IFSCA Grade A Syllabus: The IFSCA Grade A Exam 2025 consists of three phases: Phase 1, Phase 2, and the Interview. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 include two papers each. In Phase 1, Paper 1 is common for all streams and includes MCQs on General Awareness (with special reference to the Financial Sector), English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning, while Paper 2 contains MCQs based on the chosen stream (General, Legal, or IT). In Phase 2, Paper 1 is a common descriptive English test (Essay, Precis, Comprehension), and Paper 2 contains MCQs specific to the candidate's stream, with the IT stream also requiring a qualifying coding test. Each paper in both phases carries 100 marks, and the detailed exam pattern has been released in the official notification. Check the article below for a general overview of the IFSCA Grade A syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2.
What is the syllabus for IFSCA Grade A Exam?
The IFSCA Grade A Exam 2025 syllabus covers topics from General Awareness (with special focus on financial, economic, and regulatory updates), English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and stream-specific subjects related to financial markets, economics, law, IT, and the functions of IFSCA. The IT stream also includes a qualifying coding test. The detailed syllabus has been released in the official notification dated 10th September 2025. Aspirants are advised to follow a strong preparation schedule, as both Phase 1 and Phase 2 carry significant weightage in the final selection. Let's check the topic-wise breakdown of the IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025.
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IFSCA Grade A Exam Pattern 2025
The IFSCA Grade A Exam 2025 will be conducted in three phases: Phase 1 (Preliminary Exam), Phase 2 (Main Exam), and Interview. Each phase is designed to evaluate the candidate's knowledge, reasoning ability, analytical skills, and understanding of subjects relevant to international financial services. For candidates applying under the IT stream, there is an additional qualifying coding test included as part of the selection process.
| Phase | Paper | Type | Duration | Marks | Subjects |
|---|
| Phase 1 (Preliminary Exam) | Paper 1 | Objective | 60 minutes | 100 | General Awareness (with emphasis on Financial Sector), Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language |
| Paper 2 | Objective | 60 minutes | 100 | Stream-specific subjects (General, Legal, or IT) |
| Phase 2 (Main Exam) | Paper 1 | Descriptive | 60 minutes | 100 | English Writing Skills: Essay, Precis, Comprehension |
| Paper 2 | Objective | 60 minutes | 100 | Stream-specific advanced subjects (General, Legal, or IT) |
| IT Stream Qualifying Test | – | Coding Test | – | Qualifying only | For IT stream candidates only |
| Interview | – | Personal Interaction | – | – | Based on Phase 2 performance |
Key Updates for 2025:
IT Stream Added: Includes a qualifying coding test.
Phase 1 & Phase 2 papers: 100 marks each, 60 minutes per paper.
Stream-specific subjects clearly divided as General, Legal, and IT.
Final selection is based on Phase 2 marks (85%) + Interview marks (15%), while Phase 1 is only for shortlisting.
What topics are included in the IFSCA Grade A Phase I Syllabus?
English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness are the subjects that are included in IFSCA Grade A Syllabus of Paper 1. Check IFSCA Assistant Manager Syllabus 2025 for Phase 1 Paper 1 below.
| Subjects | Syllabus |
|---|
| English Language | 1. Reading Comprehension
2. Vocabulary
3. Synonyms & Antonyms
4. Fillers
5. Error Detection
6. Sentence Rearrangement
7. Word Swap
8. Idioms & Phrases |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 1. HCF and LCM
2. Simplification & Approximation
3. Quadratic Equation
4. Percentage
5. Ratio & Proportion
6. Profit & Loss
7. Time & Distance
8. Average
9. SI & CI
10. Mensuration
11. Problems on Trains
12. Mixtures & Allegation
13. Probability
14. Permutation & Combination
15. Indices and Surds
16. Partnership
17. Boats & Streams |
| Reasoning | 1. Arithmetical Reasoning
2. Puzzle
3. Direction Sense Test
4. Alpha Numeric Series
5. Logical Reasoning
6. Data Sufficiency
7. Venn Diagrams
8. Analogy
9. Clocks & Calendars
10. Coding Decoding
11. Passage Based Deriving Conclusions
12. Statement – Conclusions
13. Number, Ranking & Time Sequence
14. Statement – Arguments |
| General Awareness | 1. General knowledge
2. Current events of national and international importance
3. Economic and social development (sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, and demographics)
4. Commerce
5. Accountancy
6. Management
7. Finance and costing
8. Indian Economy
9. Global Economy
10. Five year plans
11. Central Government's initiatives/ Schemes in the financial sector |
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IFSCA Grade A General Stream Syllabus 2025 For Phase 1 Paper 2
Let's check out the IFSCA Grade A Syllabus for Paper 2 of Phase 1:
| IFSCA Grade A General Stream Syllabus (Phase 1 Paper 2) |
|---|
General knowledge
Current events of national and international importance |
Economic and social development (sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, and demographics)
(i) Growth and Development
a) Measurement of growth: National Income and per capita income
b) Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India
c) Sustainable Development and Environmental issues.
(ii) Social Structure in India
a) Multiculturalism
b) Demographic Trends
c) Urbanization and Migration
d) Gender Issues – Social Justice |
Commerce and Accountancy
(i) Accounting as a financial information system;
(ii) Accounting Standards with specific reference to Accounting for Depreciation, Inventories, Revenue Recognition, Fixed Assets, Foreign Exchange Transactions, Investments.
(iii) Cash Flow Statement, Fund flow statement, Financial statement analysis; Ratio analysis;
(iv) Accounting for Share Capital Transactions including Bonus Shares, Right Shares.
(v) Employees Stock Option and Buy-Back of Securities.
(vi) Preparation and Presentation of Company Final Accounts |
Management
(i) Management: its nature and scope; The Management Processes; Planning, Organization, Staffing, Directing and Controlling;
(ii) The Role of a Manager in an Organization. Leadership: The Tasks of a Leader;
(iii) Leadership Styles; Leadership Theories; A successful Leader versus an effective Leader.
(iv) Human Resource Development: Concept of HRD; Goals of HRD;
(v) Motivation, Morale and Incentives: Theories of Motivation; How Managers Motivate; Concept of Morale; Factors determining morale; Role of Incentives in Building up Morale.
(vi) 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.
(vii) Corporate Governance: Factors affecting Corporate Governance; Mechanisms of Corporate Governance |
Finance
(i) Financial System
a) Role and Functions of Regulatory bodies in Financial Sector
(ii) Financial Markets
a) Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions, instruments, recent developments.
(iii) 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.
g) Financial Risk Management |
Costing
(i) Overview of Cost and Management Accounting – Introduction to Cost and Management Accounting, Objectives and Scope of Cost and Management Accounting.
(ii) Methods of Costing – Single Output/ Unit Costing, Job Costing, Batch Costing, Contract Costing, Process/ Operation Costing, Costing of Service Sectors.
(iii) Basics of Cost Control and Analysis – (i) Standard Costing, (ii) Marginal Costing, (iii) Budget and Budgetary Control. (iv) Lean System and Innovation:-
a) Introduction to Lean System
b) Just-in-Time (JIT)
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) |
Indian & Global Economy
(i) 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
(ii) Balance of Payments, Foreign Exchange Markets, Inflation, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Non-banking Financial Institutions.
(iii) Role of International Financial Institutions: BIS, IOSCO, IMF & World Bank. |
| Central Government's initiatives/ Schemes in the financial sector |
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IFSCA Grade A Legal Stream Syllabus 2025 For Phase 1 Paper 2
Check out the detailed IFSCA Grade A Syllabus of Legal Stream below:
| IFSCA Grade A Legal Stream Syllabus (Phase 1 Paper 2) |
|---|
| Constitution of India – Preamble, Part I, Part III, Part IV, Part IVA, Part V, Part VI, Part VIII, Part IXA, Part IXB, Part XI. |
| Contract Law – Indian Contract Act, 1872; Sale of Goods Act, 1930; Indian Partnership Act, 1932; Specific Relief Act, 1963. |
| Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 – (Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VII, Schedule 1) |
| The Limitation Act, 1963 |
| Transfer of Property Act, 1882 – Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter V. |
| Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Part I |
| Administrative Law |
| Jurisprudence and Interpretation of Statutes |
| Important Latin terms and maxims |
| Law of Torts and Consumer Protection Act, 2019 |
What topics are included in the IFSCA Grade A Phase II Syllabus?
Phase 2 will be descriptive as well as objective tests. Paper 1 will be descriptive in nature. Candidates will have to attempt essays, comprehension, and precis.
IFSCA Grade A General Stream Syllabus 2025 For Phase 2 Paper 2
The paper 2 of IFSCA Phase 2 will have MCQs. The detailed IFSCA Grade A Syllabus of General Stream for Phase 2 Paper 2 is below:
| IFSCA Grade A General Stream Syllabus 2025 – Phase 2 Paper 2 |
|---|
| IFSCA Act, IFSCA, IFSC, GIFT IFSC, GIFT City and Global Financial Centres |
| Union Budget — Concepts, approach and broad trends & Economic Survey |
Banking
(i) Structure and Functions of Financial Institutions
(ii) Functions of Reserve Bank of India
(iii) Banking System in India – Structure and Developments, Financial Institutions –
SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, NaBFID etc.
(iv) Recent Developments in Global Financial System and its impact on Indian Financial
System
(v) Role of Information Technology in Banking and Finance
(vi) Non-Banking System
(vii)Developments in Digital Payments |
Capital Market
(i) Role and Functions of Regulatory bodies in Financial Sector.
(ii) Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions,
instruments, recent developments
(iii) Basics of Derivatives: Forward, Futures and Swap
(iv) Spot and Derivative market of Precious Metals |
Insurance
(i) History of Indian Insurance, principles of Insurance;
(ii) Risk and uncertainty, pooling and diversification of risk, Indemnity and Insurable
interest;
(iii) Legal foundations of Insurance, basics in Group/Health Insurance/Pensions;
Intermediation: role in mobilising savings, evolution of various types and Bancassurance in India;
(iv) Functions performed by Insurers: Product design, pricing, distribution, underwriting,
claims, Investment and Reinsurance;
(v) Insurance lines and products: Property-Liability, Life Insurance and Annuities and
Health Insurance; Liability risks and Insurance, valuation and Solvency requirements,
Specialist Insurance lines in India – Agricultural and Export Credit Guarantee; Reinsurance, GIC of India, obligator sessions and retention of risk within the Country. |
Pension Sector
(i) Status of pension sector in India
(ii) Types of retirement schemes in India and their features
(iii) National Pension System
(iv) Atal Pension Yojana
(v) Annuity Plans
(vi) Basics of investment |
IFSCA Grade A Legal Stream Syllabus 2025 For Phase 2 Paper 2
The paper 2 of IFSCA Phase 2 will have MCQs. The detailed IFSCA Grade A Legal Stream Syllabus for Phase 2 Paper 2 is below:
| IFSCA Grade A Legal Stream Syllabus 2025 – Phase 2 Paper 2 |
|---|
| Criminal Law – Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VA, VI, IX, XVII, XXI, XXII, XXIII); Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. |
| Law of Evidence – Indian Evidence Act, 1872 |
| Corporate Law – Companies Act, 2013; Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008; Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Part I, Part II) |
IFSCA Act and the following Acts:
1. Reserve Bank of India Act,1934
2. Insurance Act, 1938
3. Banking Regulation Act, 1949
4. Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act,1956
5. Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961
6. General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972
7.Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992
8. Depositories Act, 1996
9. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999
10. Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999
11. Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005
12. Government Securities Act, 2006
13. Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
14. Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013
15. Factoring Regulation Act, 2011 |
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IFSCA Grade A Information Technology Syllabus
The paper 2 of IFSCA Phase 2 will have MCQs. The detailed IFSCA Grade A Information Technology Syllabus (Common for both streams) is below:
| Topic | Details |
|---|
| Database Concepts | ER model, Relational model (algebra, tuple calculus), Integrity constraints, Normal forms, File organization, Indexing (B & B+ trees), Transactions and concurrency control |
| SQL Queries | Select, View, Truncate, Delete, Update, Alter, Inner Join, Outer Joins, Aggregate functions, Union, Intersection, Except, IN & EXISTS clauses, Nested queries |
| Programming Concepts (Java/C/C++) | Program control (iteration, recursion, functions), Scope of variables, Binding of variables & functions, Parameter passing, Functional & Logic Programming, OOPs concepts, Inheritance, Class & Object, Constructors, Functions, Exception Handling |
| Data Analytics Languages (Python / R) | Regex, Slicing, Data reshaping, DataFrames, Dictionaries & Sets, File Management, Classes & Functions, Data Mining, Lists, Importing/exporting data, Charts & Graphs |
| Algorithms for Problem Solving | Tree & Graph traversals, Connected components, Spanning trees, Shortest paths, Hashing, Sorting, Searching, Design techniques (Greedy, Dynamic Programming, Divide & Conquer) |
| Networking Concepts | ISO/OSI stack, LAN Technologies (Ethernet, Token Ring), TCP/UDP, IP, Switches, Gateways, Routers, Application protocols (DNS, SMTP, POP, FTP, HTTP), Firewalls |
| Information & Cyber Security Concepts | Cyber Attacks, Software Development Security, Network Security, Authentication, CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability), Network Audit, Systems Audit |
| Data Warehousing | Data Extraction, Cleaning, Transformation, Loading (ETL), Metadata, Data Cube, Data Mart, Data Models |
| Shell Programming | Shell Scripting basics, Shell variables, Script arguments, If statements, Loops, Return, Basic UNIX commands |
| Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) | ML basics, Supervised & Unsupervised Learning, Data Preprocessing, Model Evaluation, Regression (Linear & Logistic), Decision Trees, Clustering, Feature Engineering, Python for ML, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, NLP, Sentiment Analysis, Neural Networks, Overfitting & Underfitting, Cross-Validation, Reinforcement Learning, Cloud Concepts |
IFSCA Grade A 2025 Interview Syllabus
During the IFSCA Grade A interview, candidates are evaluated based on their educational qualifications, professional experience (if any), personal interests, and awareness of current affairs. The panel assesses overall personality, communication skills, and job suitability.
Pro Tip: Be well-prepared with your bio-data and ensure you stay updated with the latest current events.
