Below is a strong list of 30 essay-topics that you, as a serious aspirant of SEBI Grade A (General Stream), must cover. These are drawn from recent trends in capital markets, finance, regulatory policy, technology in finance, economics and social issues — all relevant to the descriptive English paper (Paper 1) of Phase 2.
Category A: Market Regulation & Investor Protection (6 Topics)
These topics test your understanding of SEBI’s core mandate — transparency, stability and investor confidence.
- Role of SEBI in ensuring market integrity and investor protection
- Corporate governance reforms in India: A regulatory outlook
- Insider trading, market manipulation and regulatory safeguards
- The role of credit rating agencies in India: Reform and oversight
- Mergers & acquisitions in the Indian corporate sector: Regulatory implications
- Antitrust and competition law in financial markets: Emerging needs
Category B: Technology & Financial Innovation (7 Topics)
Technology is disrupting finance — these topics connect fintech and regulation.
- Emerging trends in fintech and their impact on Indian capital markets
- Regulation of cryptocurrencies and digital assets in India
- Blockchain applications in the securities market: Myths vs reality
- The impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on financial services
- Open banking and APIs: Future of financial intermediation in India
- Data privacy and cybersecurity challenges in finance
- Behavioural finance and investor education: Why they matter
Category C: Financial Inclusion & Economic Development (6 Topics)
Essays here blend finance with social impact — a key focus of modern regulators.
- Financial inclusion through securities markets: Challenges and opportunities
- Women in finance: Inclusion, leadership and policy interventions
- Demographic dividend of India and its significance for financial markets
- Public sector disinvestment: Implications for economy and markets
- Capital market access for retail investors: Risks and regulation
- Start-ups and capital markets: Opportunities, regulation & growth
Category D: Sustainability & Ethical Finance (5 Topics)
This category reflects the rising importance of ESG and responsible investing.
- Sustainable finance and green investments in India
- Climate change risk and ESG investing in the Indian financial system
- Corporate ethics and accountability in financial decision-making
- The role of media and financial literacy in strengthening capital markets
- Global standards and India’s path to ethical financial regulation
Category E: Macroeconomy & Global Financial Integration (6 Topics)
These essays link finance to broader economic and geopolitical themes.
- Globalisation of Indian financial markets: Opportunities and risks
- Economic reforms, structural change and capital market response
- Sovereign wealth funds and foreign institutional investors in India
- Post-pandemic recovery of financial markets and regulatory responses
- Insolvency and bankruptcy framework: Impact on securities markets
- The future of IPOs and direct listings in India
Why These Topics?
✅ Alignment with Exam Pattern
As per the syllabus for SEBI Grade A Phase 2 (General Stream), Paper 1 is a descriptive English paper comprising essay, précis and comprehension. The essay topics can span economics, finance, technology, social issues and regulatory themes.
Given this, essays on market regulation, fintech, inclusion, ESG and digital assets are highly probable.
✅ Reflection of Current Affairs & Market Trends
Topics like fintech disruption, ESG investing, crypto regulation, demography, digital payments and global capital flows are present in recent exam-analysis and important-topic lists. For example, “Role of SEBI in the Indian financial markets” and “Financial inclusion and its significance for the Indian economy” appeared in earlier lists.
✅ Strategic Coverage for Aspirants
By preparing across the 30 topics above, you cover a broad spectrum — from static economics/regulation to dynamic current affairs. This gives you flexibility in the exam to write a structured, well-informed essay regardless of which topic is asked.
How to Prepare for the Essay Section
- Read widely: Focus on recent editorials in financial newspapers (e.g., the Economic Times, Business Standard, Mint) on themes such as market regulation, fintech, ESG, digital assets.
- Update current data/facts: Even if the essay is conceptual, sprinkling relevant data (e.g., AUM of mutual funds, size of Indian startup ecosystem, fintech funding trends) will add value.
- Practice writing: Time-your essays (250-300 words in ~20-25 minutes). Structure: Introduction → Body (2-3 paragraphs) → Conclusion + way-forward.
- Maintain clarity & language: Use simple, correct English. Avoid verbosity. Aim for coherence & flow.
- Have examples & case studies: Use India-specific or global examples: e.g., SEBI’s regulatory action, sandbox for fintech, digital payments growth, ESG frameworks etc.
- Revise key frameworks: For regulatory essays, use frameworks like “Issue → Stakeholders → Regulatory action → Impact → Way forward”.
- Do mock essays: Write on random topics from the list above, get them reviewed (grammar, structure, content), and improve.
Final Word
The SEBI Grade A 2025 descriptive paper offers you a golden chance to stand out — this isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about communication, insight and clarity. By prepping the 30 topics above and systematically practising your writing, you’ll move from “possible topic” to “prepared & confident”.
All the best — you’ve got this!