, Investment Banking, Mutual Funds, and Wealth Management, benchmarked with the best and contemporary texts. Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Securities Markets) – PGDM (SM)
The carefully crafted curriculum, along with application-based teaching pedagogy and industry internship, serves as a strong foundation for further grooming and growth into various career paths in the corporate/financial/securities markets. PGDM (SM) students are positioned to take up a wide range of roles and responsibilities, such as Analysts, Investment Managers, Investment Bankers, Treasury Managers, Risk Managers, Compliance Officers, Financial Planners, Wealth Managers, etc.
Where does PGDM(SM) lead to?
PGDM (SM) can lead the successful participants to the following careers pathways. Some illustrative career opportunities available for PGDM (SM) graduates are as under:
- Segments: Equity Markets, Debt Markets, Currency and Currency Derivative Markets, Commodity Derivative Markets
- Market Infrastructure Institutions: A wide range of roles (Business Development, Operations, Compliance, Risk Management, etc.) in Market Infrastructure Institutions including Stock Exchanges, Commodity Exchanges, Clearing Corporations and Depositories
- Research and Analytics: Credit Research & Ratings, Economic Research, Policy Research, Analytics and Computing in Risk Management & Derivatives
- Banking: Commercial banking, Treasury Operations, Treasury Management, etc.
- Advisory: Investment Advisor, Personal Financial Planner, Wealth Manager
- Mutual Funds: Business Development, Distribution, Operations, Compliance, Risk Management, etc. in the Mutual Funds Industry
The objective for designing a programme of the status of a Post Graduate Diploma is “to create complete securities market professionals”. Since the field of securities markets represents the confluence of several related areas, the post-graduate programme in securities markets rests on the following pillars:
- Economics, including financial economics
- Finance
- Accounting and Reporting
- Quantitative Methods and Computing
- Law and Compliance
- FinTech
Each of the above-mentioned fields is fully represented in the proposed programme, with a balance between elegance and rigour. Based on SSE’s prior experience, but also after infusion of fresh thinking, the architecture of the PGDM (SM) has been conceived. Each course is benchmarked with the best-in-class textbook (recommended text) to arrive at the chosen content.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications
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Applicants must have a strong and consistent academic track record.
Performance in Class 10, Class 12, and each year of undergraduate studies will be evaluated during the selection process. -
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years’ duration in any discipline, with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for candidates from reserved categories).
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Final-year students awaiting their undergraduate results are also eligible to apply. However, their admission will be provisional and contingent upon meeting the eligibility criteria within the stipulated deadline.
Entrance Test Requirement
Applicants must have qualified in at least one of the following national-level management entrance exams:
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CAT
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XAT
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CMAT
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ATMA
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MAT
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GMAT
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MH-CET (for candidates from Maharashtra)
Note: Candidates awaiting the results of their entrance exams can still apply. However, their admission will remain provisional until the official score is submitted to the NISM Admissions Office.
Selection Process
The selection process considers the candidate’s:
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Academic performance
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Score in a valid management entrance test
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Personal Interview (PI)
Candidates offered provisional admission must confirm their seat by paying the fees within the specified timeline. Failure to do so will result in automatic cancellation of the admission offer.
Application Process
To apply, candidates must complete the online registration at: https://apply.nism.ac.in/pgdm/
Steps to Apply:
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Step 1: New Registration
Register with a valid email ID and mobile number. A User ID and Password will be sent to your registered contact details. -
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Log in using the credentials, fill in the required details, and upload relevant documents. -
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the non-refundable application fee of ₹1,000 along with any applicable charges through the online payment gateway.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Process Begins | April 26, 2025 |
| Final Date to Submit Application | June 15, 2025 |
| Admission Interviews | To be announced separately |
| Merit List Announcement | June 30, 2025 |
| Program Commencement | July 15, 2025 |
LL.M. (Investments and Securities Law)
The LL.M. program in Investment and Securities Law is a specialized postgraduate course tailored for both students and legal professionals who aspire to build expertise in the legal aspects of the financial markets. Committed to delivering high-quality education in securities market law, the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) has partnered with Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU), one of India’s leading law universities, to offer this intensive, full-time program.
Designed with future legal professionals in mind—especially those aiming for careers in financial markets—the program delivers rigorous academic training focused on the legal and regulatory framework of investments and securities in India.
Aligned with NISM’s mission of academic excellence, the curriculum provides in-depth exposure to a wide range of subjects, including corporate law, regulation of securities issuance and trading, market supervision, enforcement mechanisms, corporate finance, foreign investment, financial advisory, derivatives, regulation of banks and financial institutions, competition law, and insolvency legislation. The course offers foundational knowledge of three key Indian securities laws:
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The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956
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The SEBI Act, 1992
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The Depositories Act, 1996
It also delves into more than 39 SEBI-framed regulations and their role in shaping India’s securities market. A practical component of the course includes training in the documentation processes of securities market transactions and understanding the typical legal disputes that may arise in such contexts.
The program is conducted by distinguished faculty from both NISM and MNLU. Additionally, it features sessions by leading corporate and securities law practitioners, regulatory officials from various financial bodies, and visiting faculty including professors from international universities and global financial experts.
Focused on delivering an interdisciplinary perspective on legal and financial market education, this program is ideal for both aspiring and experienced professionals seeking to develop the tools and skills necessary to succeed as business lawyers or financial market legal experts.
Who Should Apply?
This program is best suited for individuals passionate about the securities markets and eager to gain in-depth legal and regulatory knowledge over a focused one-year period. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this LL.M. provides the perfect launchpad for a long-term career in corporate law, finance, and securities regulation.
Graduates from diverse academic backgrounds—such as Law, Commerce, Management, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Statistics—will benefit from a curriculum designed to enhance analytical abilities and practical understanding. The program prepares participants to take on leadership roles in the financial and securities market landscape.
Career Opportunities after LL.M.
The LL.M. in Investment and Securities Law opens up a wide range of career pathways for successful participants, equipping them for specialized roles across the financial and legal sectors.
Potential Career Segments Include:
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Securities Markets:
Opportunities in Equity, Debt, Currency, and Commodity Derivative Markets. -
Market Infrastructure Institutions:
Roles in Business Development, Operations, Compliance, Risk Management, and more across institutions such as Stock Exchanges, Commodity Exchanges, Clearing Corporations, and Depositories. -
Banking Sector:
Positions in Commercial Banking, Treasury Operations, Treasury Management, and related functions. -
Financial Advisory:
Careers as Investment Advisors, Personal Financial Planners, and Wealth Managers. -
Mutual Fund Industry:
Roles in Business Development, Distribution, Operations, Compliance, and Risk Management within the mutual funds sector.
This program is designed with the clear objective of developing a cadre of skilled professionals for the securities markets, in line with NISM’s vision to build expertise and leadership in this specialized legal and financial domain.
Eligibility Criteria
General Eligibility:
Candidates must hold an LL.B. degree or an equivalent qualification with the following minimum marks:
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General/OBC/PWD/NRI/PIO/OCI categories: Minimum 50% marks or an equivalent grade
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SC/ST categories: Minimum 45% marks or an equivalent grade
Candidates appearing for their final year examinations in May/June 2025 are also eligible to apply and participate in the admission process. However, they must fulfill the eligibility requirements by the specified cut-off date, which will be announced along with the admission results. Candidates placed in a compartment during the year of admission will be deemed ineligible.
Eligibility for Industry/Institution-Sponsored Candidates:
Applicants currently employed for three years or more with any of the following are eligible under the sponsored category:
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Financial Regulators (e.g., SEBI, RBI, PFRDA, IRDAI, IBBI, CCI)
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Market Infrastructure Institutions (e.g., NSE, BSE, MCX, NSDL, CDSL)
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Banks and Financial Institutions
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Securities Market Intermediaries
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Government Departments
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Judiciary and practicing Advocates
Sponsored candidates must also meet the same academic eligibility criteria as applicable to general applicants.
Selection Criteria
All the candidates (including the Industry/ Institutions sponsored and the Foreign national/NRI/NRI sponsored candidates) will be selected based on their performance in Online Test and Online Personal Interview.
Duration of Online test: 120 minutes
Types of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions
No. of Questions: 120
Syllabus: Questions will be asked from the following subjects in the online test:
| Sr No. | Subject | Weightage (Marks) |
| 1 | Constitutional Law | 20 |
| 2 | Jurisprudence | 20 |
| 3 | Law of Contract | 20 |
| 4 | Company Law | 40 |
| 5 | Current Affairs | 20 |
Test Location: Online test (Remote proctored) can be attempted by candidates from their own location.
For the candidates in the All India (including Maharashtra) category, based on the performance in the online test, top 150 candidates will qualify for the interview.
For Industry/ Institutions sponsored candidates, based on the performance in the online test top 60 candidates will qualify for the interview.
For the students under Foreign national/NRI/NRI Sponsored category, based on the performance in the online test, top 20 candidates will qualify for the interview.
The questions in the interview will be asked from the same subjects (Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Law of contract, Company Law and Current affairs) for all the categories.
Application Fee: Rs. 1000/-
How to Apply?
- New user need to click on https://apply.nism.ac.in/llm
- Upon successful registration, you will receive User ID and Password on the registered mobile number and Email ID.
- After registration you can Log-in and fill in the application form and pay the application fee of Rs 1,000 online.
Announcement of Selected Candidates
The selected candidates will be intimated via e-mail. Selected candidates would be required to pay the token money and remaining part of first instalment of fees within the due date mentioned therein. Provisional admission offered to selected candidates who do not pay the fees on or before the stipulated date would automatically stand cancelled.
Important Dates:
| Start Date for Application | April 12,2025 |
| Last Date for Application | June 2, 2025 |
| Date of online Test | June 13, 2025 |
| Date of Online Interview | June 24 – 30, 2025 |
| Declaration of 1st Merit List | July 04, 2025 |
| Last date for payment of fee | July 25, 2025 |
| Closure of Admission | July 31, 2025 |
| Commencement of Program | August 01, 2025 |
Note: All selected candidates are required to pay the first instalment of fee within the given time frame, failing which the seat will be offered to the waitlisted candidates belonging to any of the category.
