SEBI Grade A- Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
Regulate India's securities market as an officer at the country's premier capital-market watchdog.
SEBI Grade A recruits Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager) for the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the statutory regulator of India's securities and capital markets. Officers handle market surveillance, policy-making, investor protection and enforcement across a General stream plus specialist streams. With one of the highest Grade A pay packages among Indian regulators, it draws commerce, finance, law, engineering and economics graduates nationwide.
135 (2025 cycle, revised from 110); 97 (2024)
Vacancies / Year
7 - General, Legal, IT, Research, Official Language, Engineering (Civil & Electrical)
Streams
3 (Phase I + Phase II + Interview)
Exam Phases
~₹1.84 lakh/month gross (2025 notification)
Starting Salary
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Eligibility Criteria
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 Limit
Maximum 30 years. Relaxations: SC/ST +5, OBC +3, PwBD +10, plus ex-servicemen and statutory relaxations.
Nationality
Indian citizen (or Nepal/Bhutan subject, Tibetan refugee pre-1962, PIO from specified countries).
Exam Pattern
Three stages, online for the written phases. Phase I (Screening) has two 100-mark objective papers - Paper 1 common and Paper 2 stream-specific - and is qualifying. Phase II (Mains) has Paper 1 (descriptive English, 100) and Paper 2 (stream-specific, 100); Paper 1 carries one-third weight and Paper 2 two-thirds. Final selection weights Phase II 85% and Interview 15%. Objective papers carry ¼ negative marking.
Phase I - Paper 1 (common, all streams)
Online objective (MCQ)60 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness (incl. securities market) | 20 | 25 |
| English Language | 20 | 25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 25 |
| Reasoning Ability | 20 | 25 |
Phase I - Paper 2 (stream-specific)
Online objective (MCQ)40 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Stream subject (General: Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics) | 50 | 100 |
Phase II - Paper 1 (English)
Online descriptive (typed)60 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay, précis writing, reading comprehension | 3 | 100 |
Phase II - Paper 2 (stream-specific)
Online (objective; descriptive for some streams)90 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Stream subject (General: Commerce, Finance, Management, Economics) | 100 | 100 |
Phase III - Interview
Personal interview30 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Interview (15% of final selection) | - | 100 |
Key Topics & Syllabus
Reasoning Ability
- check_circlePuzzles & seating arrangement
- check_circleSyllogism & inequalities
- check_circleCoding-decoding
- check_circleBlood relations & direction
- check_circleData sufficiency
- check_circleLogical/analytical reasoning
- check_circleInput-output
English Language
- check_circleReading comprehension
- check_circleCloze test
- check_circleError detection
- check_circlePara jumbles
- check_circleVocabulary & phrase replacement
- check_circleDescriptive - essay, précis
Quantitative Aptitude
- check_circleData interpretation
- check_circleNumber series
- check_circleSimplification/approximation
- check_circleQuadratic equations
- check_circleArithmetic
- check_circleProbability & PnC
General Awareness & Securities Market
- check_circleCurrent affairs
- check_circleFinancial & banking awareness
- check_circleSEBI, RBI & regulatory framework
- check_circleSecurities market - instruments, intermediaries, exchanges
- check_circleEconomy & government schemes
- check_circleStatic GK
Commerce, Accountancy & Costing
- check_circleAccounting standards & financial statements
- check_circlePartnership & company accounts
- check_circleAuditing basics
- check_circleCost concepts, marginal & standard costing
- check_circleBudgeting & variance analysis
Management, Finance & Companies Act
- check_circleManagement functions & OB, leadership, governance
- check_circleFinancial system & markets
- check_circleFinancial instruments (equity, debt, derivatives)
- check_circleRisk & return, portfolio basics, mutual funds & IPOs
- check_circleCompanies Act 2013 key provisions
- check_circleMicro & macroeconomics
Career Roles & Salary
Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager)
~₹1.84 lakh/month gross (2025 cycle)
Entry officer: market surveillance, investor grievance handling, policy support, inspection and enforcement across SEBI departments.
Manager (Grade B) → Assistant General Manager (Grade C)
~₹2.0–2.4 lakh/month gross
First promotions: leading regulatory desks, supervising intermediaries and executing capital-market policy.
Deputy General Manager → General Manager
₹2.5 L+/month gross
Senior management: departmental headship, framing regulations, and steering enforcement and market development.
Chief General Manager / Executive Director path
₹3 L+/month gross
Top leadership: strategic policy direction, national market oversight and representing SEBI in high-level forums.
Full mock tests for SEBI Grade A
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How to Prepare
Apply online
Register on sebi.gov.in during the application window, upload documents, pay the fee (₹1,000 General; ₹100 SC/ST/PwBD), and select your stream.
Clear Phase I (Screening)
Sit both online objective papers - Paper 1 (common) and Paper 2 (stream-specific) - clearing sectional and aggregate cut-offs. Phase I is qualifying; sharpen speed with free SEBI Grade A mock tests on PrepClever.
Clear Phase II (Mains)
Attempt Paper 1 (descriptive English, 100) and Paper 2 (stream-specific, 100). Paper 1 carries one-third and Paper 2 two-thirds weight.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates attend a personal interview worth 15% of final selection; Legal/Engineering candidates may earn small experience-based bonus marks.
Final merit list
Ranking is Phase II (85%) + Interview (15%), stream-wise and category-wise.
Document verification & joining
Clear document verification and pre-employment medical, then join as Officer Grade A at a SEBI office.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | Varies by cycle (late October in the 2025 cycle; April in 2024) |
| Online application window | ~4 weeks from notification (30 October – 28 November in the 2025 cycle) |
| Phase I exam | Typically 6–8 weeks after applications close (10 January 2026 for the 2025 cycle) |
| Phase II exam | ~6 weeks after Phase I (21 February 2026 for the 2025 cycle) |
| Interview | Usually 2–3 months after Phase II |
| Final result | Varies by year, generally 2–4 months after Phase II |
* Dates are indicative based on historical patterns. Check the official website for confirmed dates.
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SEBI Grade A FAQ
What qualification is needed for SEBI Grade A?
The General stream needs a Master's/PG diploma, or a Bachelor's in Law or Engineering, or CA/CS/CFA/Cost Accountant. Specialist streams require the relevant degree. Maximum age is 30 (with relaxations).
What is the salary of a SEBI Grade A officer?
Per the 2025 notification, gross monthly emoluments are about ₹1.84 lakh (without SEBI quarters) - among the highest for any Grade A regulator post, alongside benefits like medical, LTC and NPS.
How many vacancies does SEBI Grade A have?
It varies by cycle - the 2025 notification initially announced 110 posts, later revised to 135 across seven streams, with the General stream carrying the most (77 after revision). The 2024 cycle had 97.
Is SEBI Grade A tougher than a bank PO exam?
Yes, considerably. It requires deep stream-specific knowledge (Commerce, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics or a specialist subject) alongside general aptitude, a descriptive Mains, and low vacancy counts.
SEBI Grade A vs RBI Grade B - which should I choose?
SEBI offers higher gross pay and a capital-markets focus (largely Mumbai postings); RBI offers central-banking breadth and nationwide offices. The aptitude and finance syllabi overlap substantially, so many aspirants prepare for both in the same season.
How many streams are there and can I switch?
Seven - General, Legal, IT, Research, Official Language, Engineering (Civil) and Engineering (Electrical). You apply for one stream matching your qualification and cannot switch after applying, since Paper 2 is stream-specific.
How much does the interview count?
The interview carries 15% weightage in final selection, with Phase II contributing 85%; Phase I is only qualifying.
Is there a limit on attempts?
There is no fixed attempt limit - you may apply in any cycle as long as you meet the age criteria (with relaxations).
When is the next SEBI Grade A notification expected?
SEBI's timing varies - the 2024 notification came in April and the 2025 one in late October. Keep an eye on sebi.gov.in careers and begin stream-subject preparation early rather than waiting.
How long does it take to prepare for SEBI Grade A?
Plan 6–9 months: 2–3 months on aptitude and securities-market awareness for Phase I, then sustained work on your stream subject and descriptive writing for Phase II. Benchmark yourself weekly with free SEBI Grade A mock tests on PrepClever.
Is Phase I counted in the final merit?
No. Phase I is a qualifying screen only; final merit uses Phase II (85%) plus the Interview (15%).
Where are SEBI Grade A officers posted?
Primarily at SEBI's head office in Mumbai, with possible postings at regional and local offices across India.
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