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CAMS IIT-M Fintech Innovation Lab
CAMS IIT-M Fintech Innovation Lab
Tech Space to Finnovate

Completed Events

Fintech Lecture Series
Hackathon
Fintech Lecture Series

Prof. Golaka Nath’s Visit
August 28, 2025

CIFIL had the privilege of hosting Prof. Golaka Nath, Professor and Dean at the School of Economics, XIM University. Prof. Nath, an eminent figure in the domains of financial markets, risk and governance, and financial benchmarks, engaged with our research scholars, students, and project staff in an insightful interaction. Drawing on his extensive professional journey as a Public Interest Director, Member of the RBI Standing Committee on Analytics, and a seasoned leader in financial markets, Prof. Nath shared valuable perspectives on how data and modeling play a transformative role in financial decisionmaking and regulatory governance. He highlighted the growing importance of data-driven policy frameworks in India, especially in strengthening risk management, governance structures, and the development of reliable benchmarks in financial markets. During the session, Prof. Nath encouraged students and researchers to bridge the gap between academic research and industry application, stressing the role of analytics in solving real-world financial sector challenges. His talk not only provided rich insights into regulatory and market dynamics but also inspired young scholars at CIFIL to think critically about the future of financial innovation and governance in India. His visit provided a unique opportunity for the CIFIL community to gain first-hand knowledge from a distinguished expert at the forefront of financial economics and regulation. We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Golaka Nath for his time and invaluable contributions. To know more about Prof. Golaka Nath, visit his LinkedIn profile.

Seminar on Applied Portfolio Management
August 7, 2025

We hosted an exclusive seminar on Applied Portfolio Management at the Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras, featuring Mr. Nitin M. Barve, Professor of Practice at DoMS, IIT Madras, and Director at the Schwab Center for Financial Research. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Barve shared practical insights on building and managing portfolios, blending theory with contemporary innovations and market trends. The session covered market overview, portfolio planning, implementation, performance evaluation, and risk measurement, with emphasis on FinTech innovations, ESG integration, behavioral finance, factor investing goals-based investing.

Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan TN Chapter
​July 22, 2025

The CAMS IIT-M Fintech Innovation Lab, in collaboration with the Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan TN Chapter, hosted a brainstorming session on “Policy Directions for the Future” at IIT Madras. The program brought together thought leaders, academicians, and industry experts to discuss crucial themes including the New Education Policy, Healthcare, Industry 5.0, Monetary Policy, Blue Economy, M-Commerce, Indigenous Production, and the promotion of local products for global consumption. The session created a platform for insightful discussions, knowledge exchange, and collective exploration of strategies to shape sustainable and inclusive policies for the future.

The FinTech Ecosystem: Navigating the Present, Shaping the Future​
​May 10, 2025

We had the privilege of hosting a lecture by Mr. Kannan R, Corporate & Economic Advisor, Independent Director, and Member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. Mr. Kannan delivered a thought-provoking session on India’s FinTech ecosystem, offering deep insights into the country’s digital financial revolution. He shed light on strategic and policy-level challenges and opportunities for FinTech startups, discussed governance models, scaling strategies, and global expansion, and highlighted the future of finance with a strong emphasis on financial inclusion.

Webinar on Exploring the World of Mutual Fund​
​September 10, 2024

We organised a webinar on Exploring the World of Mutual Funds by Mr. Gururaj, Consultant – Investor Education & Distributor Development, Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Funds. Drawing from his extensive industry experience, including his tenure as Assistant Vice President (IE & DD), he shared insights on mutual fund structures, investment strategies, and the role of investor awareness in financial planning. The session also highlighted emerging trends in the mutual fund industry, offered practical tips for both new and seasoned investors, and underscored the importance of disciplined, long-term investing for wealth creation.

Session on CBDC by Reserve Bank of India​
​August 13, 2024

CIFIL, in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India, organized an engaging session on the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Outreach Program. India’s CBDC, widely known as the Digital Rupee or e-Rupee, represents a digital form of cash that individuals and businesses can securely hold in their dedicated CBDC wallets. Through this initiative, participants were introduced to the objectives, design, and potential impact of the Digital Rupee on the financial ecosystem. The session highlighted how India, being one of the pioneers in launching a CBDC pilot at scale, is setting benchmarks for innovation, financial inclusion, and the future of digital payments.

​Fireside Chat with Students​
​August 13, 2024

CIFIL organised a Fireside Chat with MBA and B.Tech students of IIT Madras featuring Mr. Janakiraman, Senior Product Manager, Platform Capabilities, Global Lead of the LSEG ‘Business Book Club,’ and Lead of LSEG Toastmasters London. In this engaging session, he interacted with students on Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, cybersecurity, emerging digital trends, and geopolitics. The discussion provided meaningful insights into the global intersection of technology and business, while fostering dialogue, critical thinking, and curiosity-driven learning, thereby enriching students with valuable exposure to evolving industry practices at IIT Madras.

​​Students Lecture on Careers in Investment Management Industry​
​August 08, 2024

CIFIL organized an insightful session with Mr. Nitin Barve on “Careers in the Investment Management Industry.” With over 30 years of professional experience, Mr. Barve offered deep insights into the investment management sector, its challenges, and future opportunities. He emphasized the skills, knowledge, and mindset essential for building a successful career in this dynamic field. The session proved highly valuable, enabling participants to understand industry trends, career pathways, and practical guidance directly from an experienced industry leader.

​​Session on Practitioners guide to Investment & Retirement planning
​August 08 & 09, 2024

An exclusive session by Mr. Nitin Barve for the faculty of IIT Madras titled “Practitioners guide to Investment & Retirement planning".  Mr. Barve, with his extensive experience in investment management, delved into essential financial topics such as investment planning, retirement planning, saving strategies, managing risk, and pension planning.

​​Seminar on Introduction to the World of Investing
​July 27, 2024

Mr. Nitin Barve's session with students on "Careers in Investment Management Industry” was insightful and informative. With over 30 years of rich experience in investment management, he shared valuable perspectives. The session proved to be a significant opportunity for individuals interested in exploring or advancing careers in the dynamic investment management field.

Symposium on Fintech Challenges​
​February 22, 2024

CIFIL organized a Symposium on Fintech Challenges with the theme “The Path to Insure a Billion: Challenges and Opportunities.” This symposium brought together distinguished thought leaders, professionals, and academic experts to engage in meaningful discussions on the pressing issues in the insurance sector. The event served as a collaborative platform to diagnose existing challenges, deliberate on innovative strategies, and exchange knowledge. Participants also explored opportunities to harness financial technology in addressing gaps, creating impactful solutions, and shaping the future of inclusive insurance in India.

Hackathon

Innovision Hackathon
​Apr-May, 2025

Indian Bank, in collaboration with CIFIL (CAMS IITM Fintech Innovation Lab), successfully conducted the Innovision Hackathon 2025 at IIT Madras, culminating in an awards ceremony to honor the top-performing teams.

This initiative forms part of a larger strategic effort by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, to encourage public sector banks to collaborate with premier institutions to foster innovation in FinTech and Cybersecurity, while addressing real-world banking and financial challenges.


Hackathon Overview

  • Objective: To nurture entrepreneurial talent and develop practical, scalable, and secure solutions that enhance efficiency, trust, and innovation in the banking ecosystem.

  • Focus Areas: AI-driven fraud detection, real-time transaction monitoring, AI governance frameworks, cybersecurity resilience, customer experience innovation, and regulatory compliance.

  • Participation: A total of 33 teams from IIT Madras showcased innovative ideas. After rigorous evaluation, 21 teams were shortlisted—12 in FinTech and 9 in Cybersecurity—based on originality, relevance, technological robustness, and potential industry impact.

Mentorship & Prototyping

The shortlisted teams were mentored by senior experts from Indian Bank and IIT Madras, who provided guidance on technical validation, regulatory considerations, and market readiness. Over several weeks, teams refined their concepts into working prototypes with potential for industry-scale deployment.

Awards & Recognition

The top three teams received awards and mementos for their exceptional solutions, which were recognized for their potential to redefine banking processes, improve cybersecurity frameworks, and deliver enhanced customer experiences.

Dignitaries Present

The award ceremony was graced by prominent leaders, including:

  • Binod Kumar (MD & CEO, Indian Bank)

  • Prof. V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras)

  • Kirti (Joint Director, DFS)

  • Suvendu Pati (CGM, RBI)

  • Mahesh Kumar Bajaj (ED, Indian Bank)

  • Srinivasa Rao (Sr. Advisor, IBA)

  • Anuj Kumar (MD, CAMS)

  • Benjamin Ambrose (CISO, NPCI)

Impact & Future Roadmap

The event reinforced the commitment to strengthening industry-academia partnerships, encouraging young innovators to contribute to India’s digital banking revolution. Select winning ideas are expected to undergo further validation for real-world deployment, signaling the start of a larger journey toward AI-driven, secure, and customer-centric banking systems.

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