Your Exclusive Guide on How to Become Investment Banker After 12th in India

If you are a commerce student and chose Commerce as a stream in 12th, you must be wondering about investment banking as a career in India. Choosing the right courses after 12th is the most important decision in your journey to be an investment banker.

If you want to be an investment banker in India after finishing 12th grade, there's a specific path you should follow. The following are the 5 points you must remember and keep in mind to be an investment banker in India.

1. After 12th grade (ideally with a focus on Commerce or Science with Mathematics), it’s best to get a Bachelor's degree in areas like Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, or Commerce. These programs give you a base knowledge of financial markets, business laws, corporate finance, and economics, which are important for investment banking.
2. You can also get certificates like CFA, NISM, or FRM to boost your skills and credibility.
3. After your Bachelor's degree, many people go on to get a Master's degree, like an MBA in Finance, from well-known schools such as IIMs, ISB, or other top universities worldwide. Check MBA Subjects List with Core and Specialization Subjects
4. Investment banks usually want people with advanced management and analysis skills. Besides education, it’s also important to get real-world experience through internships, networking, and jobs linked to finance.
5. So, while you can't jump straight into investment banking after 12th grade, picking the correct courses, earning certifications, and getting a higher education in finance will guide you to this competitive and well-paid career.

Before you dive deep into detailed steps to become Investment Banker after 12th in India, check in detail about investment banker course, requirements for investment banker, investment banker qualification, investment banking courses eligibility. By doing this you will be well equipped to take effective decisions.

Steps to Become Investment Banker After 12th in India

10-Step Guide on How to Become an Investment Banker in India After 12th in India is below:

1. Select the Right Academic Path

• Choosing Commerce with Mathematics is a solid move, giving you grounding in accounting, finance, and economics.
• If you come from a Science or Arts background, don't worry. You can still break into investment banking with degrees in Economics, Business, or Finance.

2. Earn a Bachelor's Degree

• A B.Com, BBA, BA in Economics, or BMS are common choices. Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in finance, B.A. Economics and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Finance can also be the best alternatives for a career as an Investment Banker.
• Some people opt for Engineering (Computer Science or Mathematics) then get an MBA in Finance, since tech skills combined are valued in this field.

Important Read: MBA Banking and Finance, Admission, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Salary

3. Aim for Strong Grades

• Investment banking firms like candidates with great grades.
• Pay attention to getting good marks in math, economics, and finance classes during college.

Explore in detail about Banking Courses: Fees, After 12th, Graduation, Online, Scope, Subjects 2025

4. Learn About Finance and Markets

• Begin reading financial newspapers such as the Economic Times, Business Standard, and Mint, and global sources like the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal.
• Keep up with the stock markets, IPOs, mergers, acquisitions, and the financial news to know what's happening.

Insights on: MBA Financial Management

5. Earn Professional Credentials

Get noticed by earning certifications like:

• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
• FRM (Financial Risk Manager)
• CIMA, CPA, or NSE Certificates

These add weight to your resume and are recognized worldwide.

6. Pursue Further Education (MBA in Finance is a Plus)

• After graduation, an MBA in Finance from top schools like IIMs, ISB, FMS, or good international schools is a solid move.
• Many investment banks hire MBA grads from these schools.

Check Top MBA in MBA / PGDM - Investment Banking Colleges in India 2025 : NIRF 2025 Rankings, Courses, Fees and Admission Details

7. Get Internship Experience

• Internships at banks, financial companies, or corporate finance departments provide hands-on experience.
• If you can’t get into big firms at first, start with smaller ones. Experience counts more than the company name early on.

8. Sharpen Your Analytical and Technical Skills

• Learn Excel, financial modeling, valuation, and how to create presentations. Also, learn investment research tools.
• Take finance courses online (Coursera, Udemy, NSE Academy, etc.).

Good problem-solving and communication skills are musts.

9. Develop Your Professional Contacts

Connecting with people is key in investment banking.

• Go to finance events, online discussions, LinkedIn groups, and alumni events. Keep in touch with people in the business.
• A good contact and network with professionals in the field can help you find job openings.

10. Apply for Investment Banking Positions

• Begin with entry-level jobs like Financial Analyst, Junior Associate, or Equity Researcher.
• With time and experience, you can move up to Associate, Vice President, Director, and then Managing Director.

In short: Choose commerce/math; study finance/business/economics; focus on grades; get certified (CFA, FRM); get an MBA in Finance; do internships; build skills and make contacts. Start with an analyst job and grow in investment banking.

5 Great Investment Banking Specializations

Below are five great investment banking specializations with descriptions:

1. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

• This specialization is about company takeovers, mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations.
• You will discover how to value firms, hold talks, and handle legal and financial steps in big business deals.
• It is a well-regarded, high-paying part of investment banking because it includes deals worth billions.

2. Equity Research and Capital Markets

• This area is about studying firms, industries, and financial records to advise investors.
• You will learn to write stock reports, value stocks, and examine IPOs.
• It works well if you are good at research, creating financial models, and studying the stock market.

3. Asset Management and Portfolio Management

• This specialization teaches how to handle investments, mutual funds, hedge funds, and client portfolios.
• You will study risk-return plans, how to divide assets, and predict the market.
• It is wanted because rich people and groups need bankers to skillfully manage money.

4. Risk Management and Financial Modeling

• Here, you will focus on studying financial, credit, and market risks.
• You will also learn advanced Excel, valuation models, and how to analyze possible outcomes.
• Firms employ risk pros to keep things stable and make money in shaky financial markets.

5. Private Equity and Venture Capital

• This specialization is about funding new businesses, growing firms, and investing in private companies.
• You will learn deal structures, exit plans, and how to increase investment returns.
• With India's growing startup world, this area pays well for investment bankers.

Executive Summary

• For big-name deals → pick M&A.
• If you like the stock markets → pick Equity Research.
• For wealth management → choose Asset Management.
• If you are good with numbers and risk study → Risk Management is best.
• If you are into startups and private funding → Private Equity works.

Skills and Certifications That Offer An Edge

To get into investment banking, you'll need a mix of people skills, technical abilities, and credentials. Here’s a breakdown:

1. People Skills

These are important since investment banking involves clients and can be intense.

• Communication: Explain tricky data simply to clients.
• Negotiation: Important for mergers, acquisitions, and structuring deals.
• Thinking Skills: Break down problems logically.
• Time Management: Handle many deals with close deadlines.
• Networking: Good for finding deals and earning client trust.
• Teamwork: Work with different experts.
• Resilience: Handle stress and long hours.

2. Technical Skills

These skills will get you ready for a job in finance.

• Financial Modeling: Use Excel to make company valuation models.
• Financial Statement Analysis: Understand financial statements.
• Corporate Finance: Understand capital.
• Economics: Know global markets and how things affect them.
• Excel: Create reports and analyze data.
• Statistics: Model risks and interpret data.
• Bloomberg/Reuters Terminal: Use financial data platforms.
• Investment Knowledge: Learn about different investment options.

3. Credentials

If you're starting out, here’s a path to follow:

Start (After School)

• Get a diploma in banking and finance as an introduction to banking.
• Take basic Excel and financial accounting courses.

Mid-Point (During College)

• Get certified in financial markets; it is recognized in India and covers stocks and more.
• Get certified by NISM; it is good for investment knowledge.
• Get certified in Advanced Excel for analysis.

Advanced (After College)

• Become a Chartered Financial Analyst; it's the standard in banking and covers valuation.
• Become a Financial Risk Manager; it's good for risk management.
• Get certified as an Investment Banking Professional; it's for banking skills.
• Get a diploma in Investment Banking from certain academies.

In short:

• Develop people skills like communication.
• Learn technical skills like finance.
• Get certifications.
• Get professional certifications.
• Get experience with internships.

Investment Banking Roadmap (After 12th in India)

Tabulated below is the complete roadmap to becoming a investment banker in India. By following this path, you’ll be industry-ready for entry-level investment banking roles (Analyst/Associate) by the time you finish graduation + certifications.