Course Name: The Financial Ecosystem and Markets Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3

Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the global and
Indian financial systems, markets, and institutions while integrating the growing influence of
technology in shaping modern finance. It explores capital markets, banking evolution, fintech
innovations, regulatory risk, and emerging areas like DeFi, blockchain, and AI-driven
financial analysis. Students gain hands-on exposure to tools, APIs, data modeling, and
strategy-building for careers in banking, fintech, and investment analysis.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. To explain the structure and function of global and Indian financial ecosystems
2. To explore capital markets and emerging investment technologies
3. To analyze the evolution of banking and fintech disruptions
4. To examine the importance of compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity in modern
finance
5. To evaluate the impact of blockchain, DeFi, and cryptocurrencies on financial systems
6. To apply AI, big data, and APIs in building financial models and strategic insights

Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Distinguish between traditional and modern financial systems across global and Indian
markets
CLO2: Analyze investment vehicles and AI-driven trading practices
CLO3: Evaluate innovations in banking and fintech through real-world case studies
CLO4: Assess regulatory frameworks and apply cybersecurity tools in finance
CLO5: Demonstrate understanding of DeFi, blockchain, and crypto’s role in financial
disruption

Pedagogy: This course uses blended pedagogy including conceptual lectures, industry case
studies, coding workshops (for APIs, AI/ML, blockchain), simulation trading, use of open-
source financial data, and experiential capstone presentations.

UNIT I: Understanding Financial Systems – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
This unit introduces students to the global financial system and its role in economic
development. It covers key institutions and their functions, including central banks, regulatory
bodies, and international agencies like the IMF and World Bank. The unit then shifts to the
Indian context, detailing the structure of financial markets, key participants, and the regulatory
framework governed by RBI and SEBI. Students will also be introduced to reliable financial
data sources and participate in hands-on exploration using open-source tools such as Yahoo
Finance, Quandl, and NSEpy.

UNIT II: Capital Markets & Investment Vehicles – 6 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
This unit provides a thorough overview of capital market instruments, including equities, debt
securities, mutual funds, and ETFs. It introduces students to algorithmic trading and the
growing impact of AI in investment decision-making. The unit includes hands-on sessions
where students will learn to build basic market prediction models using Python, equipping
them with analytical skills to interpret market trends and automate simple trading strategies.
UNIT III: Banking & FinTech Innovations – 8 Hrs
Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Students will explore the evolution from traditional banking to digital and neobanking models,
examining how technology has reshaped financial services. The unit dives into fintech case
studies across lending, payments, insurance, and wealth management. Practical exposure is
provided through working with real APIs from platforms like UPI, Razorpay, Paytm, and
Plaid, helping students understand backend integration in digital finance systems.

UNIT IV: Risk, Compliance & Cybersecurity – 7 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
This unit focuses on the frameworks and norms governing financial risk and compliance,
including RBI, SEBI regulations, and Basel norms. It explores how AI is used in modern
financial institutions for fraud detection and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) processes.
Through practical exercises, students will simulate financial security breach scenarios and
AML rule application, fostering real-world understanding of financial security and
governance.

UNIT V: Blockchain, DeFi & Crypto Disruptions – 7 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Students will be introduced to blockchain technology and its applications in financial services,
including cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, and DeFi platforms. The unit covers decentralized
systems and how they challenge traditional financial infrastructures. Hands-on learning
includes wallet creation, executing crypto transactions, and deploying smart contracts on
blockchain testnets to bridge theory and practice.

UNIT VI: AI & Big Data in Market Analysis – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
This unit delves into the role of artificial intelligence and big data in modern financial
analysis. Topics include financial forecasting, sentiment analysis, alternative data (alt-data),
and the use of social media signals in trading strategies. Students will gain practical skills by
building an AI-based investment strategy model using Python or Excel, reinforcing the
application of data-driven finance techniques.

UNIT VII: Capstone Project – FinTech Strategy & Market Analysis – 7 Hrs
Level of Knowledge: Applied/Strategic
The capstone project enables students to synthesize knowledge from all previous units. They
will choose a focus area such as banking, crypto, trading, or DeFi, and develop a
comprehensive fintech strategy or market analysis project. This includes building financial
models, integrating APIs, or designing digital tools. The project culminates in a final
presentation evaluated by faculty or industry experts, simulating real-world pitch and review
environments.

Essential references:

Mishkin, F. & Eakins, S. (2021). Financial Markets and Institutions. Pearson Education
Kroszner, R.S. & Strahan, P.E. (2022). FinTech and the Future of Finance. NBER Working
Papers
Arner, D., Barberis, J., & Buckley, R. (2020). The Evolution of FinTech: A New Post-Crisis
Paradigm. Georgetown Journal of International Law

Recommended references:
● Khan, M.Y. (2020). Indian Financial System. McGraw Hill
● Bhole, L.M. (2017). Financial Institutions and Markets. McGraw Hill
● World Bank & IMF Financial Sector Reports
● RBI Annual Reports & FinTech Working Group Papers
● CFA Institute: FinTech in Investment Management
● Online Labs: NSE India, SEBI FinTech Sandbox, GitHub Repositories on DeFi & AI

Course Name: The FinTech Evolution: Brick to Click Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course explores the evolution of banking and financial services
from traditional branch-based models (“brick”) to fully digital and mobile-first platforms
(“click”). It covers the historical progression of financial institutions, the rise of neobanks, and
the revolutionary role of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Students will gain both a
conceptual foundation and practical exposure to the tools and trends driving this
transformation, including APIs, digital wallets, embedded finance, and mobile banking
platforms.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. To trace the history and evolution of traditional banking models
2. To understand how technology has transformed banking into a digital experience
3. To examine the architecture and impact of UPI and India Stack
4. To explore neobank models and emerging digital finance platforms
5. To evaluate regulatory, operational, and strategic challenges in fintech-driven banking
Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Summarize the evolution from traditional to digital banking
CLO2: Analyze UPI’s role in reshaping India’s payments ecosystem
CLO3: Compare traditional banks and neobanks in terms of strategy, UX, and revenue
CLO4: Apply fintech tools such as APIs and digital platforms for real-world use cases
CLO5: Evaluate regulatory challenges and strategic responses to digital disruption
Pedagogy: Interactive lectures, live demonstrations, industry case studies, fintech sandbox
tools, group activities, and guest sessions with digital banking professionals.

UNIT I: From Branches to Bytes – The History of Banking – 8 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
A historical overview of global and Indian banking systems – Traditional business models –
Evolution from manual ledgers to core banking systems – Role of RBI in modernization –
Early signs of digitization – ATM, NEFT, CBS introduction.

UNIT II: Rise of Digital Banking – 7 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Drivers of digital transformation – Internet and mobile banking – Cloud computing and core
banking software – Emergence of customer-centric interfaces – UX/UI in banking apps – Case
studies: SBI YONO, ICICI iMobile, Kotak 811.

UNIT III: UPI & India Stack – 10 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Introduction to UPI and its architecture – NPCI’s role – Aadhaar, eKYC, DigiLocker, and
other layers of India Stack – IMPS, AEPS, BBPS – UPI vs global systems – UPI 2.0 features –
Hands-on: Simulate a UPI transaction and QR integration via sandbox environment.

UNIT IV: Neobanks, Digital Wallets & Embedded Finance – 10 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
What are neobanks and digital wallets? – Global and Indian models – Revenue and partnership
models – Fintech vs traditional banking – Case studies: Fi, Jupiter, Paytm Payments Bank,
RazorpayX – Introduction to embedded finance and API-based banking – Hands-on: Explore a
FinTech API.

UNIT V: Compliance, Security & Future Trends – 10 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Strategic
Digital risk management – Cybersecurity, data privacy (DPDP Act) – RBI compliance
guidelines for digital banking – Regulatory sandbox – AI/ML in fraud detection – Future of
digital banking: CBDCs, conversational banking, AI chatbots – Group discussion: "What’s
next for click-only banks?"

Essential references:
1. Arner, D. W., Barberis, J., & Buckley, R. (2020). FinTech and RegTech in a
Nutshell.
2. Indian FinTech Report – NITI Aayog, NPCI, RBI Working Papers
3. Mishkin, F. & Eakins, S. (2021). Financial Markets and Institutions. Pearson
Recommended references:
● Arner, D. W., Barberis, J., & Buckley, R. (2020). FinTech and RegTech in a Nutshell.
● Indian FinTech Report – NITI Aayog, NPCI, RBI Working Papers
● Mishkin, F. & Eakins, S. (2021). Financial Markets and Institutions. Pearson

Course Name: "Digital Payments & Mobile wallets Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course provides an in-depth exploration of the digital payments
ecosystem, including mobile wallets, UPI, QR-based payments, and security protocols that
support India’s cashless economy. The course begins with a historical and structural overview
and advances toward the technical aspects such as gateway integration, Python fundamentals,
fraud prevention mechanisms, and the use of AI/ML in digital payments. Students will gain
conceptual knowledge and hands-on experience with tools and technologies shaping the future
of financial transactions.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. To explain the evolution and types of digital payment systems in India
2. To explore mobile wallet models and their operational mechanisms
3. To provide a working knowledge of payment gateway APIs and UPI functionality
4. To evaluate security protocols and fraud prevention strategies in digital finance
 5. To apply AI/ML models and open-source tools to analyze digital payment systems
Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Identify and differentiate various digital payment methods and platforms
CLO2: Compare mobile wallets and UPI mechanisms with global alternatives
CLO3: Demonstrate payment gateway integration using Python and APIs
CLO4: Analyze security risks, protocols, and regulatory compliance in digital transactions
CLO5: Evaluate how AI and ML are used in fraud detection and customer engagement
CLO6: Examine future trends including CBDCs, crypto, and cross-border payment
innovations

Pedagogy: The course will employ conceptual lectures, real-time payment demos, hands-on
programming (Python), case studies (Paytm, Bharat QR, PayPal), sandbox testing of APIs,
and expert sessions from FinTech leaders.

UNIT I: Introduction to Digital Payments – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
History of digital payments – Types of digital payments (cards, UPI, wallets, net banking, etc.)
– Key players: Paytm, PhonePe, Razorpay, Pine Labs – Government initiatives: Digital India,
Jan Dhan Yojana – Regulatory bodies: RBI, NPCI – Opportunities and challenges in adoption.

UNIT II: Fundamentals of Mobile Wallets – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Definition and classification – Closed, semi-closed, open wallets – Working architecture –
Wallet vs. UPI differences – Business and social use cases – Case studies on Paytm and
Google Pay: growth strategy, customer acquisition, partnerships.

UNIT III: Payment Gateway Integration & APIs – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Introduction to payment gateways – Razorpay, Stripe, PayU – API-based architecture – Steps
in integrating gateways using Python – Security protocols in payment flow – PCI-DSS,
tokenization – Hands-on demo using open-source payment tools and sandbox environments.

UNIT IV: UPI Mechanics & Real-Time Payments – 6 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
UPI architecture, APIs, and back-end routing – NPCI and India Stack – UPI 2.0 features:
AutoPay, Mandates, Overdraft – International real-time payment systems comparison – Case
study: India’s UPI vs. Singapore’s PayNow – Hands-on: simulate UPI payments via sandbox
tools.

UNIT V: QR Code Payments & Contactless Transactions – 7 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Basics of QR code generation and scanning – Bharat QR, static vs. dynamic QR – NFC,
RFID, and tap-to-pay technologies – Benefits for MSMEs and informal sectors – Case study:
Bharat QR’s impact on kirana stores – Hands-on: building a QR-based mock payment system.

UNIT VI: Security & Fraud Prevention in Digital Payments – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Common fraud types: phishing, spoofing, SIM swap, malware – Security protocols: OTP,
2FA, encryption, TLS – RBI regulations on secure payments – AI/ML in fraud detection –
AML rules – Open-source tools for simulating fraud detection workflows.
UNIT VII: AI & ML in Digital Payments – 7 Hrs
Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Use of AI for anomaly detection, behavioral risk scoring – Chatbots for payments (e.g.,
WhatsApp Pay) – Predictive analytics for customer behavior and retention – Case study:
PayPal’s AI risk mitigation system – Hands-on: use Python libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn) for
basic fraud prediction.

UNIT VIII: Regulatory Framework & Future Trends – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Strategic
Regulatory bodies: RBI, NPCI, SEBI – Digital currency initiatives: e-RUPI, CBDCs – Cross-
border payments and SWIFT integration – Crypto as payment: risks and limitations – Future
outlook: embedded finance, BNPL, payment-as-a-service – Career opportunities in payments
& fintech.

Essential references:
1. Kaka, N., Madgavkar, A., & Manyika, J. (2021). Digital India: Technology to
Transform a Connection Nation – McKinsey Global Institute
2. NPCI Whitepapers & RBI Reports on Digital Payments
3. PayPal, Razorpay, and PhonePe API Documentation
Recommended references:
● Bhaskar, N. (2022). FinTech: The New DNA of Financial Services
● CFA Institute – FinTech in Investment Management
● Reports from NITI Aayog, Statista, and World Bank on India’s digital economy
● Case Studies: Inc42, LiveMint, ET Tech on Paytm, PhonePe, BharatPe

Course Name: Lending & Credit Technologies Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course explores how technology is revolutionizing lending models
and credit scoring. From traditional underwriting to AI-powered decision systems, students
will gain insight into modern credit ecosystems, digital lending platforms, behavioral credit
scoring, peer-to-peer lending, and ethical challenges in data-driven finance. The course
integrates technical learning through open-source tools and culminates in a hands-on capstone
where students build and deploy a Python-based creditworthiness model.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. To explain traditional and digital lending mechanisms
2. To analyze credit scoring techniques, including AI and behavioral models
3. To explore peer-to-peer lending and alternative business models
4. To apply machine learning for credit scoring and risk evaluation
5. To understand regulatory frameworks and data compliance in lending
Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Differentiate between traditional and tech-enabled lending platforms
CLO2: Analyze AI-driven credit scoring and its application in various markets
CLO3: Evaluate and implement credit risk models using Python
CLO4: Examine regulatory frameworks affecting digital lenders
CLO5: Build and present a working creditworthiness model using machine learning
Pedagogy: Lectures, real-world case studies (Tala, LendingKart, Branch), sandbox exercises,
Python coding labs, live demo of credit scoring APIs, and an experiential capstone project.

UNIT I: Introduction to Lending & FinTech Disruption – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Covers the evolution of lending, working mechanisms of traditional models, and how fintech
players have disrupted the credit space. Explores various digital loan types and showcases case
studies like LendingKart (MSMEs) and ZestMoney (consumer credit).

UNIT II: Digital Lending Platforms & Business Models – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Explores end-to-end digital lending ecosystems, peer-to-peer models, and AI-based
underwriting. Students get hands-on with tools like OpenBanking APIs and frameworks like
Django to simulate loan processing systems.

UNIT III: Credit Scoring & Risk Assessment – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Introduces traditional, alternative, and behavioral credit scoring methods. Includes case studies
like Tala and Branch using non-traditional data. Students learn PyCaret and SciKit for logistic
regression and basic risk analytics.

UNIT IV: AI & Machine Learning in Lending – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Focuses on AI-driven credit models, fraud detection algorithms, chatbots in lending
operations, and predictive analytics for NPAs. Hands-on use of TensorFlow and FastAPI for
building chatbots and default predictors.

UNIT V: Python for Creditworthiness Analysis – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Practical lab unit covering feature engineering, data visualization, and supervised learning for
credit scoring. Tools include Pandas, Matplotlib, Sklearn. The unit ends with a machine
learning model for real-time credit decisioning.

UNIT VI: Regulatory & Compliance in FinTech Lending – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Details India's digital lending regulations, data privacy laws (DPDP), and ethical use of AI.
Case study: India's digital lending guidelines. Students explore RegTech APIs for automating
compliance checks.

UNIT VII: Embedded Finance & Future of Lending – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Explores next-gen models like BNPL, DeFi, and blockchain-based lending. Discusses how
embedded finance is reshaping ecommerce and financial services. Tools include Solidity for
smart contracts in crypto lending

UNIT VIII: Capstone Project – Build a Creditworthiness Model with Python – 10 Hrs
Level of Knowledge: Applied/Strategic
End-to-end project applying everything learned. Students define a credit risk problem, collect
and clean data, build and evaluate a model, and deploy it using Flask or FastAPI. The project
ends with a peer-reviewed presentation.

Essential references:
1. Biswa, S. (2021). Digital Lending in India: Emerging Trends & Regulation.
2. World Bank FinTech Notes: Credit Scoring Approaches in Emerging Markets.
3. PyCaret, SciKit-Learn, and TensorFlow documentation.
Recommended references:
● CFA Institute: AI and Credit Risk
● Reserve Bank of India Reports on Digital Lending
● Case studies: LendingKart, Tala, ZestMoney, Branch
● GitHub repos for credit scoring models
● McKinsey & BCG reports on BNPL and embedded finance

Course Name: "AI and Machine Learning in Financial Course Code:

Services
Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course explores the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence,
machine learning, and financial services. Students will learn to build basic ML models using
Python for real-world applications such as fraud detection, predictive analytics, chatbots, and
robo-advisors. The course includes both conceptual understanding and hands-on coding
experience using open-source tools and datasets, preparing students for emerging roles in
fintech, investment management, and AI-powered digital finance.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. To introduce students to AI and ML concepts in the context of financial systems
2. To enable hands-on experience with Python for building AI applications
3. To apply AI/ML techniques in areas like fraud detection, chatbots, and investment
analytics
4. To demonstrate predictive and portfolio models in financial services
5. To explore emerging technologies like blockchain and DeFi with AI integration
Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Understand the role of AI and ML in transforming financial services
CLO2: Build and evaluate ML models using Python for financial applications
CLO3: Detect and simulate fraud detection models in finance using real datasets
CLO4: Develop functional AI chatbots and robo-advisory systems
CLO5: Analyze and interpret the role of AI in DeFi, cryptocurrency, and predictive financial
systems

Pedagogy: Lectures, coding labs, real-time data experiments, sandbox environments, AI

model walkthroughs, case studies (ZestMoney, PayPal, Upstox), guest talks from fintech AI
professionals, and a capstone project..

UNIT I: Introduction to AI & Machine Learning in Finance – 6 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Understanding AI’s role in financial decision-making – Key terms: supervised/unsupervised
learning, deep learning – Overview of applications in fraud, credit scoring, risk management,
and wealth tech – Trends in AI adoption across banks, NBFCs, and fintech startups.

UNIT II: Python for AI-Driven Financial Applications – 6 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Introduction to Python basics – Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib for financial data modeling –
Building financial datasets, cleaning, preprocessing – Feature engineering for ML models –
Hands-on: Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) on financial datasets.

UNIT III: Fraud Detection with AI & Machine Learning – 6 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Types of financial fraud – Supervised models for anomaly detection – Building logistic
regression and decision tree models – Metrics: precision, recall, confusion matrix – Hands-on:
Fraud detection model using Scikit-learn on synthetic financial data.

UNIT IV: AI-Powered Chatbots & Virtual Assistants in Finance – 6 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Use cases of chatbots in banks, trading platforms, insurance – NLP (Natural Language
Processing) for understanding user input – Integrating chatbots into banking workflows –
Hands-on: Build a basic AI chatbot using Python and FastAPI..
UNIT V: Predictive Analytics in Financial Services – 6 Hrs
Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Forecasting techniques using AI – Use cases: loan defaults, stock movement, churn prediction
– Time-series forecasting – Hands-on: Building a regression-based predictive model using
Python (e.g., predicting loan default).

UNIT VI: AI-Powered Robo-Advisors & Investment Management – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Understanding how robo-advisors work: goal setting, portfolio optimization – Algorithms
behind wealth management tools – Risk profiling – Hands-on: Develop a basic robo-advisory
system using Python and portfolio optimization libraries.

UNIT VII: AI & Blockchain in Financial Security & DeFi – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Exploratory
Intersection of blockchain and AI – Use of AI in crypto security, AML detection, and
tokenized lending – Cryptocurrency price prediction using LSTM/ML models – Hands-on:
Simulate AI prediction for Bitcoin or Ethereum pricing.

UNIT VIII: Capstone Project – AI in Financial Services – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied/Strategic
End-to-end development of an AI-based financial application. Students will define the
problem, preprocess real data, develop a model, evaluate it, and deploy using Flask or
FastAPI. Projects may cover fraud detection, investment analysis, or chatbot design. Final
project presentation to be peer-reviewed or industry-evaluated.

Essential references:
1. Patankar, A. (2021). AI and Machine Learning for Finance – O’Reilly Media

2. Python ML Libraries Documentation: Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, FastAPI

 3. Industry Reports: PwC & McKinsey on AI in Financial Services
Recommended references:
● CFA Institute: Artificial Intelligence in Investment Management
● Coursera/edX content on Applied AI in Finance
● Case Studies: Upstox AI use case, PayPal fraud detection, Zerodha chatbot
● GitHub: Open-source financial ML repositories

Course Name: Investments Management & Robo-Advisors Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course explores the intersection of investment management, robo-
advisory platforms, and AI-driven decision-making in financial markets. It covers traditional
and algorithmic investing, behavioral finance, and automated portfolio construction. Students
will gain hands-on experience using Python and open-source tools to build and simulate robo-
advisory models, sentiment analysis engines, and algorithmic trading strategies, while also
understanding the ethical and regulatory dimensions of AI in wealth management.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. Introduce key concepts of investment management and portfolio construction
2. Explore how robo-advisors automate financial advice and asset allocation
3. Demonstrate the integration of AI/ML in behavioral finance and investment analytics
4. Enable algorithmic and AI-driven stock market strategy development
5. Develop hands-on capabilities in robo-advisory and forecasting systems using Python
6. Examine regulatory compliance and ethical concerns in automated investing
Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Analyze and manage investment portfolios using core risk-return frameworks
CLO2: Compare traditional advisory models with robo-advisors
CLO3: Implement behavioral finance insights into AI-powered decision models
CLO4: Build and backtest algorithmic trading strategies using open-source tools
CLO5: Develop and deploy AI-based robo-advisory and investment forecasting tools
CLO6: Evaluate ethical and regulatory issues in AI-led investing
Pedagogy: Interactive lectures, case-based discussions (Wealthfront, Vanguard, Two Sigma),
live Python coding labs, sentiment analysis using real-time data, algorithmic strategy
simulations, and a capstone project on robo-advisory model development.

UNIT I: Foundations of Investment Management – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Introduction to investment management, financial goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, and asset
types (equity, debt, mutual funds, ETFs). Risk-return trade-off and goal-based investing
foundations.

UNIT II: Introduction to Robo-Advisors – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Understanding how robo-advisors automate investment advice and construct portfolios. Case
studies: Wealthfront, Betterment. Hands-on session using Pandas/NumPy for basic portfolio
data analysis and asset breakdown.

UNIT III: Fundamentals of Portfolio Management – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Analytical
Risk and return measurement – Diversification – Modern Portfolio Theory (Markowitz) –
CAPM overview – Calculating expected returns and standard deviation using Python – Use of
PyPortfolioOpt for basic optimization.

UNIT IV: Behavioral Finance & AI in Investment Decisions – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Analytical
Investor biases (loss aversion, overconfidence, herd behavior) – Use of AI in decoding
behavioral patterns – Case study on irrational trading and AI correction. Hands-on: Use of
Vader/TextBlob to perform stock market sentiment analysis on news/Twitter..
UNIT V: Algorithmic Trading & AI in Stock Markets – 5 Hrs
Level of Knowledge: Applied
Basics of algo trading, types of strategies – Moving average crossovers, momentum trading –
Case study on Renaissance Technologies – Hands-on: Write a basic MA crossover strategy
using Python – Tools: Backtrader, Alpaca API.

UNIT VI: Robo-Advisory Platforms & Automated Investing – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Deep dive into how robo-advisors allocate assets using AI/ML – Vanguard case study –
Machine learning in ETF/bond rebalancing – Hands-on: Build a robo-advisory model in
Python – Deploy using Scikit-learn and Flask.

UNIT VII: AI & Machine Learning in Investment Forecasting – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied/Analytical
Introduction to LSTM and time-series forecasting – Market prediction via neural networks –
Case study: AI in hedge funds (Two Sigma, Bridgewater) – Hands-on: Build an LSTM model
to predict stock prices – Tools: TensorFlow/Keras.

UNIT VIII: AI Ethics & Regulatory Compliance in Robo-Advisors – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Overview of global robo-advisory regulations – SEC, SEBI, MiFID II – Fairness and bias in
ML models – Privacy concerns and secure data handling – Case study: Regulatory
frameworks and AI – Hands-on: Use OpenRegTech APIs to simulate compliance checks.

UNIT IX: Capstone Project – Build an AI-Powered Robo-Advisor – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied/Strategic
Project involves building a working robo-advisor system. Students collect financial data, apply
ML algorithms, design a UI/UX front-end, and present deployment. Tools: Python, Flask,
Scikit-learn, PyPortfolioOpt, Streamlit (optional).

Essential references:
1. D.J. Patterson, Python for Finance: Mastering Data-Driven Finance, O'Reilly

2. CFA Institute, AI in Wealth and Investment Management

3. GitHub repositories for robo-advisory and portfolio optimization

 Recommended references:
● Narayan, S. (2022). Robo-Advisors: The Future of Wealth Management
● Case studies on Betterment, Wealthfront, Vanguard, Renaissance Technologies
● Open-source libraries: Backtrader, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, PyPortfolioOpt
● RegTech journals and MiFID II whitepapers

Course Name: InsurTech and Microinsurance Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course introduces the rapidly evolving field of InsurTech, focusing
on how technology is transforming the insurance industry, particularly in underserved
markets. Topics include AI-powered underwriting, blockchain-based claims automation,
microinsurance design, and smart contracts. The course blends theory with practice,
encouraging students to build tech-enabled insurance models and understand regulatory,
cybersecurity, and financial inclusion challenges.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. Examine the evolution of InsurTech and digital insurance business models
2. Apply AI and data analytics to underwriting, risk assessment, and fraud detection
3. Explore claims processing automation and chatbot applications
4. Understand the role of blockchain and smart contracts in insurance
5. Design microinsurance solutions for underserved populations
Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Compare traditional insurance models with InsurTech innovations
CLO2: Analyze risk and automate claims using AI, Big Data, and RPA
CLO3: Apply blockchain and smart contract concepts to insurance use cases
CLO4: Develop inclusive microinsurance products using tech platforms
CLO5: Address cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance issues

Pedagogy: Lectures, live coding sessions, international case studies (BIMA, Lemonade,
Etherisc), regulatory sandbox simulation, blockchain labs, chatbot development using NLP,
and a hands-on capstone project on building a tech-driven insurance model..

UNIT I: Introduction to InsurTech & Market Evolution – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Covers the transformation from traditional to digital insurance. Reviews evolving InsurTech
business models, funding trends, and success stories like BIMA’s microinsurance operations.
Tools: overview of open-source APIs used in InsurTech.

UNIT II: AI & Big Data in Risk Assessment – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Focuses on the use of AI/ML in underwriting and fraud detection. Predictive modeling for
claims risk profiling and pricing optimization. Case study: Lemonade’s real-time AI
underwriting. Hands-on: build a simple risk scoring model using Python.

UNIT III: Claims Processing & Automation – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Explores robotic process automation (RPA), chatbot integration using NLP, and claims
optimization using AI tools. Case study: Ping An Insurance’s AI-based claims processing.
Hands-on: Build a chatbot for insurance claims using Python/FastAPI.

UNIT IV: Blockchain in Insurance & Smart Contracts – 10 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied/Strategic
Explains blockchain-based fraud prevention, decentralized insurance protocols, and parametric
insurance. Case study: Etherisc’s smart contract-based flight insurance. Hands-on: Deploy a
smart contract using Solidity for an insurance event trigger (delay, claim, payout).

UNIT V: Microinsurance & Financial Inclusion – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Understanding the economics of low-premium, high-volume microinsurance for rural and
low-income communities. Use of mobile-based platforms, premium pooling, and AI for cost
reduction. Case studies from Africa and India. Hands-on: Design a digital microinsurance
UI/UX mock-up.

UNIT VI: Cybersecurity & Regulatory Compliance in InsurTech – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Focuses on GDPR, IRDAI compliance, data protection standards, and ethical AI use. Case
study: how GDPR shaped Europe’s InsurTech compliance practices. Hands-on: Simulate a
regulatory compliance checklist using OpenRegTech APIs.

UNIT VII: Capstone Project – InsurTech Business Model – 10 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied/Strategic
Students design and prototype a fully digital insurance product using tools like Flask, Solidity
(for smart contracts), or no-code platforms. Includes full lifecycle: user journey, risk
modeling, claims automation, and compliance dashboard. Final pitch to a jury panel.

Essential references:
1. InsurTech: A Guide to Insurance Innovation – Sabine VanderLinden
2. World Bank & IRDAI Reports on Digital Insurance Inclusion
3. Lemonade, BIMA, and Etherisc Case Documentation

Recommended references:
● AI in Insurance – Swiss Re Institute & Deloitte
● GitHub Open-Source Tools for Smart Contract Insurance (Etherisc)
● OpenRegTech API Documentation
● Industry blogs: Coverager, InsurTech Insights

Course Name: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course offers a comprehensive understanding of blockchain
technology, digital currencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), smart contracts, and tokenization.
Students will explore both the technological and regulatory landscape, including India’s
evolving crypto policies. Hands-on sessions include wallet creation, smart contract
development using Solidity, DeFi simulations, and AI-powered crypto trading tools,
culminating in a capstone project on blockchain-based financial systems.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. Explain the fundamentals of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized
 applications
2. Enable smart contract development using Ethereum and Solidity
3. Examine digital asset infrastructure including wallets, tokens, and NFTs
4. Explore AI applications in DeFi and crypto trading
5. Understand blockchain-related risks and fraud prevention

Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Illustrate blockchain architecture, consensus mechanisms, and their applications
CLO2: Conduct crypto transactions and manage wallets securely
CLO3: Build smart contracts and deploy them on testnets
CLO4: Analyze DeFi protocols and apply AI to crypto trading
CLO5: Identify blockchain security risks and preventive measures

Pedagogy: The course uses interactive lectures, hands-on Solidity development labs, wallet
simulations, DeFi protocol walkthroughs, open-source blockchain tools (like MetaMask,
Remix, Ganache), and case studies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, CBDCs, NFTs, DeFi projects). Final
assessment includes a capstone project simulating real-world blockchain integration

UNIT I: Fundamentals of Blockchain – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Explore the core structure of blockchain, consensus algorithms (PoW, PoS), distributed ledger
systems, and the evolution from Bitcoin to current DApps. Case Study: Ethereum vs. Bitcoin.

UNIT II: Cryptocurrencies & Digital Assets – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Understand what defines cryptocurrencies, wallets (hot vs. cold), and how crypto transactions
occur.
Case Study: Binance vs. Coinbase

UNIT III: Smart Contracts & Ethereum Development – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Introduction to smart contracts and how to code them using Solidity. Learn about gas fees,
Ethereum testnets, and deployment via Remix IDE.
Case Study: Uniswap’s smart contract architecture

UNIT IV: Decentralized Finance (DeFi) & AI in Crypto Trading – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied/Analytical
Understand DeFi principles (lending, staking, yield farming), oracles, and the role of AI in
real-time crypto trading.
Case Study: Aave, Compound, Yearn Finance

UNIT V: Blockchain Security & Fraud Prevention – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Analytical/Applied
Learn about potential vulnerabilities in smart contracts (reentrancy, front-running), role of
audits, and use of AI in crypto fraud detection.
Case Study: The DAO Hack, Poly Network exploit

UNIT VI: Portfolio Theory, Models and Analysis 12 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/ Analytical
Meaning, return on portfolio, risk on portfolio, portfolio managers, SEBI guidelines for
portfolio managers, portfolio management services. Efficient Market Hypothesis,Portfolio
theory - contribution of William Sharpe and Harry Markowitz,- Single index model, capital
asset pricing modal and arbitrage pricing theory.

UNIT VI: NFTs, Tokenization & The Metaverse – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Explore the concepts of NFTs, real-world asset tokenization, and their application in art, real
estate, and gaming.
Case Study: OpenSea, Decentraland, Nike’s RTFKT

UNIT VII: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Regulations – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Analyze India’s stance on crypto, tax regulations, RBI's CBDC initiatives, and international
frameworks (MiCA, FATF).
Case Study: Indian Crypto Bill vs. MiCA regulation (EU)

UNIT VIII: Capstone Project – Blockchain-Based Payment System – 10 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied/Strategic
Students design and develop a decentralized finance/payments app (e.g., peer-to-peer wallet,
NFT exchange, microloan system).
Key deliverables:
 Blockchain logic implementation (Ethereum testnet)
 Integration of wallet + smart contract
 UI/UX prototype (using Flask or Streamlit)
 Deployment and final pitch

Essential references:
1. Andreas Antonopoulos – Mastering Bitcoin & Ethereum
2. ConsenSys Academy – Ethereum Developer Portal
3. World Bank Reports – CBDC & Financial Inclusion
4. Official Documentation – Solidity, MetaMask, Remix IDE
Recommended references:
● Binance Academy
● CoinDesk & CoinTelegraph (industry news and analysis)
● DeFi Pulse for market tracking
● GitHub – OpenZeppelin, Chainlink, Uniswap codebases
● India Stack & RBI Digital Currency Whitepaper

Course Name: RegTech: Compliance and Risk Management Course Code:

Total number of hours: 45 Hrs Credits: 3
Course Description: This course explores the growing domain of Regulatory Technology
(RegTech), where artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and blockchain converge
to revolutionize compliance and risk management in financial services. Through hands-on labs
and global case studies, learners will automate KYC, AML, and regulatory reporting systems,
gaining practical skills in compliance automation and AI-powered fraud detection.

Course Learning Objectives: This course aims:

1. Understand RegTech and its application in global compliance frameworks
 2. Automate KYC, AML, and risk-based onboarding processes using AI
3. Use big data and NLP for monitoring regulatory obligations
4. Explore cybersecurity, insider threats, and compliance risks
5. Apply blockchain and smart contracts to build transparency in compliance
Course Learning Outcomes: On having completed this course student should be able to:
CLO1: Explain the architecture and scope of modern RegTech solutions
CLO2: Build AI models for fraud detection and AML monitoring
CLO3: Automate compliance tasks using open-source APIs and RPA tools
CLO4: Apply NLP to extract regulatory information from large datasets
CLO5: Integrate blockchain for decentralized, auditable compliance tracking

Pedagogy: This course blends conceptual lectures, global case studies (HSBC, Mastercard,
IBM, JPMorgan), live coding labs, hands-on assignments, open-source API integration
(Tesseract, Hyperledger, Spacy), and a full-scale capstone project on RegTech architecture.

UNIT I: Introduction to RegTech & Compliance – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual
Covers the evolution of RegTech, traditional vs. AI-driven workflows, and compliance
regulations (KYC, AML, FATF).
Case Study: ComplyAdvantage
Hands-On: Explore RegTech APIs for rule-based automation

UNIT II: KYC & AI-powered Onboarding – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Conceptual/Applied
Explore e-KYC innovations, digital ID verification, fraud detection through biometrics and
AI.
Case Study: Onfido, Jumio
Hands-On: Use Tesseract OCR & OpenCV to automate document verification

UNIT III: AML & AI-driven Fraud Detection – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Analytical/Applied
Covers AI in transaction monitoring, anomaly detection models, global AML regulations
(FATF, FINCEN).
Case Study: HSBC, JPMorgan
Hands-On: Build AML risk scoring with PyCaret/Scikit-learn

UNIT IV: Big Data & AI in Compliance Automation – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Analytical/Applied
Understand how AI and Big Data process unstructured compliance data at scale.
Case Study: NLP reducing manual review costs
Hands-On: Use Spacy/NLTK to extract insights from regulatory PDFs

UNIT V: Regulatory Reporting & Robotic Process Automation – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Explores RPA in generating regulatory filings and intelligent compliance alerts.
Case Study: Banks using AI to automate MIS & regulatory filings
Hands-On: Build automated reports with Python, Pandas, ReportLab

UNIT VI: Cybersecurity & Compliance Risk in Financial Institutions – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Focuses on threat detection models, compliance with cybersecurity regulations (ISO, RBI),
and insider threat detection.
Case Study: IBM’s cybersecurity architecture
Hands-On: Build intrusion detection with Snort/Suricata & Python

UNIT VII: Blockchain & RegTech for Transparent Compliance – 5 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Applied
Understand how blockchain can be used for immutable regulatory audits, audit trails, and
decentralized KYC.
Case Study: Blockchain-enabled AML audits
Hands-On: Build a compliance ledger using Hyperledger Fabric or Ethereum smart contracts

UNIT VIII: Capstone Project – Build an AI-Powered Compliance System – 10 Hrs

Level of Knowledge: Strategic/Applied
Design an end-to-end RegTech system integrating AI for fraud detection, blockchain for
transparency, and RPA for automation.
Deliverables:
 Data processing
 AI/ML fraud detection model
 Blockchain ledger prototype
 Reporting tool and UI (Flask/Django)
 Final presentation and demo

Essential references:
1. RegTech, SupTech and Beyond – World Bank Report
2. The AI Book – Wiley FinTech Series
3. FATF & SEBI Guidelines for Digital Compliance
Recommended references:
● Tesseract OCR, OpenCV (KYC)
● PyCaret, Scikit-learn (AML)
● Spacy, NLTK (NLP for compliance)
● Pandas, ReportLab (report automation)
● Snort, Suricata (cybersecurity)