Brolly Academy | Scrum Master
How to Become a Scrum Master
Eligibility, Roadmap and Your First Job (2026)
A practical, step-by-step guide to becoming a Scrum Master in India in 2026: who is eligible, a 3 to 6 month roadmap, paths from developer, tester, BA, project coordinator and non-IT roles, which certification to pick, how to get real experience, and how to land and grow beyond your first job.
How to become a Scrum Master in India in 2026: eligibility, a 3 to 6 month roadmap, paths from IT and non-IT roles, certifications and your first job.
By Brolly Academy Team · Brolly Academy · Updated 22 October 2026
Table of Contents
1. What does it take to become a Scrum Master?
2. Eligibility: who can become a Scrum Master?
3. Step-by-step roadmap to become a Scrum Master
4. A 3 to 6 month plan to become a Scrum Master
5. Paths into the role from your current job
6. Which certification should you choose?
7. How to get Scrum Master experience before your first job
8. Landing your first Scrum Master job
9. Career growth after you become a Scrum Master
Quick answer
To become a Scrum Master, learn the Scrum Guide well, earn one entry certification such as CSM or PSM I, practise the role on a real team, and then apply for Scrum Master or agile delivery jobs with proof of what you did. There is no degree or exam rule that decides who can become a Scrum Master. Employers look for Scrum knowledge, facilitation and people skills, tool skills such as Jira, and some experience working in a delivery team. Most people move in from another IT role, but freshers and non-IT professionals can start with a foundation role and grow into it.
- Learn: the Scrum Guide 2020, agile values, events, artifacts and accountabilities
- Certify: one entry certification, usually CSM (Scrum Alliance) or PSM I (Scrum.org)
- Practise: run Scrum events, use Jira, track simple metrics
- Prove: a resume and stories that show impact, not just a certificate
- Grow: Senior Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Release Train Engineer or delivery manager
Key takeaways
- The Scrum Guide 2020 is free and short, and it is the base of every Scrum Master certification, so start there.
- A CSM needs a 16-hour course with a Certified Scrum Trainer, while PSM I does not require any course (Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org, October 2026).
- A certificate alone rarely gets you hired. Real practice on a team, even an internal or volunteer one, is what interviewers ask about.
- The easiest moves into the role are from developer, tester, business analyst and project coordinator jobs, because you already know how delivery works.
- Scrum Master pay in India grows with experience, and Agile Coach roles sit higher still (AmbitionBox, October 2026).
1. What does it take to become a Scrum Master?
Short answer: You need solid Scrum knowledge, strong people and facilitation skills, comfort with agile tools, and some experience of how software or product teams deliver work. A certification helps you get shortlisted, but practice gets you hired.
A Scrum Master is the person accountable for making Scrum work on a team. The Scrum Guide 2020 (scrumguides.org, October 2026) says the Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as the guide defines it and for the Scrum Team's effectiveness. It also says Scrum Masters are "true leaders who serve the Scrum Team and the larger organization."
That means your job is not to assign tasks or chase deadlines. Your job is to help the team work well together, remove blockers, coach good habits and help the organisation understand agile ways of working. If you want a fuller picture of the role before you plan your path, read our guide on what a Scrum Master is.
To become one, you need four things:
2. Eligibility: who can become a Scrum Master?
Short answer: Anyone can become a Scrum Master. There is no fixed degree, age or coding requirement. Entry certifications like CSM and PSM I have no formal education prerequisite, though employers usually prefer some team or project experience.
Here is what eligibility really looks like in practice:
- Education: Most hiring managers in India prefer a graduate degree, often in engineering, computer science, commerce or management. But the Scrum certifications themselves do not ask for a degree.
- Certification prerequisites: The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) requires you to attend a course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer before you take the test (Scrum Alliance, October 2026). PSM I from Scrum.org has no course requirement; you can buy an attempt and take the assessment directly (Scrum.org, October 2026).
- Coding: You do not need to code. It helps to understand how developers and testers work, so you can follow technical discussions and spot real blockers.
- Experience: Many job posts ask for some years of experience in agile or delivery roles. That is why most Scrum Masters move in from another role rather than start as one.
Can a fresher become a Scrum Master?
Yes, but usually not on day one. A fresher can learn Scrum, earn PSM I or CSM, and join as a project coordinator, junior Scrum Master, agile team member or analyst. After one or two years of hands-on work with a Scrum team, the move to a full Scrum Master role becomes realistic. Our Scrum Master jobs guide covers realistic entry roles for freshers in more detail.
Can a non-IT person become a Scrum Master?
Yes. Scrum is used outside software too, in marketing, operations and product teams. Non-IT professionals with team coordination, operations or customer-facing experience bring useful people skills. You will need to learn the basics of how software is built, plus Jira, so that you can work with technical teams.
3. Step-by-step roadmap to become a Scrum Master
Short answer: Follow seven steps: learn agile and Scrum, study the Scrum Guide closely, pick and pass one certification, learn Jira and basic metrics, practise on a real team, build your resume and LinkedIn, then prepare for interviews and apply.
Step 1: Learn agile basics
Start with the Agile Manifesto values and principles. Understand why teams moved away from big upfront plans towards short cycles and feedback. Learn the difference between Scrum, Kanban and Waterfall at a high level.
Step 2: Study the Scrum Guide closely
Read the Scrum Guide 2020 at least three times. It is short and free. Know these by heart (scrumguides.org, October 2026):
- 3 accountabilities: Developers, Product Owner and Scrum Master
- 5 events: the Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review and Sprint Retrospective
- 3 artifacts and their commitments: Product Backlog (Product Goal), Sprint Backlog (Sprint Goal) and Increment (Definition of Done)
- Timeboxes for a one-month Sprint: Sprint Planning up to 8 hours, Daily Scrum 15 minutes, Sprint Review up to 4 hours, Sprint Retrospective up to 3 hours
- Team size: typically 10 or fewer people
Most certification questions and many interview questions test whether you understand these exactly.
Step 3: Choose and pass one certification
Pick one entry certification and pass it. Section 5 explains how to choose between CSM, PSM I and SAFe Scrum Master.
Step 4: Learn the tools
Most Indian IT teams use Jira. Learn how to create a Scrum board, write and refine user stories, plan a Sprint, and read burndown and velocity charts. Learn Confluence for team pages, and one whiteboard tool such as Miro for retrospectives.
Step 5: Practise the role
This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that matters most. Run a Daily Scrum, facilitate a Retrospective, help a Product Owner order a backlog. Section 6 shows how to get this practice even before you hold the title.
Step 6: Build your resume and LinkedIn
Write your experience as outcomes. "Facilitated Sprint Retrospectives for a 7-person team and tracked action items to closure" is stronger than "Attended Scrum meetings". Our Scrum Master resume guide has formats and sample bullets.
Step 7: Prepare for interviews and apply
Practise scenario questions: a developer who skips the Daily Scrum, a Product Owner who changes priorities mid-Sprint, a manager who wants status reports. Interviewers want to see how you think, not just whether you know the definitions.
4. A 3 to 6 month plan to become a Scrum Master
Short answer: If you already work in an IT team, a focused 3-month plan is enough to get certified and start practising. If you are new to IT, plan for about 6 months so you can learn delivery basics and build proof.
The plan below is a guide. Adjust the pace to your schedule.
For working professionals already in an agile team, Months 1 to 3 can overlap with your current job. Ask your manager if you can facilitate a Retrospective or cover for the Scrum Master on leave. That one step can turn your learning into real experience quickly.
5. Paths into the role from your current job
Short answer: Developers, testers, business analysts and project coordinators can move in fastest because they already work inside Scrum teams. Non-IT professionals can move in too, but should plan an extra step through a coordinator or analyst role.
From developer
You already understand technical work, estimates and blockers. Your gap is usually facilitation and coaching. Start by facilitating your team's Retrospective, help new joiners understand the team's working agreements, and step back from writing code during events so that you can guide the discussion instead of leading it.
From tester (QA)
Testers see the whole flow of work, from story to release, and often spot quality problems early. That is a strong base for a Scrum Master. Focus on the Definition of Done, help the team improve how stories are refined, and learn to coach rather than report defects.
From business analyst
BAs already write user stories, work with stakeholders and help refine backlogs. Your gap is moving from "owning requirements" to "serving the team". Learn facilitation, timeboxing and coaching skills. Our page on business analyst roles and responsibilities shows how much of the BA skill set carries over.
From project coordinator or project manager
You know planning, risk tracking and stakeholder updates. The big shift is mindset: a Scrum Master does not command or assign tasks. The team manages its own work. Practise asking questions instead of giving answers, and let the team decide how to meet the Sprint Goal.
From non-IT roles
Operations, customer support, HR, sales coordination and teaching roles all build people and facilitation skills. Your gap is technical context. Learn basic software delivery concepts (requirements, development, testing, release), learn Jira, and consider an intermediate role such as project coordinator or junior analyst in an IT company before applying for Scrum Master jobs.
6. Which certification should you choose?
Short answer: Choose CSM if you want a guided course with a trainer and widely recognised branding. Choose PSM I if you want a lower-cost, self-study route with a tougher exam. Choose SAFe Scrum Master if you are targeting large companies that use SAFe.
Here is a quick comparison based on the official pages:
The CSM course is 16 hours, usually over 2 to 3 days, and the course fee includes two test attempts. Trainers set their own prices, and the CSM page lists a range from $250 to $2,495 USD (Scrum Alliance, October 2026). The SAFe Scrum Master page shows a 45-question, 90-minute exam and says the training course is not required for the proctored exam (Scaled Agile, October 2026). PSM I costs $200 per attempt, which is about ₹19,000 at the Wise mid-market rate of about ₹95 per dollar on 22 October 2026 (Scrum.org and Wise, October 2026).
If you plan to grow, both bodies offer advanced levels. Scrum Alliance's Scrum Master track goes on to the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) and the Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster (CSP-SM), and both need logged Scrum Master work experience. Scrum.org offers PSM II and PSM III.
For a full breakdown of every option, read our guide to Scrum Master certification.
7. How to get Scrum Master experience before your first job
Short answer: Get experience inside your current company first. Volunteer to facilitate events, cover for a Scrum Master on leave, or run Scrum on a small internal project. Outside work, use college projects, NGOs, startups or community groups.
Employers ask "Have you done this before?" more than "Do you have a certificate?" Here are practical ways to answer yes:
- Volunteer within your team. Offer to facilitate the next Retrospective or Sprint Review. Ask the current Scrum Master to coach you.
- Cover leave. When your team's Scrum Master is on leave, offer to step in for a Sprint.
- Run an internal project with Scrum. A tooling upgrade, an internal portal or a hackathon team can be run in short Sprints.
- Ask for an internal move. Many Indian IT services firms fill Scrum Master roles internally. Tell your manager and HR partner that you want the move, and show your certification and practice.
- Help a startup or NGO. Small teams often need someone to organise work. Set up a Jira or Trello board and run weekly Sprints.
- College projects. Students can run a final-year project with Sprints, a backlog and Retrospectives, and record the results.
Keep a simple log of what you did: the event, the problem, what you tried and what changed. These become the stories you tell in interviews.
8. Landing your first Scrum Master job
Short answer: Target roles that match your level, show proof of practice on your resume, apply through job portals and internal moves, and prepare for scenario-based interviews.
Search on LinkedIn, Naukri and company career pages, and keep an eye on internal job postings in your own company, because many Indian IT firms fill Scrum Master roles from within.
Job titles to search for:
- Scrum Master or Associate Scrum Master
- Agile Project Coordinator
- Agile Delivery Lead (for experienced candidates)
- Project Coordinator in an agile team
- Junior Agile Coach (rare, usually needs years of experience)
What employers usually ask for in job descriptions:
- Knowledge of Scrum and Kanban
- A CSM, PSM or SAFe certification
- Jira and Confluence experience
- Experience facilitating Scrum events
- Strong communication with technical and business people
For interview preparation, practise scenario questions aloud. Explain what you would do, why, and what you would watch for afterwards. Read our Scrum Master jobs guide for where to apply and how to plan your search.
9. Career growth after you become a Scrum Master
Short answer: After a few years as a Scrum Master you can grow into Senior Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Release Train Engineer (RTE) in SAFe organisations, or delivery and program management roles.
A common path looks like this:
Advanced certifications support this growth. Scrum Alliance's track goes from CSM to A-CSM to CSP-SM, and Scrum.org's goes from PSM I to PSM II and PSM III. Each higher level expects more real experience, so plan your certifications alongside your practice, not ahead of it.
10. Is Scrum Master a good career in India?
Short answer: Yes, for people who enjoy coaching, facilitation and helping teams improve. Pay rises with experience, and Agile Coach roles pay more. But the role demands soft skills and patience, and entry without any team experience is hard.
According to AmbitionBox (October 2026, based on 20.9k salaries), the average Scrum Master salary in India is ₹17.4 lakh a year at 5 years of experience. Reported ranges by experience are:
For Agile Coaches, AmbitionBox reports an average of ₹29.3 lakh a year at 10 years of experience, based on 1.2k salaries (AmbitionBox, October 2026). Note that AmbitionBox's Scrum Master data starts at around 3 years of experience, so these are not fresher salaries.
Things to weigh before you commit:
- Pros: people-focused work, growing use of agile in GCCs and product companies, clear paths to coaching and leadership.
- Cons: the role can be misunderstood as a "meeting organiser", impact is harder to measure, and some companies merge it with project management.
11. Common mistakes to avoid
Short answer: Do not rely on a certificate alone, do not act like a task manager, and do not ignore tools and metrics. Show real practice and a coaching mindset.
- Collecting certificates without practice. One certification plus real experience beats three certificates with none.
- Acting like a boss. Assigning tasks and demanding status updates goes against Scrum's self-managing teams.
- Skipping the Scrum Guide. Many candidates fail interviews on basics such as event timeboxes or who owns the Product Backlog.
- Ignoring tools. Indian job descriptions often list Jira. Learn it properly.
- Vague resumes. Replace duties with outcomes and specific examples.
- Underestimating soft skills. Listening, conflict handling and clear speaking matter as much as Scrum knowledge.
12. How Brolly Academy helps
Short answer: Brolly Academy's 1-week Scrum Master course in Hyderabad covers Scrum foundations, events, backlog work, Jira and team leadership, then prepares you for CSM and PSM exams with role plays, mock interviews and resume support.
The Scrum Master training in Hyderabad runs in the classroom or live online. According to the course page (October 2026), it includes:
- A 1-week plan: Agile and Scrum foundations and roles (days 1 and 2), Scrum events and backlog with a simple capstone project (days 3 and 4), Jira and team leadership (day 5), then CSM and PSM exam preparation, role plays, mock interviews, resume building and placement guidance (days 6 and 7).
- 11 modules, including Scrum roles, ceremonies, artifacts, burndown and burnup charts, product planning, agile estimation and scaling Scrum.
- Tools you practise: Jira, Confluence, Trello, Miro, Asana, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Kanban boards.
- Fees: ₹5,000 for video recordings, ₹10,500 for the live online course and ₹15,000 for classroom training, with EMI available. CSM, PSM and SAFe exam fees are separate.
- Career support: ATS-friendly resumes, interview question banks, mock interviews and interview scheduling.
- Open to everyone: students, freshers, career switchers and working professionals from IT and non-IT backgrounds. No coding needed.
You can attend a free demo class before you enrol.
Start your Scrum Master journey in one week
Learn Scrum, Jira and team facilitation, prepare for CSM and PSM, and practise with role plays and mock interviews. Join a classroom batch in Hyderabad or a live online batch, with new batches every week. Book your free demo class with Brolly Academy today.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become a Scrum Master?
Learn agile and the Scrum Guide 2020, earn one entry certification such as CSM or PSM I, and learn Jira and basic metrics. Then get real practice by facilitating Scrum events on a team, even as a volunteer. Finally, build a resume that shows outcomes, prepare for scenario-based interviews, and apply for Scrum Master, agile coordinator or internal roles.
What qualifications do I need to become a Scrum Master?
There is no mandatory degree. Most employers in India prefer graduates, and many ask for a Scrum certification such as CSM, PSM I or SAFe Scrum Master. The CSM requires a 16-hour course with a Certified Scrum Trainer, while PSM I has no course requirement. Practical experience in a delivery team matters more than the degree subject.
Can I become a Scrum Master with no experience?
You can earn a certification without experience, but most Scrum Master jobs ask for some team experience. The practical route is to start in a related role such as project coordinator, analyst or tester in an agile team, volunteer to facilitate events, and move into a Scrum Master role after you can show real practice.
Can a fresher become a Scrum Master?
Yes, but usually through an entry role first. A fresher can learn Scrum, pass PSM I or CSM, and join as a project coordinator, junior Scrum Master or agile team member. After one or two years of hands-on work with Scrum teams, moving into a full Scrum Master role becomes much more realistic.
How long does it take to become a Scrum Master?
If you already work in an IT team, about 3 months is enough to learn the Scrum Guide, earn a certification and start practising. If you are new to IT, plan for around 6 months to learn delivery basics, get certified, build practice and prepare your resume. Landing the job may take longer depending on your experience.
Do I need coding skills to become a Scrum Master?
No. A Scrum Master does not need to write code. It does help to understand how developers and testers work, so that you can follow technical discussions, understand blockers and help the team improve. Basic knowledge of the software delivery life cycle and tools like Jira is enough for most roles.
Which certification is best to become a Scrum Master?
CSM from Scrum Alliance and PSM I from Scrum.org are the two most common entry certifications. CSM includes a mandatory 16-hour course with a trainer. PSM I needs no course and costs $200 per attempt. Choose SAFe Scrum Master if you are targeting large organisations that use the SAFe framework.
Is CSM or PSM I better for beginners?
Both suit beginners. CSM gives you a guided course with a Certified Scrum Trainer and two test attempts included in the course fee. PSM I suits self-learners who want a lower-cost route and a lifetime certification with no renewal fee. Pick based on your budget and how you like to learn.
Can I become a Scrum Master for free?
You can learn Scrum for free, because the Scrum Guide 2020 is free to read and use. Certifications cost money, though. PSM I costs $200 per attempt, and CSM courses are priced by trainers. You can still build practice for free by volunteering to facilitate events or running Scrum on a college or community project.
Can a tester become a Scrum Master?
Yes. Testers understand the full flow of work, care about quality and often spot problems early. To make the move, learn facilitation and coaching, focus on the Definition of Done and backlog refinement, earn an entry certification, and volunteer to run Scrum events in your current team before applying for Scrum Master roles.
Can a developer become a Scrum Master?
Yes. Developers already understand technical work, estimates and real blockers. The main gap is facilitation and coaching. Start by facilitating your team's Retrospective, step back from leading technical decisions during events, and earn CSM or PSM I. Many companies are happy to move strong developers into Scrum Master roles internally.
Can a business analyst become a Scrum Master?
Yes. Business analysts already write user stories, work with stakeholders and support backlog refinement. The shift is from owning requirements to serving the team. Learn facilitation, timeboxing and coaching, get certified, and practise running Scrum events. BAs often move into either Scrum Master or Product Owner roles.
Can a non-IT person become a Scrum Master?
Yes. People from operations, support, HR or teaching bring strong people and organisation skills. You will need to learn the basics of software delivery and Jira. A practical path is to join an IT company in a project coordinator or junior analyst role first, then move into a Scrum Master role after gaining team experience.
Can a project manager become a Scrum Master?
Yes, and it is a common move. Project managers already know planning, risk tracking and stakeholder work. The biggest change is mindset. A Scrum Master does not assign tasks or control the plan. The team self-manages, and your job is to coach, facilitate and remove blockers instead of directing the work.
What skills does a Scrum Master need?
A Scrum Master needs deep Scrum knowledge, facilitation, coaching, active listening, conflict handling and clear communication. Tool skills matter too, especially Jira and Confluence, along with reading burndown and velocity charts. Patience and a servant-leadership mindset are essential, because the role is about helping the team succeed rather than directing it.
How can I get Scrum Master experience?
Volunteer to facilitate your team's Retrospective or Sprint Review, cover for your Scrum Master on leave, or run a small internal project in Sprints. Outside work, help a startup or NGO organise work on a Jira or Trello board, or run a college project with Scrum. Keep notes on what you did and what improved.
What is the first job for a new Scrum Master?
Common first roles are Associate Scrum Master, Junior Scrum Master, Agile Project Coordinator and Project Coordinator in an agile team. Some people get the Scrum Master title through an internal move in their current company. Job descriptions usually ask for Scrum knowledge, a certification, Jira skills and experience facilitating Scrum events.
Where should I apply for my first Scrum Master job?
Search on LinkedIn, Naukri and company career pages using titles such as Scrum Master, Associate Scrum Master and Agile Project Coordinator. Also watch internal job postings in your own company, because many Indian IT firms fill Scrum Master roles from within. Apply with a resume that shows real practice and outcomes.
What is the Scrum Master salary in India?
AmbitionBox reports an average Scrum Master salary of ₹17.4 lakh a year at 5 years of experience, based on 20.9k salaries (October 2026). Its ranges run from ₹10.7 lakh to ₹11.9 lakh for 3 to 6 years of experience, up to ₹20 lakh to ₹22.1 lakh for 12 or more years.
Is Scrum Master a good career in India?
It is a good career for people who enjoy coaching, facilitation and team problem solving. Pay grows with experience, and Agile Coach roles pay more. The challenges are that entry without team experience is hard and some companies misunderstand the role. If you like helping people work better together, it is a strong path.
What comes after Scrum Master in a career path?
After a few years, Scrum Masters grow into Senior Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Release Train Engineer in SAFe organisations, or Delivery Manager and Program Manager roles. Advanced certifications like A-CSM and CSP-SM from Scrum Alliance, or PSM II and PSM III from Scrum.org, support this growth.
How much does an Agile Coach earn in India?
AmbitionBox reports an average Agile Coach salary of ₹29.3 lakh a year at 10 years of experience, based on 1.2k salaries (October 2026). Agile Coach is usually a later step after several years as a Scrum Master, so these figures reflect senior experience rather than entry-level pay.
Do I need the Scrum Guide to become a Scrum Master?
Yes. The Scrum Guide 2020 is the official definition of Scrum and the base of every Scrum Master certification. It is free and short. Read it several times and know the three accountabilities, five events, three artifacts, their commitments and the event timeboxes, because exams and interviews test them closely.
Does Brolly Academy offer a Scrum Master course?
Yes. Brolly Academy runs a 1-week Scrum Master course in Hyderabad, in the classroom or live online. It covers Scrum foundations, events, backlog work, Jira and team leadership, then CSM and PSM exam preparation with role plays, mock interviews and resume building. A free demo class is available before you enrol.
Can non-IT students join Brolly Academy's Scrum Master course?
Yes. The Brolly Academy course page says the course is open to students, freshers, career switchers and working professionals from IT and non-IT backgrounds. No prior Scrum knowledge or coding is needed. You can choose classroom or live online batches and switch between them if your schedule changes.
Learn with Brolly Academy
Review the syllabus, practical projects and batch timings, and book a free demo before you enrol.
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