The SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 is the roadmap for one of India’s most prestigious government examinations. With the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) anticipated to release notification for Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager) vacancies, serious aspirants must begin their preparation immediately. Unlike standard banking exams, the SEBI Grade A exam requires specialized knowledge in subjects like Costing, Companies Act, and Finance.
Understanding the intricate SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern—specifically the weightage difference between Phase 1 (Qualifying) and Phase 2 (Merit-based)—is the first step toward securing this high-paying regulatory body job. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the syllabus for General, Legal, IT, and Research streams.
SEBI Grade A 2026 Exam Highlights
Before diving into the chapters, here is a quick overview of the examination structure based on the latest information handouts.
| Feature | Details |
| Organization | Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) |
| Post Name | Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager) |
| Selection Process | Phase 1 (Online Screening) Phase 2 (Online Mains) Phase 3 (Interview) |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th (0.25 marks) for both Phase 1 & Phase 2 |
| Official Website | www.sebi.gov.in |
SEBI Grade A Exam Pattern 2026 (Detailed)
The selection process is rigorous and divided into three distinct phases. It is critical to note that Phase 1 is qualifying in nature, meaning its marks are not added to the final selection list, but you must clear the cut-off to proceed.
Also Read: Central Bank of India Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 350 Specialist Officer Posts
Phase 1 Exam Pattern (Screening Test)
Phase 1 consists of two papers conducted in a single day. You must secure a separate cut-off for each paper AND an aggregate cut-off to qualify.
| Paper | Stream / Subjects | Questions | Max Marks | Duration | Cut-Off |
| Paper 1 | General Awareness (Financial Sector focus), English Language, Quant, Reasoning | 80 | 100 | 60 Mins | 30% |
| Paper 2 | General Stream: Commerce, Accounts, Mgmt, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics. Specialized Streams: Related to Stream (Legal, IT, etc.) | 50 | 100 | 40 Mins | 40% |
| Aggregate | Combined Score of Paper 1 + Paper 2 | – | 200 | 100 Mins | 40% |
Note: The duration for Phase 1 is 100 minutes total, but Paper 1 is allocated 60 minutes and Paper 2 is allocated 40 minutes.
Phase 2 Exam Pattern (Mains)
This is the most crucial stage. The marks obtained here carry 85% weightage in the final selection (Interview carries 15%).
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Weightage | Cut-Off |
| Paper 1 | English (Descriptive): Essay, Précis, Comprehension | 100 | 60 Mins | 1/3rd | 30% |
| Paper 2 | General Stream: Commerce, Accounts, Mgmt, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics. Other Streams: Specialized Subject. | 100 | 40 Mins | 2/3rd | 40% |
Key Insight: For the General Stream, the syllabus for Phase 1 Paper 2 and Phase 2 Paper 2 is identical. This means preparing for Phase 2 automatically covers Phase 1.
SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026: General Stream (Paper 2)
This section is the “Game Changer” for General Stream candidates. The syllabus is vast but static. Below is the topic-wise breakdown verified from official annexures.
1. Commerce & Accountancy
- Accounting as a Financial Information System.
- Accounting Standards: Specific reference to Depreciation, Inventories, Revenue Recognition, Fixed Assets, Foreign Exchange Transactions, and Investments.
- Financial Statements: Cash Flow Statement, Fund Flow Statement, Ratio Analysis.
- Share Capital Transactions: Bonus Shares, Right Shares, ESOPs, Buy-Back of Securities.
- Final Accounts: Preparation and Presentation of Company Final Accounts .
2. Management
- Processes: Planning, Organization, Staffing, Directing, Controlling.
- Leadership: Roles, Styles, Theories (Successful vs. Effective Leader).
- HRD: Concepts, Goals, Motivation Theories, Morale, and Incentives.
- Communication: Steps, Channels, Barriers, and the role of IT in communication .
3. Finance
- Financial System: Role of Regulatory bodies (RBI, SEBI).
- Financial Markets: Primary & Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity), instruments, and recent developments.
- Derivatives: Basics of Forward, Futures, and Swaps.
- Union Budget: Direct/Indirect Taxes, GST, Fiscal Policy, FRBM, Inflation (Trends, WPI, CPI) .
4. Costing
- Overview: Objectives and Scope of Cost & Mgmt Accounting.
- Methods: Unit Costing, Job Costing, Batch Costing, Contract Costing, Process Costing, Service Costing.
- Control: Standard Costing, Marginal Costing, Budgetary Control.
- Lean Systems: JIT, Kaizen, 5S, TPM, Six Sigma .
5. Companies Act, 2013
- You must study specific chapters: Chapter III, IV, VIII, X, XI, XII, and XXVII .
- Tip: Focus on Board Meetings, Audits, and Share Capital rules.
6. Economics
- Micro/Macro: Demand & Supply, Market Structures, National Income (Classical vs Keynesian).
- Key Concepts: Consumption Function, Investment Function, Multiplier, Accelerator.
- Monetary/Fiscal: IS-LM Curve, Phillips Curve, Inflation, Balance of Payments, Foreign Exchange Markets .
Also Read: Bank Exam Calendar 2026 PDF: IBPS, SBI Exam Dates & Notification Link
SEBI Grade A Syllabus Specialized Streams
Legal Stream Syllabus
The Legal stream syllabus is divided into specific acts with assigned weightages for Phase 2.
- Constitution of India: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Union/State Judiciary.
- Major Acts: Law of Contracts, Criminal Law (IPC/CrPC), Law of Evidence, CPC.
- Corporate/Securities: Companies Act 2013, SEBI Act 1992, SC(R) Act 1956, Depositories Act.
- Other Acts: Arbitration, Transfer of Property, Law of Torts, Consumer Protection.
Information Technology (IT) Stream
Phase 1 focuses on basics, while Phase 2 involves a Coding Test (C++/Java/Python).
- Database: ER-models, Relational Algebra, SQL Queries, Normal Forms.
- Programming: OOPS, Data Structures (Arrays, Stacks, Queues, Trees), Algorithms (Sorting, Searching).
- Networking: ISO/OSI Stack, TCP/IP, Protocols.
- Cyber Security: Cyber attacks, Network Security, Digital Signatures .
Comprehensive Analysis & Insights
Why is the 2026 pattern significant?
The SEBI Grade A exam has evolved to favor candidates who have a strong grasp of core financial and legal concepts over generic aptitude.
- High Cut-Offs: The 40% aggregate cut-off in Phase 1 is a major hurdle. Many candidates score well in Paper 1 (Aptitude) but fail to clear the 40% benchmark in Paper 2 (Technical) or the overall aggregate.
- Descriptive English: In Phase 2, the English paper (Essay/Précis) carries 1/3rd weightage. Neglecting this often leads to failure even with a high score in the technical paper.
- Static Syllabus: Unlike Current Affairs which changes daily, the General Stream Paper 2 syllabus is static. Mastering Costing and Companies Act guarantees marks as these questions are direct and conceptual.
How to Download SEBI Grade A Syllabus PDF
Follow these steps to access the official documents:
- Visit the official SEBI Careers page at sebi.gov.in/careers.
- Navigate to the “Vacancies” tab.
- Search for the notification titled “Recruitment of Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager) – General, Legal, IT Stream 2026”.
- Click on the “Syllabus” or “Information Handout” link.
- Download the PDF and save it for offline reference.
Download SEBI Grade A Syllabus 2026 PDF
Download Previous Year Question Papers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is there negative marking in the SEBI Grade A exam? Yes, there is a negative marking of 1/4th (0.25 marks) for every wrong answer in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 (Paper 2).
Q2. What is the weightage of the Interview in SEBI Grade A? The final selection is based on Phase 2 marks (85% weightage) and Interview marks (15% weightage). Phase 1 marks are not counted.
Q3. Is the syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2 different for the General Stream? No, the syllabus for Paper 2 (Commerce, Accounts, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics) is the same for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Q4. Can final year students apply for SEBI Grade A 2026?
Generally, candidates must possess the valid degree/mark sheet as of the date specified in the official notification. You must check the specific eligibility criteria in the detailed 2026 notification once released.
Q5. How many vacancies are expected in 2026? Current syllabus documents indicate approximately 110 vacancies for the Assistant Manager post, though this is subject to the final official notification.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is based on the latest available resources and previous year patterns. Candidates are advised to strictly follow the official notification released on www.sebi.gov.in for the most accurate and legal data.