Syllabus of SEBI Grade A 2026 - Complete Guide

What is the syllabus for SEBI Grade A 2026?

The SEBI Grade A 2026 examination syllabus is designed to assess candidates across various domains, divided into two main phases. While the official syllabus for 2026 is expected to mirror the pattern of previous years, a thorough understanding of the key subjects is crucial for effective preparation.

Phase I Syllabus

Phase I of the SEBI Grade A exam consists of two papers. Paper 1 is common for all streams and tests fundamental aptitude and awareness. The subjects covered in Paper 1 are:

General Awareness: This section includes current affairs of national and international importance, with a special emphasis on the financial sector, banking, economy, capital markets, and news related to SEBI and RBI. Static GK related to Indian history, geography, polity, and art & culture may also be included, along with government schemes and policies pertinent to finance.
English Language: Topics typically include Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, and Fill in the Blanks.
Quantitative Aptitude: This section focuses on Data Interpretation (tables, graphs), Number Series, Simplification/Approximation, and Quadratic Equations.
Reasoning Ability: Key areas include Puzzles and Seating Arrangement (linear, circular, floor-based), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, and Blood Relations.

Paper 2 of Phase I is stream-specific. For the General stream, Paper 2 covers subjects such as:

Commerce & Accountancy
Management
Finance
Costing
Companies Act
Economics

Phase II Syllabus

Phase II is critical as its marks contribute to the final selection. It also comprises two papers. Paper 1 is generally an English descriptive paper. Paper 2 for the General stream includes the same subjects as Paper 2 in Phase I: Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics.

For specialist streams like Legal, IT, Research, and Official Language, Paper 2 will focus on subjects specific to the chosen discipline. For instance, the Research stream syllabus includes Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, Finance, and Commerce.

It is important to note that Phase I is qualifying in nature, and the marks obtained in Phase II, along with the interview, determine the final merit list.

What is the exam pattern for SEBI Grade A 2026?

The SEBI Grade A examination for 2026 follows a structured pattern designed to assess candidates comprehensively. The selection process is divided into three phases: Phase I (Online Screening Examination), Phase II (Online Examination), and Phase III (Interview).

Phase I: Online Screening Examination

This phase serves as a preliminary screening to shortlist candidates for the subsequent stage. It consists of two papers:

Paper 1: This paper is common for all streams and includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering General Awareness (including financial sector awareness), English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. It is typically conducted for 100 marks and has a duration of 60 minutes. A minimum cut-off of 30% is generally required for this paper.
Paper 2: This paper is stream-specific. For the General stream, it focuses on subjects like Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics. For other streams, it covers specialized subjects related to that particular stream. This paper is also typically for 100 marks, but with a shorter duration of 40 minutes. A minimum cut-off of 40% is generally required for Paper 2.

Candidates must achieve separate cut-offs in each paper as well as an aggregate cut-off of 40% in Phase I to be shortlisted for Phase II. It is important to note that the marks obtained in Phase I are qualifying in nature and do not contribute to the final merit list. There is a negative marking of 1/4th marks for each incorrect answer in both papers of Phase I.

Phase II: Online Examination

Candidates who successfully clear Phase I will proceed to Phase II. This phase also typically consists of two papers, with Paper 1 carrying a weightage of 1/3rd and Paper 2 carrying a weightage of 2/3rd in the overall selection process.

Paper 1: This paper is often related to Securities Markets or the Financial Sector, depending on the stream.
Paper 2: This paper usually assesses English (Writing Skills) and may include an Essay, Precis, and Comprehension. For some streams, it might cover Economic & Social Issues and Finance & Management.

The exact structure and subjects for Paper 2 can vary based on the specific stream (e.g., General, Legal, IT, Research). Candidates need to secure separate cut-offs in each paper and an aggregate cut-off of 50% to be shortlisted for Phase III.

Phase III: Interview

The final stage of the selection process is an interview, which carries a weightage of 15% in the overall selection process. For specific streams like Legal and Engineering (Electrical), additional marks may be awarded for relevant post-qualification experience.

The SEBI Grade A Phase 1 exam is scheduled for January 10, 2026, and Phase 2 is scheduled for February 21, 2026.

What is the syllabus for SEBI Grade A all subjects?

The SEBI Grade A examination assesses candidates across various subjects in multiple phases. The syllabus for 2026 is expected to align closely with the 2025 pattern, covering both general and specialized topics. Understanding the syllabus is crucial for effective preparation and prioritizing key areas.

Phase I Syllabus

Phase I is a screening examination consisting of two papers. Paper I is common for all streams and includes the following subjects:

General Awareness: This section focuses on current affairs of national and international importance, with an emphasis on the financial sector, banking, economy, capital markets, and news related to SEBI and RBI.
English Language: Topics include Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, and Fill in the Blanks.
Quantitative Aptitude: Key areas are Data Interpretation (tables, various types of graphs), Number Series, Simplification/Approximation, and Quadratic Equations.
Reasoning Ability: This covers Puzzles and Seating Arrangement (linear, circular, floor-based), Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, and Blood Relations.

Paper II in Phase I is stream-specific. For the General Stream, it includes:

Commerce & Accountancy: Topics range from accounting as a financial information system and accounting standards to preparation and presentation of company final accounts.
Management: Principles of Management are covered.
Finance: This includes the Indian Financial System, regulators, types of financial markets, and financial instruments.
Costing: An overview of Cost and Management Accounting, including methods of costing and basics of cost control.
Companies Act: Key provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, and its amendments.
Economics: Covers fundamental economic concepts.

For other streams, Paper II will focus on specialized subjects relevant to that stream, such as Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, Finance, and Commerce for the Research Stream, or legal aspects for the Legal Stream.

Phase II Syllabus

Phase II also consists of two papers, with Paper I often being common across streams and Paper II being stream-specific. For the General Stream, Paper II typically includes subjects like Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics, similar to Phase I Paper II but often with greater depth. The exam pattern for Phase II includes papers on Securities Market, English (Writing Skills), and Economic & Social Issues and Finance & Management for the General Stream.

It's important to note that Phase I is qualifying in nature, meaning marks from Phase I do not contribute to the final merit list. However, candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying cut-off marks in each paper and overall to advance to Phase II.

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