The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) has launched two certification courses on cybersecurity and cyber resilience for the GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). The programmes were launched on 12 October 2026 by NISM Director Sashi Krishnan and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) Chairperson K. Rajaraman. GIFT IFSC is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Course Framework
The courses are NISM-IFSCA-02A, the Basic certification, and NISM-IFSCA-02B, the Advanced certification. The Basic programme takes effect from 18 November 2026, while the Advanced programme takes effect from 30 December 2026. Both address cybersecurity and cyber-risk awareness in the IFSC ecosystem.
Basic Certification
The Basic curriculum covers cyber threats, governance and risk management, security architecture, asset and access management, third-party risk, application and data security, vulnerability management, cyber hygiene, and incident response and recovery. It also introduces cybersecurity challenges associated with Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing. Its examination has 50 one-mark questions, a 60-minute duration and a passing requirement of 50 per cent. The examination fee is ₹1,180, inclusive of taxes, and the certificate is valid for two years.
Advanced Certification
The Advanced programme builds on existing cybersecurity knowledge and covers governance, risk management, cyber-incident preparedness, resilience, cybersecurity applications across key domains and regulatory requirements for GIFT IFSC entities. Its examination consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and three case-based questions, lasts two hours and requires a score of at least 60 per cent. The fee is ₹2,950, inclusive of taxes, and the certificate is valid for three years.
Important Facts for Exams
:
- NISM was established by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in 2006.
- The International Financial Services Centres Authority Act was enacted in 2019.
- IFSCA regulates financial products, services and institutions in India’s international financial services centres.
- GIFT IFSC is situated within Gujarat International Finance Tec-City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Institutional Context
NISM is an educational and capacity-building institution established by SEBI. IFSCA is the unified regulator for financial services in India’s IFSCs and is headquartered at GIFT City in Gujarat.
The two certification programmes have separate examination formats, passing thresholds, fees and validity periods. Their scheduled commencement dates are 18 November and 30 December 2026.
