NISM Series XVII Retirement Adviser: pattern, syllabus and full mock tests
NISM Series XVII is the certification for individuals and representatives of retirement advisers registered under the PFRDA (Retirement Adviser) Regulations, 2016.
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Access exam-specific mock tests directly from your Android device.Trusted by learners and rated 4.6★ on Google Play.NISM-Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser Certification Examination is conducted by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), the institute set up by SEBI. NISM Series XVII is the certification for individuals and representatives of retirement advisers registered under the PFRDA (Retirement Adviser) Regulations, 2016.
Eligibility Criteria
schoolEducation
NISM publishes no minimum educational qualification for this exam.
cakeAge Limit
No prescribed minimum age.
flagNationality
No nationality condition is published.
Exam Pattern
NISM Series XVII is a single computer-based exam of 100 questions for 100 marks, in 2 hours. The passing score is 60% (60 marks), with negative marking of 25% of a question's marks for each wrong answer. The certificate is valid for 3 years. Chapter weightages are from NISM's workbook, version June 2025.
NISM Series XVII Certification Exam
Computer-based120 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Concepts in Retirement Planning | 5 | 5 |
| Financial Markets and Investment Products | 10 | 10 |
| Retirement Planning | 15 | 15 |
| Retirement Planning Products: National Pension System | 20 | 20 |
| Evaluating Fund Performance and Fund Selection | 10 | 10 |
| Retirement Planning Products: Other Investment Products | 8 | 8 |
| Retirement Planning Strategies | 12 | 12 |
| Special Situations in Retirement | 10 | 10 |
| Regulations and Regulators | 10 | 10 |
Key Topics & Syllabus
1. Fundamental Concepts in Retirement Planning (5 marks)
- check_circleNeed for retirement planning
- check_circleBasic financial concepts: time value of money, compounding, inflation, real rate of return, present and future value
- check_circleFeatures of the retirement goal
2. Financial Markets and Investment Products (10 marks)
- check_circleNeed for investing to reach retirement goals and savings versus investments
- check_circleAsset classes and sub-asset classes, their features and returns
- check_circleCommon risks in investments and matching investor needs to asset class features
3. Retirement Planning (15 marks)
- check_circleEvaluating the client's current situation
- check_circleSetting the retirement goal: estimating retirement expenses and computing the required corpus
- check_circleInvesting for accumulation
4. Retirement Planning Products: National Pension System (20 marks)
- check_circleNPS intermediaries and constituents: PFRDA, CRA, POPs, pension funds, trustee bank, custodian, annuity service providers
- check_circleNPS models and types of accounts (Tier I, Tier II, all-citizen, corporate, government sector)
- check_circleFees and charges relating to NPS
5. Evaluating Fund Performance and Fund Selection (10 marks)
- check_circleReturn on investment and types of return calculations (absolute, annualised, CAGR, XIRR)
- check_circleMeasures of risk and their interpretation
- check_circleBenchmarks and performance evaluation of funds
6. Retirement Planning Products: Other Investment Products (8 marks)
- check_circleMandatory retirement benefit schemes: EPF, EPS, EDLI and gratuity
- check_circleVoluntary accumulation-stage products: PPF, mutual funds, insurance and pension plans
- check_circleVoluntary distribution-stage products: annuities, SCSS, PMVVY, deposits and SWPs
7. Retirement Planning Strategies (12 marks)
- check_circleBridging the shortfall in the retirement corpus
- check_circlePeriodic investments
- check_circleRetirement income from multiple sources and the bucket strategy
8. Special Situations in Retirement (10 marks)
- check_circleDebt obligations and loans in retirement
- check_circleEmployment in retirement, planning for medical costs and providing for the spouse
- check_circleTax impact of retirement benefits and corpus
9. Regulations and Regulators (10 marks)
- check_circleIndian regulatory system and the role of other regulators (Ministry of Finance, MCA, RBI, SEBI, IRDAI)
- check_circleRole of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority and the PFRDA Act, 2013
- check_circlePFRDA (Retirement Adviser) Regulations: registration, eligibility, obligations, code of conduct and fees
Inside NISM Series XVII Premium
Full-length mock tests
Timed 120-minute papers in the NISM XVII pattern, scored against the 60% pass mark.
Chapter-wise question bank
Practise each of the 9 workbook chapters as a separate drill.
AI study plan
Tells you which chapter to drill next, based on where you're losing marks.
Every answer explained
A worked explanation on every question, so a wrong answer becomes a fixed gap.
How to Prepare
Register on the NISM certification portal
Create an account on NISM's certification portal and complete your profile.
Select the exam and pay the fee
Choose NISM-Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser Certification Examination and pay ₹1,500 plus payment gateway charges online.
Book your test slot
Schedule the exam on any available date.
Study the official workbook
NISM's workbook (version June 2025) is the syllabus, and its weightage table sets the paper.
Take and pass the exam
100 questions in 2 hours. Score at least 60%, with 25% negative marking per wrong answer.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Certificate validity | 3 years from passing |
* Dates are indicative based on historical patterns. Check the official website for confirmed dates.
Prepare for NISM Series XVII the smarter way
Free mock tests, chapter-wise practice questions and a personalized study plan, built around the latest NISM Series XVII pattern.
NISM Series XVII guides
- SyllabusFull NISM Series XVII (Retirement Adviser) syllabus: all 9 chapters with exam weightage, plus free practice on the current workbook.
- Exam PatternNISM Series XVII exam pattern: 100 marks in 2 hours, 0.25 negative marking, pass at 60 out of 100 (60%). Verify with NISM.
- EligibilityWho must hold NISM Series XVII (Retirement Adviser), who can take it, and what SEBI actually requires. There is no minimum qualification, so here is the real answer.
- Registration & DatesHow to register for NISM Series XVII: there are no fixed exam dates, so you book your own slot. Fee ₹1,500, 3-year validity, re-attempt rules.
- Study MaterialNISM Series XVII study material reviewed honestly: the official workbook, what it does and doesn't cover, and what to add. Free practice included.
- PreparationA realistic NISM Series XVII study plan: how long it takes and chapter order by weightage. No pass rate has been published yet for this certification.
- FAQsCommon NISM Series XVII questions answered: fee ₹1,500, 3-year validity, 0.25 negative marking, re-attempts and CPE renewal.
- Negative markingHow negative marking works on the NISM Series XVII paper: 0.25 marks off per wrong answer against 100 total, what that means for guessing, and when to skip.
- Retirement PlanningRetirement planning step by step: estimating expenses, calculating the corpus with a worked example, the risks to cover, and how NISM Series XVII tests it.
- NPS Tax BenefitWhich NPS deductions survive in the new tax regime: employer contribution up to 14% of salary only. Old vs new regime table, s.124 and a worked example.
- Formula SheetThe 10 formulas NISM Series XVII questions use most: inflated expenses, real return, corpus, shortfall and saving needed. With a worked example.
NISM Series XVII FAQ
Is NISM 17 the same as NISM Series XVII?
Yes. NISM 17 and NISM Series XVII are the same Retirement Adviser certification exam.
Who needs NISM Series XVII?
NISM Series XVII is the certification for individuals and representatives of retirement advisers registered under the PFRDA (Retirement Adviser) Regulations, 2016.
What is the passing mark?
60%, that is 60 marks out of 100.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. Each wrong answer costs 25% of that question's marks.
What is the exam fee?
₹1,500 plus payment gateway charges, paid directly to NISM.
How long is the certificate valid?
3 years.
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