IFSCA Grade A Exam Pattern: Candidates planning to apply for the IFSCA Grade A post must have a good understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus in advance. This will help them create a preparation schedule to succeed in the exam. The exam consists of two phases, each having two papers. After qualifying both phases, candidates will move on to the interview for the final round of selection. Hence, we have provided the IFSCA Grade A Exam Pattern in detail in the article below for candidates' reference.
IFSCA Grade A Exam Pattern
IFSCA Grade A Recruitment will be conducted in three major stages to select eligible candidates for the post of Assistant Manager in the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The selection process is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge, aptitude, communication skills, and subject expertise related to finance and regulatory services. The first two phases of the IFSCA Grade A Exam are online tests, each comprising two papers. Candidates must clear each phase to move to the next. Check out the detailed stages of the IFSCA Assistant Manager Exam below:
- Phase 1: Online Exam (Preliminary): This is the screening test and consists of Paper 1 (Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness) and Paper 2 (Financial Sector-related topics). Both papers carry 100 marks each with a time duration of 60 minutes per paper.
- Phase 2: Online Exam (Mains): This phase tests in-depth subject knowledge and descriptive English skills. Paper 1 is a descriptive English paper (essay, precis, comprehension), while Paper 2 includes advanced topics related to finance, economy, and the functioning of IFSCA.
- Phase 3: Interview: Candidates who qualify Phase 2 are shortlisted for the Interview round. The final merit list is prepared based on combined marks from Phase 2 and the Interview.
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IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025
To prepare effectively for the IFSCA Grade A Exam 2025, it's important to understand the detailed syllabus for both Phase 1 and Phase 2. The syllabus covers a mix of general and specialized topics aimed at testing the candidate's knowledge, aptitude, and understanding of the financial sector.
| Phase | Paper | Subjects/Topics |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Paper 1 (General) | - General Awareness (with special reference to Financial Sector) - Quantitative Aptitude - Reasoning Ability - English Language |
| Phase 1 & 2 | Paper 2 (Specialized) | - Economics and Finance - Management - Commerce and Accountancy - General Principles of Laws - Securities Markets - International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) - Role and Functions of IFSCA |
IFSCA Grade A Phase 1 Exam Pattern
The IFSCA Grade A Assistant Manager Phase I Exam 2025 includes two papers. To qualify for the next stage, candidates must secure an overall score of 40%. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 have negative marking—1/4th of the marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
In Paper 1, candidates must score at least 30% overall, though there is no sectional cut-off. For Paper 2, the minimum qualifying mark is 40%. Candidates must clear the individual cut-offs for both papers as well as the overall 40% aggregate to move on to Phase II. However, it's important to note that Phase I marks are only used for shortlisting and will not be considered in the final selection.
Paper 1: IFSCA Grade A Phase 1 Exam Pattern
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Cut-Off | Duration |
|---|
| General Awareness (Financial Sector) | 25 | 25 | 30% | |
| English Language | 25 | 25 | | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | | |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | | 60 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | | |
Paper 2: IFSCA Exam Pattern 2025
| Stream | Subjects | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Cut-Off | Duration |
|---|
| General Stream | MCQs on General Studies | 50 | 100 | 40% | 60 Minutes |
| Legal Stream | MCQs on Specialised Subjects | — | 100 | 40% | 60 Minutes |
Aggregate Cut-Off: 40% (for both papers combined)
Check IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025
IFSCA Grade A Phase 2 Exam Pattern
IFSCA Grade A Phase 2 Exam Pattern is divided into two papers where Paper 1 will be of English and it will be descriptive in nature. Paper 2 will be MCQ relevant to the stream. The phase 2 exam pattern have been discussed in detail below:
| Papers | Subjects |
|---|
| Paper I (Common for both streams) | English (Descriptive Test)
Precis Writing – 35 marks
Essay writing – 30 marks
Comprehension- 35 marks |
| Paper II | General Stream
MCQs on subjects like IFSCA Act, Union Budget, Economic Survey, Banking, Capital Market, Insurance, Pension Funds, Bullion, GIFT
City, GIFT IFSC, IFSCA, Global Financial Centres etc.
(50 questions X 2 marks each)
Legal Stream
MCQs on Specialized subject related to stream |
- There shall be a negative marking (1/4th of marks assigned to the question) for Paper 2 in Phase II.
- Candidates would need to secure separate cut offs in each paper and aggregate cut off marks of 40% in the Phase II exam (weightage of 1/3rd for Paper 1 and 2/3rd for Paper 2) to be shortlisted for Phase III.
- The duration for both the papers is 60 minutes each.
- The maximum marks are 100 marks each for both Paper 1 & Paper 2.
- Candidates equaling 3 times the number of vacancies shall be shortlisted, in order of merit, for Phase III i.e. the Interview.
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IFSCA Grade A Interview 2025
Only the shortlisted candidates will be called for the interview. The application fee shall not be refunded to the candidates not shortlisted for Phase II and Interview. The weightage of marks obtained in Phase II will be 85%, while marks obtained in the interview shall be given a weightage of 15%.
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