AML KYC syllabus — this guide gives you the latest 2026 information. Key dates, eligibility, fees and study tips for the IIBF exam.

IIBF AML & KYC Syllabus 2026: Complete Module-Wise Guide, Exam Pattern & Study Plan

If you are a banker preparing for the certification exam. Getting the AML &. KYC syllabus right is the single biggest factor that decides whether you clear in one attempt or repeat.

This 2026 guide breaks down the full IIBF AML &. KYC syllabus module by module. Explains the exam pattern.

And gives you a practical study plan you can follow from day one.

The Anti-Money Laundering (AML). Know Your Customer (KYC) certification by the Indian Institute of Banking &. Finance (IIBF) is one of the most career-relevant courses for working bankers. Compliance is no longer optional in Indian banking. It is the backbone of every customer relationship.

What Is the IIBF AML & KYC Certification?

The IIBF AML &. KYC certification validates a banker's understanding of how to detect. Prevent and report money laundering.

And how to verify and monitor customers correctly. It is widely pursued by officers in retail branches. Operations, audit and compliance teams.

In simple terms. AML is about stopping dirty money from entering the banking system. KYC is about knowing exactly who your customer is before.

During the relationship. The two work hand in hand. Which is why IIBF tests them together.

Why the AML & KYC Syllabus Matters in 2026

Financial crime is evolving fast. Digital onboarding. Instant payments. Cross-border transfers have made it easier than ever to move illicit funds. Regulators have responded with stricter rules and heavier penalties.

For a working banker, this means three things:

• Career growth: Compliance knowledge is a fast track to roles in risk. Audit.
• Daily relevance: You apply KYC norms at the counter every single day.
• Institutional safety: A single weak link can expose your bank to regulatory action.

Mastering the AML &. KYC syllabus is therefore not just exam prep — it is direct. On-the-job upskilling.

IIBF AML & KYC Exam Pattern & Quick Facts

The certification is an objective, multiple-choice examination delivered online. The exact marks. Time limit. Fees and pass percentage are revised periodically. So always cross-check the live notification before applying.

Once you know the structure. The next step is to understand exactly what each module contains. Let us break it down.

Module A: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Syllabus

Module A lays the foundation. It explains what money laundering is. How it works, and the legal machinery built to stop it. This is the more concept-heavy half of the AML & KYC syllabus. So give it serious time.

1. Origin & Definition of Money Laundering

You begin with the basics — what money laundering means. Where the term originated, and a clear definition of Anti-Money Laundering. Get these definitions word-perfect, because the exam loves precise wording.

2. The Three Stages & Techniques

Learn the classic laundering cycle. Examiners frequently test the stages. The common techniques used at each one.

• Placement: introducing illicit cash into the financial system.
• Layering: moving funds through complex transactions to hide the trail. Often via structuring.
• Integration: bringing the "cleaned" money back as apparently legitimate wealth.

3. Impact on Banks

This section covers how laundering harms a bank — reputational damage. Legal exposure and regulatory penalties. Understand why structuring and integration are red flags at the branch level.

4. Preventive Legislation & International Cooperation

Module A surveys the global and Indian legal framework. Expect questions comparing approaches across the UK. The USA and India, plus the importance of cross-border cooperation.

5. PMLA, 2002 & RBI Guidelines

The heart of this module is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). 2002 and its objectives. You also study RBI guidelines on system adequacy to combat money laundering. Master the PMLA objectives — they are high-yield.

6. Key Institutions: FIU, FATF & Basel

Finally, learn the roles of the major bodies:

• Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND): India's central agency for receiving. Analysing suspicious transaction reports.
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF): the global standard-setter for AML. Counter-terrorism financing.
• Basel Committee: guidance on banking supervision and customer due diligence.

The module also touches anti-terrorism finance. The IBA Working Group. AML screening software, correspondent banking, and exchange companies including foreign branches.

Module B: Know Your Customer (KYC) — Introduction & Overview

Module B is the practical. Application-driven half of the AML & KYC syllabus. It is closely tied to the RBI KYC Master Direction. To procedures you already use at the branch.

1. Customer Profile & KYC Policies

You study how to build a customer profile. The four pillars of a sound KYC policy. And which countries are flagged as deficient in KYC standards. RBI initiatives in this space are also covered.

2. Definitions & Key Concepts

Master the definitions under KYC principles — customer, transaction, profile and organisational structure. These short-but-tricky definitions are reliable scoring questions.

3. Opening Different Types of Accounts

This is the most exam-relevant block. Learn the specific rules for opening. Monitoring accounts across many customer categories:

1. Trusts, companies, firms and intermediaries
2. Client accounts opened by professional intermediaries
3. Trust, nominee or fiduciary accounts
4. Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) residing outside India
5. "Non-face-to-face" customers and qualitative data
6. Joint accounts and minor accounts

4. Ongoing Compliance & Monitoring

The module closes with KYC for existing accounts. KYC for low-income-group customers. Account monitoring, customer research, and the identification and reporting of suspicious transactions. Expect questions on organised financial crimes against customers too.

Module A vs Module B: Quick Comparison

Here is a side-by-side view to help you allocate your study time wisely.

How to Study the AML & KYC Syllabus: A Smart Plan

You do not need months for this certification. A focused, structured approach over a few weeks is enough. Here is a simple how-to plan.

1. Week 1 — Build the base: Read Module A end to end. Nail the definitions, the three stages, and the PMLA objectives.
2. Week 2 — Go practical: Work through Module B. Make a one-page chart of account-opening rules for each customer category.
3. Week 3 — Test & revise: Attempt full-length mock tests daily. Review every wrong answer and re-read that micro-topic.
4. Final days — Memory sheet: Condense FIU. FATF. Basel. PMLA and KYC definitions onto a single revision sheet for last-minute recall.

Pair the official IIBF courseware with structured video lectures and our free guides so that every abstract rule is anchored to a real branch example. Active recall through mock tests beats passive re-reading every time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most candidates who repeat the exam fall into the same traps. Avoid these and you are already ahead.

• Ignoring exact definitions: The exam rewards precise wording, not the gist.
• Skipping account-type rules: Module B questions on trusts. PEPs and minors are easy marks — do not lose them.
• Confusing CTR. STR: Know clearly what each report is and who receives it (FIU-IND).
• Relying on outdated notes: RBI directions get updated. Always verify current rules against the latest official source.
• No mock practice: Walking in without timed practice is the fastest route to a repeat attempt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many modules are there in the IIBF AML & KYC syllabus?

There are two modules. Module A covers Anti-Money Laundering. Module B covers Know Your Customer (Introduction &. Overview). Both are tested in a single objective exam.

Is the AML & KYC exam difficult to clear?

No. With focused study of definitions. The PMLA. RBI KYC norms and consistent mock practice. Most working bankers clear it comfortably in their first attempt.

What is the most important topic in the AML & KYC syllabus?

The PMLA. 2002. The three stages of money laundering. The role of FIU-IND and FATF. And the account-opening rules for various customer categories are the highest-yield areas.

What is the difference between AML and KYC?

AML is the broad framework to detect and prevent money laundering. KYC is a key component of AML focused on verifying customer identity. Monitoring their transactions over time.

How long does it take to prepare for this certification?

A disciplined candidate can prepare in roughly three to four weeks. Confirm the exam date. Marks. Pass criteria on the latest official IIBF notification before you plan your timeline.

Final Word: Clear AML & KYC in One Attempt

The AML & KYC syllabus is compact, logical and highly practical. With only two modules to master. This is one of the most achievable IIBF certifications. And one of the most valuable for your banking career.

Study the definitions, internalise the PMLA and RBI KYC framework, and back it all up with timed mock tests. Stay consistent, trust the plan, and you will walk into the exam hall confident. Your next promotion in compliance and risk could start right here.

Related Guides

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