**Executive Summary**
This circular, issued by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) on November 17th, 2025, mandates certification on Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) for Designated Directors and Principal Officers of all Regulated Entities in the IFSC. The certification course "NISM-IFSCA-01" is launching on November 18th, 2025, and relevant personnel must complete it within four months of the launch date or their appointment date.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Mandatory Certification:**
* Designated Directors and Principal Officers of all Regulated Entities under the IFSCA (AML/CTF/KYC) Guidelines, 2022, must undergo the “NISM-IFSCA-01” certification course.
* They must maintain this certification at all times while discharging their responsibilities.
* **Course Details:**
* The certification course is titled “NISM-IFSCA-01: Certification Course on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in the IFSC”.
* It was developed by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) in collaboration with the IFSCA Academy.
* The course is aligned with the IFSCA (AML, CTF and KYC) Guidelines.
* The course is launching on November 18, 2025.
* Registration details can be found at [https://cert.nism.ac.in/](https://cert.nism.ac.in/).
* **Timeline:**
* Designated Directors and Principal Officers have four months from the launch date (November 18th, 2025) or from their date of appointment to complete the course.
* **Other Personnel:**
* Regulated Entities are encouraged to have other employees undergo the certification course.
* **Continuous Capacity Building:**
* Regulated Entities must ensure that all front-line staff, Principal Officers, and other relevant employees undergo continuous capacity building, as per clause 8.4 of the Guidelines.
* **Authority:**
* This circular is issued under section 12 of the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019 and rule 9 (14) of the Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005.
* The circular comes into force with immediate effect.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: All Regulated Entities in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)**
**Impact:** Compliance with the IFSCA (AML/CTF/KYC) Guidelines, 2022, specifically regarding training and certification.
**Action Required:** Ensure that all Designated Directors and Principal Officers complete the "NISM-IFSCA-01" certification course within the specified timeframe. Encourage other employees to undergo the course. Facilitate continuous capacity building for relevant personnel.
**Stakeholder: Designated Directors and Principal Officers of Regulated Entities**
**Impact:** Requirement to complete and maintain AML/CFT certification.
**Action Required:** Register for and complete the "NISM-IFSCA-01" certification course within four months of the launch date or their appointment date.
**Stakeholder: Other Relevant Employees of Regulated Entities**
**Impact:** Potential opportunity or encouragement to undergo the AML/CFT certification course.
**Action Required:** Consider participating in the "NISM-IFSCA-01" certification course as encouraged by their respective Regulated Entities.
Key Entities Referenced
IFSCA (AML/CTF/KYC) Guidelines, 2022: Guidelines issued by the International Financial Services Centres Authority regarding Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing, and Know Your Customer.
International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019: The Act that established the International Financial Services Centres Authority and defines its powers.
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA): The regulator for financial services in the International Financial Services Centres in India.
NISM-IFSCA-01: Certification Course on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) in the IFSC: A certification course developed by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) in collaboration with the IFSCA Academy on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism, specifically for entities in the International Financial Services Centre.
Prevention of Money- Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005: Rules related to the prevention of money laundering and the maintenance of records.
e.F. No.IFSCA-DAC/8/2024-AMLCFT 17th November 2025
CIRCULAR
To,
All Regulated Entities in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
Sub: Requirement of Certification on AML/CFT for Designated Director and
Principal Officer under the IFSCA (AML/CTF/KYC) Guidelines, 2022
Sir/Madam,
Reference is drawn to the Clause 8.2 and Clause 8.4 of Chapter VIII of the International Financial
Services Centres Authority (Anti Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing and Know Your
Customer) Guidelines, 2022 [hereinafter referred as IFSCA (AML,CFT and KYC) Guidelines,/
Guidelines’] dealing with the Compliance and training requirements of the Principal Officer and other
relevant employees of a Regulated Entity.
2. Accordingly, a customized certification course, namely “NISM-IFSCA-01:
Certification Course on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of
Terrorism (AML/CFT) in the IFSC” has been developed by the National Institute of
Securities Markets (NISM) in collaboration with the IFSCA Academy. The course is aligned
with the IFSCA (AML, CTF and KYC) Guidelines and is being launched on November 18,
2025.
3. To ensure effective implementation of Guidelines and related compliances by the
Regulated Entities, it is hereby directed that all the Designated Directors and Principal Officers
under the Guidelines shall mandatorily undergo the said certification course and they shall
continue to hold the said certification at all times while discharging their responsibilities under
the Guidelines.
Page 1 of 24. All Designated Directors and Principal Officers of all REs shall complete the course
within four (4) months from the date of launch of the course, or from their date of their
appointment as such, as the case may be.
5. Apart from the Designated Director and Principal Officer, other employees of the
Regulated Entity may also be encouraged to undergo the said certification course.
6. The Regulated Entities shall ensure that in compliance with the clause 8.4 of the
Guidelines, all front-line staff, Principal Officer and other relevant employees undergo
continuous capacity building programme including any other program as may be advised by
the Authority from time to time.
7. This Circular is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under section 12 of the
International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019 read with rule 9 (14) of the
Prevention of Money- Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, and shall come into
force with immediate effect.
8. The link for registration for the course and other details may be found at
https://cert.nism.ac.in/.
9. A Copy of this circular is available on the IFSCA website “https://ifsca.gov.in/” under
“Circulars” tab and “What’s New” window.
(Arun Kumar Singh)
General Manager/ Addl. Dir.(IFSCA Academy)
Copy to:
1. O/o Chairperson
2. All EDs/HoDs
3. All employees of IFSCA
4. Office Order Folder
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