The School of Economics and Commerce at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FPSB India to enable eligible students to pursue the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification alongside their academic programmes. The collaboration will give students an opportunity to gain professional knowledge in financial planning and wealth management while completing their academic studies. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the link between academic education and industry requirements and preparing students for careers in banking, insurance, investment advisory, wealth management, fintech and other financial services.
The partnership comes as India’s formal financial ecosystem continues to expand. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s Financial Inclusion Index, India’s financial inclusion score reached 70.0 in March 2026, reflecting progress in access, usage and quality of financial services.
The CFP® certification covers key areas of financial planning, including investment planning, retirement planning, taxation, risk management and estate planning. It is designed to develop professional capabilities for providing comprehensive financial planning services and is recognised across multiple international markets.
As of September 2026, more than 236,300 CFP® professionals were certified across 29 territories. India had approximately 3,534 CFP® professionals in 2026, reflecting the growing presence of the certification in the country’s financial services sector.
The demand for financial planning capabilities is also linked to the expansion of India’s savings and investment market. The mutual fund industry recorded assets under management of ₹82.22 lakh crore in June 2026, while monthly Systematic Investment Plan contributions stood at ₹31,781 crore, according to industry data.
Ramesh Vishwanathan, CEO, FPSB India, said: “India’s expanding financial ecosystem and its nuances make financial education increasingly important for individuals aspiring a career in financial services. As financial choices become more complex, students entering the financial services sector need the ability to understand individual circumstances, evaluate priorities and apply their knowledge with sound professional judgement to help their customers make informed financial decisions. Our partnership with MIT-WPU is an important step towards connecting classroom learning with globally benchmarked professional standards. Through the CFP® certification pathway, we aim to equip students with practical capabilities, ethical grounding and a broader understanding of the responsibilities involved in serving individuals and families, while strengthening the pipeline of future-ready talent for India’s evolving financial services ecosystem.”
Dr Anjali Sane, Professor and Dean, School of Economics and Commerce, MIT-WPU, said: “This MoU reflects our vision to integrate global professional standards into academic programmes and provide students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. By creating a pathway towards CFP® certification, we aim to equip our students with relevant knowledge and practical capabilities while preparing them to contribute meaningfully to India’s financial inclusion and wealth creation journey.”
Through the partnership, eligible students will gain exposure to practical aspects of financial planning while pursuing their degree programmes. The initiative is expected to provide students with an additional professional pathway as they prepare to enter India’s financial services sector.
FPSB India is the Indian subsidiary of Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB), the global standards-setting body for the financial planning profession and owner of the international CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification programme. For more information, visit CFP certification is an international professional credential in financial planning. It is based on standards covering professional competence, ethics and ongoing learning, with CFP professionals operating across 29 territories.
