The SEBI Grade A exam is a gateway to a prestigious career in the Indian financial sector. To conquer this challenging exam, aspirants must prepare effectively, armed with the best study resources.
This article will list the toppersโ recommended best books, newspapers, websites, and magazines that will help you ace the SEBI Grade A exam and secure your place among the top candidates.
Understanding SEBI Grade A Syllabus & Pattern
Before examining the essential resources for the SEBI Grade A 2024 exam, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus. This helps clarify the topics to focus on, the marking scheme, and the format of the questions. This knowledge allows you to tailor your study plan, allocate time efficiently, and be well-prepared for the exam.
Now, coming to the important questions. Which books, websites, and magazines should you refer to for SEBI Grade A? Which is the best newspaper for SEBI Grade A preparation? Letโs find out.
Note: Based on the static or practical nature of the subject, the types of resources available will vary. Additionally, the syllabus for Paper 2 of Phase 1 and Phase 2 is the same. We will look at those subjects together later in the article.
Resources for Phase 1: Paper 1
Phase 1 of the SEBI Grade A exam consists of 4 subjects.
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning
- English
- General Awareness
Following are the expert-recommended books, magazines, and websites for Phase 1 Paper 1.
Quantitative Aptitude Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Quantitative Aptitude.
S.No. | Books | Link |
1 | Quantitative Aptitude for CAT- Arun Sharma | Buy Now |
Reasoning Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Reasoning.
S.No. | Books | Link |
1 | A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning- RS Aggarwal | Buy Now |
English Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for English.
S.No. | Books | Newspapers |
1 | Word Power Made Easy- Norman Lewis | Editorial section of The Hindu/The Indian Express |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
General Awareness Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for General Awareness.
S.No. | Topic | Websites | Newspapers | Magazines |
1 | Static GK | News and Notifications of RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDAI, Finance Ministry | The HinduLivemint | Weekly/Monthly Current Affairs Compilations/PDFs |
2 | Current Affairs | |||
Note: Static GK questions in SEBI Grade A exam are based on current affairs. |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
- Ministry of Finance
- The Hindu
- Livemint
Resources for Phase 2: Paper 1
Phase 2 Paper 1 consists of a single paper of descriptive English. The questions are structured around:
- Essay Writing
- Precis Writing
- Reading Comprehension
Following are the recommended resources for descriptive English. Here, it is important to build subject-relevant vocabulary and be updated on current affairs to successfully attempt this paper.
Descriptive English Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for descriptive English.
S.No. | Websites | Newspapers | Magazines |
1 | PIB | The Hindu & Livemint (editorial section) | The Economist |
2 | Business India |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
Resources for Phase 1 + 2: Paper 2
Paper 2 of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the SEBI Grade A exam consists of 7 subjects.
- Commerce
- Accountancy
- Management
- Finance
- Costing
- Companies Act
- Economics
Following are the expert-recommended books, magazines, and websites for Paper 2.
Commerce & Accounts Resources
The preparation for Commerce and Accountancy goes hand-in-hand. Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Commerce and Accounts.
S.No. | Books | Websites |
1 | 11th Class Accounts NCERT Part 1 and 2 | ICAI Knowledge Portal: Intermediate Course |
2 | 12th Class Accounts NCERT Part 2 | |
3 | Students Guide to Accounting Standards – Dr D.S Rawat |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
- 11th NCERT Part 1 and 2
- 12th Class NCERT Part 2
- Students guide to Accounting Standards
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
Management Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Management.
S.No. | Books | Websites |
1 | Principles and Practice of Management – LM Prasad | There are various websites for Management Study Guides |
2 | Principles and Practice of Management – TN Chhabra | |
3 | Human Resource Management – LM Prasad | |
4 | Organisational Behaviour- LM Prasad |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
- Principles and Practice of Management – LM Prasad
- Principles and Practice of Management – TN Chhabra
- Human Resource Management
- Organisational Behaviour
- Management Study Guide (Website)
Finance Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Finance.
S.No. | Books | Websites | Newspapers |
1 | Principles and Practice Of Banking – IIBF | Investopedia | Livemint(editorialsection) |
2 | Indian Financial System- Bharati Pathak | Latest Economic Survey | |
3 | Bank Financial Management – IIBF | FAQs On RBI website | |
4 | Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
- Principles and Practice Of Banking
- Indian Financial System
- Bank Financial Management
- Indian Economy
- Investopedia
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) FAQs
- Economic Survey
- Livemint
Costing Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Costing.
S.No. | Books | Websites |
1 | Cost Accounting: Principles and Practice – M.N. Arora | Paper 8, 10, and 15 of Intermediate Study Material on ICMAI |
2 | Modern Cost and Management Accounting – M. Hanif |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
- Cost Accounting – Principles and Practice
- Modern Cost and Management Accounting
- Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
Companies Act Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Companies Act.
S.No. | Books | Websites |
1 | Companies Act, 2013 (Make it Simple by AUBSP) | PDF/EBook of Companies Act 2013 (given on MCA) |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
Economics Resources
Following are the recommended resources that you must study for Economics.
S.No. | Books | Websites |
1 | Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh | IGNOU notes |
2 | Principles of Microeconomics – HL Ahuja | |
3 | Macroeconomics Theory and Policy – HL Ahuja |
Following are purchase/access links for the listed resources.
Important Note: Aspirants are advised to selectively cover the listed resources based on syllabus topics and PYQ analysis. The resources are not meant to be studied exhaustively.
Resources for Phase 3: Interview
As you approach the final stage of your SEBI Grade A journey, the interview stands as the last hurdle. While the interview doesn’t have a set syllabus, it aims to test your skills, personality, and readiness.
With the right strategy and helpful tips, you can turn those sweaty palms into confident steps, bringing you closer to your ultimate goal. Following are a few key points to focus on when developing an effective strategy.
1. Prepare well on your Candidate Profile
- Prepare well for at least 100 questions related to your candidate profile, including family background, educational qualification, gap years if any, low % in academics, etc.
- Be honest yet careful while explaining reasons for leaving previous jobs.
- Provide professional references.
- Fill out your form in a structured manner.
2. Know About SEBI
- Read the About section, annual reports, press releases, and speeches on the SEBI website.
- Use this information to frame your answers thoughtfully.
3. Make Yourself Stand Out
- Gain ground knowledge by studying stock exchanges, interacting with people, doing NISM certifications, or reading books by ex-SEBI officials.
4. Be updated on Current Affairs
- Stay updated with current affairs through Hindu/Livemint and the SEBI website.
- Focus on the reasons and implications behind any action.
5. Revise the Static Syllabus
- Be aware of the basics of the capital market and its regulations.
6. Have Basic Interview Manners
- Dress professionally.
- Enter and exit the room politely.
- Maintain good eye contact and body language.
- Sit upright.
- Keep hand movements appropriate.
- Handle stress calmly.
- Politely say “I don’t know” if you don’t have an answer.
- Disagree politely, if necessary.
Additional Tip: Take mock interviews with experienced panellists to gain firsthand experience. Expert feedback will help you enhance your strategy and better your preparation.
SEBI Grade A Preparation: Are Books Enough?
While theoretical resources such as books, magazines, and websites can provide comprehensive information on the exam syllabus, they do not promise success.
Following are a few tips to ensure that you make the best of the recommended resources.
- Tap into books, magazines, and websites to build a solid theoretical foundation.
- Test series and mock tests are your training ground for applying concepts and mastering preparation strategies.
- Don’t just passively read. Engage with the material by taking notes, highlighting key points, and creating mind maps.
- Revise. Make sure to include regular revision time slots in your strategy.
The most effective preparation strategy for the SEBI Grade A exam is to combine theoretical and practical resources. Theoretical resources provide the necessary knowledge base, while test series and mock tests help in applying that knowledge in a practical setting.
SEBI Grade A 2024 Notification & Vacancies
The SEBI Grade A 2024 recruitment notification was released on 10 June 2024. The Phase 1 exam is on 27 July, and Phase 2 on 30 August.
A total of 62 vacancies have been released for the General stream. Vacancies have also been intimated for Legal, IT, Engineering, Research, and Official language.
Conclusion
SEBI Grade A exam is a very important exam for aspirants who want to make a career in the Indian financial sector. While the exam pattern and syllabus are quite extensive, it should not be an obstacle. With the right preparation strategy and the use of the best resources, you can crack this exam. Nevertheless, aspirants are strongly advised to opt for mock interviews to prepare themselves for the final stage of the exam.
FAQs
SEBI Grade A registration dates are from 11 June 2024 to 30 June 2024.
SEBI has released a total of 97 vacancies in its notification for SEBI Grade A 2024.
No. The syllabus for Paper 2 of both phases is the same. Hence, the same resources are applicable.ย