Resolution of Stressed Assets (IBC) Syllabus 2026 + Free PDF
The Resolution of Stressed Assets (IBC) certification from the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) equips bankers and recovery professionals to handle distressed credit through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code framework. To clear it efficiently you need three things: a precise map of the syllabus, awareness of what has recently changed in insolvency law, and good practice material. This exhaustive guide covers the complete Resolution of Stressed Assets 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 IBC Syllabus (PDF)
The complete, exam-ready Resolution of Stressed Assets (IBC) syllabus in one PDF — keep it open while you plan your study weeks.
Download IBC Syllabus PDF →What is the Resolution of Stressed Assets (IBC) Course?
The Resolution of Stressed Assets certification is a focused course that builds deep, practical expertise in credit recovery laws, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) and liquidation. It suits recovery officers, credit officers, legal-cell staff, branch heads and anyone whose role touches stressed or non-performing accounts. The course runs from the fundamentals of recovery law all the way to specialised areas such as the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process, individual insolvency and landmark case laws — a complete stressed-asset toolkit for the modern banker.
IBC Exam Pattern at a Glance
The Resolution of Stressed Assets examination is an objective, MCQ-based test delivered through IIBF's mode. Questions are application- and case-study-oriented rather than simple definition recall, so conceptual clarity on timelines, sections and roles matters far more than rote learning. Expect scenario questions on who can trigger CIRP, the powers of the Adjudicating Authority and the distribution waterfall. Always confirm the current number of questions, duration and passing marks from the latest IIBF examination notification before you register, as IIBF revises these periodically.
Resolution of Stressed Assets (IBC) Syllabus 2026 – Chapter-Wise
The IBC syllabus is a single comprehensive paper of 14 chapters organised across modules. Here is the complete breakdown:
| Ch | Module / Topic | What you learn |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Credit Recovery Laws for Banks Overview of Credit Recovery & Insolvency Laws | SARFAESI, DRT, Lok Adalat and the recovery toolkit available to lenders. |
| 2 | Evolution of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Overview of Credit Recovery & Insolvency Laws | Why the IBC, 2016 replaced fragmented laws and the objectives it serves. |
| 3 | Bankruptcy Laws – Cross Country Experience Evolution & Practice of Insolvency and Bankruptcy | Global insolvency regimes (US, UK, others) and lessons for India. |
| 4 | Structure of the IBC Evolution & Practice of Insolvency and Bankruptcy | The four pillars — IBBI, IPs, Information Utilities and Adjudicating Authorities. |
| 5 | Initiation of CIRP Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process | Who can trigger CIRP — financial, operational creditors and the debtor. |
| 6 | Commencement of CIRP Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process | Admission, moratorium, public announcement and constitution of the CoC. |
| 7 | Roles and Duties of IRP and RP Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process | Powers of the IRP/RP, management of the debtor and claim verification. |
| 8 | Catalysing Successful Resolution Plan Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process | Information memorandum, resolution applicants, Section 29A and CoC voting. |
| 9 | Fast Track CIRP & PPIRP Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process | Fast-track process and the pre-packaged insolvency route for MSMEs. |
| 10 | Failure of CIRP or Business: Liquidation & Voluntary Liquidation Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process | Liquidation order, the liquidator's role and the Section 53 waterfall. |
| 11 | Insolvency Resolution Process for Individuals and Firms Insolvency Resolution for Non-Corporate | Personal guarantors, partnership firms and the role of the DRT. |
| 12 | Adjudication, Appeals, Offences & Penalties Other Important Provisions / Matters | NCLT/NCLAT hierarchy, appeals to the Supreme Court and penal provisions. |
| 13 | Regulatory & Miscellaneous Aspects Other Important Provisions / Matters | IBBI regulations, cross-border insolvency and miscellaneous provisions. |
| 14 | Important Case Laws and Lessons Drawn Other Important Provisions / Matters | Landmark judgments shaping IBC jurisprudence and practical takeaways. |
🆕 Recently Updated Topics You Must Not Miss
Insolvency law evolves rapidly through amendments and judgments, and the IBC paper 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 IBBI regulations / IIBF notification and RBI sources):
- Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP): The pre-pack route introduced for MSMEs blends debtor-in-possession with creditor-in-control. Expect direct questions on its eligibility, base resolution plan and timeline — a relatively new addition to the Code.
- Default threshold for initiating CIRP: The minimum default amount that triggers a corporate insolvency application was revised upward, so older figures are now outdated. Verify the current threshold from the official notification before relying on any number.
- Cross-border insolvency & CIRP timelines: Proposals on adopting the UNCITRAL Model Law and clarifications on the outer CIRP timeline (including litigation periods) continue to evolve through amendments and judgments. Study the current statutory position rather than memorising a single fixed period.
We keep our IBC notes and tests synced with these updates, so the provisions you revise here stay current.
Quick IBC One-Liners for Revision
Use these rapid-fire one-liners to lock in the high-yield IBC concepts before the exam:
Free IBC Study Resources on Learning Sessions
A syllabus is only the start — you clear the Resolution of Stressed Assets exam by practising. Use the full Learning Sessions toolkit, all built around this exact syllabus:
- 📝 Chapter-wise IBC 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 sections, timelines and IBC terminology 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 insolvency topic.
Test Yourself — IBC Practice Questions
Try these hard, application-based questions. Tap Show Answer to check yourself and read the reasoning:
Q1. A financial creditor files an application against a corporate debtor that has defaulted above the prescribed threshold. Which authority will admit and adjudicate this corporate insolvency application?
- a) Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT)
- b) National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
- c) Civil Court of competent jurisdiction
- d) Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
For corporate persons, the Adjudicating Authority under the IBC is the NCLT. The DRT is the Adjudicating Authority for individuals and partnership firms, while the IBBI is the regulator, not an adjudicator.
Q2. Immediately on admission of a CIRP application, the moratorium under Section 14 takes effect. Which of the following is PERMITTED during this period?
- a) Filing a fresh recovery suit against the corporate debtor
- b) Transferring or disposing of the debtor's assets
- c) Supply of essential goods or services to the corporate debtor
- d) Enforcing security interest under SARFAESI
✅ Show Answer
Answer: c) Supply of essential goods or services to the corporate debtor
The moratorium bars suits, asset transfers and enforcement actions, but the supply of essential/critical goods and services to keep the company a going concern cannot be interrupted during CIRP.
Q3. A resolution plan for a corporate debtor has been received. Who has the statutory power to approve it before it is placed before the Adjudicating Authority?
- a) The Interim Resolution Professional alone
- b) The Committee of Creditors by the requisite voting share
- c) The IBBI by a board resolution
- d) The promoters of the corporate debtor
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) The Committee of Creditors by the requisite voting share
The CoC, comprising financial creditors, approves a resolution plan by the prescribed voting majority (generally 66%). The RP only places the approved plan before the NCLT for its sanction.
Q4. A promoter who is a classified wilful defaulter wishes to submit a resolution plan to regain control of the company under CIRP. Which provision is most likely to disqualify him?
- a) Section 14 (Moratorium)
- b) Section 29A (Persons not eligible)
- c) Section 53 (Distribution waterfall)
- d) Section 7 (Initiation by financial creditor)
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) Section 29A (Persons not eligible)
Section 29A lists ineligible persons, including wilful defaulters and connected parties, to prevent errant promoters from regaining control of the company at a discount through the resolution process.
Q5. If a CIRP fails to yield an approved resolution plan within the maximum permitted timeline, what is the most likely consequence under the Code?
- a) The matter is automatically closed and the debtor revived
- b) The corporate debtor goes into liquidation
- c) The CIRP restarts afresh from day one
- d) The creditors lose all claims permanently
✅ Show Answer
Answer: b) The corporate debtor goes into liquidation
Where no resolution plan is approved within the timeline, or the CoC decides to liquidate, the Adjudicating Authority passes a liquidation order and a liquidator realises and distributes assets per the Section 53 waterfall.
Q6. During liquidation, proceeds are distributed under the Section 53 waterfall. Which claim ranks ABOVE unsecured financial creditors in the order of priority?
- a) Equity shareholders
- b) Government dues
- c) Insolvency resolution and liquidation process costs
- d) Preference shareholders
✅ Show Answer
Answer: c) Insolvency resolution and liquidation process costs
The waterfall places insolvency/liquidation process costs at the very top, followed by secured creditors and workmen dues. Government dues, unsecured creditors and shareholders rank much lower in the priority order.
How to Prepare for the IBC Exam
Because the IBC paper is application-driven and section-heavy, a chapter-grouped approach works best:
- Build the base (Chapters 1–4): understand recovery laws, the evolution of the Code, global experience and the four-pillar structure of the IBC.
- Master the CIRP core (Chapters 5–10): the scoring heart of the paper — drill initiation, moratorium, the CoC, resolution plans, Section 29A, PPIRP and the liquidation waterfall until they are automatic.
- Cover non-corporate & provisions (Chapters 11–13): individual/firm insolvency, adjudication, appeals, offences and IBBI regulations carry direct, factual marks.
- Lock in case laws (Chapter 14) and revise with mocks + one-liners + games: landmark judgments are high-yield; alternate full-length mock tests with one-liner revision and matching games so accuracy and speed climb together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Resolution of Stressed Assets (IBC) course worth it?
Yes. For anyone in a recovery, credit-monitoring, legal-cell or branch-banking role, this certification builds directly job-relevant skills in handling stressed accounts and signals insolvency expertise to employers — one of the most practical IIBF certifications for NPA management.
How many chapters are there in the IBC syllabus?
The Resolution of Stressed Assets syllabus has 14 chapters, from Credit Recovery Laws for Banks through to Important Case Laws and Lessons Drawn, organised across modules covering recovery laws, CIRP, non-corporate insolvency and other provisions.
Where can I download the IBC syllabus PDF?
You can download the complete IBC syllabus PDF from the button above — it lists every chapter in the official IIBF order.
How should I keep up with updated topics?
Follow IBBI regulations and amendments to the IBC, watch landmark NCLT/NCLAT and Supreme Court judgments, and use our regularly-updated IBC notes and mock tests, which reflect the latest provisions and thresholds.
Start Your IBC Preparation Today
A clear syllabus is half the battle. Download the IBC 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 Resolution of Stressed Assets certification is well within reach.
Take a free mock test, download chapter PDFs, or watch a video class — all included on iibf.store.
