FAQ’s about 2 year Post Graduate Diploma on Insurance by NIA, Pune

Q.1 About National Insurance Academy
National Insurance Academy was established in the year 1980 by the joint aegis of Ministry of Finance (Government of India), LIC, GIC and the general public sector companies. NIA has now become an Apex Institution research, training, consultancy, leadership development and publication in Insurance and Risk Management in the Asia Africa and Middle East Region.

Why the Institute?
Culture
Being a National Institute the culture at National Insurance Academy School of Management is multifaceted. No NIASoM student is typical but each of them has the zeal to excel inculcated within them through this prestigious Institution. The environment reflects that of a Gurukul culminated with cutting edge technological amenities. It is here that the managers of tomorrow nurture their talent to create a better future.

Curriculum
The first step towards selection of the students is through Common Admission Test (CAT). Students with high percentile in CAT qualify for the personal interviews. The rigor does not end with the admission. Every student has to complete six trimesters of intense academic work and 8 weeks of Summer Internship Program to qualify for the PGDM programme. Holistic development of an individual is highlighted through management development programs, guest lectures by Industry practitioners and other practical approaches like Insurance laboratory and Para Professional Development Programme.

Faculty
The amalgamation of NIA and NIASoM programs provides an effective platform to the PGDM students for a continuous industry interface. Several Management Development Programs (MDP’s) are conducted for executives from the industry throughout the year which provides the NIASOM students with a platform to interact with executives at different levels in organizations. Also the many events conducted at the institute are graced by the presence of renowned stalwarts from the field of insurance, finance, and IT at national and international levels.

Corporate Interface
NIASOM’s multi disciplinary faculty is drawn from the cream of academics as well as the industry. Also our visiting faculty includes people holding significant positions in the industry. This wealth of experience and inputs on the current market scenario helps our students keep pace with the highly dynamic corporate environment.

Management Practitioners
The students at NIASoM put their classroom learning into practice as all of the events conducted at the institute are student driven. Through these activities the students build on their people skills and entrepreneurial skills. Unique initiatives of Insurance Laboratory (IN LAB) and live projects help the students in bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Q.2 PGDM Programme at National Insurance Academy:
Our PGDM Programme (AICTE approved) is 2 years residential programme with a special focus on Insurance and Management. The curriculum has been designed in consultation with the Industry experts, consultants and employers which ensure an up-to-date need based curriculum. The course covers a wide range of key functional areas in Life Insurance, General Insurance, Health Insurance, Pension and Group Insurance, and Actuarial Science.

Q.3 What are the USP’s for students studying in National Insurance Academy?
(i) The insurance sector is growing at a phenomenal rate of more than 10% every year with 46 companies operating in the market, with the demand for young insurance executives has been soaring year after year. Similarly, the demand for domain experts in IT and BPO sector has also been increasing tremendously. Which can be seen through our 100% placement record since inception, with an average package of 6 lakhs and a minimum of 4 lakhs and a maximum of 12 lakhs?
(ii) The faculty is mainly experienced faculty drawn from the insurance industry along with other functional experts.
(iii) We have made a tie-up with HDFC Credila for the students to avail Educational Loan at subsidized rate with spot approval.

Q.4 How different is the NIA’s PGDM Programme from other programmes?
The programme is designed to develop managerial excellence based on technical competence, proactive knowledge seeking ability, creative problem-solving approach and visionary approaches that emphasizes social upliftment through individual endeavors. The curriculum has been designed in a manner where equal importance is given to class room learning and self audit through a series of case / project based learning assignments, active participations in Curricular and Para-curricular activities, involvement in day-to-day organizational practices, intensive involvement in off-campus action research projects and exposure to unstructured problems with a view to enabling the students to manage the real life situations efficiently.

Q5. Could you please narrate the Admission Process for the PGDM Course?
The basic eligibility for the course is Graduation degree or equivalent from any recognized Indian / Foreign university with a minimum of 50% marks at graduation level. Students appearing for final year can also apply subject to completion of their examination requirements by June 2011. The selection for the course is based on Performance in CAT 2010, Group Discussion and Personal interview. Due weightage is given to candidates with insurance experience also.

Dr. Steward Doss,
Chairperson, PGDM Admission,
NIA, Pune.