SEBI Grade A vs IFSCA Grade A: Which Should You Choose?
India's securities regulator or the GIFT City regulator? Officer Grade A exams compared side by side.
SEBI Grade A and IFSCA Grade A recruit Assistant Managers for two financial regulators with similar exam designs: two objective papers in Phase I, an English and a stream paper in Phase II, then an interview. SEBI regulates India's securities markets nationwide; IFSCA is the single regulator for banking, capital markets, insurance and funds in the International Financial Services Centre at GIFT City.
SEBI Grade A
SEBI Grade A: Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager)
- Vacancies / Year
- 97 (2024 cycle, all streams)
- Streams
- 6: General, Legal, IT, Research, Official Language, Engineering
- Exam Phases
- 3 (Phase I + Phase II + Interview)
- Starting Salary
- ~₹1,49,500/month gross; CTC ~₹22-24 LPA
Eligibility
Education: General: Master's/PG diploma, or Bachelor's in Law/Engineering, or CA/CFA/CS/Cost Accountant. Legal: LLB. IT: B.E./B.Tech/MCA/M.Sc/MBA in IT/CS/Electronics. Research: Master's in Economics/Commerce/Business/Finance/Statistics. Official Language: Master's in Hindi with English at degree level. Engineering: B.E./B.Tech Civil or Electrical.
Age: Maximum 30 years. Relaxations: SC/ST +5, OBC +3, PwBD +10, plus ex-servicemen and statutory relaxations.
IFSCA Grade A
IFSCA: Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager)
- Vacancies / Year
- 20 (2025: General 12, Legal 4, IT 4)
- Streams
- General, Legal, Information Technology
- Exam Phases
- 3 (Phase I 2 papers + Phase II 2 papers + Interview)
- Starting Salary
- Basic ₹62,500; gross ~₹1.80 lakh/month
Eligibility
Education: General: Master's (Economics/Commerce/Statistics/Business-Finance) OR Bachelor's in Engineering OR CA/CS/CMA/CFA/MBA-Finance. Legal: LLB. IT: B.E./B.Tech (IT/CS/ECE) or MCA/M.Sc IT. Minimum-marks conditions per notification.
Age: Maximum 30 years. Relaxations: SC/ST +5, OBC +3, PwBD (+10/+13/+15), plus ex-servicemen.
Key differences at a glance
- SEBI regulates Indian securities markets; IFSCA regulates all financial services in the IFSC at GIFT City.
- SEBI had 97 vacancies in 2024 across six streams; IFSCA had 20 in 2025 across three streams.
- IFSCA Grade A's gross pay (~₹1.80 lakh/month) is higher than SEBI Grade A's (~₹1.49 lakh/month).
- Both have two objective Phase I papers, an English and a stream paper in Phase II, and an interview.
- Both have a maximum age of 30, and their general streams need a master's, an engineering degree or a professional qualification.
Which should you choose?
Choose SEBI Grade A for a larger intake, six streams and a career across India's capital markets. Choose IFSCA Grade A if international finance and building a new financial centre appeal to you, and you're comfortable with a posting at GIFT City in Gujarat. It pays more at entry, but takes only around 20 officers a year. The exam designs are close enough to prepare for both.
SEBI Grade A vs IFSCA Grade A: FAQ
Where are IFSCA officers posted?
IFSCA is headquartered at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, which is where its work is based.
Which pays more?
IFSCA Grade A, at about ₹1.80 lakh a month gross, against about ₹1.49 lakh for SEBI Grade A.
Can I prepare for both together?
Yes. The exam structures are similar and both test finance, economics and English, though their regulatory syllabi differ.
Decided? Start preparing free.
Create a free account, pick either exam, and practise real exam-pattern questions today.
Pick your exam and start
Every plan is a one-time payment with no subscription. Start free first — the free tier is real practice, not a preview.
IC-38 · IRDAI Insurance Agent Exam
IC-38 Premium
₹249₹49950% offValid for 1 month · One-time payment
- Full-length mock tests
- Chapter-wise MCQs
- English + Hindi
Mutual Fund Distributors
NISM Series V-A
₹399₹79950% offValid for 1 month · One-time payment
- 1,500+ Series V-A questions
- Unlimited full-length mocks
- AI study plan
IBPS Clerk · CRP Clerical Cadre
IBPS Clerk Premium
₹249₹49950% offValid for 1 month · One-time payment
- Prelims + mains mocks
- Speed drills
- Accuracy analytics
IBPS PO · CRP Probationary Officer
IBPS PO Premium
₹399₹79950% offValid for 1 month · One-time payment
- Prelims + mains mocks
- PO-level puzzle & DI bank
- Banking awareness packs
JAIIB · IIBF Certification
JAIIB Premium
₹499₹99950% offValid for 1 month · One-time payment
- Paper-wise mock tests
- Numericals with solutions
- Case-based MCQs
SEBI Grade A · Officer (Assistant Manager)
SEBI Grade A Premium
₹499₹99950% offValid for 1 month · One-time payment
- Phase 1 & 2 full mocks
- Paper 2 subject banks
- Descriptive English prep