Prasenjit Bhadra discusses finance and investment careers, financial literacy and smart investing for students.
DIMAPUR — Prasenjit Bhadra is an assistant professor (guest faculty) in the Management Programme at North East Christian University (NECU), Dimapur. His academic and research interests include Finance, Investment, Marketing, Commerce, and Management.
He completed his schooling in Dimapur at SD Jain Higher Secondary School and Pranab Vidyapith Higher Secondary School. He completed his B.Com. (Finance Honours) at the Public College of Commerce, Dimapur, followed by an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Nagaland University, where he was a gold medallist. He later completed his M.Com. in Finance from IGNOU and is currently pursuing a PhD at St. Joseph University, Chümoukedima. He also cleared the North East State-Level Eligibility Test conducted in March 2026.
His professional experience includes a two-month internship at JioHotstar (Star India) and a role as Assistant Department Manager at Future Group (Big Bazaar). He later worked for six years and seven months as an assistant professor at Tetso College, where he also served as Head Exam Coordinator/Assistant COE, coordinating NET, NPSC, NSSB, and university entrance examinations. His other roles included Business Club Coordinator, Young Indians Coordinator, resource person for state-level NET workshops, and certified computer trainer.
His professional journey began with a two-month internship at JioHotstar (Star India), followed by his role as assistant department manager at Future Group (Big Bazaar). He subsequently entered academia and served for six years and seven months as an assistant professor at Tetso College, where he also served as head exam coordinator/assistant COE, coordinating NET, NPSC, NSSB, and university entrance examinations. He also served as business club coordinator, Young Indians Coordinator, resource person for State-Level NET workshops, and a certified computer trainer.
In this interview with Eastern Mirror, Bhadra discusses investment and personal finance, common mistakes made by first-time investors, and the importance of making informed financial decisions.
For a school student, how would you explain what investing actually means and why it matters?
Investment, in simple terms, is like putting your money into something that can generate returns over time without affecting the principal amount. For example, if you save INR 1,000 in a piggy bank and leave it there for 10 years, it will still be INR 1,000 after 10 years. But if you invest the same INR 1,000 in something like mutual funds, it can grow to approximately INR 3,106 in 10 years at a 12% annual return.
Investing is critical because of the natural rise in prices that makes goods and services more expensive over time. This trend is known as inflation. Something that costs INR 10 today could eventually cost INR 20 or INR 30 in the future. We must manage and invest our money with specific goals in mind, such as purchasing a dream car or owning a house, while also protecting our purchasing power.
What is the difference between saving and investing, and at what stage of life should young people begin thinking about each?
Saving and investing look similar, but they are not the same. Saving means setting aside money for our emergency needs, usually with no or very nominal interest, often below the inflation rate. Investing, on the other hand, means putting your hard-earned money into assets that can grow over time and create wealth for you.
Parents should guide their children to use pocket money wisely by instilling the habit of saving from an early age. Investment education can usually begin around Class 9, when students can learn basic concepts such as saving, budgeting, interest, inflation, risk, and investment. They can start becoming practically involved in investing by the age of 18, initially with small amounts and safer, government-backed investment schemes. The earlier one starts investing, the greater the potential for returns in the long run, but starting early should go hand in hand with financial education. Learn first, start small, invest wisely, and give your money time to grow.
Students often hear terms such as stocks, mutual funds, bonds, fixed deposits and gold. Could you briefly explain how these investment options differ?
Investments can broadly differ in terms of risk and potential returns. Government-backed instruments and bank or post-office deposits are generally considered lower-risk, while stocks and equity-orientated mutual funds carry higher market risk but may offer greater potential returns over the long term.
Stocks: Stocks represent ownership in a company. Investors can earn through dividends and an increase in the share price over time.
Mutual funds: Mutual funds pool money from many investors and are managed by professional fund managers. They can be a convenient option for beginners who may not have the knowledge or time to select individual stocks themselves.
Bonds: Buying a bond essentially means lending money to a government or company. In return, the issuer generally pays interest and repays the principal on maturity.
Fixed deposits: A fixed deposit allows investors to deposit a lump sum with a bank for a specified period at a predetermined interest rate. It is generally considered a relatively low-risk investment.
Gold: Gold can be purchased physically or through financial products. It is often considered a safe-haven asset during periods of economic or geopolitical uncertainty and can also help diversify an investment portfolio.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions young people have about investing and the stock market?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that investing in the stock market is a quick way to become rich. Another is that investing in stocks requires a large amount of money, whereas we can invest in some good stocks for under INR 200.
People also tend to believe that successful and experienced investors always choose good stocks that will grow over time. In reality, nobody can predict the market with 100% accuracy. Another misconception is that the stock market is so risky that everyone eventually loses their money. In reality, as a beginner, you do not necessarily need to invest in individual stocks. Instead, you can consider investing in a Nifty 50 index fund or ETF, such as Nifty BeES, where your investment is diversified across the 50 companies that constitute the Nifty 50 index.
Finally, some people expect high returns without taking high risks. Remember, no risk, no story; higher potential returns are generally associated with greater uncertainty.
For a student interested in investment as a future profession, which subjects should they pay particular attention to in school?
Students interested in investment and finance should pay particular attention to Mathematics, Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies, Statistics, and Financial Literacy. A student who takes Bookkeeping from Class 9 and Commerce from Class 11 can gain exposure to these subjects and enhance their knowledge to become a professional investor in the future.
I also encourage students to develop the habit of reading a newspaper every day, as investment markets are influenced by the current economic and political situations in the country and around the world. Over time, this habit will help them understand the various factors that influence the rise and fall of investment markets.
After Class 12, what educational pathways can students pursue if they want to build a career in investment, finance or the capital markets?
After Class 12, students can pursue undergraduate programmes such as B.Com. (Hons), BBA (Finance), BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies), BA in Economics, and certificate programmes in financial markets.
After graduation, students can consider postgraduate programmes such as M.Com., MBA in Finance, or MA in Economics, as well as professional certifications such as CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), FRM (Financial Risk Manager), NCFM/NISM certifications, and a PG Diploma in Financial Markets (PGDFM).
However, degrees alone cannot determine your success in the investment world. You should also make use of videos from credible financial experts on YouTube that provide visual representations and easy-to-understand explanations. Attending financial literacy workshops and seminars, combined with making small practical investments of INR 500 to INR 1,000, can also help you understand things more deeply.
Beyond university degrees, which professional qualifications or certifications can give students an advantage in the investment industry?
The top professional credentials that students can pursue to gain a competitive edge in the investment industry include the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) for core investment analysis, Financial Risk Manager (FRM) for measuring and managing market, credit, and operational risks, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) for private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and commodities, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for financial and wealth planning, and the Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) for quantitative finance.
From a technical perspective, Python or R certifications can also be useful for automating tasks and analysing large financial datasets. For those interested in mutual fund distribution in India, the NISM Series V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors Certification is required.
What skills do employers look for when hiring fresh graduates for investment and finance-related positions?
Employers generally look for candidates with good technical knowledge and soft skills. Some of the key finance-related skills include general accounting, financial analysis, data-driven decision-making, management skills, and research ability. Important soft skills include critical thinking and problem-solving, adaptability and continuous learning, creativity and innovation, communication, emotional intelligence, and AI fluency.
Social media is filled with influencers offering stock tips and promising quick returns. How can students distinguish genuine financial education from speculation, misinformation or scams?
Students need to be extremely careful when selecting credible influencers. Not all influencers on social media provide poor investment advice. Some knowledgeable influencers provide valuable insights into stocks by offering proper technical and fundamental analysis without directly pushing viewers to invest without conducting their own research.
From my personal observation, many influencers try to earn money from their viewers by initially offering free access to their Telegram channels. Later, they ask for a subscription fee in exchange for stock investment tips and short-selling tips that supposedly generate quick returns. However, don't fall into this trap, as many people end up losing substantial amounts of money by blindly following such recommendations.
Investing is all about patience, long-term growth, and proper research before making investment decisions. Use social media pages as tools for learning rather than blindly following investment advice.
How can students distinguish genuine financial education from speculation, misinformation or scams?
When students seek financial advice, they must make sure to thoroughly examine the source and its credentials. They should be especially sceptical of promises of fast, easy, or guaranteed returns. A legitimate source of financial education should explain both potential returns and risks.
On the other hand, speculative advice is often based on the idea of making a quick profit. Students should be aware of regulated and credible sources and verify the information before they act. Since social media is largely driven by trends, students should understand that even the most popular trends should be approached with caution.
They should never hesitate to research and investigate any advice, no matter how popular it may be.
What are some of the most common mistakes first-time investors make, and how can young people avoid them?
One common mistake in investing is following the crowd. In Nagaland, we have seen many outside companies lure innocent people with unusually high returns. Investors often consider only the promised returns and get excited without understanding how those returns will be generated. Nagaland Police have flagged major fraudulent investment and Ponzi schemes targeting residents of the state, including operations such as RGA and crypto-related schemes such as HPZ Token. Young people should invest through trusted scheduled banks and SEBI-registered investment platforms.
Another mistake is not understanding the financial product before investing. For example, stocks are risky investments but have the potential to generate high returns, particularly over the long term. Investors often ignore the risks involved and focus on earning high returns within a short period. On the other hand, some investors try to play it too safe by putting all their money into fixed deposits, whose returns may not always keep pace with inflation.
Lastly, an observation I have made as a beginner is that putting all your money in one basket increases investment risk, while over-diversification can dilute returns and complicate portfolio management.
RAPID INSIGHTS
A book you think every student should read?
‘The Psychology of Money’ by Morgan Housel
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird – it keeps my mind active and energetic throughout the day
One app you use almost every day?
Groww App: Stay connected with the financial markets.