THE NCFM PROGRAMMS

Taking into account international experience and the needs of the Indian financial markets, with a view for protecting interests of investors in financial markets and more importantly, for minimising risks of losses arising out of deficient understanding of markets and instruments, National Stock Exchange introduced in 1998 a facility for testing and certification by launching NSE's Certification in Financial Markets (NCFM). NCFM is an online testing system, a revolutionary concept in administration of examinations and the only one of its kind today in the country. It tests the practical knowledge and skills required to operate in the financial markets in a secure and unbiased manner and awards certificates based on relative merits thus ensuring that the calibre of persons entering this field is kept high in the best interests of a mature and vibrant market. The entire process of testing, assessing and scores reporting in the NCFM is fully automated. The system is operated through an intranet facility by using a central World Wide Web server with terminals located at each of the designated test centres to be used as an examination front end. Communication between the central server and the test centres is achieved through VSAT/leased line network. The Test is also offered through the Internet to enable candidates outside the designated test centres to take tests at their convenience. This allows flexibility in terms of testing centres, dates and timing and provides easy accessibility and convenience to candidates. The easy accessibility as well as flexibility involved in the NCFM programme has resulted in its wider acceptance among market intermediaries, students and regulators.