Introducing Varsity Certified

August 30, 2022

We do what we do at Zerodha because we believe more Indians must invest in the markets and back home-grown entrepreneurs and businesses. This is the only way to reduce our dependence on foreign capital and ensure inclusive growth. If most of India’s capital continues to get invested in real estate and gold, it doesn’t help our economy.

India has nine crore demat accounts, but only about three crores are unique—less than 2% of Indians. One reason for this is that the incomes of Indians are still very low. Our per capita GDP is ~$1900 compared to ~$60,000 in the US. But even then, just 2% of Indians investing is still extremely low. The other major reason for low participation in financial markets is the lack of financial literacy. Schools and colleges don’t teach basic financial concepts; we learn by trial and error or from friends and family. Since most people don’t invest, they assume that the stock market is akin to gambling and stick to fixed deposits, chit funds, gold and real estate. The lessons we learn when we’re young tend to stick through life, and most people don’t update their beliefs.

This is why we started Varsity, our open finance education portal, in 2013, led by Karthik, to simplify trading and investing. Today, Varsity is one of the world’s most popular educational portals on financial markets. We’ve also launched the Varsity app and videos with bite-sized content for the younger mobile native generation. Varsity has been free and open from day one. We don’t ask for emails, collect leads or upsell other products on the portal.

In our experience, most traders and investors get started without a firm grasp of the fundamental financial concepts. This can often lead to people learning the wrong things and forming strong views that are flawed. Since first impressions tend to be strong, people tend not to update their learnings over time. In an ideal world, learning about trading and investing should happen first. This need not be a full-fledged specialised course on finance, but rather the key foundational concepts.

Varsity Certified

Over the last few months, we’ve been working on creating such a course. We’ve taken the foundational concepts across various Varsity modules, the basics of stock markets, fundamental analysis and technical analysis and created an online certification programme — Varsity Certified. You can learn about all these concepts on Varsity web, mobile and videos. The web has the most extensive content.

Just like Varsity, the Varsity Certified programme is open to everyone. You don’t need a Zerodha account to take this test. 🙂

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be awarded a certificate. The certification tests will also be proctored or overseen by professional monitors. The certification is priced at Rs 250 plus GST per attempt to write the exam. This is to cover the costs of the professionals who oversee the exams.

The certification program isn’t meant only for students but anyone who wants to learn how to manage their finances.

You can enrol here for the certification and start learning about the basics of the stock market on Varsity. If you are a school or college interested in associating with Zerodha Varsity to offer the certification program to your students and maybe even offer joint certification, please create a ticket here.

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171 comments
  1. prachi adsul says:

    can i give exam again if i fail ?

  2. Souvik Dutta says:

    Hi,
    My Zerodha Varsity exam is scheduled for 2nd March 2024. Owing to some very important family emergency, it is not possible for me to give the exam.
    It will of great help if my exam can be re-scheduled on 16th March.

    • Shruthi says:

      Hi Souvik, sure, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 16th March. An email is sent informing the same. Please ensure your mailbox isn’t full, to receive emails, and check the spam/junk folders too.

  3. Neetika Murarka says:

    Hi,
    My Zerodha Varsity exam is scheduled for tomorrow 16:00. Owing to some very important academic commitment, it is not possible for me to give the exam.
    It will of great help if my exam can be re-scheduled next

  4. Sukrit Bera says:

    Hello,

    I have paid the required amount today, and in the Finish Signup page, it is not showing anything in the dropdown list for the Preferred Time Slot, and as a result I can’t select any item in that list and can’t proceed. Please help.

  5. Munish Bhatia says:

    I have written the exam today from 4:00pm to 5:40pm but upon checking the result after the exam .All the fields like number of correct answers, number of incorrect answers , number of questions attempted are showing to be zero.
    Even the analysis pdf is completely blank. My roll number is VC16876 . I kindly request you to look into this matter as soon as possible.

  6. Kalahasti Sai Sambhavi Madhu Priya says:

    Hi team,
    I want to reschedule my test on 21st October to some other date in November ( after Nov 10) preferably. Please help me with the same.
    Thank you

  7. nandita says:

    Hi team , I gave my exam on 23 and did not clear it , i wanted to reschedule it , but after paying again, it did not let me use my old email id- is my money gone to waste now? and how can i reschedule the test? please help

  8. Ananya Venkateswaran says:

    Hi, could you please reschedule my Varsity certification test to 30th September 2023? Thanks.

  9. Ramniwas Dudhwal says:

    Hello, I have the test today, 2 September, 2023. Due to some medical emergency I need to postpone this test at least for 15 days. Please give any date after around 15 days on Saturday or Sunday.

  10. garishma says:

    Hi,

    I have paid for Zerodha Verified but need to re-schedule the exam date. Please suggest

  11. chinmayee says:

    Need to reschedule my exam, from 2nd September to 9th September

  12. manish kumar says:

    hey! I am interested in taking up the test but i was wondering what is going to be the test date if i register for the same and pay the payment Today. What i mean is how much time do i have once i have completed the registration.
    or Is it like this test can be taken up any time as per my convenience on a selected date by myself.

    • Shubham says:

      Hi Manish, you can schedule the test as per your convience, you will get multiple dates to choose from while registering.

  13. Nikhil says:

    Please do look into the matter of rescheduling the online exam dates.

  14. Nikhil says:

    My name is nikhil and i had registered for the varsity exam on 29th June and i want it to be rescheduled to the available dates after 29th as i’m a bit busy. Kindly requesting for the needful to be done.

  15. Shivam says:

    Hello Can i get a sample certificate, just wanted to see how the pdf will look like
    it will be very helpful
    Thank You

  16. Jaisuryank Purwar says:

    I have my test on 27th November 2022 but I did not download the passing certificate. How can I access it now?

  17. Atharva says:

    Hey support,
    I had received conformation of successful payment for the Zerodha Varsity Certification test but haven’t received any link for the test or anything related, just the payment successful email. Kindly Help!!

  18. Rajendra Rao says:

    Hi, my name is miss-spelt on the Zerodha Varsity certificate as Rajedra instead of C.Rajendra Rao. Could you kindly send another copy after necessary correction. This certificate means a lot to me and I plan to hang it on a wall opposite my trading desk.

  19. Amit says:

    I have paid for exam but forget, so I can’t attend exam can I get new slot?

    • Shruthi says:

      Hi Amit, sure, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 4th February. An email is sent informing the same. Please ensure your mailbox isn’t full, to receive emails and check the spam/junk folders too.

  20. Rajendra Rao says:

    Hav’nt received any communication regarding how to write the test scheduled on 28.01. despite payment. I even got a payment confirmation e-mail. Please help on how to access the test.

  21. Vidhi Goyal says:

    I had paid the exam fees,I also received the confirmation of registering but I didn’t receive the link to join .I chose today’s slot

  22. Navaneeth Shenoy says:

    I cleared varsity certificate test and got certificate. However, there is no issue date in it. Please provide certificate with issue date.
    Thanks

  23. Nilofar says:

    Hey,

    I scheduled my test for today, I have checked all my folders but haven’t received any mail. Also, I attended tests earlier with technical issues, reported above in the same of sudo. Today I logged in to ekalavya and I do not see any test scheduled for today. Why is there a problem? Kindly help, awaiting your response.

    • Nilofar says:

      Hey,

      Can someone please respond to my query? The test was not assigned at all. Kindly help me with the refund?

      • Shruthi says:

        Hi Nilofar, having this checked.

      • Shruthi says:

        Hi Nilofar, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 14th January. You’ve been sent an email informing the same. The test is between 4 – 5:40 PM. Please ensure your mail box isn’t full, to receive emails and check the spam/junk folders too.

        • Nilofar says:

          Hello Shruthi,

          Thanks for your response, I am traveling out of town this week, could you please reschedule this test for the 21st of January? I will be home & can attend the test.

          • Shruthi says:

            Hi Nilofar, sure, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 21st January. An email is sent informing the same. Please ensure your mailbox isn’t full, to receive emails and check the spam/junk folders too.

  24. Heersingh says:

    Please tell me how to do i confirm my email id because my comments goes under moderation whenever i write my email id in comment section please alternative ways to share email id

    • Heersingh says:

      Big thank 🙏To Shruthi ma’am now my query is resolved by Team Zerodha and i have received exam link also
      Thanking You Shruthi Ma’am

  25. Pragyaa Srivastava says:

    I have been trying to give the test but I don’t know why its constantly showing me errors due to which I am unable to appear for it.

    • Pragyaa Srivastava says:

      can you please reschedule the exam

      • Shruthi says:

        Hi Pragyaa, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 07th January. You would have received an email informing the same. Please check the spam/junk folders too.

        • Heersingh says:

          Can you please reschedule my exam also

          • Shruthi says:

            Hi Heersingh, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 07th January. You would have received an email informing the same. Please check the spam/junk folders too.

            • Heersingh says:

              Sir i have not received any email in dec24 or in few days from now i have check all folders including span and junk please suggest me how i will appear for exam if not receive any email than please suggest me what will i do sir

              • Shruthi says:

                Hi Heersingh, could you please confirm the email ID you’ve registered with?

                • Heersingh says:

                  This time also not received any link on my email id i have checked all folder including junk amd span no email received fpr exam link please help me team Zerodha

                  • Shruthi says:

                    Hi Heersingh, having this checked.

                  • Shruthi says:

                    Hi Heersingh, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 14th January. You’ve been sent an email informing the same. The test is between 4 – 5:40 PM. Please ensure your mail box isnt full, to receive emails and check the spam/junk folders too.

                    • Heersingh says:

                      Big 🙏To Shruthi ma’am now my query is resolved by team Zerodha and i have received link also Thanking You Shruthi Ma’am

            • Khushali dave says:

              Hi can you please reschedule my exam for the next slot, beacuse I am unable to give it today.

  26. Sudo says:

    I am stuck, I have been trying to attempt the exam but throwing unnecessary errors. The next schedule is 7th of January which is too late, have worked hard on it & studied through the night. Giving technical errors. Kindly help me in this regard, I don’t want to lose an opportunity.

  27. Prashant Kumar Rai says:

    I am not able to give Zerodha Varsity online exam. The system throws me out every few seconds. Redirecting me to the page.
    Kindly resolve the discrepancy.

  28. Navaneeth says:

    Unable to take test. It blocks saying redirected due to following reasons.
    I have not moved nor used keyboard or violated any. Webcam is connected. Pls help

  29. Heersingh says:

    Today is my Zerodha varsity exam and exam dates and time are 24dec2022 and timing are 4pm to 5pm but due to some important work i am out of town and here is very low network so unable to give today can you please reschedule my exam in coming Saturday

  30. Sahib singh says:

    Dear team .I just apply for the varsity exam but I don’t receive the link I try to contact with you but not able to connect so please help me and check we can reschedule the exam

    Reg

  31. Krupa says:

    I have applied for varsity exam today but I have not received any link or details of the exam!! Can u guys please help me on this!! I have oly received the payment confirmation

  32. Vrijesh says:

    Hi, i have tried to give me attempt, at first i was not able to see my face clearly, second no where i found instructions stating” i cannot use headphones as a micro phone”, and if any random click makes your exam web page gives a warning then please give me pictures large enough to visible for solving case study questions.

    Now my money and time both got wasted before i could reach to 2nd Question

    • Shubham says:

      Hi Vrijesh, sorry for the inconvenience you had to face. We’ve rescheduled the test and you would have received an email informing you about the schedule and other details. Also, if the email is not in your inbox, please check the spam/junk folder.

  33. Ashutosh Deo says:

    It is not mentioned anywhere what to study and which course to study.

  34. Ashutosh Deo says:

    Have applied for Varsity Certified for 17th dec but have not received any details on when the exam is or how to give the exam or which particular exam to give. Please explain the steps involved.

    • Shruthi says:

      Hi Ashutosh, you would’ve received an email with an updated test schedule and details. Also, please check the spam/junk folders once, the email might sometimes get delivered in those folders. The modules for the certification program is already mentioned in the post above.

  35. Neelaksh says:

    Have applied for Varsity Certified for 10th dec but have not received any details on when the exam is or how to give the exam. I am also not able to see on on how page any details on how and when to give the test.
    Please help

    • Shubham says:

      Hi Neelaksh, we’ve rescheduled the test. You would’ve received an email with an updated test schedule and details. Also, please check the spam/junk folders once, the email might sometimes get delivered in those folders.

  36. Aasheesh chhewang says:

    Does zerodha inform the students for exam before the scheduled date?

    • Shruthi R says:

      Hi Aasheesh, you’d receive an email with your login credentials at the time of registration. We’re in the process of setting up reminder emails too, but that isn’t live yet.🙂

  37. VINITH REDDY says:

    i paid for the exam but i didnt get the credentials.

  38. shiksha says:

    On the mobile app Varsity, I am not able to give my 3rd attempt of certification of stock market basics. Please check

  39. Roshanara says:

    Hi Team,
    Could you please reschedule my test for next available slot. Missed my test.
    my registered email id – [email protected]

  40. Shubham Kumar says:

    My login details were in SPAM and so i missed the exam, please reschedule to test to nearest possible date.

    • Shruthi R says:

      Hi Shubham, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 12th November. You would have received an email informing the same. Please check the spam/junk folders too.

  41. Shubham Kumar says:

    Please reschedule the test to first next slot.

  42. Shiksha says:

    I had paid fees for the certificate test yesterday. But I did’t selected any date for test. Now when I am opening Varcity I am not able to find any option. It’s showing up as I have to pay again but I have already paid yesterday. Kindly look into this. Please check.
    thank you

  43. Yash Lalit Jindal says:

    Hi!
    I had scheduled a test for 29/10/22 (Today) and was waiting for a test link mail. After reading this comment thread I found it in my spam folder. Can someone kindly reschedule my test to the next available slot?
    Thank you

    • Shubham says:

      Hi Yash, your test has been rescheduled for Saturday, 5th November. You would have received an email informing the same. Please check the spam/junk folders too.

      • Yash Lalit Jindal says:

        I have recieved the mail.
        Thank you for your support!

        I think the team should look into the matter of exam link being classified as spam for the convinience of everyone.
        Excited for the test.

      • Yash Jindal says:

        Hi
        Actually because of some issues with my laptop i won’t be able to give the test today.
        Could you please re schedule it to the next available slot?
        Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience

  44. Kartik says:

    Till now i haven’t received any exam link … Paid on 1st October

  45. Pradeep Shenoy says:

    Hi,

    Please reschedule and share me details for 01/10 online exam.
    I had booked slot for 17/09 and already paid money, till date not received any acknowledged or email relating online exam? Is this real and can atleast expecte my online exam on 01/10? Please share me details on my email address.

    • Shubham says:

      Hey Pradeep, we’ve rescheduled the test on 1st October 2022. You would’ve received an email informing the same. Also, please check the spam/junk folder as well, the email may sometimes be delivered to these folders.

  46. Satyam Ganju says:

    Till dates i haven’t received any exam link … Paid on 2nd September

  47. Aakash says:

    Hi,

    I have paid for Zerodha Verified but need to re-schedule the exam date. Please suggest

    • Shubham says:

      Hey Aakash, can you suggest a date so we can reschedule the exam? Btw, exam is held on Saturday so please suggest a date that falls on Saturday 🙂

  48. Sha says:

    Paid for the varsity certificate but till know did not received any mail and exam schedule date

  49. Pradeep Shenoy says:

    Hi Shubham,

    Any update, had booked slot for 17/09 at 4 PM, till now no update???

  50. Pradeep Shenoy says:

    VC13757 – My Zerodha certified test slot is booked today from 4 PM to 5:30 PM, apart from payment acknowledged have not received any test details, considering time can explain how to take test procedure today?

    • Satyam Ganju says:

      Same thing happened with me.
      I doubt we will get any response from zerodha team today, being it saturday (holiday) & Vishkarma Puja.
      Better they reschedule the exam to 24th September and provide exam link or necessary details in advance.

      • Shubham says:

        Hey Satyam, your test has been rescheduled and will be held on 24th September 2022. You would have received and email informing the same.

    • Shubham says:

      Hey Pradeep, your test has been rescheduled and will be held on 24th September 2022. You would have received and email informing the same.

    • Nikita says:

      I paid for varsity certificate but did not receive any email containing the test details please help

  51. Satyam Ganju says:

    I have paid the fees and my exam is suppose to be today but i haven’t received any link or user id on where i can write the exam

  52. Pallavi says:

    Varsity certified a good initiative. Qualifying criteria of 75 marks is on the higher side when compared with NISM certified of 60 marks. This will encourage the beginners and hence increase market participation.

    My mom, a house wife, appeared on 10Sept22 exam and scored 71 marks but did not receive the certificate and then thinking how tough it wud be to trade in the market. Had planned to open acct under my referral.

    • Mohammedali Sayeed says:

      Hello. In one of the chapter at the end when inwasgiving exam for certification i got failed twice bcause of netwrk issue and now it is not showin me another chance to give test for certification so why is thus happening any solution for ths

      • Shubham says:

        Hey Mohammedali, can you suggest a date so we can reschedule the exam? Btw, the exam is held on Saturday so please suggest a date that falls on Saturday 🙂

  53. Pratham says:

    My test was scheduled on 10 Sep but due to internet issue I was not able to give the test. Is it possible to reschedule the test.

  54. Raghu Ram says:

    Hi Team,
    Is this Cetification Programme is Same as Mobile App Varsity or else it is different from App.
    Because in App Also we are able to generate Cerfticate after Successful Completion of Module

    Please Clarify my Doubt!!!!
    Thanks in Advance..

    • Akshay says:

      Mobile app certification is called ‘Certificate of Completion’, and this is called ‘Varsity Certified’. Its similar to the difference between a “course completion certification” and a “degree”.

  55. Milan says:

    Have paid the fees, but haven’t received any instructions on how to give the test. No link, credentials or anything has been given. Please resolve at the earliest

  56. Prajwal meshram says:

    Didn’t got the id password sir please help money also paid 2says ago but user id n password not found

  57. Pratiksha Kamath says:

    What is the benefit of varsity certificate?
    Can I add in my CV as additional qualification ?
    Is this certificate will give weightage to my cv ?

    • Shubham says:

      Hey Pratiksha, the Varsity Certification program is designed to test your knowledge about the financial markets. You can use it in your CV, it’s up to you 🙂

  58. Rahul Naidu says:

    Hi team zerodha,

    Just a request if Varsity can be converted into book form it would be much easier.

  59. Shubham says:

    Hey Rohan, we’ve explained about the Varsity Certification in detail above.

  60. Pankaj kumar says:

    I’m learning so much from varsity by zerodha. The information that is available here is not available anywhere. Thankyou zerodha team

  61. Sameer says:

    Do Zerodha offers job/internship?
    And if yes, then how can I apply?

    • Shruthi R says:

      Hey Sameer, we don’t have any openings currently, but please do keep an eye out on this link here: careers.zerodha.com

  62. Anju Beria says:

    I want learn investment skill through said varsity course
    Please revert back details for the same
    Thanks

  63. Priya Pahuja says:

    This is a great initiative, Nitin and team! Brilliant!

  64. Sandeep Jhanji says:

    Excellent initiative. The intent is also very clear . We also need a basic informative module for environment management practices which cover basic concepts like waste separation , water harvesting , water conservation and single use plastic

  65. Ankit C says:

    Few Questions –
    How the course content under Varsity certification is different from the content which is already there on Varsity?
    Also how this certificate will benefit us?
    What is the thought process behind launching this certification?

    • vijay m says:

      i have paid for exam but forget yesterday , so i cant attend exam can i get new slot or my fees goes waste?

      • Shubham says:

        Hey Vijay, you can reschedule. Could you provide me with your preferred date from these two 17th September 2022 and 24th September 2022?

      • Atharva says:

        Hi Varsity support,
        I had received a successful payment link on my mail, but i did not get any notification for the test, when it will be or anything, looks like my money is wasted, kindly help!!

        • Shruthi says:

          Hey Atharva, your test has been rescheduled and will be held on 11th March 2023. You would have received and email informing the same. Please do check your spam and junk folders too.

          • Atharva Mittal says:

            I had registered for the Varsity Certified Exam and I paid the amount with my wallet but during slot selection when I clicked submit it showed that the email was already registered and I believe the slot was not selected. But there is no option for a refund. Kindly help.

            • Shubham says:

              Hi Atharva, we’re sorry to hear this. Please create a ticket at support.zerodha.com so we can have this resolved at the earliest.