Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning

Project Guidelines for Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Financial Services
(PGDBFS)

1. Understanding the significance of a Project Report

Many learners underestimate the significance of a project report and make a mistake of thinking that
excellent marks can be scored by simply producing a good lay-out.
This is fundamentally not the case as many projects are graded well below their potential because of
an indifferent or poor write-up. In order to acquire the right balance, a learner should consider the
aim behind making a good project.
It provides the opportunity for a learner to demonstrate independence and originality, to plan and
organize the project work, and to put into practice some of the techniques a learner has been taught
throughout the program.

2. Meaning of a Project
A project can be defined as a temporary endeavor undertaken to achieve a particular aim or it is a
study of factual information for comprehending and applying the various concepts of the course into
practice. In simple words, a project can be understood as mentioned under:

 It is a practice of verification or demonstration of concepts or hypotheses or processes learnt.

 It is also a technique of self-learning, learning by doing. It has a practical value.
 The purpose of project is not to generalize but to study the situation with a practical
orientation.

3. Application of Research Methodology to Project Work

SCDL allows learners to take up any topic of their interest and choice for project work.
However, learners should bear in mind that project topic should be relevant to banking sector. For example,
the learners of PGDBF should carry out their project work only in the functional areas of Banking. Although
an illustrative list of the topics is being given at the end in order to give an idea about project topics or titles
of the project, learners are nevertheless advised not to restrict themselves only to the topics specified. If the
learner submits a project which is not relevant to banking and finance, then the project will not be evaluated
and the learner will be treated as fail. SCDL gives the liberty to the student to choose any topic relevant to
areas under banking and finance sector.

Steps in Research Process are as follows:

 Defining the problem and Project Objectives
 Designing Project Plan
 Collecting Data
 Analysis of Data
 Interpretation and reporting the findings

4. Project Guide
Projects can be guided by any Post Graduate degree holder with / without a Doctorate Degree working in an
academic institution (preferably teaching MBA / Management or Banking course) or a person working in the
managerial cadre in any Banking / industrial / business / IT organization. Learners must take advice and
suggestions from their guides time to time.

5. Technical specifications of the project report

 Page: A4 size (11"x 8.5")
 Fonts: Times New Roman, 12 font size, ‘1.5’ spacing
 Margin: Left 35 mm, Right 20mm, Top 35mm, Bottom 20mm
 First (preliminary) page should have the following information:

i) Top: The Title in BLOCK CAPITALS

ii) Centre: Full name of the student in Capital letters and Registration Number
iii) Full name of the Guide (If any) in BLOCK letters, with the designation
iv) Bottom: Name of the Institute (i.e. SCDL), in Block Capitals, and the Academic year

6. Instructions for the preparation of the project report

 The title of the project-report should not be the same as the objectives, as there can be more
than one objective for a particular study.
 Each objective shall have at least one or more findings and suggestions.
 Learner must ensure adequate coverage of the topic in general and objectives in particular.
 Colored figures/diagrams/graphs/tables will add value to the presentation of the report.
 Every table and diagrammatic representation should have a serial number and a caption.
 All Project reports can be uploaded online through login or can be sent by post or delivered
personally at the address of SCDL main campus.
 Project Report shall be of minimum 40-50 pages (excluding annexure).
7. No Objection Certificate
If the project is carried out in an organization, a certificate of the CEO or any other authorized person of the
organization is necessary, mentioning that the organization has no objection in publishing the findings of the
project study.
The certificate should bear the name of the authority with signature and company stamp.
Alternatively, the certificate should be given on the company’s letterhead and signed by the company’s
authorized person.
For online project submissions, scanned copy of such certificate shall be included as per appropriate sequence
given in this guidelines.

8 (a) For Employed Learners

SPECIMEN
NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that ……….. (Learner’s name) is an employee of this institute/organization for the
past …………month / years.
We have no objection for him / her to carry out a project work titled
“………………………………………………………………………” in our organization and for
submitting the same to the Director, SCDL as a part of fulfillment of the….....................Program.
We wish him / her all the success.
Seal of the company
Signature of the competent authority of the Institute / Organization

Place:
Date:
8 (b) For Non Employed Learners
SPECIMEN
NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that …………………………….. (Learner’s name) is permitted to use relevant data
/ information of this organization for his / her project in fulfillment of the ……………..Program.
We wish him / her all the success.
Seal of the company
 Signature of the competent authority of the Institute / Organization
Place:
Date:

CERTIFICATE / DECLARATION REGARDING ORIGINALITY

This is to be given by the learner and the Guide indicating that this project work is original and
submitted for the first time.

8 (c) Declaration by the Learner

SPECIMEN
This is to declare that I have carried out this project work myself in part fulfillment of the
…………………………..Program of SCDL.
The work is original, has not been copied from anywhere else and has not been submitted to any other
University/Institute for an award of any degree / diploma.
Date: Signature:
Place: Name:

8 (d) Certificate of Guide

SPECIMEN
Certified that the work incorporated in this Project Report…………….. (Title) submitted by
…………….. (Learner’s name) is his/her original work and completed under my supervision.
Material obtained from other sources has been duly acknowledged in the Project Report

Date: Place: Signature of Guide:

9. Chapterization:
The following sequence should be followed while submitting the project report.

Particulars Page Number

Preliminary page should have the following information: i

 Top: The Title in BLOCK letters
 Centre: Full name of the student in BLOCK letters and Registration Number
 Full name of the Guide (If any) in BLOCK letters, with the designation
 Bottom: Name of the Institute (SCDL) in BLOCK letters and Academic year

No Objection Certificate (Scanned copy for online submissions) ii

Plagiarism Report (refer Important instructions on last page)/ iii

Certificate/Declaration regarding Originality/ Declaration by the Learner

Certificate by the Guide (Scanned copy for online submissions) iv

Chapters

Introduction 1

Objectives and Scope

Theoretical Perspective

Methodology and Procedure of Work

Analysis of Data

Limitations

Findings, Inferences and Recommendations

Conclusion and your suggestions for improvement in the organisation

Summary of the Project Report 40-50

ANNEXURES (if any) I

I) References, if any
 II) List of Figures, Charts, Diagrams, if any
III) List of Tables, if any

10. Scheme of Assessment and Evaluation of Project

Sr. No. Criterion for Assessment

1. Area and topic selected for the project work

2. Need of the project topic and statement of objectives of the project work

3. Methodology and procedure of the project work

4. Tools of data collection

5. Presentation of collected data tabulation, diagrams, graphs etc.in a concise form

6. Analysis of data

7. Use of statistical techniques for analyzing of data

8. Findings, inferences, their educational implications and recommendations

9. Preliminary pages of the project report, Plagiarism report, Certificates etc.

10. Overall impressions about the project work and its presentation in the report form

If the project has any relevance to the existing job profile, a learner has to furnish a feedback from
his/her immediate superior as to why/how the particular topic has been chosen by the concerned
learner and what value it would add in general or in particular.

11. Selection of Project Topic

The project can be selected in various ways like
 Select a company / organization / institute concerned
 Discuss with concerned persons, your specific requirements and select the subject/topic in
their consultation.
 Discuss with your faculty concerned, before making a choice of your subject/topic.
 Consult experts in the field to make a right choice of the subject
 Study various articles / news items etc. appearing in dailies, weekly, monthly magazines to
look for a desired topic.
 Discussions with the relevant firm may help select a proper topic.
 A critical eye can help you spot the right topic for your project.
13. Suggested topics for Project Work
Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Financial Services
1. Corporate banking
2. Investment Analysis
3. Portfolio Management
4. Financial Institutions
5. Security Market
6. Capital Market
7. Investment Analysis
8. Micro Insurance
9. Cash Management Services
10. Receivable Management (including Factoring and Forfaiting)
11. Financial Inclusion
12. Supply Chain management in Banks
13. Debt restructuring (success story)
14. Retail Banking
15. Retail Finance
16. Insurance sector
17. Wealth Management
18. Mergers and Acquisitions
19. Corporate Financial problems
20. Capital Financing
21. Debt Management
22. Investment feasibility
23. Derivatives
24. Mutual Funds
25. Non-Banking Financial Corporations
26. Role of business correspondents and business facilitators
27. Role of IT in banking
28. Role of IT in Finance
29. Treasury Management
30. Financial Inclusion
31. Rural Finance
32. Wholesale Banking

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 Important instructions
 Any queries pertaining to Evaluation of Project Report:-

The students are requested to contact SCDL within 8 -10 working days after the project report marks are
reflected in performance sheet. The queries on Project report evaluation received after above said
timeline will not take into consideration.
Student has to submit the soft copy of the complete project online i.e. using Project Submission Link
available in Student Centre.

Compress the multiple project and other relevant files, if any, in zip or .rar folder and upload the single
folder in your student’s login
 Students must retain one copy of the Project for future reference.
 Please note Plagiarism check is mandatory for following chapters (as per section 09) before submitting
the final soft copy of project to SCDL for evaluation.
 Analysis of Data
 Limitations, Findings, Inferences and Recommendations
 Conclusion and your suggestions for improvement in the organisation
In simple terms, plagiarism is copy-paste. Students can use the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
available online for checking the same (For e.g. http://plagiarisma.net/) as per the UGC guidelines,
similarity index should be less than 10%. The plagiarism report should be attached with the project
report.
 Please note that, the plagiarism report is mandatory and the project will be considered for evaluation
only after the specific criteria of less than 10% is met by the learner.

 Students are required to submit the Project Report online with applicable Project Submission Fee. The
fees can be paid online through Project online payment link or by Demand Draft. The D/D should be in
favor of “The Director SCDL, Pune” payable at Pune and attached the D/D with duly filled Service
Request Form on following address.

Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning

Symbiosis Bhavan,
1065 B, Gokhale Cross Road,
Model Colony,
Pune – 411 016

The online payment link is available under the project option in your student centre.
 Project report is to be typed and should not be handwritten. Handwritten Project Report will not be
considered for evaluation.

 The student are required to submit individual Project Report as per the guidelines given. The
preparation of Project Report as Group activity or copied shall be avoided and found if any will not be
considered for further evaluation which please may be noted

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