The SEBI Grade A 2026 notification is expected to be released soon for the recruitment of Assistant Manager posts across various streams. Last year, the notification was released for a total of 135 vacancies across different posts. This year as well, it is expected to announce 100+ vacancies. As per the previous cycle’s notification, the SEBI Grade A selection process comprises three stages: Phase 1, Phase 2, and the interview. Any revisions to the selection process will be notified along with the official notification PDF.
In this blog, we have provided details about the SEBI Grade A selection process based on the previous cycle notification, including information about each phase of the exam and more.
What is the SEBI Grade A selection process?
The SEBI Grade A selection process has three stages. As per the last cycle notification PDF Phase 1 is an online screening test with two papers Paper 1 covers General Awareness, English, Quantitative Ability, and Reasoning, while Paper 2 is based on your chosen stream. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifying marks in each paper, and there is negative marking for wrong answers.
Phase 2 is an online exam where Paper 1 tests descriptive English, and Paper 2 focuses on stream-specific subjects in objective or descriptive format. The marks obtained in Phase 2 are very important for the final selection. The final stage is the interview, which can be given in Hindi or English. The final merit list is prepared based on Phase 2 scores and interview performance, and candidates from certain streams may also receive extra marks for relevant work experience.
| Phase | Details | Key Points |
| Phase I Online Screening | Paper 1: General Awareness, English, Quant, Reasoning (100 marks, 60 min) Paper 2: Stream-specific subjects (100 marks, 40 min) | Cut-off: 30% (P1), 40% (P2) Aggregate: 40% Negative marking: ¼ per wrong answer Qualifying only |
| Phase II Online Exam | Paper 1: Descriptive English (Essay, Precis, Comprehension) – 100 marks, 60 min Paper 2: Stream-specific (MCQs/Descriptive/Coding) – 100 marks | Cut-off: 30% (P1), 40% (P2) Aggregate: 50% Negative marking: ¼ (MCQs) Weightage: Paper 1 – 1/3, Paper 2 – 2/3 |
| Phase III Interview | Conducted in Hindi or English | Weightage: Phase II – 85%, Interview – 15% |
| Additional (Legal & Engg. – Electrical) | Experience-based marks | Up to 3.75 marks for relevant post-qualification experience |
SEBI Grade A Exam Date Overview
The SEBI Grade A Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams are expected to be released soon, and the admit cards are likely to be released 10 to 15 days before the exam. The key dates for the SEBI Grade A 2026 exam are given below.
| Event | Important Dates (2026) | Important Dates (2025) |
| SEBI Grade A Notification Release Date | Expected by October 2026 | 8th October (Short), 30th October (Detailed) |
| SEBI Grade A Online Application Dates | Around 30 days after notification release | 30th October – 28th November |
| SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Exam Date (Prelims) | By November 2026 | 10th January |
| SEBI Grade A Phase 2 Exam Date (Mains) | By December 2026 | 21st February |
What is the SEBI Grade A phase 1 exam pattern?
The Phase 1 exam of the SEBI Grade A selection process is the first screening stage conducted online with two papers. Paper 1 is common for all streams, while Paper 2 is based on the candidate’s chosen stream. Candidates must clear the minimum qualifying marks, but Phase 1 marks are not counted in the final merit list.
| Component | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Online screening examination |
| Number of Papers | 2 Papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2), each of 100 marks |
| Paper 1 | For all streams: MCQs on General Awareness (including Financial Sector), English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning |
| Paper 2 | General Stream: MCQs on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act & Economics Other Streams (Legal, Research, Engineering – Electrical, Official Language, IT): MCQs on specialized subjects related to the stream |
| Duration | Paper 1: 60 minutes Paper 2: 40 minutes |
| Cut-off Marks | Paper 1: 30% Paper 2: 40% Aggregate: 40% |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th mark deducted for each wrong answer in both papers |
| Role in Final Selection | Marks of Phase I are not counted in the final merit list |
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What is the SEBI Grade A phase 2 exam pattern?
The Phase 2 Exam Pattern has been revised by SEBI. The Phase 2 is further divided into two papers of 100 marks each. The Paper 1 have 1/3rd weightage and Paper 2 have 2/3rd weightage. The aggregate cut off for both the papers is 50%. Check out the stream wise and detailed SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for Phase 2.
SEBI Phase 2 Paper 1 Exam Pattern (Common)
Here are some of the highlights:
- No of Questions – 3
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 60 minutes
- Cut Off – 30%
- Weightage – 1/3rd
| Paper | Stream/Subjects |
| Paper 1 | All Streams: English (Descriptive Test) to test the drafting skills. Essay – 30 Marks, Precis – 30 Marks and Comprehension – 40 Marks |
SEBI Grade A General Stream Exam Pattern for Phase 2 Paper 2
Here are some of the highlights of SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for General Stream:
- No of Questions – 100
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 90 minutes
- Cut Off – 40%
- Weightage – 2/3rd
| Paper | Stream/Subjects |
| Paper 2 | General Stream: MCQs on subjects Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act and Economics. |
SEBI Grade A Legal Stream Exam Pattern for Phase 2 Paper 2
Here are some of the highlights of SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for Legal Stream:
- No of Questions – 70 MCQs & 3 Descriptive
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 120 minutes
- Cut Off – 40%
- Weightage – 2/3rd
| Paper | Stream/Subjects |
| Paper 2 | Legal Stream: Objective Section: 70 multiple-choice questions (1 mark each) on specialized subjects. Descriptive Section: 3 questions of 10 marks each on specialized subjects. Mode: Answers to be typed on a keyboard. Hindi Option: Candidates may use either Inscript or Remington (GAIL) keyboard layout. |
SEBI Grade A IT Stream Exam Pattern for Phase 2 Paper 2 (Revised)
Here are some of the highlights of SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for IT Stream:
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 180 minutes
- Cut Off – 40%
- Weightage – 2/3rd
| Paper | Stream/Subjects |
| Paper 2 | Information Technology Stream: Multiple choice questions on mix of logic flow completion, debugging, syntax understanding, program dry run outputs, data analysis, etc. |
SEBI Grade A Research Stream Exam Pattern for Phase 2 Paper 2
Here are some of the highlights of Paper 2 for Research Stream:
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 120 minutes
- Cut Off – 40%
- Weightage – 2/3rd
| Stream/Subjects | No. of Questions |
| Research Stream: | Descriptive Exam Focus: Tests practical, in-depth knowledge and drafting skills in Economics, Financial Markets, and Statistics. Mode: Answers to be typed using a keyboard. Hindi Option: Candidates may use either Inscript or Remington (GAIL) keyboard layout. |
SEBI Grade A Official Language Stream Exam Pattern for Phase 2 Paper 2
Here are some of the highlights of SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for Official language stream:
- No of Questions – 8
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 90 minutes
- Cut Off – 40%
- Weightage – 2/3rd
| Paper | Stream/Subjects |
| Paper 2 | Official Language Stream: 1. एक साधारण पैरा (150 शब्दों का) – अंग्रेजी से हिंदी अनुवाद (20 marks) 2. एक साधारण पैरा (150 शब्दों का) – हिंदी से अंग्रेजी अनुवाद (20 marks) 3. एक तकनीकी या विधिक (Legal/Technical) पैरा – अंग्रेजी से हिंदी अनुवाद (20 marks) 4. एक तकनीकी या विधिक (Legal/Technical) पैरा – हिंदी से अंग्रेजी अनुवाद (20 marks) 5. कार्यालय में उपयोग होने वाली टिप्पणियाँ (Notings) – (5 टिप्पणियाँ) अंग्रेजी से हिंदी अनुवाद (5 marks) 6. कार्यालय में उपयोग होने वाली टिप्पणियाँ (Notings) – (5 टिप्पणियाँ) हिंदी से अंग्रेजी अनुवाद (5 marks) 7. छोटे-छोटे वाक्य (Sentences) – अंग्रेजी से हिंदी अनुवाद (5 marks) 8. छोटे-छोटे वाक्य (Sentences) – हिंदी से अंग्रेजी अनुवाद (5 marks) Note: (Answers to be typed with the help of the keyboard. Candidates opting to type the answers in Hindi, may type with the help of either: (i) Inscript or (ii) Remington (GAIL) keyboards layout) |
SEBI Grade A Engineering (Electrical) Stream Exam Pattern for Phase 2 Paper 2
Here are some of the highlights of SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for Electrical Stream:
- No of Questions – 50
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 40 minutes
- Cut Off – 40%
- Weightage – 2/3rd
| Paper | Stream/Subjects |
| Paper 2 | Engineering (Electrical) Stream: MCQs on Specialized subject related to stream |
SEBI Grade A Engineering (Civil) Stream Exam Pattern for Phase 2 Paper 2
Here are some of the highlights of SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for Civil Stream:
- No of Questions – 50
- Maximum Marks – 100
- Duration – 40 minutes
- Cut Off – 40%
- Weightage – 2/3rd
| Paper | Stream/Subjects |
| Paper 2 | Engineering (Civil) Stream: MCQs on Specialized subject related to stream |
Important Points:
- Paper 2 will be conducted in various shifts for those who applied for multiple streams.
- Negative Marking will be 1/4th for Paper 2 in Phase 2.
- Question Papers will be in Hindi & English except for the English section.
Also Check: Free Practice Quizzes for Regulatory Exams
Important Notes:
- Separate Admit Cards: New hall tickets will be issued for Phase II; Paper 2 for multiple streams will be held in different shifts.
- Negative Marking: Applicable only to MCQs in Paper 2; ¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer.
- Cut-off Rules: Paper 1 – 30%, Paper 2 – 40%, and overall aggregate – 50% (with 1/3 weightage for Paper 1 and 2/3 for Paper 2).
- Shortlisting for Interview (Phase III): Candidates meeting all cut-offs will be ranked by merit; up to 3 times the number of vacancies will be called for the interview.
- Language of Papers: All papers, except English, will be bilingual (Hindi & English).
Enroll in SEBI Grade A Online Courses Today!
| Online Course | Online Course | Online Course |
| SEBI Grade A | SEBI Grade A IT | SEBI Grade A Legal |
FAQs
Yes, the last stage of the selection process consists of an Interview round. Also note that the weightage of 15% of the interview marks will be considered for final selection.
There are three stages namely, Phase I Exam (2 papers of 100 marks each), Phase II Exam (2 papers of 100 marks each), and Interview.
Yes, there will be negative marking of 1/4th in both papers of Phase 1 and (1/4th of marks assigned to the question) for Paper 2 in Phase 2.
Yes, the prelims will be qualifying in nature as only Phase 2 and Interview Marks will be considered for selection.
As of now, there are no limitations on number of attempts if the candidate fulfills the eligibility criteria. We will update you if something changes in the new notification.
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