NISM Series VI: Frequently Asked Questions

It is NISM's Depository Operations Certification Examination. It sets a common minimum knowledge benchmark for people who work at a SEBI-registered depository participant (DP) in client-facing, securities-handling, grievance, control and record-keeping roles.

100 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each, for a total of 100 marks.

120 minutes (2 hours).

60%, which is 60 marks out of 100. There is no separate minimum per chapter.

Yes. 25% of a question's marks is deducted for a wrong answer, which is 0.25 marks per wrong answer. An unanswered question scores zero.

13, in the March 2026 workbook. The heaviest is chapter 8, Trading and Settlement, at 13 marks. Chapters 3 and 4, on the depository's business partners and on account opening, carry 12 each.

Yes. The workbook's syllabus outline gives a weightage for every chapter, adding up to 100. With 1 mark per question, each chapter's weightage is also its marks.

₹1,500 plus payment gateway charges.

There is no fixed date. NISM runs the exam on demand: you book an available slot on NISM's certification portal.

It is computer-based. You book a slot and a test centre on NISM's certification portal.

The result is shown on screen when you submit the exam.

Anyone. NISM publishes no minimum educational qualification. The certification is aimed at associated persons of DPs, but students and job seekers can sit it too.

You can register for another attempt on NISM's certification portal. Check the portal for the current re-booking rules and fee before you pick a date.

3 years.

Either re-take the exam or complete NISM's Continuing Professional Education (CPE) programme before the certificate expires. Check NISM's CPE options for the current terms.

No. Series VI covers depository operations at a DP. Series VII covers securities operations and risk management at stock brokers, trading members and clearing members.

NISM's own workbook, version March 2026. The exam is set on it, and its note says to use this version for exams taken on or after April 30, 2026.

Most of the syllabus is processes, forms, parties and rules. NISM has not published a pass rate for it. With 60% needed and 0.25 off for each wrong answer, it needs steady preparation rather than a quick read.

Chapters 8, 3, 4, 2, 9 and 11 together carry 67 of the 100 marks. Study those most, but do not skip the rest: you need 60 marks, so the lighter chapters still count.

With four options, a pure blind guess has a small positive expected value (+0.0625 marks), and ruling out even one option makes a guess clearly worth taking. On average, a guess beats a blank. The cost is variance: many blind guesses can move your score either way.