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 | – |
Attempt SEBI Grade A Mock Test
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?
The online exam has two objective papers on the same day. Paper 1 is common for all streams, and Paper 2 is stream-specific. The test lasts 100 minutes, but candidates should allow around 180 minutes for login, instructions, and verification. All questions are multiple-choice with negative marking. Except for English, all sections are in English and Hindi.
| Paper | Stream / Subject | Sections / Subjects Covered | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Language | Duration | Cut-off |
|---|
| Paper 1 | Common for all streams | General Awareness (including Financial Sector) | 20 | 25 | Bilingual (English & Hindi) | 60 Minutes | 30% |
| English Language | 20 | 25 | English only |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 25 | Bilingual |
| Reasoning Ability | 20 | 25 | Bilingual |
| Total (Paper I) | 80 | 100 | |
| Paper 2 | General Stream | Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics | 50 | 100 | Bilingual | 40 Minutes | 40% |
| Specialized Streams (Legal, IT, Research, Official Language, Engineering - Civil/Electrical) | Questions from respective specialized subjects | 50 | 100 | As applicable | 40 Minutes | 40% |
- Exam type: Objective-type multiple choice questions (MCQs)
- Answer options: Each question has five options with only one correct answer
- Attempt method: Candidates must select the correct option using a mouse click
- Negative marking: 1/4th of the marks will be deducted for every wrong answer
- Score calculation: Based on correct answers after applying negative marking
- Normalization: Scores are normalized across sessions to adjust difficulty levels
- Cut-off (overall): Minimum 40% aggregate required by combining Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Sectional cut-off: May be applied separately for individual papers and overall score
What is the SEBI Grade A phase 2 exam pattern?
The SEBI Grade A Phase 2 exam consists of Paper 1 (Common for all streams) and Paper 2 (Stream-specific). Paper 1 is descriptive and tests English drafting skills. Paper 2 varies depending on the chosen stream and can be objective or descriptive.
Also Check: SEBI Grade A Syllabus
All streams Paper 1 (English Descriptive)
This paper is common to all streams and designed to assess the candidate's writing, comprehension, and drafting skills. Candidates need to type their answers using a computer keyboard.
| Paper | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Essay, Precis, Comprehension | 100 | 60 min |
- Cut-off: 30%
- Weightage: 1/3rd of Phase 2 marks
- Type: Descriptive (answers to be typed)
General Stream Paper 2 (Objective Type)
This paper evaluates the candidate's knowledge in Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics through objective questions.
| Paper | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| MCQs on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics | 100 | 90 min |
- Cut-off: 40%
- Weightage: 2/3rd of Phase 2 marks
- Type: Objective (multiple-choice)
- Penalty: 1/4th marks deducted for each wrong answer
Legal Stream Paper 2 (Objective + Descriptive)
This paper tests candidates on legal knowledge. It consists of an objective section and a descriptive section on specialized legal subjects.
| Paper | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| MCQs on stream-specific legal topics | 70 | 60 min |
| Descriptive questions on specialized legal subjects (3 × 10 marks each) | 30 | 60 min |
- Cut-off: 40%
- Weightage: 2/3rd of Phase 2 marks
- Type: Objective + Descriptive (answers to be typed)
Explore SEBI Grade A Courses
Information Technology Stream Paper 2 (Objective Type)
This paper assesses IT skills including programming logic, debugging, syntax, dry runs, and data analysis. All questions are objective.
| Paper | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| MCQs: logic flow, debugging, syntax, program dry run, data analysis | 100 | 180 min |
- Cut-off: 40%
- Weightage: 2/3rd of Phase 2 marks
- Type: Objective (multiple-choice)
Research Stream Paper 2 (Descriptive)
This paper evaluates research aptitude and practical knowledge in financial markets, economics, and statistics through descriptive questions.
| Paper | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Section A: Financial Markets (2 of 4 questions, 25 marks each) | 50 | 120 min |
| Section B: Economics (2 of 4 questions, 12.5 marks each) | 25 | 120 min |
| Section C: Statistics (1 of 3 questions, 25 marks) | 25 | 120 min |
- Cut-off: 40%
- Weightage: 2/3rd of Phase 2 marks
- Type: Descriptive (answers to be typed)
Official Language Stream Paper 2 (Descriptive)
This paper tests translation and comprehension skills in English and Hindi, including general and technical/legal texts, notings, and sentences.
| Paper | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| English ↔ Hindi translation (simple paragraph, 150 words) | 40 | 90 min |
| English ↔ Hindi translation (technical/legal paragraph) | 40 | 90 min |
| Notings (5 each, English ↔ Hindi) | 10 | 90 min |
| Short sentences translation (English ↔ Hindi) | 10 | 90 min |
- Cut-off: 40%
- Weightage: 2/3rd of Phase 2 marks
- Type: Descriptive
Engineering Stream (Electrical & Civil) Paper 2 (Objective)
This paper assesses engineering knowledge and problem-solving skills through objective questions specific to Electrical or Civil engineering.
| Paper | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|
| MCQs: stream-specific engineering questions | 100 | 40 min |
- Cut-off: 40%
- Weightage: 2/3rd of Phase 2 marks
- Type: Objective
Also Check: SEBI Grade A Information Handout
SEBI Grade A Interview
The SEBI Grade A interview is the final stage of the selection process, where candidates are assessed on their knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for the Assistant Manager role. Candidates who clear earlier stages are shortlisted for this round. The interview can be held in English or Hindi, and in the final selection, Phase 2 carries 85% weightage while the interview has 15%. Candidates from Legal, Electrical, or Civil streams with relevant experience may also get bonus 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.
Check out SEBI Grade A Salary
What is the marking scheme for the SEBI Grade A exam?
SEBI Grade A Phase 1 exam is conducted for 200 marks, with 1 mark for each correct answer and 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer. In Phase 2, negative marking applies only to the objective section of Paper 2 and may vary by stream. For the final selection, 85% weightage is given to Phase 2 marks and 15% to 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%) |
