SEBI Grade A Eligibility Criteria, Pattern, Syllabus & Admit Card 2024

Working in an organization like SEBI is a goal aspired to by many candidates in the country, and clearing SEBI Grade A exam is the closest gateway to achieving that dream.  

However, the first step that the aspirants must take is to ensure that they suitable for the position they are aiming for! 

And so, getting to know the eligibility criteria is a must before you even begin your preparation.  

Now, the next crucial step is to familiarize yourself with the structure and important topics that are asked in the exam. 

The only way to do so is to thoroughly get accustomed to the syllabus and the exam pattern of SEBI Grade A.  

While there is no denying the significance of studying night and day for the exam, but in the midst of preparation, the aspirants often overlook small details.  

Well, I am talking about the documents that you must carry on the exam day.  

Yes, you have guessed it right! It is the admit card that I am referring to, without which your exam journey shall remain incomplete.  

So, you see just like how every journey begins with a small step, the exam process for SEBI Grade A isn’t just about covering the topics but having a well – rounded knowledge of all factors.  

Without any further ado, let’s get started!  

SEBI Grade A Eligibility Criteria

Latest Update: – The notification for SEBI Grade A 2024 has been released on 10th June 2024 and the link for the latest SEBI Grade A eligibility PDF is attached here.  

The SEBI Grade A Eligibility Criteria includes important requirements which are as follows: 

• Educational Qualification
• Age Limit and its Relaxations

It is important for you to know that applicants for the exam must be Indian citizens only.  

While there is a provision of age limit for candidates, there is no maximum number of attempts specified to apply for the SEBI Grade A exam.  

Now, it’s time to discuss eligibility criteria in detail.  

Educational Qualification: SEBI Grade A Exam Eligibility

As per the latest eligibility criteria for the SEBI Grade A 2024 exam, the educational qualifications mandated for the candidates belonging to General Stream is as follows: 

a). For General stream, A Post Graduate Diploma in any discipline is considered eigible for the same, provided that it is recognized as equivalent to a Master’s Degree in that discipline by Govt. of India.  

b). You are permitted to apply for a maximum of 2 streams only for which you’re eligible to apply, as per your educational qualifications. 

• Separate on-line applications for each stream must be submitted and requisite fees to be paid for each application. 
• In case you apply more than once in a single Stream and/or apply for more than 2 Streams,only the latest applications shall be considered valid.  

c). Candidates who appeared for the final exams and are waiting for the results are eligible to appear for SEBI Grade A Phase I,  Phase II, and Phase  III of the selection process. 

Age Limit & Relaxations: SEBI Grade A Exam Eligibility

The age limit is one of the most important factors when it comes to being eligible for any exam and the case for SEBI Grade A being no different.  

For candidates applying for SEBI Grade A General Stream, the maximum age limit is 30 years as of 31st March 2024 i.e., you must have been born on or after 01st April 1994.  

For candidates of other categories, there are several age relaxations as provided in the table below:

Important Points to Consider

1. Ex-servicemen include those who have been released:

• on completion of assignment  (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from March 31, 2024) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency or
• on account of physical disability attributable to  Military  Service or
• on invalidment.

2. Emergency  Commissioned Officers/Short Service Commissioned Officers who have completed their initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service but whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues certificates that they would be released on the selection within three months from the date of receipt of an offer of appointment.

3. Only those of you belonging to ‘Non-Creamy Layer’ are eligible to apply under OBC Category.  

• Candidates belonging to the OBC category but under the ‘Creamy  Layer’  are not entitled to  OBC reservation. In such case, you should indicate your category as ‘Unreserved’.  
• Those belonging to the  OBC (NCL) category should have an OBC (NCL) certificate issued on or after April 01, 2024, but earlier than the due date (closing date) of the application. 

4. All those of you belonging to  Scheduled  Castes, Scheduled  Tribes, and Other  Backward Classes who are also covered under the category of Persons with  Benchmark Disabilities and/or Ex-servicemen will be eligible for grant of cumulative age-relaxation as shown in the table above.

5. The OBC/SC/ST category candidates can apply for the exam. However, there are no vacancies reserved and no age relaxation is granted.
6. The SC/ ST candidates are exempt from payment of application fee even in such cases but will have to pay specified intimation charges.

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): SEBI Grade A Exam Eligibility

Talking about relaxations provided for different categories, candidates belonging to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, i.e., PwBD category are granted concessions regarding SEBI Grade A age limit. The PwBD category includes the following conditions: 

• Blindness and Low Vision,
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing,
• Locomotor Disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy,
• Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness,
• Multiple disabilities and
• Other disabilities (as per the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016)

The PwBD candidates belonging to any category (i.e., GEN/ SC/ ST/ OBC) will be eligible for age relaxations in the SEBI Grade A Exam. Reservation for PwBD is horizontal and within the overall vacancies for the posts.

PwBD candidates will be eligible for concession in the application fee.

SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern 2024

Familiarity with the exam pattern helps with an overall understanding of the exam’s nature. The selection process for SEBI Grade A is based on the 3-stage process and is as follows: 

• Phase I – On-line screening examination consists of two papers of 100 marks each 
• Phase II – On-line examination comprises of two papers of 100 marks each. If you’re shortlisted for Phase II, you will be issued new Hall Tickets. 
• Phase III – Interview 

If you want to know the exam pattern well, then referring to previous years question papers will give you a good idea.  

You can check and download SEBI Grade A previous year papers that I’ve compiled for you.   

For an elaborate understanding, let’s discuss the phase-wise exam pattern:  

SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern – Phase 1

The exam for SEBI Grade A Phase 1 consists of two papers, i.e., Paper 1 and Paper 2. The SEBI Grade A Phase 1 exam pattern can be explained as follows:

• The Paper 1 contains 80 questions to be attempted within 60 minutes.   
• The paper 2 contains 50 questions to be completed within 40 minutes.   
• Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are of 100 marks each.   
• All papers except tests of English Language will be provided in English and Hindi.  
• Both the papers of the SEBI Grade A Phase 1 exam have MCQs (objective type), with 5 options per question.   
• Each correct answer is worth 1.2 marks on Paper 1 and 2 marks on Paper 2.   
• There is negative marking (worth 1/4th of marks assigned to the question) for Paper 1 and Paper 2 in Phase I. 

In the table below, you can check the exam pattern for Phase 1 that I have provided in detail.   

The Paper 1 comprises four subjects – General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning.  

While the Paper 2 for the general stream includes subjects like – Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics.   

To be shortlisted for Phase II, you would need to secure separate cut-off in each paper as well as aggregate cut-off marks of 40% in the Phase I exam. The list of shortlisted candidates will be made available on the SEBI website.  

SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern – Phase 2

As per the SEBI exam pattern 2024, the Phase 2 entails 2 papers, i.e., Paper 1 and Paper 2.   

The Paper 1 of Phase 2 is descriptive while Paper 2 has MCQs (objective type). 

The SEBI Grade A exam pattern for Phase 2 exam can be summed up as follows: 

• The Paper 1, i.e., English descriptive test comprises of 3 questions and the time allotted to complete the paper is 60 minutes.  
• For General stream, the Paper 2 contains objective based questions and total time provided to attempt all questions is 90 minutes. 
• Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are of 100 marks each. 

The Paper I, i.e., English Descriptive contains questions from sections like Essay, Precis and Reading Comprehension.   

Whereas the Paper 2 General stream subjects are Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act and Economics. 

You would need to secure separate cut-off in each paper as well as aggregate cut-off marks of 50% in the SEBI Grade A Phase II exam (weightage of 1/3rd for Paper 1 and 2/3rd for Paper 2) to be shortlisted for Phase III. 

A list of all those shortlisted for Interviews will be made available on the SEBI website. 

SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern -  Interview

The third and final stage of the SEBI Grade A examination is the Interview round or the Personality Test.   

• In order to get to the interview phase, you need to clear the prelims and the mains exam.   
• Only after passing the minimum sectional cut off and the overall cut off, the candidates will qualify the interview round.  
• The weightage of th Interview consists of 15% in the final merit list score.  

To appear for the SEBI Grade A Interviews, candidates need to download the call letter which will be sent on the individual email ids of the applicants who have cleared the Phase 2 Exam.  

The candidates are provided with an an option to choose the interview language, i.e., either in English or Hindi, as per their convienence.  

SEBI Grade A Final Selection

The final selection of the candidates for the SEBI Grade A Exam will be made by combining the marks secured by the candidate in the Phase II and the Interview.  

• The Phase II consists of 85% of the total weightage 
• The Interview comprises 15% of the total weightage 

If you manage to clear all 3 phases, you will called to show up for the medical trial and qualify the requirements. 

The list of final selected candidates will be made available on the official SEBI website within 2-3 weeks after the 2024 Grade A Interviews get over. 

SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2024

Knowing the syllabus well is the initial step in the right direction towards exam preparation.  

As proper understanding of the syllabus provides you an insight into the exam’s nature and helps in identifying the key topics that you need to cover.  

Getting familiar with the exam syllabus shall also help you in selection of appropriate books and study material that cover the topics that are asked in exam.  

Since the SEBI syllabus for Grade A exam also consists of dynamic questions, i.e., questions related to current affairs, being well – versed with the syllabus will help you know what you read for this section. 

Now, talking about the latest SEBI Grade A syllabus 2024, I have provided the detailed SEBI Grade A Phase 1 & Phase 2 syllabus in a structured manner below:

SEBI Grade A Phase 1 (Paper 1) Syllabus

SEBI Grade A Syllabus for Paper 1 of Phase 1 comprises of four subjects: 

• General Awareness,  
• English Language,  
• Quantitative Aptitude,  
• Reasoning Ability 

It is important for you to know that for Paper 1, you are required to score a minimum 30% marks in total to clear this level and no provision of section – wise cutoff is given for the paper. 

This shall help you to prioritize the subjects and cover them accordingly. In the table below, I have mentioned the major topics from each of the four subjects and these are as follows:  

SEBI Grade A Phase 2 (Paper 1) Syllabus  – English Skills

The English Descriptive is the only subject in Paper 1 of Phase 2. This test is designed to test your writing skills  including expression and understanding of the topic.

Questions are asked in this section related to:

  i) Precis

  ii) Essays

  iii) Comprehension

SEBI Grade A Phase 1 & 2 (Paper 2) Syllabus

Paper 2 Syllabus from both Phase 1 and 2 of SEBI Grade A has 6 different sections. All these sections are recently introduced and are equally important.

So let’s not waste any further time and dive deep into this part of the blog.

These are the 6 sections in SEBI Grade A Phase 1 & 2 (Paper 2):

A) Commerce & Accountancy

B) Management

C) Finance

D) Costing

E) Companies Act

F) Economics

Let us talk about each and every section in a more detailed manner and the important part of these sections that you need to cover.

Commerce & Accountancy Syllabus

a) Accounting as a financial information system;

b) Accounting Standards with specific reference to Accounting for Depreciation, Inventories, Revenue Recognition, Fixed Assets, Foreign Exchange Transactions, Investments.

c) Cash Flow Statement, Fund flow statement, Financial statement analysis; Ratio analysis;

d) Accounting for Share Capital Transactions including Bonus Shares, Right Shares.

e) Employees Stock Option and Buy-Back of Securities.

f) Preparation and Presentation of Company Final Accounts.

Management Syllabus

a) Management: its nature and scope; The Management Processes; Planning, Organization, Staffing, Directing and Controlling;

b) The Role of a Manager in an Organization. Leadership: The Tasks of a Leader;

c) Leadership Styles; Leadership Theories; A successful Leader versus an effective Leader.

d) Human Resource Development: Concept of HRD; Goals of HRD;

e) Motivation, Morale and Incentives: Theories of Motivation; How Managers Motivate; Concept of Morale; Factors determining morale; Role of Incentives in Building up Morale.

f) Communication: Steps in the Communication Process; Communication Channels; Oral versus Written Communication; Verbal versus non-verbal Communication; upward, downward and lateral communication; Barriers to Communication, Role of Information Technology.

Finance Syllabus

1) Financial System:

a) Role and Functions of Regulatory bodies in Financial Sector.

2) Financial Markets

a) Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions, instruments, recent developments.

3) General Topics

a) Basics of Derivatives: Forward, Futures and Swap

b) Recent Developments in the Financial Sector

c) Financial Inclusion- use of technology

d) Alternate source of finance, private and social cost-benefit, Public-Private Partnership

e) Direct and Indirect taxes; Non-tax sources of Revenue, GST, Finance Commission, Fiscal Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM),

f) Inflation: Definition, trends, estimates, consequences, and remedies (control): WPI, CPI – components and trends.

Costing Syllabus

1. Overview of Cost and Management Accounting – Introduction to Cost and Management Accounting, Objectives and Scope of Cost and Management Accounting.

2. Methods of Costing – Single Output/ Unit Costing, Job Costing, Batch Costing, Contract Costing, Process/ Operation Costing, Costing of Service Sectors.

3. Basics of Cost Control and Analysis – (i) Standard Costing, (ii) Marginal Costing, (iii) Budget and Budgetary Control.

4. Lean System and Innovation:-
a) Introduction to Lean System
b) Just-in-Time (JIT) Page 20 of 26
c) Kaizen Costing
d) 5 Ss
e) Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
f) Cellular Manufacturing/ One-Piece Flow Production Systems
g) Six Sigma (SS)
h) Introduction to Process Innovation and Business Process Re-engineering (BPR).

Companies Act Syllabus

The Companies Act, 2013 – Specific reference to Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter VIII, Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII and Chapter XXVII.

Economics Syllabus

a) Demand and Supply, Market Structures, National Income: Concepts and Measurement, Classical & Keynesian Approach Determination of output and employment, Consumption Function, Investment Function, Multiplier and Accelerator, Demand and Supply for Money , IS – LM, Inflation and Phillips Curve, Business Cycles

b) Balance of Payments, Foreign Exchange Markets, Inflation, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Non-banking Financial Institutions.

Now, that we have discussed the SEBI Grade A syllabus 2024, let’s move on to the next section to know more about the admit card. 

SEBI Grade A Admit Card

Latest Update: The Phase 2 admit card for SEBI Grade A 2024 exam has been announced on 19th August 2024 and the exam will take place on 31st August 2024. 

The admit card for SEBI Grade A 2024 Phase 1 exam has been released on 20th July 2024 and the exam for the same will be held on 27th July 2024.  The link to download the SEBI Grade A admit card is provided here.

The notification for SEBI Grade A 2024 has been released on 10th June 2024 with details notifying about the exam dates.  

Whereas the SEBI Grade A Phase 2 exam 2024 shall take place on 31st August 2024, the admit card for the same will release approximately 2- 3 weeks before the exam.  

The SEBI Grade A admit card is one of the main documents that an applicant must carry with him/ her to the exam center since it is a document used for verifying the candidate’s official details. 

Therefore, if you fail to carry the admit card on the exam day, you shall be denied entry to the exam premises.  

Now that I have given information regarding the hall ticket for this exam. In the next section, I am going to explain the steps to download SEBI Grade A admit card.   

Download SEBI Grade A Admit Card – Steps

To specify the step-by-step course to download SEBI Grade A admit card, I have mentioned the steps to download the admit card for the same.  

By diligently going through these steps mentioned below, you’ll get a clear idea about how to downoad your SEBI Grade A admit card. 

Step 1: Visit the official SEBI website. click on the about section at the top-left area, then go to the career section directly.

Step 2: Here click on the “SEBI Grade A Recruitment – Download of Call Letter” link. 

Step 3: Clicking on the link to open call letter for phase 1 or 2.

The new page that opens will have a “login credential” box on the right side.

Step 4: Here you can choose from English or Hindi as the language in which you’d want your SEBI Grade A admit card to be printed, and fill in your “registration number”, “password/Date of Birth”, and the CAPTCHA security code.

Step 5: After filling in these details, click on the login button.

• Clicking on the “login” button will grant you access to your SEBI Grade A admit card. 
• Take a printout by clicking on the “click to print” option. You can also save your admit card as a PDF by clicking on the same option.

Details Mentioned in SEBI Grade A Admit Card 

The candidates must carefully check the information provided on the admit card. In case of any error or discrepancy, the applicants must report to the concerned authorities for correction. The details mentioned on the admit card are as follows:  

1. Name of the Candidate 
2. Date of Birth 
3. Father’s/Husband’s Name 
4. Candidate’s Photograph 
5. Candidate’s Signature 
6. Venue of the exam center 

SEBI Grade A Admit Card 2024: Important Points 

Along with the admit card, the candidates are required to carry documents for verification purposes which includes a recent passport size photo and any one of photo – identity proof such as Voter ID card, Aadhar card, Pan card, Driving license or Passport with photo.  

There are few important points that the candidates must keep in mind regarding the SEBI admit card 2024: 

• It is compulsory for the applicants to carry their SEBI Grade A admit card along with Photo ID proof (original and photocopy) and 2 recent passport size photos to the exam centre.  
• If you fail to carry these above – mentioned documents, you shall be denied entry to the exam premises.  
• The candidates must make sure to report to the exam venue on time as per the details provided on the admit card. 
• The candidates are not allowed to carry any forbidden items or devices inside the exam premises. If you fail to comply, strict actions shall be taken against you by the exam authorities.   

SEBI Grade A Interview Call Letter

Latest Update: The call letter for SEBI Grade A Interview has been out on 23rd October 2024.

The link to download SEBI Grade A interview admit card is provided here.

After Phase 2 exam, the selected candidates are called for the final stage, i.e., the Interview round. 

Before the Interview can take place, the SEBI Grade A call letters are sent to the qualified candidates. The Interview call letter is usually released 1- 2 months after the Phase 2 exam is held.  

The call letter is sent to the selected individuals via online through their registered e-mail IDs.  

It is important for you to note that none of the Interview call letters will be sent by post. Hence, make sure that you provide a valid e- mail ID at the time of the online application procedure.

To avoid any further complications, ensure that your registered e- mail ID is functioning properly till the final selection process commences. 

SEBI Grade A Interview – List of Documents Required

At the time of the SEBI Grade A Interview, you will be required to produce the following documents for verification. You must carry each document in original as well as a photocopy. The documents required are:

• Print out of Interview Call Letter
• Original Attestation Form with affixed signed photographs
• Govt. issued ID Proof such as Aadhar Card in original and photocopy
• All Educational mark-sheets and certificates
• Bio-Data Form (1 original & 6 photocopies) in prescribed size with signed photographs
• For OBC/ST/SC candidates, you’ll also need to carry your original Caste Certificate along with its photocopy.
• For EWS candidates, you’ll also need to carry your original Income and Asset Certificate along with its photocopy.

Conclusion

On this page, I have discussed everything you need to know about SEBI Grade A syllabus and exam pattern which shall help you immensely during your exam preparation, SEBI Grade A eligibility to avoid any confusion about your suitability for the exam and lastly SEBI Grade A admit card details so that there is nothing for you to worry about on the exam day.

With this, I wish you all the best for future! 

Stay Curious!