SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern for Phase 1 and 2

The SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 includes Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language and General Awareness in Phase 1 Paper 1, along with stream-specific subjects in Paper 2. Phase 2 covers Descriptive English in Paper 1 and stream-specific subjects in Paper 2. The syllabus for Paper 2 varies by stream, including General, Legal, Information Technology, Research, Official Language and Engineering. Candidates should check the subject-wise topics for both phases and understand the interview stage to prepare for the SEBI Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager) examination.

SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 Overview

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates India’s securities market. Its Grade A recruitment exam is conducted to select officers for the Assistant Manager role in different streams. The SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 helps candidates understand the subjects and topics they need to prepare for each stage of the exam.

Before starting preparation, candidates should understand which subjects apply to their chosen stream. The common paper tests aptitude and awareness, while Paper 2 checks knowledge of the selected subject area.

For more recruitment details, read the SEBI Grade A Notification.

SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern 2026

The SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern explains how the examination is divided into papers, how much time candidates receive and how marks are counted. Phase 1 is the screening stage, while Phase 2 and the Interview determine final selection under the applicable recruitment scheme.

SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Exam Pattern

Phase 1 contains two objective papers. Paper 1 is common to all streams, while Paper 2 tests knowledge related to the stream selected by the candidate.

The commonly specified qualifying requirements for Phase 1 are:

• Paper 1: Minimum 30%.
• Paper 2: Minimum 40%.
• Aggregate: Minimum 40%.

There is generally no separate sectional cut-off within Paper 1 under this scheme. Candidates must still meet the required cut-offs in both papers and the overall examination.

SEBI Grade A Phase 2 Exam Pattern

Candidates who qualify in Phase 1 can appear for Phase 2. The examination checks writing skills and subject knowledge in greater detail.

For the General Stream, Paper 2 is an objective test of professional knowledge. Other streams may have different formats, including specialised objective or descriptive tests, or a coding test for the Information Technology stream.

The commonly specified qualifying requirements for the General Stream are 30% in Paper 1, 40% in Paper 2 and 50% in aggregate. Candidates should confirm the exact criteria for their stream in the official notification.

SEBI Grade A Marking Scheme

The marking scheme helps candidates decide how carefully to attempt questions.

• Correct answer: Marks are awarded according to the question’s value.
• Incorrect answer: One-fourth of the marks assigned to the question is generally deducted in objective papers.
• Unanswered question: No marks are generally deducted.
• Phase 1: Used for screening and shortlisting candidates for Phase 2.
• Final merit: Phase 2 generally carries 85% weightage and the Interview 15%.

SEBI Grade A Phase 1 Syllabus

The Phase 1 syllabus has two papers. Paper 1 covers four common subjects, and Paper 2 covers the professional subject linked to the chosen stream.

1. SEBI Grade A General Awareness Syllabus

This section checks whether candidates follow important events and understand basic financial and economic developments. Since SEBI works in the securities market, financial awareness is especially useful. As part of the SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026, candidates should focus on current affairs, banking and financial awareness, and key economic updates to prepare effectively.

Important topics include:

• National and international current affairs
• Banking and financial sector news
• Securities market developments
• SEBI rules, circulars and initiatives
• Union Budget and Economic Survey
• Government schemes and policies
• Reports and indices
• Important national and international organisations
• Awards and honours
• Important days
• Sports and major events
• Basic economic developments

Preparation tip: Read current affairs regularly and make short notes. Give extra attention to financial news, market developments, regulatory updates and important government policies.

2. SEBI Grade A English Language Syllabus

The English section tests reading, grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure.

Important topics include:

• Reading comprehension
• Cloze test
• Error detection
• Sentence correction and improvement
• Fill in the blanks
• Para jumbles
• Sentence rearrangement
• Word usage
• Phrase replacement
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Sentence completion
• Spelling errors

Preparation tip: Read short articles daily, revise grammar rules and solve timed practice questions. This will also help you prepare for the descriptive English paper in Phase 2.

3. SEBI Grade A Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude checks calculation skills and the ability to solve numerical problems within a limited time.

Important topics include:

• Number system
• Simplification and approximation
• Number series
• Percentage
• Ratio and proportion
• Average
• Profit, loss and discount
• Simple and compound interest
• Problems on ages
• Time and work
• Pipes and cisterns
• Time, speed and distance
• Boats and streams
• Mixture and alligation
• Probability
• Permutation and combination
• Mensuration
• Data interpretation
• Data sufficiency

Preparation tip: Start with basic arithmetic and practise calculations daily. Once you are comfortable with the concepts, solve mixed questions under a timer.

4. SEBI Grade A Reasoning Ability Syllabus

Reasoning questions test how well candidates identify patterns, understand relationships and solve logical problems. The SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 includes reasoning topics that assess candidates’ analytical and logical thinking skills. 

Important topics include:

• Puzzles
• Seating arrangements
• Coding-decoding
• Inequalities
• Syllogism
• Blood relations
• Direction and distance
• Order and ranking
• Alphanumeric series
• Input-output
• Data sufficiency
• Statement and assumption
• Statement and argument
• Statement and conclusion
• Statement and inference
• Cause and effect
• Logical reasoning

Preparation tip: Practise one topic at a time before attempting mixed sets. For puzzles and seating arrangements, focus on accuracy first and then improve your speed.

SEBI Grade A Phase 2 Syllabus

Phase 2 checks a candidate’s writing ability and professional knowledge under the SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026. Paper 1 is the descriptive English paper, while Paper 2 depends on the selected stream and tests subject-specific knowledge relevant to the Assistant Manager role.

Phase 2 Paper 1: SEBI Grade A English Descriptive Syllabus

The English paper checks how clearly candidates can understand a topic and express their ideas in writing.

Important topics include:

• Essay writing
• Precis writing
• Reading comprehension

Essay topics may relate to the economy, financial markets, technology, social issues, governance or other current developments.

How to prepare: Practise writing short essays, summarising long passages and answering comprehension questions. Use simple language, organise your ideas into clear paragraphs and leave time to review your answers.

Phase 2 Paper 2: SEBI Grade A General Stream Syllabus

For the General Stream, Paper 2 covers six major areas:

1. Commerce and Accountancy
2. Management
3. Finance
4. Costing
5. Companies Act
6. Economics

These subjects require a good understanding of concepts, definitions, applications and current developments relevant to the financial system.

Stream-Wise Syllabus for Paper 2

The professional SEBI Grade A syllabus changes according to the stream selected. Candidates applying for the General Stream should prepare the six subjects listed above. Candidates applying for Legal, Information Technology, Research, Engineering or Official Language posts must study the subjects specified for their stream.

1. SEBI Grade A Commerce and Accountancy Syllabus

This section covers accounting rules, financial statements and company accounts.

Important topics include:

• Accounting as a financial information system
• Accounting standards
• Depreciation and inventory valuation
• Revenue recognition and fixed assets
• Foreign exchange transactions and investments
• Cash flow and fund flow statements
• Financial statement analysis
• Ratio analysis
• Share capital transactions
• Bonus shares and rights shares
• Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs)
• Buy-back of securities
• Preparation and presentation of company final accounts

Preparation tip: Understand accounting rules and practise questions on financial statements, ratios and cash flow calculations.

2. SEBI Grade A Management Syllabus

Management covers how organisations work and how managers guide people towards common goals.

Important topics include:

• Nature and scope of management
• Planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling
• Role of managers in an organisation
• Leadership styles and theories
• Qualities of effective leaders
• Human Resource Development
• Motivation theories
• Morale and incentives
• Communication processes
• Communication channels
• Verbal and non-verbal communication
• Barriers to communication
• Role of information technology in communication

Preparation tip: Learn the main ideas behind each theory and use short notes to revise important names, terms and differences.

3. SEBI Grade A Finance Syllabus

Finance is an important part of the General Stream syllabus because SEBI regulates the securities market.

Important topics include:

• Indian financial system
• Roles of financial regulators
• Financial markets and their functions
• Primary and secondary markets
• Money, bond, equity and foreign exchange markets
• Financial market instruments
• Mutual funds and derivatives
• Forwards, futures and swaps
• Recent developments in the financial sector
• Financial inclusion and technology
• Alternative sources of finance
• Public-private partnerships
• Direct and indirect taxes
• Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Finance Commission
• Fiscal policy and the FRBM Act
• Inflation, WPI and CPI

Preparation tip: Follow important financial news and understand the purpose of financial products, market instruments and regulatory decisions. Revise current developments along with basic concepts.

4. SEBI Grade A Costing Syllabus

Costing covers the methods used by organisations to calculate costs, manage budgets and improve efficiency.

Important topics include:

• Introduction to cost and management accounting
• Objectives and scope of cost accounting
• Methods of costing
• Unit costing
• Job and batch costing
• Contract costing
• Process and operation costing
• Service costing
• Cost control and analysis
• Standard costing
• Marginal costing
• Budgets and budgetary control
• Lean systems
• Just-in-Time (JIT)
• Kaizen costing
• Five Ss (5S)
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Six Sigma
• Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)

Preparation tip: Learn the basic formulas and practise numerical questions. Make a separate notebook for formulas and revise it regularly.

5. SEBI Grade A Companies Act Syllabus

The Companies Act section focuses on important provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, as specified in the examination syllabus.

Important areas include:

• Chapter III: Prospectus and allotment of securities
• Chapter IV: Share capital and debentures
• Chapter VIII: Dividend
• Chapter X: Audit and auditors
• Chapter XI: Appointment and qualifications of directors
• Chapter XII: Meetings of the Board and its powers
• Chapter XXVII: National Company Law Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal

Preparation tip: Read the prescribed chapters carefully and make notes on definitions, important provisions, duties and legal requirements. Check the applicable syllabus for any changes or additional provisions.

6. SEBI Grade A Economics Syllabus

Economics covers basic economic concepts, national income, markets and government policies.

Important topics include:

• Demand and supply
• Market structures
• National income and its measurement
• Classical and Keynesian approaches
• Output and employment
• Consumption and investment functions
• Multiplier and accelerator
• Demand and supply of money
• IS-LM framework
• Inflation and the Phillips Curve
• Business cycles
• Balance of payments
• Foreign exchange markets
• Monetary policy
• Fiscal policy
• Non-banking financial institutions

Preparation tip: Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorising definitions. Use diagrams and short notes to revise economic models and policy tools.

Other SEBI Grade A Streams: Paper 2 Syllabus

The SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 for specialised streams covers subjects relevant to each role. Candidates should review the topics and examination format for their chosen stream and refer to the official notification for the latest recruitment details.

Candidates should use the stream-specific syllabus and information handout rather than relying only on a general list of topics.

SEBI Grade A Interview Syllabus

The Interview is the final stage of the SEBI Grade A selection process. Unlike a written paper, it does not have a fixed subject-wise syllabus.

The interview panel may assess a candidate’s communication skills, awareness, subject knowledge and ability to explain ideas clearly.

Important areas to prepare include:

• SEBI’s role and responsibilities
• Functions of financial market regulators
• Basic knowledge of the Indian securities market
• Recent financial and economic developments
• Current affairs related to SEBI
• Educational background
• Work experience, where applicable
• Strengths, interests and career goals
• Situational questions and decision-making
• Communication and professional conduct

Preparation tip: Prepare a clear introduction about yourself, revise your educational subjects and read important financial news. Practise answering questions aloud so that your answers are clear and well organised.

Subject-Wise Strategy to Cover the SEBI Grade A Syllabus

The SEBI Grade A syllabus may look large at first, but it becomes easier to manage when you divide it into smaller parts. Use the following strategies to prepare without trying to study every subject at the same time.

1. Finance and Management

These subjects contain many concepts and theories. Divide each subject into smaller topics and revise them regularly.

• Study one topic at a time.
• Make short notes of important definitions and theories.
• Solve practice questions after learning a topic.
• Revise difficult concepts at the end of the week.

Common mistake: Reading theory repeatedly without testing your understanding.

2. General Awareness and Current Affairs

Current affairs require regular study because new developments appear every day.

• Follow one or two reliable sources.
• Give special attention to financial and economic news.
• Make notes on reports, indices, schemes and regulatory updates.
• Revise older notes regularly.

Common mistake: Collecting information from too many sources and leaving little time for revision.

3. Reasoning Ability

Reasoning requires practice and careful reading of questions.

• Begin with coding-decoding, inequalities and syllogisms.
• Practise puzzles and seating arrangements regularly.
• Review the logic behind incorrect answers.
• Attempt timed sets once your basics are clear.

Common mistake: Watching solutions without trying to solve questions independently.

4. Quantitative Aptitude

Calculation speed improves with regular practice.

• Revise percentages, ratios, averages and interest.
• Practise simplification and approximation.
• Learn to interpret tables, charts and graphs.
• Maintain a notebook of useful formulas and calculation shortcuts.

Common mistake: Avoiding numerical topics because they seem difficult.

5. English Language

English preparation should begin in Phase 1 rather than being postponed until Phase 2.

• Read articles and editorials regularly.
• Practise grammar and vocabulary questions.
• Solve reading comprehension passages.
• Write short essays and precis summaries.
• Review sentence structure, clarity and grammar.

Common mistake: Focusing only on objective English questions and ignoring descriptive writing.

6. Professional Knowledge

Professional Knowledge is important for Paper 2. General Stream candidates should cover all six prescribed subjects, while specialised-stream candidates should follow their respective technical syllabus.

• Divide the syllabus into small topics.
• Complete the basic concepts before moving to advanced questions.
• Practise topic-wise questions.
• Revise important formulas, laws and definitions.
• Take regular mock tests.

Common mistake: Spending too much time on one favourite subject and leaving other topics incomplete.

How to Prepare for the SEBI Grade A Exam 2026?

A well-planned strategy helps candidates cover the syllabus, practise important topics and revise effectively before the exam. Along with following the SEBI Grade A preparation strategy, focus on stream-wise study material, previous year question papers and regular mock tests to track your progress.

Follow these steps to organise your preparation.

1. Understand the syllabus: Identify all the subjects and topics applicable to your stream.
2. Check the exam pattern: Note the paper timings, marks, qualifying requirements and negative marking.
3. Prepare a realistic timetable: Set daily targets that you can follow consistently.
4. Build your basics: Learn concepts before moving to advanced questions.
5. Practise topic-wise questions: Test your understanding after completing each topic.
6. Revise regularly: Keep time for revisiting topics you studied earlier.
7. Attempt mock tests: Practise under timed conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
8. Analyse your mistakes: Identify weak areas and practise them again.
9. Prepare for descriptive English: Write essays, precis summaries and comprehension answers regularly.
10. Revise current affairs: Focus on financial markets, SEBI updates and major economic developments.

Conclusion

The SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 gives candidates a clear roadmap for preparing for Phase 1, Phase 2 and the Interview. Start by understanding the SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern and identifying the subjects relevant to your stream. Then divide the syllabus into manageable topics, practise questions regularly and revise what you have studied. Mock tests can help you improve your speed, accuracy and confidence. Follow a consistent study plan and check the latest official notification before finalising your preparation strategy. For the latest exam updates, preparation tips, mock tests and study materials, visit the PracticeMock.

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SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 FAQs

1. What is the SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026?

The syllabus covers General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning in Paper 1, along with stream-specific subjects in Paper 2. Phase 2 also includes descriptive English and professional knowledge, depending on the stream.

2. What is the SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern 2026?

Phase 1 generally has two objective papers carrying 100 marks each, with a total duration of 100 minutes. Phase 2 includes a 100-mark descriptive English paper and a 100-mark stream-specific paper. The duration and format of Paper 2 can vary by stream.

3. What is the syllabus for SEBI Grade A Phase 1?

Phase 1 Paper 1 covers General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Paper 2 tests professional knowledge related to the selected stream.

4. What is the SEBI Grade A Phase 2 syllabus?

Phase 2 Paper 1 tests descriptive English through essay writing, precis writing and comprehension. Paper 2 tests professional knowledge and follows the format prescribed for the selected stream.

5. Which subjects are included in the General Stream Paper 2?

The General Stream Paper 2 includes Commerce and Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act and Economics.

6. Is there negative marking in the SEBI Grade A exam?

Yes. The commonly prescribed scheme deducts one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for an incorrect answer in objective papers. Candidates should confirm the applicable marking scheme in the official notification.

7. Is Phase 1 important for final selection?

Yes. Phase 1 is used to shortlist candidates for Phase 2. Under the described selection scheme, Phase 1 marks are not included in the final merit calculation, which generally gives 85% weightage to Phase 2 and 15% to the Interview.

8. Does the SEBI Grade A Interview have a fixed syllabus?

No. There is no fixed written syllabus for the Interview. Candidates should prepare SEBI’s role, financial market developments, current affairs, their educational background and questions about their experience.

9. How can I complete the SEBI Grade A syllabus on time?

Divide the syllabus into smaller topics, follow a realistic timetable, practise questions daily and revise regularly. Take mock tests to identify weak areas and give enough time to both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

10. Is the syllabus of SEBI Grade A the same for all streams?

No. Paper 1 is common to all streams, but Paper 2 covers different subjects for the General, Legal, Information Technology, Research, Engineering and Official Language streams.

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