The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM certification) exams and educational programs serve different segments of intermediaries focusing on varied product lines and functional areas.

• The skills, expertise, and ethics of professionals in the securities markets are necessary for providing effective intermediation to investors. 
• This also helps in increasing investor confidence in market systems and processes. 
• The School for Certification of Intermediaries (SCI) by NISM under SEBI ensures that market intermediaries meet defined minimum benchmarks of required functional knowledge. 
• This is managed through Certification Examinations and Continuing Professional Education Programs on Mutual Funds, Equities, etc.
• The Nism program at Fincradle assists candidates with internships in derivatives and equity research. 
• They are supported by industry experts from companies like Boston Consulting Group, McKenzie, Crisil India, HSBC, etc.
• Internships make you industry-ready.
• The Certification changes quality market professionals and catalyzes greater investor participation in the markets. 
• It provides structured career paths for students and job aspirants in the securities markets.

You can secure a job in Financial Intermediaries, Banks, Secondary Market players, Advisory firms or can be self-employed. You need to be persistent and professional to see the future ahead in the Securities Market.

A few of my friends pursued the ICICI Business leadership program at NISM. According to their experience, the program is quite unique. 

• Selection to the program is done in three steps, i.e. written test, GD, and PI. Getting selected will not be difficult. However, the PI round can be tough. HR can ask tricky questions, you should be confident with your answers.
• The ROI of the program is excellent because you hardly invest anything. 
• The certification and the degree will help you if you want to switch careers. 

Security markets are a great area to work in and ICICI is an excellent organization that has produced many Stewarts over the years. If you are thinking of pursuing the ICICI Business leadership program at NISM, you should go for it. 

The certifications provided by NISM, NSE, and BSE are for educational purposes. They are valuable in the sense that it confirms your awareness about the particular segment.

Example: If you have cleared the NISM Series VIII exam, then it shows that you have enough knowledge about the equity derivatives segment and are qualified to be a dealer. But that is the extent of the matter. It does not certify that you know everything about equity derivatives.

• They are mainly useful to develop functional knowledge about stock markets in India. 
• It increases your understanding of how the markets work and hence improves your knowledge.
• These certifications are only useful for regulatory compliance purposes.

Like every course, it will teach you all the basics that you need to know. It will open up a lot of options. But practical knowledge and experience are always valued more than certificates.