SEBI Grade A Exam 2026: Complete Guide

The SEBI Grade A 2026 exam is a national-level exam conducted to select Assistant Managers at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The SEBI Grade A officer exam is conducted in 3 stages: Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. 

Clearing the SEBI Assistant Manager exam means you will earn a handsome salary of ₹1.8 lakh per month while enjoying a decent work-life balance.

What is SEBI Grade A?

• Grade A or Assistant Manager is an entry-level position at SEBI.
• SEBI Grade A officers help shape the framework of India’s capital markets by:
  • Framing new investment regulations
  • Reviewing IPO filings
  • Monitoring market fraud
  • Conducting policy analysis

What is the SEBI Grade A Officer Exam?

• The SEBI Grade A Exam is conducted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to recruit Assistant Managers across various streams like General, Legal, IT, Research, Official Language, etc. 
• It is a national-level exam and one of the most sought-after government exams in the finance and regulatory domain.

What is the Pattern of SEBI Grade A 2026 Exam?

The SEBI Grade A Officer Exam 2026 is conducted in 3 stages: 

• Phase 1 Online (Objective Type)
• Phase 2: Online (Objective + Descriptive)
• Phase 3: Interview Round (In person)

SEBI Assistant Manager Phase 1 Pattern 2026

Phase 1 of the SEBI Grade A Exam is qualifying in nature, meaning the marks scored in Phase 1 are not considered for final selection.

Key Details of SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern for Phase 1:

• Mode: Online (Objective)
• Papers: 2 papers of 100 marks each
• Paper 1: General Awareness (with focus on finance), English, Quant & Reasoning
• Paper 2: Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act & Economics
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer

SEBI Assistant Manager Phase 2 Pattern 2026

The SEBI Grade A Phase 2 marks are considered in the final selection. 

Key Details of SEBI Grade A 2026 Exam Pattern for Phase 2:

• Mode: Online
• Paper 1: Descriptive English (100 marks, 60 mins)
• Paper 2: Objective (Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act & Economics, 100 marks, 90 mins)
• Papers Weightage:
  • Paper 1 – 1/3rd 
  • Paper 2 – 2/3rd
• Phase 2 Weightage: 85%

SEBI Assistant Manager Interview Pattern 2026

Key Details of SEBI Grade A interview:

• Mode: In-person
• Language: English or Hindi
• Interview Weightage: 15% 

The final SEBI Grade A exam selection is based on your combined Phase 2 (85%) and Interview (15%) scores.

Get to know the whole pattern through our SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern article.

SEBI Grade A Eligibility 2026

To apply for the SEBI Grade A Exam 2026, you must meet: 

• Age
• Educational qualification and 
• Nationality criteria

Below is a breakdown of the eligibility criteria for the SEBI Assistant Manager 2026 exam.  

* Equivalent to a Master’s Degree in that discipline as recognized by the Association of Indian Universities

For detailed eligibility, read our SEBI Grade A Eligibility Criteria article now.

SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026

The SEBI Grade A syllabus is divided into Phase 1 and Phase 2.

SEBI Assistant Manager Phase 1 Syllabus

Paper 1

Covers Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness.

• Reasoning: Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Coding-Decoding, Syllogism, and Input-Output.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Data Interpretation, Ratio, Percentage, Time & Work, Speed & Distance.
• English: Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Para-jumbles, Cloze Test, Vocabulary.
• General Awareness: Financial & Economic News, RBI/SEBI Updates, Reports, Government Schemes, Static GK.

Paper 2

Questions come from these key areas:

• Commerce & Accountancy
• Management
• Finance
• Costing
• Companies Act
• Economics

SEBI Assistant Manager Phase 2 Syllabus

Paper 1 (Descriptive English)

• Essay
• Precis Writing
• Reading Comprehension

Paper 2

Questions come from these key areas:

• Commerce & Accountancy
• Management
• Finance
• Costing
• Companies Act
• Economics

For a detailed subject-wise topic breakdown, read the detailed SEBI Grade A syllabus article.

Where Can You Download the SEBI Grade A Previous Year Papers of Phase 1 & 2?

We have brought together SEBI Assistant Manager PYQs (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025).

Read our SEBI Grade A PYQ article to know how to use these PYQs to boost your preparation.

What is the Latest SEBI Grade A Salary 2026?

The SEBI Grade A officer salary has been revised recently. 

• The basic pay has increased from ₹44,500 to ₹62,500.
• The latest monthly gross salary is ₹1,84,000.
• The revised in-hand salary is ₹1,70,000.

The SEBI Assistant Manager gross salary includes:

• Dearness Allowance
• Grade Allowance
• Family Allowance
• Local Allowance 
• Special Allowance
• NPS contributions.

For a detailed salary breakup and SEBI Grade A salary slip, check the SEBI Grade A Salary article.

SEBI Grade A Officer Perks & Allowances

Apart from a strong in-hand salary, SEBI Grade A officers enjoy perks and allowances such as:

• Leave Fare Concession (LFC)
• Medical & Eye Reimbursement
• Education & Knowledge Updation Allowance
• House Cleaning & Furnishing Allowance
• Briefcase & Computer Purchase Reimbursement
• Subsidized Lunch Facility
• Interest-free loans for furniture, computer, and car (as per rules)

SEBI Grade A Promotion & Career Growth

You start as an Assistant Manager in SEBI, and with time and experience, you can reach up to the level of Chief General Manager. 

Here is the complete SEBI Grade A officer career path:

What is the Work of a SEBI Grade A Officer?

As an SEBI Assistant Manager officer, work will include: 

• Regulatory analysis
• Supervision 
• Decision-making 

Depending on the stream, SEBI Grade A officers work in different departments.

Here’s a quick look at the SEBI Grade A job profile:

• Draft and review financial regulations and circulars
• Examine filings like IPOs, M&As, and mutual fund documents
• Conduct inspections and ensure market intermediaries follow the law
• Handle investor complaints and ensure market fairness
• Contribute to policy and research in finance and economics

Work-life balance:

• 5-day work week
• Professional, structured environment
• Minimal fieldwork, mostly analytical and desk-based

For a complete breakdown of roles and work profiles, check the SEBI Grade A Job Profile article.

Where are SEBI Grade A Officers Posted?

• Apart from its head office in Mumbai, SEBI operates regional offices in:
  • New Delhi, 
  • Kolkata, 
  • Chennai, 
  • Ahmedabad, and a local office in Indore.
    
• In the coming years, SEBI plans to open new offices in
  • Chandigarh
  • Jaipur
  • Lucknow
  • Guwahati
  • Bhubaneswar
  • Vijayawada
  • Hyderabad
  • Bengaluru
    

Do SEBI Grade A Officers Undergo Training?

Yes, newly recruited officers undergo training at the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), Patalganga, Maharashtra.

When Will the SEBI Grade A Notification 2026 Be Released?

The SEBI Grade A 2025 recruitment cycle is still ongoing. Once it is completed, SEBI is likely to shift its focus to the 2026 recruitment cycle.

Although there is no official confirmation yet, based on previous trends, the SEBI Grade A 2026 notification can be expected around October–November 2026, with approximately 70 to 80 vacancies for the General Stream.

Important SEBI Grade A Exam Dates 2026

Here’s a quick look at the expected exam dates:

Read our SEBI Grade A notification article for the latest updates on exam dates 2026 and more.

How to Download SEBI Grade A Notification PDF?

Follow these steps to download the official SEBI Grade A notification 2026 PDF from SEBI’s website:

• Step 1: Visit the official SEBI website.
• Step 2: Hover over the ‘About’ menu and click on the ‘Careers’ option.
• Step 3: On the Careers page, click on ‘Vacancies’.
• Step 4: Look for the link titled “Recruitment of Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager) – 2026.”
• Step 5: Click on it to open the SEBI Grade A Notification 2026 PDF. Check all details and click Download to save it.

How to Fill SEBI Grade A Application Form 2026?

The SEBI Grade A 2026 application process will start on the same day the detailed notification is released.

You can apply online through SEBI’s official website. 

Offline applications are not accepted.

Follow the steps below to apply for the SEBI Assistant Manager 2026 exam:

1. Visit the official SEBI website.
2. Go to the “Careers” section at the bottom of the homepage.
3. Click on “Recruitment of Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager) 2026.”
4. Read the SEBI Grade A notification carefully and click on the apply online link.
5. Register as a new user and note down your registration number and password.
6. Fill out the application form, upload documents, and pay the fee online.
7. Submit the form, check payment status, and download and print the final application for future use.

For a full step-by-step guide (with screenshots and tips to avoid form errors), check the detailed SEBI Grade A Registration 2026 article.

What is the Application Fee for the SEBI Grade A 2026 Exam?

Here is the application fee to apply for the exam:

Important Note: Candidates have to pay the requisite fees only through online mode.

SEBI Grade A Exam Centres 2026

SEBI conducts its Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams in multiple cities across India to ensure nationwide access for candidates.

Exam Centres for Phase 1

Here are the centres for the SEBI Grade A Phase 1 exam:

Exam Centres for Phase 2

Here are the centres for the exam:

How to Download SEBI Grade A Admit Card?

Your SEBI Grade A admit card carries crucial details like your exam date, venue, and reporting time. 

Here’s a quick guide to help you download it easily:

Step 1: Visit the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s Official Website (SEBI).

Step 2: After navigating to the official website, the homepage will be displayed. Scroll down the homepage and find the section labeled “Career” at the bottom. Click on this section to proceed.

Step 3: Find and click on the “Human Resources Department (HRD)”.

Step 4: Find and click on the “SEBI Grade A Recruitment – Download of Call Letter” link.

Step 5: Click on the link titled “Call Letter (Click here to download Call Letter)”.

Step 6: Fill in the required login credentials, such as registration number, date of birth, etc., enter the captcha code, and log in.

Step 7: Download your SEBI Grade A Phase 1 admit card.

Follow the same procedure to download the admit card for the phase 2 exam.

For updates on the SEBI Grade A exam day instructions, check our detailed SEBI Grade A Admit Card Guide

SEBI Grade A Result

Check the SEBI Grade A Results for the 2025 exam:

How To Prepare for SEBI Grade A 2026?

Here are the broad SEBI Grade A preparation tips for the exam:

• Start with PYQs
  • Analyze previous year papers (2020, 2022, 2024) to spot recurring topics in Paper 2, especially in Commerce, Finance, and Costing.
• Fix your study hours
  • Give 3 to 4 hours daily if you’re working; 6 to 8 hours if you’re preparing full-time. 
  • Divide time between Paper 1 (Aptitude + GA) and Paper 2 (Core Subjects).
• Paper 1 focus areas:
  • English
    • Practice comprehension and précis daily.
  • Quant & Reasoning
    • Target speed-building through sectional mocks.
  • GA
    • Read and revise the last 6 months’ finance and economy news on priority.
• Paper 2 focus areas:
  • Cover 1 core subject at a time using standard sources.
  • Make formula sheets for costing and ratios.
  • Practice 30 to 40 MCQs per topic.
• Mocks & Revision
  • Attempt 1 full mock weekly from week 4 of study; analyse every mistake and maintain a “revision log.”
• Current Affairs
  • Focus on SEBI circulars, RBI notifications, and economic reports (Economic Survey, Budget).
• Descriptive English
  • Practice 2 essays and 1 précis weekly. 
  • Focus on financial and economic themes.

For a complete plan and subject-wise study strategy, check our SEBI Grade A Preparation guide. 

SEBI Grade A Exam Analysis: 2025

Here is the SEBI Grade A exam analysis of the SEBI Grade A 2025 exams.

SEBI Grade A Exam Analysis 2025

Phase 1 

• Overall difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
• Reasoning: Difficult (lots of puzzles/arrangements)
• Quantitative Aptitude: Difficult. Caselet/DI + higher arithmetic.
• English: Moderate
• General Awareness: Moderate to Difficult, higher focus on finance/markets.
• Paper 2: Overall Moderate.

Phase 2 

• Difficulty: Moderate overall.
• Paper 1 (Descriptive English): Moderate
• Paper 2 (Finance, Costing, Management, Companies Act, Economics): Moderate

For subject-wise difficulty and marks distribution, read our detailed SEBI Grade A Exam Analysis article.

SEBI Grade A Cut Off

Phase 1 cut-offs are fixed qualifying cut-offs. You have to score a minimum of 30 marks in Paper 1, 40 marks in Paper 2, and an aggregate of 80 marks to qualify for phase 2.

Find below the phase 2 and final SEBI Grade A cut-off marks of 2025, 2024, 2022, and 2020 exams.

For a detailed year-wise analysis and category breakdown, check the complete SEBI Grade A Cut Off article

SEBI Grade A Toppers

Let’s look at some of the success stories of the SEBI Grade A toppers from the past years :

SEBI Grade A Topper: Kritika 

• Kritika graduated with a B.Com Honors degree and then pursued an M.Com degree. 
• After completing her master’s degree, she cracked various exams. 
• Gained experience working in several organizations, including SBI, Bank of India, LIC, and EPFO. 
• When she cracked the SEBI Assistant Manager officer exam, she was working as a Social Security Assistant at EPFO.

Below, she shares her journey, explaining the strategy and resources she used that helped her crack 5 government exams.

Click on the link for the SEBI Grade A Preparation Strategy by Kritika. 

SEBI Grade A Topper: Anoop Tantia

• Anoop Tantia, a Chartered Accountant by profession, failed to crack the SEBI Assistant Manager exam in his first attempt. 
• He was selected as an SEBI Assistant Manager while working full-time.

Below, he shares his experience, which will serve as a valuable roadmap for aspiring SEBI Grade A candidates like you.

Click on the link for the SEBI Grade A Preparation Strategy by Anoop Tantia. 

SEBI Grade A Topper: Srinidhi Adhikary 

• Srinidhi, an engineer with a full-time job as a Java Full Stack Developer, decided to prepare for the SEBI Assistant Manager exam. 
• She wasn’t successful on her first attempt. Balancing a full-time job with exam preparation proved challenging. 
• Srinidhi prioritized focused studying on weekends and sacrificed leisure activities to stay committed. 
• This dedication ultimately led her to crack the SEBI Assistant Manager exam on her second attempt.

Below, she shares her experience, her difficulties, and the strategy that helped her crack the exam.

Click on the link for the SEBI Grade A Preparation Strategy by Srinidhi Adhikary. 

SEBI Grade A Topper: Abhishek 

• Abhishek, an IIT graduate, dedicated two and a half years to UPSC preparation but failed to crack the CSE exam. 
• His interest in economics led him to explore Regulatory Bodies’ exams. 
• He saw these exams as an opportunity to combine his engineering and economic knowledge
• He cracked the SEBI Assistant Manager exam on his second attempt.

Below, he shares his experience and preparation strategy and explains how he turned his UPSC failure into SEBI success.

Click on the link for the SEBI Grade A Preparation Strategy by Abhishek.

Read our SEBI Grade A topper article for more success stories and strategies.

Final Thoughts

The SEBI Grade A exam isn’t just about clearing 3 stages or cracking MCQs. It’s about earning your place in an institution that shapes India’s financial markets, protects investors, and upholds transparency.

Don’t wait for the notification. The competition is tough, and the syllabus is vast—but so is the opportunity. With the right strategy, discipline, and consistent effort, you can succeed, whether you’re starting fresh or preparing again after a previous attempt.

So bookmark this guide, create a study plan, download the PYQs, and start preparing with purpose.

All the Best!