The IFSCA Grade A exam 2026 is conducted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority to recruit Assistant Managers across various streams, including General, Legal, and Information Technology (IT). The exam is structured in three phases Phase I (Screening), Phase II (Main Exam), and Phase III (Interview) to assess candidates on general aptitude, language skills, and specialized knowledge relevant to the financial sector. Understanding the exam pattern, marks distribution, cut-offs, and phase-wise weightage is crucial for effective preparation. In this blog, we provide a detailed exam pattern, along with the Phase I and Phase II exam patterns for the General and other streams.
What is the IFSCA Grade A exam pattern ?
The IFSCA Grade A recruitment 2026 is conducted in three stages to select candidates for the post of Assistant Manager. The first two stages are online exams, designed to test both general aptitude and specialized knowledge in streams like General, Legal, and Information Technology (IT). Phase I is a screening test to shortlist candidates for the main exam. Phase II is the mains exam, which assesses in-depth subject knowledge and English language skills. Candidates who clear Phase II are called for Phase III, the interview, which carries 15% weightage in the final selection. Marks from Phase II contribute 85% to the final score, while IT stream candidates must also clear a coding test before the interview.
- Phase I (Preliminary / Screening):
- Two papers, 100 marks each, 60 minutes per paper.
- Paper 1: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness.
- Paper 2: Stream-specific topics (Financial Sector for General, Legal, or IT streams).
- Marks are only for shortlisting; negative marking of 1/4th applies.
- Two papers, 100 marks each, 60 minutes per paper.
- Paper 1: Descriptive English – Essay, Precis, and Comprehension.
- Paper 2: Advanced stream-specific topics (Finance, Economy, IFSCA operations, etc.).
- Aggregate cut-off: 40%; Paper 1 weightage – 1/3rd, Paper 2 – 2/3rd.
- Negative marking applies for Paper 2; Paper 1 evaluated only if Paper 2 is cleared.
- Candidates who qualify Phase II are called for the interview.
- Marks carry 15% weightage in final selection; Phase II carries 85%.
- IT stream candidates must clear a coding test before the interview.
- Candidates can appear in Hindi or English.
- All papers except English are bilingual (Hindi & English).
- Application fee is non-refundable for candidates not shortlisted.
- IFSCA may offer the post to the next candidate if a selected candidate does not join; there is no obligation to fill the post.
Attempt IFSCA Grade A Mock Test
What is the selection process for IFSCA Grade A 2026?
The selection process for IFSCA Grade A is a three-stage recruitment system that evaluates candidates through written exams and an interview. The first phase is a screening test, which shortlists candidates for the main exam. Phase II is the main examination where marks contribute to the final score, and Phase III is the interview, carrying 15% weightage. Candidates in the IT stream must also clear a coding test before the interview.
| Phase | Type | Purpose | Weightage / Notes |
|---|
| Phase I | On-line Screening Exam | Shortlists candidates for Phase II; marks not counted for final selection | Two papers, 100 marks each; negative marking 1/4th; aggregate cut-off 40% |
| Phase II | On-line Main Exam | Marks contribute to final selection | Two papers, 100 marks each; Paper 1 (Descriptive English) – 1/3rd weightage, Paper 2 (Stream-specific MCQs) – 2/3rd weightage; aggregate cut-off 40% |
| Phase III | Interview | Final selection based on Phase II + Interview marks | 15% weightage; language choice: Hindi or English; IT stream must clear coding test |
What is the IFSCA Grade A phase 1 exam pattern?
The phase I is an online screening examination consisting of two papers of 100 marks each. Paper 1 is common for all streams, testing general awareness, reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English. Paper 2 is stream-specific, testing either legal, IT, or general finance knowledge. Marks are used only for shortlisting, and separate cut-offs must be cleared in both papers along with an aggregate cut-off of 40%.
| Paper | Stream / Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration | Cut-off | Notes |
|---|
| Paper 1 | All streams | General Awareness (25), English (25), Quantitative Aptitude (25), Reasoning (25) | 100 | 60 mins | 30% | Negative marking: 1/4th |
| Paper 2 | Legal / IT | Stream-specific subject, 50 MCQs × 2 marks each | 100 | 60 mins | 40% | Refer annexure for syllabus; negative marking 1/4th |
| Paper 2 | General | General knowledge, economy, finance, banking, schemes, GIFT IFSC, five-year plans, global financial centres (50 MCQs × 2 marks) | 100 | 60 mins | 40% | Negative marking: 1/4th |
| Aggregate | - | - | 200 | - | 40% | Marks only for shortlisting Phase II |
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What is the IFSCA Grade A phase 2 exam pattern?
The IFSCA Grade A phase II is the main online examination where marks are counted towards final selection. It has two papers of 100 marks each: Paper 1 is common for all streams and is descriptive (English), while Paper 2 is stream-specific, covering specialized subjects in Legal, IT, or General streams. Separate cut-offs apply, and Paper 1 is evaluated only if the candidate qualifies Paper 2.
| Paper | Stream / Subjects | Questions / Sections | Marks | Duration | Cut-off | Weightage | Notes |
|---|
| Paper 1 | All streams | Descriptive English: Precis – 35, Essay – 30, Comprehension – 35 | 100 | 60 mins | 30% | 1/3rd | Evaluated only if Paper 2 qualified |
| Paper 2 | Legal / IT | Stream-specific MCQs: 50 questions × 2 marks each | 100 | 60 mins | 40% | 2/3rd | Negative marking: 1/4th |
| Paper 2 | General | MCQs: IFSCA Act, Union Budget, Economic Survey, Banking, Capital Market, Insurance, Pension Funds, Bullion, GIFT City / IFSC, Global Financial Centres, etc. | 100 | 60 mins | 40% | 2/3rd | Negative marking: 1/4th |
| Aggregate | All streams | - | 200 | - | 40% | - | Final cut-off decided by Competent Authority |
Check: IFSCA Grade A Syllabus
What is the IFSCA Grade A phase 3 interview process?
Phase III is the interview, conducted only for candidates who qualify Phase II. The interview carries 15% weightage in final selection, while Phase II contributes 85%. Candidates may choose Hindi or English. IT stream candidates must clear the coding test before being eligible for the interview. IFSCA reserves the right to modify the selection process and decide on offers based on merit and number of vacancies.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|
| Eligible Candidates | Only those shortlisted after Phase II |
| Weightage | Phase II – 85%, Interview – 15% |
| Language | Hindi or English |
| IT Stream | Must clear coding test before interview |
| Final Selection | Based on total marks of Phase II + Phase III |
| Notes | IFSCA may offer the post to next candidate if selected candidate does not join; no obligation to fill the post |
Solve IFSCA Grade A Previous Year Papers
Key Takeaways
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Exam Purpose | To recruit Assistant Managers across General, Legal, and IT streams in IFSCA |
| Selection Stages | Three stages: Phase I (Screening), Phase II (Mains), Phase III (Interview) |
| Phase I (Preliminary / Screening) | Two papers of 100 marks each, 60 mins per paper; Paper 1 – Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Awareness; Paper 2 – Stream-specific topics; Negative marking 1/4th; Marks used only for shortlisting; Aggregate cut-off 40% |
| Phase II (Mains Exam) | Two papers of 100 marks each, 60 mins per paper; Paper 1 – Descriptive English (Essay, Precis, Comprehension), Paper 2 – Stream-specific MCQs; Paper 1 weightage 1/3, Paper 2 2/3; Aggregate cut-off 40%; Paper 1 evaluated only if Paper 2 cleared; Negative marking in Paper 2 |
| Phase III (Interview) | For candidates qualifying Phase II; Weightage 15% in final selection (Phase II – 85%); IT stream candidates must clear coding test; Language – Hindi or English |
| Final Selection | Based on combined marks of Phase II and Interview; IFSCA may offer post to next candidate if selected candidate does not join; No obligation to fill vacancy |
| Language of Exam | All papers except English are bilingual (Hindi & English) |
| Application Fee | Non-refundable for candidates not shortlisted |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th of marks assigned for wrong answers in Phase I papers and Phase II Paper 2 |
| Cut-offs | Phase I – Paper 1: 30%, Paper 2: 40%, Aggregate: 40%; Phase II – Paper 1: 30%, Paper 2: 40%, Aggregate: 40% |
| Streams Covered | General, Legal, IT |
