School Skills
Financial literacy for teenagers
Money sense before the first salary: needs and wants, budgets, saving, bank accounts and UPI, interest, borrowing, scams and simple investing ideas.
Suits: Teenagers from class 8 onwards
Duration, fees and batch timings are quoted by the head office or your centre.
The study book of this course
- Financial Literacy for Teens
- Lessons
- 12
- Practice questions
- 40
- Free ebooks
- 0
About the course
What the financial literacy course is about
Most people get their first salary before anyone has explained a budget, interest or a scam to them. This course does that early, in plain words, with sums a teenager can do: a monthly plan for pocket money, how a savings goal grows, what an EMI really costs, why an OTP is never shared.
The study book explains bank accounts, ATMs and UPI, simple and compound interest with worked examples, borrowing, inflation and smart shopping, and the idea of investing, risk and return, in general terms only, with the advice to talk to a trusted adult. Rules and rates change, so none are stated as current fact.
What you will practise
Drawn from the lessons of the study books below.
- 01
Tell needs from wants and explain where money comes from and goes
- 02
Make and track a monthly budget
- 03
Set a savings goal and understand an emergency fund
- 04
Use a bank account, ATM, debit card and UPI, and keep them safe
- 05
Work out simple and compound interest and the real cost of an EMI
- 06
Recognise OTP fraud, fake offers and other scams, and explain inflation and the idea of investing
What you will learn
12 lessons, 36 exercises
Every lesson of the study book that comes with this course in the student portal, with the key points of each lesson and exercises to try. Your centre gives you the syllabus, the duration and the fee.
Study book
Financial Literacy for Teens
Learn practical money skills for teenagers in India: needs and wants, a pocket money budget, saving habits, bank accounts and passbooks, UPI safety, simple and compound interest, inflation, goal planning, avoiding fraud and loan-app traps, GST on a bill, and earning from first jobs.
1Needs, wants and choices6 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- A need is required to live and study; a want is nice to have.
- Scarcity means money is limited, so we must choose.
- Opportunity cost is the next best thing you give up.
- Ask whether a purchase can wait, and whether a cheaper way exists.
Try this
- List ten things you spent money on or asked for last month and mark each as need, want or in-between. Explain one in-between item.
- Think of one purchase you regret. Which of the three questions in the lesson would have helped you decide?
- A friend says "it is on sale, so we must buy it". Write a polite two-line reply.
2Pocket money and your first budget7 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- A budget is a plan: income, spending and saving decided in advance.
- Fixed expenses repeat; variable expenses change.
- Pay yourself first: set the saving amount before spending on wants.
- Tracking real spending shows where the plan and reality differ.
Try this
- Make a budget for a pocket money of ₹800 using a 50-30-20 split. Show the three amounts and check they add up.
- Track every spend for seven days and total them by category.
- Your budget shows wants overspent by ₹120. Suggest two changes for next month.
3Saving habits and emergency money7 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- Saving builds goals, a cushion for surprises, and fewer debts.
- Regular small amounts grow: 100 a month is 1,200 in a year.
- Pay yourself first by setting saving aside when money arrives.
- An emergency fund is only for genuine surprises.
Try this
- Pick a goal that costs ₹3,000. If you save ₹250 a month, how many months will it take?
- Calculate how much you save in a year at ₹40 per week (52 weeks).
- Write three rules for how you will protect your emergency money.
4Bank accounts, passbooks and statements8 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- A bank keeps money safe and records every transaction.
- KYC verifies your identity before an account opens.
- A passbook or statement shows deposits, withdrawals and balance; check it regularly.
- A debit card PIN is secret; no genuine bank asks for it.
Try this
- Read this: balance 2,400; deposit 600; withdrawal 900. Find the new balance.
- Find a sample passbook or statement image from an official bank page and name each column.
- List three things you should never do with your debit card and PIN.
5UPI and digital payment safety8 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- Never share your OTP, PIN, CVV or password with anyone.
- You never need a PIN or OTP to receive money.
- Scanning a QR code is for paying, not for receiving.
- Report fraud quickly: bank, trusted adult and helpline 1930.
Try this
- Write five lines you would say to a younger sibling about keeping a UPI PIN safe.
- A caller says your account will be blocked unless you share an OTP. Write what you will do, step by step.
- Explain why scanning a QR code never brings money into your account.
6Simple and compound interest10 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- Simple interest is on the original principal only: SI = P x R x T / 100.
- Compound interest is calculated on principal plus earlier interest.
- For 10,000 at 10% for 2 years: SI is 2,000 and CI is 2,100.
- Compounding can make debts grow quickly too.
Try this
- Find the simple interest and amount on ₹8,000 at 5% for 2 years.
- Find the compound interest on ₹5,000 at 10% for 2 years, compounded yearly.
- Explain in your own words why compound interest is larger than simple interest over the same time.
7Inflation in simple terms6 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- Inflation is a general rise in prices; money buys less over time.
- A 5% rise turns a ₹100 item into ₹105.
- Purchasing power is what a rupee can actually buy.
- Goals should allow for prices rising over time.
Try this
- A notebook costs ₹40. After a 10% rise, what is its price?
- Ask an elder what something cost 20 years ago and compare with today.
- Explain why a ₹500 note kept in a drawer buys less after several years of rising prices.
8Setting goals and making a plan7 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- A clear goal has an amount, a date and a reason.
- Monthly saving = cost / number of months.
- Check that the monthly figure fits your budget.
- Rank goals and review the plan regularly.
Try this
- Make a SMART goal for something that costs ₹4,500 and work out the monthly saving over 9 months.
- Your plan needs ₹700 a month but your budget allows ₹400. Give two ways to fix the plan.
- Rank five goals of your own and explain why the top one is first.
9Avoiding fraud and loan-app traps9 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- Urgency, secrecy and rewards that sound too good are warning signs.
- Never pay a fee to receive a prize, loan or job.
- Loan apps can have high hidden costs and misuse data; a minor should never borrow this way.
- Report quickly: bank, trusted adult, helpline 1930.
Try this
- Collect three real-looking messages (from family or news examples) and mark each warning sign.
- A loan of ₹4,000 must be repaid as ₹4,800 after one month. What per cent extra is that?
- Write a short family safety note listing five fraud rules.
10Taxes in simple terms and GST on a bill8 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- Taxes fund public services; direct tax is on income, indirect tax is in the price.
- GST is added to the price: tax = price x rate / 100.
- For 1,000 at 18%: GST is 180 and the total is 1,180.
- Ask for a proper bill and check the tax shown.
Try this
- A bill is ₹800 before tax at 12% GST. Find the GST and the total.
- A total bill is ₹2,360 including 18% GST. Find the price before tax.
- Collect a real bill from home and list its parts: seller, date, items, tax, total.
11Earning money and first jobs8 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- Income comes from salary, wages, self-employment or profit.
- Teenagers should keep school first and work only in safe, lawful ways with family knowledge.
- Profit = income - costs; take-home pay is after deductions.
- Never pay a fee for a job and never share OTPs or documents.
Try this
- Someone earns ₹120 per hour for 5 hours a week. How much in 4 weeks? Show working.
- Write three safe ways a teenager might earn and one rule for each.
- Karan earns ₹3,000 net a month and saves 20%. How much does he save?
12Putting it all together: a money plan for a year7 min read · 4 key points · 3 exercises
Key points
- A money plan joins income, budget, goal, safety and review.
- Reviewing monthly keeps the plan alive.
- Waiting before non-essential purchases reduces regret.
- Use official sources and trusted adults for decisions.
Try this
- Write your own one-page money plan with at least five parts from the lesson.
- Neha needs ₹4,800 and saves ₹400 a month. How many months does she need?
- List three habits you will start this month and one you will stop.
Glossary: 32 key terms of Financial Literacy for Teens
- Need
- Something required to live safely and study, such as food, shelter, clothing and school supplies.
- Want
- Something enjoyable that you can live without, such as a game or a restaurant meal.
- Scarcity
- The condition of having limited money and resources while wants are unlimited.
- Opportunity cost
- The next best option you give up when you make a choice.
- Budget
- A plan showing how much money will come in and how it will be spent and saved.
- Income
- Money received, such as pocket money, a salary or wages.
- Expense
- Money spent on goods or services.
- Fixed expense
- A cost that stays the same each month, such as a bus pass.
- Variable expense
- A cost that changes from month to month, such as snacks.
- Saving
- Keeping part of your money for later instead of spending it.
- Emergency fund
- Money kept only for unexpected needs such as a repair or a medical cost.
- Bank
- An institution that keeps money safe, makes payments and may pay or charge interest.
- KYC
- Know Your Customer: verifying identity and address before opening an account.
- Passbook
- A small book in which the bank records deposits, withdrawals and balance.
- Balance
- The amount of money currently in an account.
- Debit card
- A card that takes money directly from your bank account when used.
- PIN
- A secret number that approves a card or UPI payment. Never share it.
- OTP
- A one-time password sent for a single action. Never share it with anyone.
- UPI
- Unified Payments Interface, a system for instant bank-to-bank payments using a mobile app.
- QR code
- A square pattern that a phone camera can scan; scanning is used for paying.
- Principal
- The original amount of money that is borrowed or deposited.
- Interest
- The price of using money, paid on deposits or charged on loans.
- Simple interest
- Interest calculated on the original principal only: P x R x T / 100.
- Compound interest
- Interest calculated on the principal plus the interest already added.
- Inflation
- A general rise in prices over time.
- Purchasing power
- The amount of goods and services a unit of money can buy.
- Phishing
- A fake message or website that tries to steal personal or financial information.
- Tax
- Money paid to the government to fund public services.
- GST
- Goods and Services Tax, an indirect tax added to the price of most goods and services.
- Gross pay
- Pay before any deductions.
- Take-home pay
- The amount actually received after deductions.
- Profit
- Income minus costs.
Practice and study material
Study books and timed practice tests in the student portal
Students sign in to read the study books lesson by lesson, print them, mark lessons as done and test themselves with timed practice tests, every answer explained.
- 1study book
- 12lessons
- 40practice questions
- 32glossary terms
How the practice tests work
- Fresh questions each time
Up to 20 questions are picked at random from the subject’s question bank.
- One minute per question
A timer counts down. When it reaches zero, your answers are sent automatically.
- Move around freely
Skip a question, flag it, and come back to change your answer before you submit.
- Learn from every answer
At the end you see the right answer and an explanation for each question.
- Read, print and keep track
Each study book has its lessons, key points, exercises and a glossary. Print a lesson, or mark it as done.
Your centre gives you your login when you enrol.
Try 3 practice questions
Real questions from this course’s question banks. Pick an answer to see the explanation.
Saving ₹100 a month for 12 months gives how much?
Show the answer
Answer: D. ₹1,200
100 x 12 = 1,200.
The amount after ₹5,000 earns ₹900 simple interest is:
Show the answer
Answer: A. ₹5,900
Amount = principal + interest = 5,000 + 900.
A loan of ₹5,000 must be repaid as ₹6,000 after 30 days. The extra per cent is:
Show the answer
Answer: B. 20%
1,000 / 5,000 x 100 = 20% in one month.
Careers
Careers this course leads towards
The kind of work these skills are used for. Each guide explains what the job involves, the skills it asks for and how to get started.
Accounts assistant (Tally)
Entering sales, purchases and payments, keeping GST records and preparing the reports a business owner or accountant asks for.
Free calculators
Useful calculators
Free tools that go with this course. They work in your browser, on a phone or a computer.
Interest and EMI calculator
Work out the interest on an amount and the monthly EMI of a loan.
Percentage and marks calculator
Work out the percentage of your marks in a test or across a whole marksheet.
GST calculator
Work out the GST on a price and the total with GST.
How admission works
From your first question to your certificate.
The usual steps, at the head office in Delhi or at an authorised member centre.
- Who can join
- Teenagers from class 8 onwards
- Where
- The Delhi head office and authorised member centres.
- Fees and timings
- On WhatsApp at +91 97116 99511, or by phone on 011 2721 1512.
- 1
Ask about the course
Call or WhatsApp the head office, or visit your nearest member centre. Ask for the duration, the fee and the batch timings in writing.
- 2
Fill the admission form
Admission forms are supplied by the head office to every centre.
- 3
Learn in class
Attend your batch at the centre, with the course material and study notes, and sign in to the student portal for the study books and practice tests.
- 4
Take the exam
The institute prefers written exams, taken in front of a teacher.
- 5
Receive your certificate
Students who pass get a Gurukul Technicals Institute certificate and marksheet. Employers can verify it with the head office.
Who can join the financial literacy course?
Teenagers from class 8 onwards. Ask the head office or your nearest member centre which group your child should join, and what they already know will help them start in the right place.
Does the course recommend where to invest?
No. It explains what fixed deposits, gold, mutual funds and shares are and how risk and return differ, in general terms, and says to talk to a trusted adult. No product, rate or tax rule is given as advice.
How long is the course and what is the fee?
Duration, fees and batch timings depend on the course and the centre. Ask the head office or your nearest member centre, and get the details in writing before you pay.
Where are the classes?
At the head office in Delhi (A-10, Chief Commissioner Colony, opposite Rana Pratap Bagh) and at authorised member centres. Call or WhatsApp the head office to find the nearest centre.
What do I need to use the study books and practice tests?
A phone or a computer with an internet connection, and the login your centre gives you at enrolment. The student portal opens in an ordinary web browser, so there is nothing to install. Student login.
How do the practice tests work?
Sign in to the student portal and choose a subject. Each test picks up to 20 questions at random from that subject’s question bank and gives you one minute per question, with a timer that sends your answers automatically when it reaches zero. You can skip a question, flag it and come back before you submit, and at the end you see the right answer and an explanation for every question. This course has 40 practice questions across 1 subject, and you can take the tests as often as you like.
Is there an exam and a certificate?
Yes. The institute prefers written exams, taken in front of a teacher. Students who pass receive a Gurukul Technicals Institute certificate and marksheet.
How is a Gurukul Technicals Institute certificate verified?
On the verify certificate page, anyone can enter a certificate number and check it against the institute’s online register, which covers certificates issued through the portal. For older certificates, or if there is any doubt, send a copy to the head office by email or WhatsApp; the reply comes within 2 working days.
Ready to start the financial literacy course?
Ask the head office for the duration, the fee, the batch timings and your nearest member centre.