The program aims at cultivating a culture of knowledge to help professionals to take informed decisions relating finance as a career option.

About the GAFA Program

GAFA or Global Applied Financial Analyst is a self-paced study module which gives undergraduate students a chance to achieve their dream of making a career in finance. It has been developed by NSE Academy, a wholly owned subsidiary of The National Stock Exchange of India in association with EIDOS (a 20 year old institution which has been helping students pursue careers that are in sync with their talents and establish industry connects to covert learning into practicality). GAFA believes in inculcating finance as an ingrained and imbibed talent rather than a specialty only. The course is designed across three levels, Associate, Professional, and Expert that have to be taken sequentially with a one-month gap between the levels. Each level takes about 11 months to complete. In each level, the students give subject as well as Industry Regulatory Certification exams. After the Expert GAFA Examinations, they need to opt for a 3-month internship or dissertation, after which they get a GAFA certificate. GAFA is available as a classroom as well as an online program

GAFA blends classroom learning with Industry relevance in the following ways:

• Expert faculty from NSE Academy, EIDOS, and the Finance community
• Latest and Award – winning Case Studies relevant to the Finance Industry
• Mentoring and Industry relevant learning by corporates from the Industry
• A huge library of books, journals, sample worksheets, and a whole lot more

NSE Academy is a wholly owned subsidiary of The National Stock Exchange of India, which is the largest stock exchange of India & second largest in the world in terms of contracts traded in Index Options. NSE Academy was established with a view to spread financial literacy in the country. It offers various Regulatory Certifications that ascertain the practical knowledge and skills required to operate in the financial markets.

Infrastructural, Educational, and Locational Benefits

GAFA is located in Camac Street, the hub of corporate business in Kolkata. It is easily accessible from all modes of public conveyance which is a boon for students, faculties, and industry mentors alike.

It has state of the art institute, having centrally air-conditioned infrastructure with multimedia and virtual classroom capabilities. It has an online e-portal for complete access for students from any location. The institute organizes classroom videos and extra sessions on live channels. GAFA has an online interactive portal for students to connect live with faculty and mentors. Workshops and projects are conducted with the best financial companies in India for live learning mentoring by stalwarts from the finance world. It also provides placement assistance in the best companies in India. Moreover, students also have the provision of an e–library of more than 50,000 titles relevant to finance.

About the Director

Ms. Swadha Kapoor, Director of GAFA (EIDOS) has more than 15 years of experience in education in multiple roles, be it an educator, a career counselor, author, and mentor amongst many others. A topper in School (MHS, Kolkata) as well as in college (Calcutta University), she is an NAMC certified educator as well as a UCLA, Berkley certified career counselor.

Apart from being engrained in education, Ms. Kapoor has also been a part of numerous startups in the education sector focusing on providing career opportunities to students both in India and overseas. She has co-authored several books on management, economics, and finance.

GAFA for Higher Studies

The industry interaction and practical relevance of GAFA instills in students a high level of confidence which helps them to comprehend the nuances of a Master’s Degree/Professional Coursework in a more matured and holistic manner. GAFA builds a strong foundation in the knowledge and skills, thereby furthering students to engage in powerful group discussions, helping them answer questions confidently and be technically proficient in their personal interview for their MBA admissions.

Distinct Advantages of GAFA

GAFA is distinct from other professional courses in India like CA, CS, CFA, and CMA. GAFA can be started and completed along with graduation as opposed to other courses which continue well after graduation, even if one passes all the levels in the first attempt. Clearing in the first attempt in some of the other professional courses is as low as 3% whereas students appearing for the GAFA exams have a very high chance of completing it along with their graduation.

Words of Trust

“GAFA program provides a practical knowledge of the financial markets and the mutual funds in the economy. This course is a blend between the academic and industry point of view. It renders requisite knowledge of the corporate world and it’s workings. The classes are interactive with highly qualified faculty with tremendous industry experience.” – Shouvik Sen

“I have joined the GAFA sessions and it has been just fantastic. The faculty here are great and that would be an understatement. The concepts that are taught are so fluid as well as lucid that everything is understandable, but the discussions are the opus prime of this course.” – Arkya Ghosh

“The classes of GAFA are very helpful. They not only strengthen our concepts but sharpen our skills too. The faculty is extremely good and they make the classes both interesting and informative.” – Purbasha Bera