The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) conducts the SEBI Grade A exam to recruit Assistant Managers in various streams such as General, Legal, IT, Research, and Official Language. The selection process consists of three stages: Phase 1 (Preliminary Exam), Phase 2 (Main Exam), and Phase 3 (Personal Interview). Candidates must clear each stage to move forward in the selection process. This article provides a clear overview of the SEBI Grade A exam pattern and structure.
What is the SEBI Grade A exam pattern?
The SEBI Grade A Exam has three stages Phase 1 (Prelims) with two objective papers for screening, Phase 2 (Mains) with one descriptive and one objective paper, and an Interview. Marks from Phase 2 and the Interview (85:15 ratio) are used for final selection, while Phase 1 is only qualifying. Negative marking applies in all objective papers.
| Stage | Paper | Subjects/Focus | Type | Marks | Time |
|---|
| Phase 1 (Prelims) | Paper 1 | General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning | Objective | 100 | 60 min |
| Paper 2 | Stream-specific topics | Objective | 100 | 60 min |
| Phase 2 (Mains) | Paper 1 | Descriptive English | Descriptive | 100 | 60 min |
| Paper 2 | Stream-specific topics | Objective | 100 | Varies |
| Interview | – | – | – | 100 | – |
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What is the selection process for SEBI Grade A officers?
The selection process has three stages Phase 1 (Online Screening Test), Phase 2 (Online Examination), and Phase 3 (Interview). The detailed selection process are as follows:
| Phase | Details | Key Points / Cut-offs |
|---|
| 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 (Engg. – Electrical and Civil) | Experience-based marks | Up to 3.75 marks for relevant post-qualification experience |
What is the SEBI Grade A phase 1 exam pattern?
SEBI Grade A Phase I is the online screening examination consisting of two papers of 100 marks each. The Paper 1 is for 100 marks to be attempted in 60 minutes and the cut off is 30%. For Paper 2, the maximum marks is 100, the duration is 40 minutes and the cut off is 40%. The aggregate cut off for both the papers will be 40%.
| Paper | Details | Marks, Duration & Cut-off |
|---|
| Paper 1 - Common for All Streams | Covers General Awareness (including Financial Sector), English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. | 100 marks, 60 minutes. Cut-off: 30%. |
| Paper 2 - Stream-specific Subjects | Based on the candidate's chosen stream (e.g., Commerce, Accountancy, Law, IT, etc.). | 100 marks, 40 minutes. Cut-off: 40%. |
- Phase I is the online screening examination consisting of two papers of 100 marks each.
- The Paper 1 is for 100 marks to be attempted in 60 minutes and the cut off is 30%.
- For Paper 2, the maximum marks is 100, the duration is 40 minutes and the cut off is 40%.
- The aggregate cut off for both the papers will be 40%.
- Negative Marking: 1/4th for both papers in Phase 1.
- Marks secured in Phase 1 will not be counted in final selection.
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What is the SEBI Grade A phase 2 exam pattern?
The SEBI Grade A Phase II is further divided into two papers of 100 marks each. The candidates can check out the detailed SEBI Grade A Syllabus. The Paper 1 have 1/3rd weightage and Paper 2 have 2/3rd weightage. The aggregate cut off for both the papers will be 50%. We have mentioned the detailed revised exam pattern for all the streams below:
What is the SEBI Grade A paper 1(Common) exam pattern?
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 |
What is the SEBI Grade A paper 2(General) exam pattern?
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. |
What is the SEBI Grade A paper 2(Legal) exam pattern?
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. |
What is the SEBI Grade A paper 2(IT) exam pattern?
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. |
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What is the SEBI Grade A paper 2(Research) exam pattern?
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. |
What is the SEBI Grade A paper 2(Official Language) exam pattern?
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) |
What is the SEBI Grade A paper 2(Electrical Engineering) exam pattern?
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 |
What is the SEBI Grade A paper 2(Civil Engineering) exam pattern?
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.
SEBI Grade A Interview
The SEBI Grade A Interview is the final stage of the selection process, the interview assess a candidate's professional knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for the role. Candidates who qualify the earlier phases will be shortlisted for this stage. The interview gives applicants an opportunity to present their expertise, confidence, and understanding of the financial and regulatory sectors.
- Shortlisting: Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for the interview. The application fee will not be refunded to candidates who are not shortlisted for Phase II or the interview.
- Language Option: Candidates can choose to appear for the interview in either English or Hindi, as per their preference.
- Weightage: Marks from Phase II will carry 85% weightage, and the interview will carry 15% weightage in the final selection.
- Experience Bonus: Candidates from Legal, Engineering (Electrical), and Engineering (Civil) streams with relevant post-qualification experience will receive up to 3.75 additional marks (i.e., 3.75% of the total 100 marks).
| Particulars | Weightage | Maximum Marks |
|---|
| Interview | 75% | 11.25 |
| Relevant Experience* | 25% | 3.75 |
| Total | 100% | 15 |
| *Applicable only for Legal, Engineering (Electrical), and Engineering (Civil) streams. |
Note: Candidates must fill in details of their relevant post-qualification experience in the online application form to be considered for the additional marks during the interview process.
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What is the marking scheme for the SEBI Grade A exam?
The Phase 1 exam is conducted for a total of 200 marks, with 1 mark awarded for each correct answer and 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect response. In Phase II, negative marking is applicable only to the objective section of Paper 2, which may vary depending on the stream. For final selection, 85% weightage is given to Phase II scores, while 15% is based on the candidate's performance in the interview.
| Criteria | Considered Marks |
|---|
| For wrong answers | Phase 1 (Paper 1 & 2): –¼ mark
Phase 2 (Paper 2): –¼ mark (except IT stream) |
| For unanswered questions | 0 marks (No penalty) |
Check out SEBI Grade A Cut Off
Key Takeaways
Below are the key takeaways summarizing the SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern:
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) |
| Post | Assistant Manager (Grade A) |
| Streams / Disciplines | General, Legal, Information Technology (IT), Research, Official Language, Engineering (Electrical) |
| Selection Stages | Three Phases: • Phase 1 – Prelims (Screening) • Phase 2 – Mains (Online Exam) • Phase 3 – Interview |
| Phase 1 (Prelims) | • Two Objective Papers (100 marks each) • Paper 1 – General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning (60 min, Cut-off: 30%) • Paper 2 – Stream-specific (40 min, Cut-off: 40%) • Aggregate Cut-off: 40% • Negative Marking: ¼ per wrong answer • Qualifying only – marks not counted for final merit |
| Phase 2 (Mains) | • Two Papers (100 marks each) • Paper 1 – Descriptive English (Essay, Precis, Comprehension) – 60 min, Cut-off: 30% • Paper 2 – Stream-specific (Objective/Descriptive/Coding) – Cut-off: 40% • Aggregate Cut-off: 50% • Weightage – Paper 1: 1/3, Paper 2: 2/3 • Negative Marking: ¼ (MCQs only, except IT stream) |
| Stream-wise Paper 2 (Phase 2) | • General: MCQs on Commerce, Management, Finance, Economics – 90 min • Legal: 70 MCQs + 3 Descriptive Qs – 120 min • IT: MCQs based on the stream – 180 min • Research: Descriptive on Economics, Financial Markets, Statistics – 120 min • Official Language: Translation (Eng↔Hindi) – 90 min • Engineering (Electrical): MCQs on stream subjects – 40 min • Engineering (Civil): MCQs on stream subjects – 40 min |
| Interview (Phase 3) | • Conducted in Hindi or English • Weightage – Phase 2: 85%, Interview: 15% • Candidates up to 3× the vacancies are shortlisted |
| Negative Marking | • Phase 1 (Paper 1 & 2): –¼ mark per wrong answer • Phase 2 (Paper 2 Objective): –¼ mark (except IT stream) • No penalty for unanswered questions |
| Language of Papers | All papers (except English) are bilingual – Hindi & English |
| Admit Cards & Schedule | • Separate hall tickets will be issued for Phase 2 • Paper 2 for multiple streams held in different shifts |
| Experience Weightage | Applicable for Civil & Electrical Streams up to 3.75 marks for relevant experience |
| Final Selection | Based on combined marks of Phase 2 (85%) and Interview (15%) |
