GIFT City, IIM Bangalore to Host National Finance Olympiad 2026
Gandhinagar, October 24, 2026: GIFT City and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) will jointly organise the GIFT Finance Olympiad – National Student Case Challenge 2026, inviting postgraduate students from across India to develop solutions to real-world challenges in international financial markets.
The competition will be held ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027 and in collaboration with IIM Bangalore’s Centre for Capital Markets and Risk Management (CCMRM). It is open to postgraduate students enrolled in any recognised college, university or business school in India, regardless of their academic discipline. Each team must comprise four students, with interdisciplinary participation encouraged.
The challenge will take place in three stages: a national online case challenge, regional finals in four cities and a Grand Finale. The deadline for submissions for the first stage is October 31, 2026.
Participants can choose between two analytical tracks. The Markets and Product Design track will examine a proposed launch of single-stock futures linked to large Indian companies for global investors through GIFT International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC).
The Institutional Strategy and Governance track will focus on how exchanges and clearing corporations operating in GIFT IFSC should assess and structure partnerships with global exchanges, custodians and other market infrastructure institutions.
The regional finals are scheduled for Delhi on November 21, Bengaluru on November 28, Kolkata on November 30 and Mumbai on December 5, 2026. Shortlisted teams will participate in in-person case rounds featuring presentations and questions from a jury. The winning team from each city will advance to the Grand Finale, where finalists will work on an extended case and present their recommendations.
Entries will be evaluated on analytical quality, strategic depth, feasibility, understanding of market trade-offs and presentation. Participants may use artificial intelligence tools for research and drafting, but they must disclose their use. The evaluation will prioritise original analysis, practical feasibility and a clear understanding of the risks and trade-offs involved.
The competition is intended to give students practical exposure to the commercial, regulatory and operational challenges involved in developing financial products and strengthening market infrastructure at GIFT IFSC.
By focusing on product innovation, institutional partnerships and governance, the initiative seeks to encourage evidence-based solutions that could contribute to GIFT IFSC’s long-term competitiveness as an international financial centre.
