Investment Banking in India: Roles, Growth Opportunities & How to Get Started

• Investment banking in India involves advising companies on capital raising, mergers, acquisitions, and financial restructuring.
• It is one of the highest-paying and most competitive career paths in finance.
• Core skills include financial modelling, valuation, market analysis, deal structuring, and communication.
• Key roles span analysts, associates, VPs, and sector specialists, each contributing to major financial transactions.
• Demand for investment bankers is rising due to India’s growing startup ecosystem, IPO boom, and foreign investment inflow.
• Success requires a mix of technical expertise, long working hours, discipline, and strategic thinking.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or career advice.

Have you ever wondered why investment banking attracts some of the brightest minds in India? Whether it’s the fast-paced deals, high-growth roles, or the opportunity to work on billion-dollar transactions, investment banking has become one of the most prestigious and rewarding career paths for young professionals.

And the timing couldn’t be more promising. In the first half of 2024, India accounted for 25% of all global IPOs, highlighting the country’s rapidly expanding capital markets and the rising demand for skilled investment banking professionals. As more Indian companies tap into public markets, raise capital, or pursue mergers and acquisitions, the need for trained IB talent continues to surge.

So if you’ve ever imagined yourself advising CEOs, structuring deals, valuing companies, or helping businesses go public, understanding investment banking in India is the first step. Let’s break it down, clearly, practically, and in a way that helps you see whether this path is right for you.

Investment banking refers to the advisory and financial services that help companies raise capital, buy or sell businesses, go public, or restructure financially. It connects businesses with investors and supports them through large, complex financial decisions.

IB professionals work on tasks like:

• Valuing companies
• Structuring deals
• Managing IPO processes
• Advising mergers and acquisitions
• Building financial models
• Conducting market and sector analysis

India’s investment banking landscape is booming due to rapid startup growth, private equity investments, and the country's increasing global economic presence.

Before exploring job roles, it’s important to understand how investment bankers contribute across different stages of a deal.

Why Build a Career in Investment Banking?

As India’s capital markets expand and more businesses pursue IPOs, mergers, and fundraising, the demand for skilled investment bankers continues to grow.

Here’s why an investment banking career is so attractive:

• High Earning Potential: Competitive salaries, bonuses, and rapid financial growth compared to most other finance careers.
• Fast-Paced Career Growth: Clear progression from analyst to associate, VP, director, and managing director.
• Work on Big Deals: Opportunity to contribute to IPOs, billion-rupee mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising mandates.
• Strong Industry Demand: With India accounting for 25% of global IPOs in early 2024, IB roles are expanding rapidly.
• Diverse Skill Development: Gain expertise in financial modelling, valuation, negotiations, and strategy.
• Global Opportunities: Indian IB professionals often transition into global banks, consulting firms, or private equity roles.
• Influence Business Decisions: Work directly with CXOs and founders, shaping important financial and strategic decisions.
• Prestige & Network: IB offers access to influential clients, industry leaders, and high-value professional networks.

Suggested read: Why SME IPOs Are the Next Big Investment Trend

Before exploring the skills you need, it helps to understand the different paths within investment banking and the roles professionals typically grow into.

Investment banking isn’t a single job; it’s a broad ecosystem of roles that work together to execute deals, raise capital, and advise businesses. Each type of investment banker has distinct responsibilities, skill requirements, and career opportunities.

Here are the primary types of investment bankers:

1. Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and businesses map out long-term financial strategies. They guide clients on savings, investments, retirement planning, insurance, and wealth-building decisions.

Role Focus:

• Analysing client financial goals and risks
• Creating personalised financial plans
• Suggesting suitable investment products
• Monitoring and adjusting plans over time

2. Credit Manager

Credit Managers oversee the credit approval process for companies. They evaluate the financial stability of clients, assess credit risk, and ensure business growth without compromising on repayment security.

Role Focus:

• Assessing borrower creditworthiness
• Approving or rejecting credit applications
• Monitoring outstanding credit and repayment trends
• Maintaining risk-balanced credit portfolios

3. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

CMAs specialise in financial planning, performance management, and strategic decision-making. They often support leadership teams by providing insights that drive profitability.

Role Focus:

• Budgeting and forecasting
• Analysing business performance
• Supporting investment and cost decisions
• Ensuring compliance and financial control

4. Accountant

Accountants manage day-to-day financial reporting and ensure accuracy in financial statements. Their work often supports higher-level financial decision-making and valuations.

Role Focus:

• Maintaining books of accounts
• Preparing financial statements
• Ensuring regulatory and tax compliance
• Supporting audits and financial analysis

5. Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors guide clients, individuals, or businesses on investment choices, wealth management strategies, and long-term financial planning.

Role Focus:

• Understanding client goals and risk appetite
• Recommending suitable investment avenues
• Managing client portfolios

For a grounded view of how Indian businesses actually raise and manage capital, S45 often shares practical insights worth following.

Before you map out your long-term growth in the field, it’s important to understand the actual pathway that leads to this career. Here’s a clear breakdown of how to become an investment banker in India:

Investment banking is a competitive field, but with the right education, skills, and practical exposure, you can build a strong pathway into top IB roles in India and abroad. The journey is structured, and each step helps you build the expertise needed to thrive in high-pressure financial environments.

1. Academic Requirements & Skills Needed for a Career in Investment Banking

Investment banking is one of the most competitive fields in finance, which means strong academic credentials and specialised skills are essential. Recruiters look for candidates who not only excel academically but also understand financial markets, analytical tools, and high-pressure decision-making.

Here’s a crisp breakdown of what you need:

1. Academic Requirements

Most investment bankers start with a solid foundation in finance and business. Common educational paths include:

2. Skills Required for Investment Banking

Investment banking demands a mix of analytical ability, financial knowledge, and soft skills. Top recruiters look for:

Now that we’ve understood the key academic requirements and the core skills investment banking demands, the next step is to explore how a career in this field actually progresses. 

Let’s break down the Investment Banking Career Path and what you need to do to start your IB journey in India with confidence.

2. Investment Banking Career Path (Step-by-Step)

The IB career ladder is structured, merit-based, and performance-driven. Each level requires stronger technical, analytical, and leadership abilities.

3. How to Start a Career in Investment Banking 

Breaking into IB is competitive, but with the right steps, academics, certifications, internships, and networking, you can build a strong entry pathway.

1. Exams & Certifications That Boost Your Profile

2. Build a Strong Portfolio

What to include:

• Financial models (DCF, LBO, mergers)
• Research reports (industry analysis, equity reports)
• Pitch decks (mock M&A pitchbooks)
• Valuation summaries
• Excel dashboards or case study solutions

A strong portfolio shows recruiters your real-world capability, not just academic scores.

3. Where to Look for Internships

Common internship avenues:

• Investment banks (global & Indian)
• Boutique IB firms
• Private equity firms
• Venture capital firms
• Equity research companies
• Corporate finance divisions of large companies
• Financial advisory firms

Platforms to apply:

• LinkedIn
• Naukri & Foundit
• Tier-1 B-school placement cells
• Internshala & AngelList
• Company websites of IB firms

4. How to Begin Your Career (Step-by-Step)

1. Build strong fundamentals in finance & valuation
2. Complete key certifications (CFA, NISM, CA, or MBA)
3. Apply for internships aggressively
4. Build a portfolio of financial work
5. Start as an Analyst in:a. IB firmsb. Equity researchc. Corporate finance
6. Network with professionals and attend finance events
7. Move upward through performance and deal exposure.

Now that you understand the academic and skill requirements, the next big question is:What can you expect in terms of salary, career growth, and your first steps into the industry?  Let’s break it down in a simple, actionable way.

Investment banking is one of the highest-paying careers in India, with salaries growing exponentially as you move up the hierarchy. Compensation includes base pay + bonuses + performance incentives, which can sometimes double the total package.

Note: Salaries vary based on the bank type (bulge-bracket, mid-market, boutique), city, and performance bonuses.

Before we wrap up, it’s equally important to connect your career goals with real-world industry insights, because understanding how capital actually moves in India can give you a major edge as an aspiring investment banker, especially when you learn from ecosystems like S45 that work closely with high-growth businesses and capital strategies.

If you're building a career in investment banking, theory alone isn’t enough; understanding how real deals, funding decisions, and capital strategies unfold in Indian businesses is what sets professionals apart. S45 Club works closely with high-growth SMEs on capital structuring, governance, and market readiness, giving you an inside view of how the ecosystem truly operates.

What you can learn by following S45

Whether you’re a student, a finance enthusiast, or someone building an investment banking career path, S45 offers:

• Real Market Case Studies: Learn how actual SMEs prepare for IPOs, build valuation stories, and structure their capital.
• Founder & Investor Insights: Understand how investment decisions are made and what financial disciplines investors prioritize.
• Governance & Compliance Exposure: See the frameworks that shape due diligence, documentation, and institutional readiness.
• Strategic Capital Playbooks: Gain clarity on the same growth levers that investment bankers advise on, M&A preparation, expansion capital, and equity structuring.

S45 helps you understand the industry from a practitioner's lens, through real businesses and real capital strategies.

Investment banking in India is growing faster than ever, offering ambitious professionals a dynamic, rewarding, and high-impact career path. With the right skills, strong fundamentals, and a clear understanding of how capital flows across businesses, you can build a career that is both financially and intellectually fulfilling. The key is to stay curious, stay informed, and stay connected to how real companies make strategic financial decisions.

If you’re eager to deepen your market understanding and stay close to real-world capital action, explore insights from S45club. In this ecosystem, India’s high-growth businesses and strategic financial thinking come together.

Start building your edge today.