The SEBI Grade A exam is highly competitive, and for the 2025 cycle, aspirants must thoroughly understand the updated exam pattern and syllabus. This exam is designed to assess candidates on both general knowledge and specialized subject areas relevant to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). In this post, we will provide a detailed analysis of the SEBI Grade A 2025 exam pattern for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, as well as key syllabus topics for each section.
SEBI Grade A 2025: Exam Structure Overview
The SEBI Grade A exam consists of three stages:
- Phase 1 (Preliminary Exam) – An online objective test.
- Phase 2 (Mains Exam) – Both objective and descriptive tests.
- Phase 3 (Interview) – Final stage, based on performance in Phase 2.
Let’s dive into the details of the exam pattern and syllabus for each phase.
SEBI Grade A 2025 Phase 1: Exam Pattern
| Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness (with Financial Focus) | 40 | 40 | 120 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 40 | |
| Test of Reasoning | 40 | 40 | |
| Awareness about Securities Market | 40 | 40 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
- Total Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Medium: Bilingual (except the English section)
- Negative Marking: 1/4th mark deducted for each wrong answer.
Phase 1: Key Takeaways
- General Awareness with a focus on the financial sector is crucial. Staying updated with the latest economic and financial news will help score high in this section.
- The Securities Market Awareness section is a SEBI-specific subject and holds equal weightage, so candidates must be well-versed in SEBI regulations, market structures, and financial instruments.
SEBI Grade A 2025 Phase 2: Exam Pattern
Phase 2 is more specialized and consists of both descriptive and objective tests. This phase is critical because it determines whether a candidate qualifies for the interview stage.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Phase 2 exam:
| Stream | Paper | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Stream | Paper I: Securities Market | 50 | 100 | 40 minutes |
| Paper II: English (Writing Skills)* | 3 (Essay, Precis, Comprehension) | 100 | 60 minutes | |
| Paper III: Economics, Social Issues, Finance & Management | 50 | 100 | 40 minutes | |
| Legal/IT/Engineering | Paper I: Financial Sector | 50 | 100 | 40 minutes |
| Paper II: English (Writing Skills)* | 3 (Essay, Precis, Comprehension) | 100 | 60 minutes | |
| Paper III: Specialized Subject | 50 | 100 | 40 minutes |
- Paper II (Descriptive): This paper tests English language skills through essay writing, precis, and comprehension.
- Negative Marking: 1/4th mark will be deducted for wrong answers in Papers I and III.
Syllabus for SEBI Grade A 2025
Phase 1: Syllabus Overview
- General Awareness (with Financial Focus):
- Current affairs related to the Indian and global economy.
- SEBI regulations and recent developments in financial markets.
- Banking and finance updates, including monetary policies.
- Quantitative Aptitude:
- Data Interpretation
- Ratio and Proportion
- Profit and Loss
- Time and Work
- Probability
- English Language:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Cloze Test
- Grammar and Vocabulary
- Reasoning Ability:
- Puzzles and Seating Arrangements
- Logical Reasoning
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogism
- Awareness about Securities Market:
- SEBI regulations
- Functions of the securities market
- Financial instruments (bonds, shares, derivatives)
- Stock market operations and IPOs.
Phase 2: Syllabus Overview
- Paper I (Securities Market):
- SEBI Act, 1992
- Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956
- Depositories Act, 1996
- Functions of the Securities Market
- Market Infrastructure Institutions (MII)
- Stock exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories.
- Paper II (Descriptive English):
- Essay writing on financial, economic, and social issues.
- Precis writing to test the ability to condense information.
- Comprehension to assess reading and analytical skills.
- Paper III (Stream-Specific):
- General Stream: Economics, finance, and management topics like inflation, monetary policy, public finance, budgeting, and corporate governance.
- Legal Stream: Company Law, Contract Law, and Securities Law.
- IT Stream: Databases, cybersecurity, software development, and IT governance.
- Engineering Stream: Concepts of civil or electrical engineering depending on the stream applied.
Preparation Tips for SEBI Grade A 2025
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Make sure to follow financial news, SEBI announcements, and economic policies as these are crucial for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
- Master SEBI Regulations: Given the exam’s focus on securities law and SEBI’s role, deep knowledge of SEBI regulations and the securities market is essential.
- Practice Writing: For the descriptive English section, regularly practice essays and precis writing on trending topics in finance and economics.
- Attempt Mock Tests: Regular mock tests will help you manage time and improve accuracy, especially in quantitative and reasoning sections.
- Revise Stream-Specific Topics: Ensure you’re well-prepared for the subject matter related to your stream, whether it’s finance, IT, law, or engineering.
Conclusion
The SEBI Grade A 2025 exam is a comprehensive test of both general knowledge and specialized expertise. By understanding the exam pattern and thoroughly preparing for each section, candidates can increase their chances of success. Focus on building a strong foundation in financial markets, securities regulations, and your specific stream, while practicing your descriptive writing skills for a well-rounded preparation.
Prepare well, stay consistent, and you’ll be on your way to acing SEBI Grade A 2025!4o