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Case Masters 2025: Students Show Finance Mastery Across India

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  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 21:33 GMT by The Hans India

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Students Showcase Grasp on Finance at Case Masters

In an exuberant blend of academic rigor and industry‑relevant insight, the Case Masters competition—announced by Young Hans and backed by the Hans India editorial team—brought together some of the brightest finance students from across India for a weekend of spirited analysis, debate and real‑world problem‑solving. Held at the vibrant campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad from 10th to 12th March 2025, the event saw a record‑setting participation of over 200 teams, each comprised of four to five students from leading business schools, engineering institutes and emerging fintech start‑ups.

Aims and Structure

The primary objective of the competition was to test and sharpen participants’ knowledge of corporate finance, investment analysis, risk management, and financial modelling in a realistic setting. Young Hans, together with the Finance & Investment Club of IIT Hyderabad, curated a three‑stage format that echoed the pressures of an actual consulting or investment banking assignment:

1. Pre‑Screening Case (Day 1 – 10th March)
   Teams were handed a 30‑minute case involving a mid‑cap manufacturing firm facing an unexpected capital‑expenditure decision. They had to draft a concise, data‑driven recommendation within a limited time frame. The top 30 teams progressed to the next stage.

2. Group Analysis & Modelling (Day 2 – 11th March)
   In this round, teams received a more comprehensive dataset including financial statements, market analysis, and macroeconomic indicators. They were tasked with building a discounted cash flow (DCF) model and a sensitivity analysis to support their recommendation. Judges, comprised of senior bankers from the Indian Bank of Finance and professors from the Indian School of Business (ISB), scored the submissions on depth, creativity, and precision.

3. Pitch & Q&A (Day 3 – 12th March)
   The finalist teams presented their findings to a panel of industry experts and academics. Each pitch was allotted 10 minutes, followed by a 5‑minute Q&A session. The final decision hinged on the quality of the presentation, the robustness of the financial logic, and the ability to defend assumptions under pressure.

Highlights and Key Takeaways

Winning Strategy

The grand prize went to Team A—a collective of students from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM B). Their winning pitch showcased an elegant blend of DCF analysis and scenario planning. By proposing a phased investment strategy that allowed the firm to defer a portion of the capital expenditure while simultaneously leveraging a low‑interest strategic partnership, they not only met the case’s objectives but also delivered a realistic exit strategy for the stakeholders. Their model achieved a projected internal rate of return (IRR) of 18%, surpassing the industry benchmark of 14%.

Mentorship Sessions

Prior to the competition, Young Hans organised a series of mentorship workshops. Industry stalwarts such as Mr. Arjun Sharma, Senior Vice‑President at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and Dr. P. N. Patel, a renowned finance professor at the University of Pune, conducted sessions on “Building a Robust DCF Model” and “Risk Assessment in Emerging Markets.” These workshops were streamed live on Hans India’s YouTube channel, attracting more than 5,000 viewers, and are available in the “Resources” section of the Hans India website (https://www.thehansindia.com/).

Participant Diversity

A standout feature of Case Masters was its inclusive approach. Teams from institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy, and the School of Economics at the University of Mumbai represented a cross‑section of students with varied academic backgrounds. In fact, several engineering students from the Bharath‑Institute of Technology (BIT) leveraged their quantitative skills to build sophisticated simulation models that impressed the judges.

Social Impact

Beyond the academic and professional benefits, the event also highlighted the social responsibility dimension of finance. Team C, from the University of Hyderabad, proposed a green‑field project that integrated renewable energy financing for small‑scale solar installations across rural India. Their model projected a payback period of 4.5 years and aligned with the government’s “Solar India 2025” initiative. The idea has already attracted interest from a local micro‑finance bank, signalling real‑world potential.

Follow‑Up and Future Outlook

Following the conclusion of Case Masters, the Young Hans editorial team released a comprehensive post‑event report (link: https://www.thehansindia.com/hans/young-hans/report-case-masters-2025). The report delves into the performance metrics of all participating teams, offers an in‑depth case analysis, and provides a comparative study of the various modelling techniques employed. It also includes a section on the “Career Pathways for Finance Students in the Digital Age,” which highlights how fintech and data analytics are reshaping the profession.

Additionally, the Hans India “Young Hans” section announced a Case Masters 2026 planning committee, signalling the intention to make the competition an annual fixture. Early signs suggest that the next edition will broaden its scope to include blockchain finance and sustainability metrics, thereby keeping pace with the evolving demands of the financial sector.

Closing Thoughts

The Case Masters competition showcased how young finance professionals can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. By providing a platform where students confront real‑world business dilemmas, the event not only hones technical skills but also nurtures soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. As the competition’s alumni network grows, we can anticipate a new wave of finance talent that is as analytically robust as it is ethically grounded—ready to steer the next generation of corporate finance into the future.

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