The IFSCA Grade A recruitment is a prestigious opportunity for candidates aspiring to work in India's International Financial Services Centres Authority. Before applying, it is crucial to understand the eligibility criteria, which cover age, educational qualifications, nationality, and reservations. In this blog, we have provided details such as the nationality criteria, age limit along with the details of the age relaxation criteria, and the stream-wise educational qualifications.
What is the IFSCA Grade A eligibility criteria?
The IFSCA Grade A eligibility criteria require candidates to be Indian citizens and meet specific age, educational, and reservation requirements. Candidates must not exceed 30 years of age as of the reference date, with relaxation applicable for SC/ST, OBC (NCL), PwBD, and Ex-servicemen candidates. Educationally, applicants should possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in relevant streams General, Legal, or IT or professional qualifications like CA, CFA, CS, or ICWA, with a minimum of 60% marks (5% relaxation for SC/ST).
What is the IFSCA Grade A nationality requirement?
Candidates must be Indian citizens to apply for IFSCA Grade A posts. This ensures compliance with the statutory regulations under which the International Financial Services Centres Authority operates.
- Nationality: Indian
- Proof required: Passport, Voter ID, Aadhaar, or any other government-recognized document
Attempt IFSCA Grade A Mock Test
What educational qualifications are required to appear for the IFSCA Grade A exam?
For IFSCA Grade A, candidates must have relevant educational qualifications based on their chosen stream. For the General stream, a Master's degree in Statistics, Economics, Commerce, or Business Administration (Finance), or a Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, MCA, Commerce with CA/CFA/CS/ICWA, or Law is required.
The Legal stream requires a Bachelor's degree in Law, while the IT stream requires a Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or MCA. Candidates must have at least 60% marks in their qualifying examination, with SC/ST candidates eligible for a 5% relaxation.
| Stream | Educational Qualification (as per the last cycle notification) |
|---|
| General | Master's Degree with specialization in Statistics, Economics, Commerce, Business Administration (Finance) or equivalent; OR Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology / Computer Science / MCA / IT; OR Bachelor's Degree in Commerce with CA / CFA / CS / ICWA; OR Bachelor's Degree in Law.
Note: Specialization must be supported by a certificate if not mentioned on the degree. |
| Legal | Bachelor's Degree in Law |
| IT | Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology / Computer Science / MCA / IT |
Additional Notes:
- Minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade required.
- Some posts are reserved for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates.
- For professional courses (CA, CFA, CS, ICWA), valid certification must be provided.
Explore IFSCA Grade A Courses
What is the age limit to apply for the IFSCA Grade A 2026?
The age limit for candidates applying for IFSCA Grade A posts is 30 years as of 25th September 2025(as per last cycle of the notification). Candidates must ensure they do not exceed this age on the specified date to be eligible for the recruitment process.
| Category | Upper Age Limit |
|---|
| General / UR | 30 years |
| SC / ST | 30 years (relaxation applicable) |
| OBC (NCL) | 30 years (relaxation applicable) |
| PwBD | 30 years (relaxation applicable) |
| Ex-servicemen | 30 years (relaxation applicable) |
Also Check: IFSCA Grade A Exam Date
What are the age relaxation rules for IFSCA Grade a 2026?
Age relaxation is provided for certain categories of candidates. SC/ST candidates can get up to 5 years of relaxation, while OBC candidates from the Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) are eligible for up to 3 years. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) receive 10 years of relaxation, which increases to 13 years for PwBD candidates in the OBC category and 15 years for PwBD candidates in the SC/ST category. Ex-servicemen who have completed at least five years of military service are eligible for 5 years of relaxation.
Cumulative relaxation is applicable for candidates belonging to multiple eligible categories, such as SC/ST/OBC who are also PwBD or ex-servicemen. Candidates applying under reserved categories where no vacancies exist can still apply, but relaxations will not be provided. OBC (NCL) candidates must have a valid certificate issued on or after April 1, 2025, to claim the relaxation. SC/ST/PwBD candidates are also exempt from application fees, whereas OBC/EWS candidates must provide the required certificate as per government format.
| Category / Condition | Age Limit as per last cycle notification | Relaxation | Maximum Age |
|---|
| General / UR | 30 years | – | 30 years |
| SC | 30 years | Up to 5 years | 35 years |
| ST | 30 years | Up to 5 years | 35 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 30 years | Up to 3 years | 33 years |
| PwBD (all categories) | 30 years | 10 years | 40 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 30 years | 13 years | 43 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 30 years | 15 years | 45 years |
| Ex-servicemen | 30 years | 5 years | 35 years |
| Multiple categories (SC/ST/OBC + PwBD/Ex-servicemen) | 30 years | Cumulative relaxation | Varies accordingly |
Key Points:
- Cumulative relaxation applies for candidates belonging to multiple eligible categories.
- OBC (NCL) candidates need a valid certificate issued on or after 1st April 2025.
- SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempt from application fees; OBC/EWS must provide certificates as per government format.
- Candidates applying under reserved categories where no vacancy exists can still apply, but relaxations will not be provided.
Solve IFSCA Grade A Previous Year Papers
What is the selection process of IFSCA Grade A?
The selection process for IFSCA Grade A Officer consists of three phases. Candidates first appear for Phase I, which is an online screening examination with two papers of 100 marks each. Those who qualify move to Phase II, another online examination also comprising two papers of 100 marks each. Finally, candidates who clear Phase II are called for Phase III, which is the interview stage.
| Phase | Mode | Details |
|---|
| Phase I | Online | Screening examination consisting of 2 papers of 100 marks each |
| Phase II | Online | Examination consisting of 2 papers of 100 marks each |
| Phase III | Interview | Personal interview for final selection |
Key Points:
- Phase I & II Marks: Aggregate marks in Phase II and Interview will determine final selection with weightage 85% for Phase II and 15% for Interview.
- Inter-se Seniority: Determined based on total marks in Phase I & Phase II common papers.
- Separate cut-offs: Applied from Phase II to Interview for different streams.
- IT Stream Coding Test: Only for candidates applying for IT stream
- Qualifying test conducted after Phase II.
- Only candidates who pass Coding Test are eligible for Interview.
- Interview scores considered only for those who qualify in Coding Test.
What are the reservation rules for IFSCA Grade A?
IFSCA provides reservations according to government guidelines for SC, ST, OBC (NCL), PwBD, and EWS candidates. PwBD reservation is horizontal across all categories and includes disabilities such as blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, mental illness, and multiple disabilities, with a minimum of 40% disability required. EWS candidates must have a valid Income and Asset Certificate for FY 2025-26, issued after 01/04/2025, which should be submitted at the time of the interview (dates as per last cycle of the notification). OBC candidates in the ‘Creamy Layer' should apply under the UR/GEN category, and SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempt from application fees.
Check: IFSCA Grade A Syllabus
What other criteria should candidates know before applying?
Candidates must ensure that all information in the application is correct, as no corrections are allowed after submission. They may be posted anywhere in India, and their degree must be from a recognized Indian or foreign university (UGC/AIU recognized). Selection is provisional and subject to verification of documents and credentials. Any false information or use of unfair means during the selection process can lead to cancellation of candidature at any stage.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Eligibility | Must be an Indian citizen. Age, education, and reservation criteria must be met. |
| Age Limit | Maximum 30 years as of 25/09/2025. Relaxation applicable for SC/ST, OBC (NCL), PwBD, and Ex-servicemen. |
| Age Relaxation | SC/ST: 5 yrs; OBC (NCL): 3 yrs; PwBD: 10-15 yrs depending on category; Ex-servicemen: 5 yrs. Cumulative relaxation for multiple eligible categories. |
| Educational Qualification | General: Master's in Statistics/Economics/Commerce/Finance or Bachelor's in IT/CS/MCA/Commerce with CA/CFA/CS/ICWA/Law. Legal: Bachelor's in Law. IT: Bachelor's in IT/CS/MCA. Minimum 60% marks (5% relaxation for SC/ST). |
| Selection Process | Three phases: Phase I (online screening), Phase II (online main exam), Phase III (interview). IT stream: Coding Test is mandatory after Phase II. |
| Weightage & Seniority | Final selection based on Phase II + Interview (85% + 15%). Seniority based on total marks in common papers of Phase I & II. |
| Reservations | SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/EWS/PwBD reservations as per government rules. PwBD: ≥40% disability; EWS: valid Income & Asset Certificate FY 2025-26. SC/ST/PwBD exempt from fees; OBC/EWS must submit certificates. |
| Application Rules | Multiple applications in same stream: only latest valid. No corrections allowed after submission. Fee/intimation charges not refundable. |
| Other Criteria | Candidates may be posted anywhere in India. Degrees must be from recognized universities (UGC/AIU). Selection is provisional, subject to document verification. False info or unfair means leads to disqualification. |
