KYC, AML & CFT Certificate Syllabus 2026 + Free PDF
The KYC, AML & CFT certificate from the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) is one of the most practical compliance qualifications for working bankers, as financial crime and regulatory scrutiny keep rising. To clear it efficiently you need three things: a precise map of the KYC AML CFT syllabus, awareness of what has recently changed in the RBI and FATF rulebooks, and good practice material. This exhaustive guide covers the complete KYC, AML & CFT syllabus for 2026 chapter-by-chapter, flags the topics that have been updated, and links you to free tests, one-liners, notes and games to prepare faster. You can also download the official syllabus PDF below.
📥 Download the Full KYC, AML & CFT Syllabus (PDF)
The complete, exam-ready KYC, AML & CFT certificate syllabus in one PDF - keep it open while you plan your study weeks.
Download KYC AML CFT Syllabus PDF →What is the KYC, AML & CFT Certificate Course?
The KYC, AML & CFT certificate is a self-paced certification that builds deep, practical expertise in customer identification, anti-money-laundering controls and combating the financing of terrorism. It suits branch staff, compliance officers, relationship managers, operations teams and anyone whose role touches account opening, transaction monitoring or reporting. The course moves from the fundamentals of money laundering and the legal framework right through to the day-to-day mechanics of Know Your Customer due diligence - a complete compliance toolkit for the modern banker.
Because KYC, AML and CFT obligations sit at the heart of every banking relationship, this certificate is increasingly treated as essential knowledge rather than an optional add-on, especially for staff handling onboarding, payments and suspicious-transaction reporting.
KYC, AML & CFT Exam Pattern
The KYC, AML & CFT examination is an objective, MCQ-based test delivered through IIBF's online mode. Questions are application- and scenario-oriented rather than simple definition recall - expect cases on red-flag transactions, due-diligence decisions and reporting obligations, so conceptual clarity matters far more than rote learning. Always confirm the current number of questions, duration, marking and passing marks from the latest IIBF examination notification before you register, as IIBF revises these periodically.
KYC, AML & CFT Syllabus 2026 – Chapter-Wise
The syllabus falls under the module Anti-Money Laundering & Know Your Customer. Here is the complete chapter-wise breakdown:
| Module | Ch | Topic | What you learn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Money Laundering & Know Your Customer | 1 | Anti Money Laundering | The three stages of laundering (placement, layering, integration), the PMLA 2002 framework, FATF standards, STR/CTR reporting and FIU-IND. |
| Anti-Money Laundering & Know Your Customer | 2 | Know Your Customer - Introduction and Overview | KYC objectives, customer identification and acceptance, due diligence (CDD/EDD), beneficial ownership, risk categorisation and ongoing monitoring. |
Although the official syllabus lists these two core chapters, each one is broad. Chapter 1 spans the entire AML/CFT legal and operational machinery, while Chapter 2 covers the full KYC lifecycle from onboarding to ongoing review - so plan to study each as a cluster of sub-topics rather than a single short chapter.
🆕 Recently Updated Topics You Must Not Miss
AML/CFT and KYC rules move fast, and the certificate increasingly tests the latest position. Pay special attention to these recently revised areas (always cross-check the exact current figures and provisions against the latest RBI Master Direction on KYC, the PMLA rules and FATF guidance):
- RBI Master Direction on KYC (amended): The KYC Master Direction has been amended several times, including provisions on periodic KYC updation, Video-based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) and use of the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR). Study the current updation cycle and digital onboarding rules rather than older procedures.
- Beneficial ownership and PEP norms: Definitions and thresholds around identifying the beneficial owner and the treatment of Politically Exposed Persons have been tightened in line with FATF. Verify the latest ownership-percentage criteria from the current rules.
- FATF / PMLA scope updates: The list of entities and activities covered as 'reporting entities' under the PMLA has been widened over time. Make sure you study the current scope, since older lists are now outdated.
We keep our KYC, AML & CFT notes and tests synced with these updates, so the figures and procedures you revise here stay current.
Quick KYC, AML & CFT One-Liners for Revision
Use these rapid-fire one-liners to lock in the high-yield concepts before the exam:
Free KYC, AML & CFT Study Resources on Learning Sessions
A syllabus is only the start - you clear this certificate by practising. Use the full Learning Sessions toolkit, all built around this exact syllabus:
- 📝 Chapter-wise KYC AML CFT mock tests - timed, exam-pattern MCQs with instant answers and explanations.
- ⚡ Chapter one-liners - bite-sized revision points (a sample set is below) for last-mile prep.
- 🎮 Matching games - gamified drills that make laundering stages, reporting terms and KYC concepts stick.
- 📚 Detailed notes & study-material PDFs - chapter-by-chapter notes you can download and revise offline.
- 🎥 Live and recorded classes - concept-building sessions by Ashish Jain for every AML and KYC topic.
Test Yourself — KYC, AML & CFT Practice Questions
Try these hard, application-based questions. Tap Show Answer to check yourself and read the reasoning:
Q1. A customer routes funds through several shell companies and rapid inter-account transfers across jurisdictions before bringing the money back as a 'loan'. Which money-laundering stage does this primarily illustrate?
- a) Placement
- b) Layering
- c) Integration
- d) Structuring
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) Layering
Layering is the stage where launderers create complex chains of transactions to obscure the audit trail and origin of funds. Placement is the initial entry of cash into the system; integration is the final re-entry of 'clean' money into the economy.
Q2. A walk-in customer wants to remit a large amount in cash without opening an account and resists providing identity details. Under KYC norms the bank should:
- a) Process it since walk-in customers are exempt
- b) Carry out due diligence and refuse/flag the transaction if identity is not established
- c) Accept it but file no report
- d) Convert it into a fixed deposit
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) Carry out due diligence and refuse/flag the transaction if identity is not established
KYC requires identification even for non-account-based relationships above prescribed thresholds. If the customer refuses to provide details, the bank must decline the transaction and consider filing a Suspicious Transaction Report rather than completing it.
Q3. Which agency is the central national agency in India that receives, analyses and disseminates Suspicious Transaction Reports under the PMLA?
- a) SEBI
- b) FIU-IND
- c) CBI
- d) NABARD
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) FIU-IND
The Financial Intelligence Unit - India (FIU-IND) is the central agency responsible for receiving, processing and analysing STRs, CTRs and other reports filed by reporting entities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Q4. A long-dormant savings account suddenly receives multiple cash deposits each just below the reporting threshold over a few days. This pattern most directly signals:
- a) Normal high-value banking
- b) Structuring / smurfing to evade reporting
- c) A regulatory exemption
- d) Priority sector lending
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) Structuring / smurfing to evade reporting
Deliberately breaking a large amount into several sub-threshold deposits to avoid triggering Cash Transaction Reports is known as structuring or smurfing - a classic red flag warranting a Suspicious Transaction Report.
Q5. Under a risk-based approach, a customer assessed as 'High Risk' should be subjected to:
- a) Simplified due diligence
- b) No due diligence
- c) Enhanced Due Diligence with more frequent review
- d) Only one-time verification
✅ Show Answer
Answer: c) Enhanced Due Diligence with more frequent review
A risk-based approach requires the intensity of due diligence to match the risk. High-risk customers - such as PEPs or those with opaque ownership - attract Enhanced Due Diligence and more frequent ongoing monitoring, while low-risk customers may get simplified measures.
Q6. The global body that issues the 40 Recommendations forming the international benchmark for AML and CFT regimes is:
- a) BIS
- b) IMF
- c) FATF
- d) World Bank
✅ Show Answer
Answer: c) FATF
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sets the international AML/CFT standards through its 40 Recommendations. Member jurisdictions, including India, align their laws such as the PMLA and RBI KYC Directions with these standards.
How to Prepare for the KYC, AML & CFT Exam
Because the paper is application-driven, a chapter-grouped approach works best:
- Master the AML foundation (Chapter 1): lock in the three laundering stages, the PMLA 2002, the role of FIU-IND, FATF's 40 Recommendations and the difference between STRs and CTRs. Practise spotting red-flag transaction patterns.
- Master the KYC lifecycle (Chapter 2): drill customer identification and acceptance, CDD vs EDD, beneficial ownership, risk categorisation (Low/Medium/High) and ongoing monitoring until the decision logic is automatic.
- Link the two chapters: understand how strong KYC feeds effective AML/CFT - most exam scenarios test where a KYC gap leads to a reporting obligation.
- Revise with mocks + one-liners + games: alternate full-length mock tests with one-liner revision and matching games so accuracy and speed climb together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the KYC, AML & CFT certificate worth it?
Yes. For anyone in branch banking, operations, onboarding or compliance, the certificate builds directly job-relevant skills and signals AML/KYC expertise to employers - one of the most practical IIBF certifications given today's regulatory environment.
How many chapters are there in the KYC, AML & CFT syllabus?
The syllabus is built around two core chapters under the Anti-Money Laundering & Know Your Customer module - Anti Money Laundering, and Know Your Customer (Introduction and Overview) - each covering a broad cluster of sub-topics.
Where can I download the KYC, AML & CFT syllabus PDF?
You can download the complete syllabus PDF from the button above - it lists every chapter in the official IIBF order.
How should I keep up with updated topics?
Follow the RBI Master Direction on KYC and PMLA rules for due-diligence, V-CIP, CKYCR and beneficial-ownership changes, plus FATF guidance, and use our regularly-updated notes and mock tests, which reflect the latest provisions.
Start Your KYC, AML & CFT Preparation Today
A clear syllabus is half the battle. Download the syllabus PDF, map each chapter to a study week, revise with one-liners and games, and back it all with timed mock tests. With a structured plan and consistent practice, the KYC, AML & CFT certificate is well within reach.
Take a free mock test, download chapter PDFs, or watch a video class — all included on iibf.store.
