Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning

The International College of Financial Planning (ICoFP), promoted by Bajaj Capital Ltd. and established in 2002, is India's leading super-specialised finance college offering the Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (PGDFP). The PGDFP is a 1-year full-time programme (7 months of classroom learning + 4 months of paid internship) approved by JNTE-CSD, Government of Delhi. It integrates the globally recognized CFP (Certified Financial Planner) certification curriculum along with 8 SEBI-mandated NISM certifications, making it one of the most comprehensive finance programmes in India. The programme is popular for its 100% placement guarantee, starting salary of Rs. 5 LPA+, and its focus on wealth management, investment advisory, and financial entrepreneurship. Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are ongoing. Applications can be submitted online at icofponline.com. Candidates with CAT/MAT scores can apply directly for GD & PI, while others must appear for ICoFP's own entrance test (I-NET).

Key Points:

• The PGDFP integrates 10+ certifications in a single programme - including the globally recognized CFP certification and 8 SEBI-mandated NISM certifications (NISM VA, XA, XB, XII, VIII, XIX-A, XXI-A, XV).
• The programme is approved by JNTE-CSD, Government of Delhi, giving it official government recognition as a PG-level qualification.
• ICoFP offers a 100% placement guarantee with a starting salary of Rs. 5 LPA+ in wealth management, investment advisory, and financial planning roles.
• The programme includes a 40-hour Entrepreneurship Training module designed by IIT-Delhi, preparing students to launch their own financial advisory firms.
• The 4-month paid internship component provides real-world industry exposure and is built into the programme structure.
• ICoFP has a strong alumni network of 13,000+ finance professionals and has been awarded "Best Finance College in India" by ET NOW and recognized by Dun & Bradstreet.

ICoFP PGDFP Fees

Fee Structure

• CFP certification fees and NISM certification exam fees are additional and must be paid directly to FPSB India (for CFP) and NISM (for NISM certifications) respectively.
• These are not included in the course fee.
• Down payment of Rs. 50,000 is required at the time of admission.
• The balance fee of Rs. 3,00,000 can be paid in installments.
• Financing options are available through ICoFP's NBFC loan partner with loan tenure options of 12 months and 24 months.
• No hostel facility is mentioned on the official website; students are expected to arrange their own accommodation in New Delhi.

ICoFP PGDFP Admission 2026

Important Dates

• ICoFP conducts rolling admissions.
• Candidates can apply at any time during the year.
• The primary batch typically commences in July-August.
• Candidates who miss the July batch may be considered for a later intake.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidate must have a minimum 3-year Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 45% aggregate marks.
• Final year degree students can also apply, subject to submission of all mark sheets and pass certificate to ICoFP's Admission office by September 15.
• There is no age restriction for applying to the PGDFP programme.

Admission Process

• Obtain the application form online at icofponline.com by paying Rs. 500 registration fee.
• Appear for ICoFP's entrance test (I-NET) - a computer-based adaptive test measuring communication skills, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills. Candidates with valid CAT/MAT scores can skip I-NET and directly appear for GD & PI.
• Shortlisted candidates appear for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).
• Final selection is based on academic record (Class X through graduation), work experience (if any), extra-curricular activities, GD, and PI performance.
• Selected candidates must pay the first fee installment (Rs. 50,000) within 2 weeks of receiving the admission offer.

ICoFP PGDFP Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Options

• ICoFP facilitates education loans through its NBFC partner to help students manage the fee payment.
• Students are encouraged to explore government scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
• Specific merit scholarship details are provided during the admission counselling process.

ICoFP PGDFP FAQs

Ques. Is the PGDFP from ICoFP equivalent to an MBA? How is it different?

Ans. The PGDFP from ICoFP is not equivalent to an MBA in terms of degree nomenclature, but it is a government-approved PG-level diploma (approved by JNTE-CSD, Govt. of Delhi). The key difference is specialization - while an MBA provides broad management education, the PGDFP is exclusively focused on financial planning, wealth management, and investment advisory. It also integrates 10+ industry certifications (CFP + 8 NISM certifications) within the programme, which an MBA typically does not. For students specifically targeting the BFSI sector, the PGDFP is often considered more relevant and career-focused than a general MBA.

Ques. What is the CFP certification, and is it included in the PGDFP fee?

Ans. The CFP (Certified Financial Planner) certification is the world's most prestigious qualification in financial planning, recognized in 27+ countries and considered the gold standard in the wealth management industry. The PGDFP curriculum at ICoFP integrates the full CFP curriculum (Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4). However, the CFP certification exam fees are not included in the PGDFP course fee and must be paid separately to FPSB India (the CFP certification body in India). Similarly, NISM certification exam fees are paid directly to NISM. Students should budget for these additional costs when planning their total programme expenditure.

Ques. What is the 100% placement guarantee, and what kind of companies recruit from ICoFP?

Ans. ICoFP offers a 100% placement guarantee for PGDFP graduates, meaning every student who completes the programme is assured of a job placement. Recruiters include leading banks (HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank), wealth management companies, AMCs (Asset Management Companies), insurance companies, financial planning firms, and stockbrokers. The starting salary is Rs. 5 LPA+, with potential growth to Rs. 12+ LPA within a few years. The 4-month paid internship component also often converts into a full-time job offer for high-performing students.

Ques. What is the I-NET entrance test, and how difficult is it?

Ans. The I-NET (ICoFP's entrance test) is a computer-based adaptive test that measures communication skills, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills. It is designed to assess the candidate's suitability for a career in financial services rather than testing advanced academic knowledge. The test is not as competitive as CAT or MAT, and candidates with a reasonable aptitude for numbers and communication can clear it. Candidates who have already appeared for CAT or MAT can skip the I-NET and directly apply with their scores for GD & PI.

Ques. What are the additional costs beyond the Rs. 3,50,000 course fee?

Ans. Beyond the Rs. 3,50,000 course fee (plus Rs. 500 registration fee), students need to budget for CFP certification exam fees (paid to FPSB India) and NISM certification exam fees (paid to NISM for each of the 8 NISM certifications). CFP exam fees vary by level, and NISM exam fees are typically Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 per exam. Students should also budget for accommodation in New Delhi, as ICoFP does not provide hostel facilities. The total additional cost for certifications can range from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 depending on the number of attempts.

Ques. Can I pursue the PGDFP while working, or is it strictly full-time?

Ans. The PGDFP at ICoFP is a full-time programme and is not designed for working professionals. The 7-month classroom learning phase requires regular attendance, and the 4-month paid internship is a mandatory component of the programme. Students are expected to commit full-time to the programme. ICoFP does offer other shorter programmes (like RFPA and IDWM) that may be more suitable for working professionals, but the PGDFP is specifically designed for fresh graduates or those who can commit full-time to the programme.