Banking Courses Syllabus & Subjects 2024

Banking courses syllabus is very important because it gives students an organised and complete understanding of basic ideas, concepts, and new changes in the banking and finance area. In the syllabus, many subjects are taught such as accounting rules, Indian bank system operations, managing finances to new technology in financial services like fintech innovations; how to deal with risks. These topics train students for jobs that change a lot in banks and also for tests that you need to pass to get bank jobs including IBPS PO exams or RBI Grade B positions. The banking course syllabus helps you grow major skills which include being good at numbers (quantitative aptitude), thinking logically (logical reasoning), knowing things about economy (general awareness), ability for doing well on tasks given during job interviews/ aptitude tests especially those concerning computers which is needed greatly by anyone working in this industry.

The syllabus for banking courses includes many topics about finance, like the basics of banks and insurance, how to do accounting, managing finances, how banks work in India, what the Reserve Bank of India does and its duties. It also talks about how to manage risks and market products from banks as well as understanding finance behaviours. The usual subjects that are taught consist of laws related to banking and practice methods; accounting paired with financial knowledge; fundamentals on management; detailed study on financial management; learning about Indian economy plus their system for finances; ways to market services tied with finance along with knowing computers and managing an office.

In India, the syllabuses for various bank exams such as IBPS - which covers positions like Clerk, Probationary Officer and Specialist Officer in Regional Rural Banks – often have subjects comprising Reasoning, English Language proficiency, Numerical Skills along with Computer Knowledge and General Awareness. For the RBI (Grade B) examination, one must prepare in General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. For SBI (PO & Clerk), the subjects are Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge. The syllabus is different for each group and tests important financial skills as well as basic intelligence and computer abilities.

Here's a brief table outlining crucial highlights related to Banking Courses Syllabus and Subjects:

The syllabus for banking is extensive and varies at different levels of study or examination. Below, we present a comprehensive breakdown of the banking syllabus for various courses, including BBI, BFSI, MBA in Banking and Finance, Banking and Insurance, Diploma in Banking and Finance, Banking Law, BBA in Banking and Finance, and more.

BBI Course Syllabus

The Bachelor of Banking and Insurance (BBI) is a 3-year undergraduate degree program, organized into 6 semesters. This program is designed to offer education in areas including finance, banking, accounting, insurance law, and related subjects.

BFSI Syllabus

Certified vocational training in BFSI empowers young individuals to join the financial sector, encompassing banking, finance, securities markets, and insurance. Refer to the table below for a comprehensive BFSI syllabus updated for the year 2023.

Diploma in Banking and Finance Syllabus

The syllabus for the Diploma in Banking and Finance entails diverse aspects of the banking and finance sector, distributed between theoretical concepts, case studies, as well as practical projects and assignments. Below, you will find a comprehensive table detailing the syllabus for diploma courses in banking and finance.

BBA Banking and Finance Subjects

The syllabus for BBA in Banking and Finance addresses subjects like fundamental management concepts, international banking and finance, treasury operations, risk management, investment banking, and various other topics. Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the syllabus and subjects covered in the BBA banking and finance course.

MCom Banking and Finance Subjects

The MCom Banking and Finance curriculum covers various topics such as banking, finance, financial management, and banking law. It is evenly distributed across four semesters, spanning a total duration of two years. 

MBA Banking and Finance Syllabus

The MBA Banking and Finance syllabus predominantly concentrates on the banking and finance sectors, encompassing topics like savings, checking accounts, currency exchange, loan issuance, credit, lending practices, expenditure, budgeting, etc. This curriculum is structured across four semesters over a span of two years. For a comprehensive overview, refer to the detailed syllabus provided in the table below: 

Banking and Insurance Syllabus

The Banking and Insurance Course encompasses specialized subjects or topics that are pertinent to the banking and insurance industry. The syllabus for banking and insurance includes core subjects such as banking concepts, accounting, banking law, insurance law, and insurance risk & regulations.

Banking Law Syllabus

Specializing in the legal aspects of banking operations and services, Banking Law is a field within the broader domain of Law. Given the dynamic nature of the finance and economics sector, regulatory adjustments by the government are frequent. These changes directly influence banking operations, necessitating a robust framework of banking laws. These laws play a crucial role in regulating banking activities and mitigating irregularities.

A tabulated presentation detailing the key subjects encompassed by the Banking Law Syllabus is presented below 

The subjects in banking courses at different levels in India include core and optional subjects, and these can vary across institutions. Here's an overview of the same:

Undergraduate Level:

Core Subjects:

• Introduction to Banking and Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
• Money and Banking
• Corporate Finance
• Banking Operations and Services
• Risk Management in Banking
• International Banking
• Financial Markets and Instruments
• Banking Regulations and Compliance

Optional Subjects (varies by institution):

• Fintech in Banking
• Investment Banking
• Business Law
• Ethics in Banking
• Financial Management
• Marketing in Banking

Postgraduate Level:

Core Subjects:

• Advanced Banking Theory and Practice
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Advanced Macroeconomics
• Financial Risk Management
• Investment Banking
• International Banking and Finance
• Financial Markets and Instruments
• Banking Regulations and Compliance
• Strategic Management in Banking

Optional Subjects (varies by institution):

• Ethics in Banking and Finance
• Fintech in Banking
• Risk Modeling
• Research Methodology in Banking
• Emerging Trends in Banking and Finance

Diploma Level:

Core Subjects:

• Introduction to Banking and Finance
• Basics of Financial Management
• Principles of Economics
• Banking Operations and Services
• Financial Markets and Instruments
• Retail Banking
• Risk Management in Banking
• Banking Law and Regulations

Optional Subjects (varies by institution):

• Marketing in Banking
• Ethics in Banking
• Internship/Project

Certificate Level:

Core Subjects:

• Overview of Banking
• Banking Operations
• Financial Management in Banking
• Regulatory Framework
• Technology in Banking

Optional Subjects (varies by institution):

• Payment Systems
• Compliance and Governance
• Banking Laws and Ethics
• Fintech in Banking
• Cybersecurity in Banking

The availability of these subjects can differ among institutions and the specific focus areas of the programs. Students should refer to the course outlines provided by their respective educational institutions for accurate and detailed information.

Banking Courses Optional Subjects 

Here are some common optional subjects that may be offered at different levels:

Undergraduate Banking Courses Optional Subjects:

• Financial Derivatives
• Banking and Financial Analytics
• Financial Econometrics
• Marketing of Banking Services
• Business Intelligence in Banking
• Entrepreneurship in Banking
• Islamic Banking and Finance
• Banking and Technology
• Financial Modeling
• International Finance

Postgraduate Banking Courses Optional Subjects:

• Advanced Financial Management
• Strategic Risk Management
• Financial Modeling and Valuation
• Corporate Governance in Banking
• Advanced Financial Markets
• Behavioral Finance
• Advanced Investment Banking
• Regulatory Compliance in Banking
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Real Estate Finance

Diploma in Banking Optional Subjects:

• Retail Banking Operations
• Corporate Banking
• Microfinance and Rural Banking
• Financial Planning and Wealth Management
• Banking Technology and Innovations
• Financial Accounting in Banking
• Credit Risk Management
• Banking and Insurance
• Treasury and Funds Management
• Project Finance

Certificate in Banking Optional Subjects:

• Basic Accounting for Banking
• Customer Relationship Management in Banking
• Introduction to Financial Markets
• Retail Banking Products
• Banking Ethics and Compliance
• Digital Payment Systems
• Financial Inclusion in Banking
• Fundamentals of Banking Law
• Basics of Cybersecurity in Banking

It's crucial to remember that certain optional disciplines may not always be offered, and that colleges may change or add new courses in response to scholarly and industrial trends. For the most precise information, students should consult the particular curriculum of the institution in which they are enrolled.

The set of topics that are included in the Indian banking exams like IBPS, SBI, and RBI include English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness. Topics of individual subjects for unique exams may differ slightly and appear different. Here is a detailed overview of the syllabus for each exam:

IBPS Syllabus

IBPS PO Exam: The schedules consist of four sections: English Language, Quantitative Ability, Reasoning Ability, Computer Knowledge and Economy and banking.
IBPS Clerk Exam: The syllabus is taken from previous year’s question papers and is about the same topics of the PO exam.

SBI Syllabus

SBI PO Exam: The syllabus comprises the Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, and General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness topics for both papers.

RBI Syllabus

RBI Assistant and Grade-B Officer Exams: This syllabus consists of topics like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language and General Awareness among others.

While the syllabus for the SO exam is different from that of PO and Clerk exams and includes professional knowledge relevant to the designated post. Sometimes, the levels of the exams and the specific topics covered may vary from one exam to another. Candidates are advised to visit the official websites of the exams conducting bodies for the correct, latest information. For the exact syllabus for each exam, the aspirants can visit the official websites of IBPS, SBI and RBI.

Depending on your target banking course and exam, the syllabus for banking courses entrance exams in India may differ. Yet, common topics emerge across undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma levels for different exams like IBPS, other bank-specific exams, or university-specific entrance exams. The main topics that you might encounter can be broken down as follows:

Quantitative Aptitude: This core section rigorously gauges your aptitude in quantitative reasoning by assessing not only your command over complex mathematical concepts but also your capacity to swiftly and precisely solve problems. You should anticipate questions spanning various topics, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry statistics and data interpretation; therefore it is prudent—nay imperative—to practise calculations involving percentages: ratios—averages—and fundamental financial formulas.

Reasoning Ability: This section evaluates your logical thinking and problem-solving skills through the use of puzzles, syllogisms, critical reasoning tasks, and data sufficiency questions. Enhance your capacity to identify patterns; scrutinise arguments meticulously - drawing sound logical conclusions is crucial.

General English: This section—evaluating your communication skills, grammar, and comprehension—will probe: vocabulary; reading comprehension; sentence correction; and error-spotting. To prepare adequately for these evaluations, engage in a routine of reading newspapers to enhance your lexicon—and crucially--practice summarising passages.

General Awareness: This section assesses: your current affairs knowledge; your understanding of basic banking and finance – occasionally, it may even delve into static GK. Therefore, vigilantly follow recent economic news; keep abreast with government policies as well as trends within the banking industry. When addressing static GK: place emphasis on crucial financial institutions, functions of RBI –and– various terminologies related to banking.

Banking & Finance: In the field of Banking & Finance, you might encounter dedicated sections depending on the exam. Such sections often explore deeper into banking operations; products and regulations; financial markets - as well as economic concepts. Ensure your knowledge encompasses various types of accounts: loan procedures; financial instruments--and fundamental economic principles.

Banking Courses are broadly divided into 4 types of categories i.e. undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs. The year-wise Banking Courses Syllabus and semester-wise Banking Courses Subjects are mentioned below for each category:

Undergraduate Banking Courses Syllabus

Below is a generic example of an undergraduate banking program syllabus, organized in a semester-wise format for each year:

Undergraduate Banking Courses 1st Year Syllabus

Undergraduate Banking Courses 2nd Year Syllabus

Undergraduate Banking Courses 3rd Year Syllabus

Postgraduate Banking Courses Syllabus

Here is a generic example of a postgraduate banking program syllabus, organized in a semester-wise format for each year:

Postgraduate Banking Courses 1st Year Syllabus

Postgraduate Banking Courses 2nd Year Syllabus

Diploma Banking Courses Syllabus

The general syllabus for diploma banking courses covers 2 years and is as follows:

Diploma Banking Courses 1st Year Syllabus 

Diploma Banking Courses 2nd Year Syllabus

Certificate Banking Courses Syllabus

Here's an example of a generic syllabus for a Certificate in Banking course structured in a table format:

Module 1: Introduction to Banking

Module 2: Banking Operations

Module 3: Financial Management in Banking

Module 4: Regulatory Framework

Module 5: Technology in Banking

In India, banking courses provide options to specialise in different parts of the bank industry. The well-known specialisations include Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, International Banking, as well as Rural and Agricultural Banking. They also offer Treasury Management, Risk Management, Financial Research with Analytics alongside Investment Banking and Wealth Management.

The specialisation in Retail Banking is centred around banking for individuals, giving out loans, managing bank branches, handling customer relationships and the promotion of loans and savings products to customers. The Corporate Banking field deals with lending to big companies, financing international trade, services for cash management, looking after custody services among others.

Specialisation in International Banking gives understanding of managing foreign currencies, transactions that cross different countries' borders, finance for international trade, banking partnerships across nations and services for Non-Resident Indians. Specialising in Rural and Agricultural Banking concentrates on giving credit to rural areas, including everyone financially, loans to important sectors as decided by government policies like agriculture or small industries; microfinance approaches; Kisan (farmer) credit cards offerings and insurances related to farming crops.

The specialisation in Treasury Management provides learners with the ability to handle tasks related to treasury, manage cash flow and investments, as well as trade in stocks, foreign currency, and other financial instruments. The Risk Management pathway concentrates on teaching about various risks encountered in banking activities and introduces methods for evaluating those risks and reducing their impact.

The specialisation in Financial Research and Analytics is about analysing data, making financial models, writing research reports, studying equities and credits. The specialisation for Investment Banking teaches how to handle mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, deals in private equity, as well as assessments of worth. The Wealth Management focus includes managing client relationships, planning finances, allocating assets, organising estate plans, handling taxes and providing retirement options for individuals with high net worth.

Distance banking courses often cover similar content to traditional on-campus programs but are adapted for remote learning. Here's a general syllabus outline for a distance banking course:

Module 1: Introduction to Banking and Finance

• Unit 1: Overview of Banking
• Unit 2: Principles of Finance
• Unit 3: Banking Operations and Services

Module 2: Financial Management in Banking

• Unit 1: Financial Accounting
• Unit 2: Risk Management in Banking
• Unit 3: Investment Banking

Module 3: Banking Regulations and Compliance

• Unit 1: Banking Laws and Regulations
• Unit 2: Compliance and Governance
• Unit 3: Ethical Practices in Banking

Module 4: Financial Markets and Instruments

• Unit 1: Money and Capital Markets
• Unit 2: Financial Instruments and Derivatives
• Unit 3: Forex and International Banking

Module 5: Technology in Banking

• Unit 1: Digital Banking
• Unit 2: Fintech Applications in Banking
• Unit 3: Cybersecurity in Banking

Module 6: Electives (Depending on Specialization)

• Unit 1: Retail Banking (or other chosen specialization)
• Unit 2: Data Analytics in Banking (or other chosen specialization)
• Unit 3: Islamic Banking (or other chosen specialization)

Assessment and Projects

• Assignments based on each module
• Case studies and practical exercises
• Final project or dissertation

Additional Components

• Webinars and online lectures
• Discussion forums or online communities for interaction
• Self-paced study materials (e.g., recorded lectures, readings)

The syllabus may vary based on the level (undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate) and the institution offering the distance banking course. It's important to check the specific course curriculum provided by the educational institution for detailed and accurate information.

Here's a list of important books for banking courses written by Indian authors:

Banking Principles and Practices

"Banking Theory, Law, and Practice" by Gurusamy S.

"Emerging Scenario of Indian Banking Sector" by Nayak & Niranjan

Financial Accounting and Analysis

"Financial Accounting for Management" by Tulsian P.C.

"Financial Analysis" by Bhattacharyya and De (2017)"

Commercial Banking

"Commercial Banking in India" by Gupta, K.L. (2019)"

"Practice of Commercial Banking in India" by Tandon, B.L. (2017)"

Risk Management in Banking

"Risk Management in Banking" by Vasant A. Kini (2018)"

"Bank Risk Management" by N.K. Jindal (2017)"

International Banking

"International Banking" by Mukherjee, B. (2019)"

"International Banking and Financial Markets" by Gupta, K.L. (2017)"

Here is some information about the typical structure of banking courses in India at the undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate levels:

Undergraduate Banking Courses: 

These programmes usually include courses in accounting, economics, banking operations, financial markets, commercial banking, retail banking, financial services, insurance, business laws, IT in banking, etc.

Bachelors in Banking and Insurance (BBI) - 3 years
Bachelors in Banking and Finance (BBF) - 3 years

Postgraduate Banking Courses: 

These banking courses provide advanced knowledge in areas like international banking, investment banking, treasury management, financial analytics, risk management, financial institutions and markets etc. Some colleges also offer MBA in Banking and Finance.

Masters in Banking and Finance (MBF) - 2 years
Masters in Financial Services (MFS) - 2 years

Diploma Banking Courses: 

These diploma courses cover basics of banking, accounting, economics, financial management, with practical exposure. Helpful for getting entry level banking jobs.

Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance (PGDBF) - 1 year
Diploma in Banking and Finance (DBF) - 1 year

Certificate Banking Courses: 

Short term banking programmes focused on banking operations, customer services, sales, accounting basics for bankers, etc. Useful for teller roles in banks.

Certificate course in Banking - 6 months to 1 year

Note: The duration and curriculum of banking courses changes across colleges. Banking programmes include theoretical learning as well as summer internships at banks and financial institutions. Admission is based on qualifying exam scores as well as entrance exams like CAT, MAT, NPAT, CMAT, SNAP, etc.