This programme was launched by the School of Management Studies, IGNOU, following a MOU between IGNOU and Indian Institute of Bankers (IIB) in order to provide an avenue for post-graduate academic qualification in Banking and Financial Services for the members of the IIB. This programme has been considered desirable to upgrade the managerial skills and capabilities of the in-service banking personnel.

The Indian Institute of Bankers

The Indian Institute of Bankers is a professional body of banks and financial institutions established on 30th April, 1928, as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1913. The initiative to establish the Institute was taken by eminent bankers, businessmen and leading industrialists. The institute is managed by the Council comprising of Chairmen and Managing Directors of banks and other eminent personalities in the field of banking and finance. The day-to-day activities of the institute are managed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, who is assisted by nearly 200 employees.

Till the late 80's the Institute had mainly confined its role to merely conducting examinations. Since then the activities of the Institute have been expanded keeping in view the mission of the Institute, the environmental changes and expectations of banks and bankers from the Institute. The Institute has taken new steps to reorganize and reposition itself to respond to the demands of the banking community with a view to improve upon the existing professional qualifications, introduce new examinations and provide support facilities for such activities. The present initiative to offer this programme through SOMS, IGNOU is a step in that direction.

Programme Structure

This programme consists of 21 courses in all. These 21 courses include 11 Basic Courses, 5 Specialisation Courses and 5 Integrative Courses, which include a Project Course equivalent to two courses. The structure of the programme is given below:

A) Compulsory Courses (Basic Courses)

MS-1 Management Functions and Behaviour
MS-2 Managing Men
MS-3 Economic and Social Environment
MS-4 Accounting and Finance for Managers
MS-5 Management of Machines and Materials
MS-6 Marketing for Managers
MS-7 Information Management and Computers
MS-8 Quantitative Analysis for Managerial Applications
MS-9 Managerial Economics
MS-10 Organisational Design, Development and Change
MS-11 Corporate Policies and Practices

B) Specialisation Courses (Select any Five)

MS-44 Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
MS-45 International Financial Management
MS-421*HRM in Financial Services Sector
MS-422*Bank Financial Management
MS-423 Marketing of Financial Services
MS-424 International Banking Management
MS-425 Electronic Banking and IT in Banks

C) Integrative Courses

MS-91 Strategic Management
MS-491* Law & Practices Relevant to Banking
MS-100 Project Course (equivalent to two courses)

Electives (Select any one)

MS-94 Technology Management
MS-492* Financing of Special and Preferred Sectors
MS-493* Industrial Finance

* These courses are presently not on offer

All the above courses are of 6 credits each (except MS-100 which is of 12 credits). Each credit amounts to 30 hours of study comprising all learning activities. Thus, a student is expected to put in 180 hours of study for each of the above courses (360 hours for MS-100).

Delivery System

The School follows a multimedia approach in programme delivery. It comprises self-instructional printed course material packages, supporting audio-video programmes, face-to-face interaction with academic counsellors at study centers, assignments for assessment and feedback, telecast of video programmes on Doordarshan, broadcast of audio programmes on All India Radio, teleconferencing and phone-in-programmes.

Eligibility for Admission

For admission to the MBA (Banking and Finance) programme, the candidate would have to satisfy the following conditions :

a) He/she should be a graduate of a recognized University
b) He/she should have passed the CAIIB examination of the Indian Institute of Bankers, Mumbai and awarded the requisite qualifications/credentials therefor by the Institute.
c) He/She should be working in the banking or financial services sector for a period of at least two years.
d) He/She should be a member of the Indian Institute of Bankers, Mumbai.

How to Apply

"Student Handbook and Prospectus" for this programme is available from the Director (SR&E), IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068 and from all the Regional Centers of IGNOU. Admissions to this programme are open twice a year. Advertisements inviting applications for admission to this programme are published in all leading newspapers in the months of February and August.

Fee Structure

Course fee of Rs.600/- per course (Rs.1,200 for MS-100 course). This includes cost of study material, counselling and examination fee.

Credit Transfer Scheme

This scheme is applicable to those students who have done CAIIB (in old system/revised system) and other diplomas from IIB. Those students who are granted credit transfer need to do neither assignments nor appear in the term-end examination. The credits earned by the student in the CAIIB Examination will be transferred to MBA (Banking and Finance) programme. A student can seek for credit transfer upto a maximum of 5 courses. Credit transfer is also applicable to candidates who have completed some courses under Management Programme of IGNOU. This will be in addition to the credit transfer of courses against CAIIB and other Diplomas. In both cases the student is required to apply for credit transfer specifically to the University by paying the requisite fee and enclosing the supporting documents.