IIM Bangalore has opened registrations for the GIFT Finance Olympiad 2026, a national-level student case challenge organised through its Centre for Capital Markets and Risk Management (CCMRM) in collaboration with GIFT City. The competition invites postgraduate students from recognised colleges, universities and business schools across India to develop evidence-based solutions to challenges facing the country's international financial markets.
Registrations opened on October 14 and will close on October 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm IST. Participants must form teams of four, with organisers encouraging interdisciplinary groups combining expertise in finance, economics, technology and data. Each student can participate in only one team.
Interested students can access registration details through the official competition registration form and seek further information from CCMRM at IIM Bangalore.
Two Tracks for the National Case Challenge
The competition's initial online round requires teams to analyse a real-world case connected to GIFT City's financial ecosystem. Participants must submit a presentation containing one title slide and up to four content slides, selecting one of two analytical tracks.
Markets and product design: This track examines a proposed launch of single-stock futures linked to major Indian companies through depository receipt structures on NSE International Exchange (NSE IX). Teams must assess contract design, investor eligibility, clearing mechanisms, liquidity provision and operational risks.
Institutional strategy and governance: This track focuses on partnerships between financial market institutions in GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and global exchanges, custodians and clearing corporations. Key considerations include governance, cybersecurity, data sharing, strategic independence and international competitiveness.
Regional Finals Scheduled Across Four Cities
The competition will progress through an online national case challenge, regional finals and a Grand Finale. The regional rounds are scheduled for November 21 in Delhi, November 28 in Bengaluru, November 30 in Kolkata and December 5 in Mumbai.
Shortlisted teams will work on an extended case study, deliver live presentations and answer questions from a judging panel. The four regional winners will advance to the Grand Finale, with its date to be announced separately.
How Teams Will Be Evaluated
Judges will assess originality and analytical quality, strategic thinking, the feasibility of recommendations, understanding of market trade-offs and presentation skills. Original analysis carries the highest individual weight, at 30 per cent.
Organisers aim to encourage practical ideas that strengthen GIFT IFSC's credibility and long-term competitiveness as an international financial centre. Participants may use artificial intelligence tools for research and drafting, but they must disclose their use.
For official institutional information, visit IIM Bangalore.
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