Investment Banking Working Hours in India — What to Expect
Investment banking working hours in India: what Analysts and Associates actually work, how hours vary by bank type and deal flow, and whether the lifestyle is sustainable long-term.
Investment Banking Working Hours in India — The Reality
Investment banking is notorious globally for long working hours — and India is no exception. Before committing to an IB career, it's important to understand what you're signing up for at different levels and firm types.
Typical Weekly Hours by Level
| Level | Average Hours/Week | Peak (Deal Closing) |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst | 80–100 hours | 100–120 hours |
| Associate | 70–90 hours | 90–110 hours |
| Vice President | 60–80 hours | 80–100 hours |
| Director / MD | 50–70 hours | 60–90 hours |
Hours by Bank Type in India
| Bank Type | Average Analyst Hours |
|---|---|
| Bulge bracket (Goldman, MS, JPM India) | 85–100 hrs/week |
| Elite boutique (Lazard, Moelis India) | 80–95 hrs/week |
| Indian IB firms (Kotak, Avendus) | 65–80 hrs/week |
| Big 4 Transaction Advisory | 55–70 hrs/week |
What Drives the Long Hours?
- Deal deadlines: M&A transactions have hard regulatory and counterparty deadlines — when a deal is live, the team works until it's done
- Pitch preparation: Banks pitch for mandates constantly; pitch books require late nights to build and refine
- Client responsiveness: IB culture expects near-instant response to client and senior banker requests at any hour
- Revision cycles: Pitch books and models go through many revision rounds — often late at night based on senior feedback
Is the Lifestyle Sustainable?
Most IB Analysts in India stay 2–3 years before exiting to:
- Private equity or venture capital (most common exit)
- MBA (to accelerate to Associate level at a better bank)
- Corporate development at a company (M&A team)
- Hedge funds or buy-side investment management
The standard IB career in India is treat as a 2–3 year programme rather than a lifetime career — the skills, network, and brand name are used to access better-balanced roles later.
Work-Life Balance at Indian IB Firms vs Global Banks
Indian boutique IB firms (Kotak, Avendus, JM Financial) typically have better work-life balance than global bulge brackets — 65–80 hours/week rather than 85–100. The pay is lower, but the experience is comparable for the Indian market and the lifestyle is more sustainable.
Further Reading
- What is Investment Banking? A Complete Guide for Indian Students
- Investment Banking Salary in India 2026 — From Analyst to MD
- How to Get Into Investment Banking in India — Complete Career Guide
- CFA vs MBA for Investment Banking in India — Which is Better?
Study ACCA with Learnsignal — the qualification that opens investment banking doors
This page was last updated:
Learnsignal Education Team
Expert Tutor at Learnsignal
Qualified professional with years of experience in teaching and helping students achieve their accounting qualifications.
View all posts by Learnsignal Education Team