SEBI Officer Grade A Phase 2 exam details released. Check comprehensive exam pattern, paper-wise schedule, cut-off, negative marking, and important exam day instructions for 2024.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released an ‘Information Handout’ detailing the Phase II On-line Examination for the Recruitment of Officer Grade ‘A’ (Assistant Manager) across various streams, including General, Legal, Information Technology, Research, Official Language, and Engineering (Electrical and Civil). This comprehensive document provides crucial information regarding the structure of the examination, paper-wise details, marking scheme, cut-off criteria, and essential instructions for candidates appearing for the online test. Aspirants are advised to thoroughly review this handout to prepare effectively for the upcoming examination and ensure a smooth exam day experience.
Exam Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) |
| Exam Name | Officer Grade ‘A’ (Assistant Manager) Phase II On-line Examination |
| Streams Covered | General, Legal, Information Technology, Research, Official Language, Engineering (Electrical), Engineering (Civil) |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Total Duration | 240 minutes (Paper 1: 60 min, Paper 2: 40-180 min depending on stream) |
| Negative Marking | Yes, 1/4th of the marks for wrong answers in objective papers |
| Shortlisting for Phase III | Candidates equaling 3 times the number of vacancies, in order of merit |
Exam Schedule
The exact date, reporting time, and venue address for the Phase II examination will be communicated to candidates through their individual Call Letters (Admit Cards). Candidates are strongly advised to download their call letters as soon as they are released and check all details carefully. It is recommended to visit the examination venue one day prior to the exam to confirm the location and travel arrangements.
Exam Centers
Specific exam centers are not listed in this handout. The examination venue address will be provided on the candidate’s Call Letter.
Exam Pattern
The Phase II examination consists of two papers: Paper 1 (English Descriptive) common for all streams, and Paper 2 (Stream-Specific) which can be objective or descriptive depending on the stream.
Paper 1: English (Descriptive Test) – Common for All Streams
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Descriptive (Typing based on computer keyboard) |
| Sections | Essay Writing, Precis Writing, Comprehension |
| No. of Questions | 3 (Essay – 30 Marks, Precis – 30 Marks, Comprehension – 40 Marks) |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Minimum Cut-off | 30% |
| Weightage in Phase II | 1/3rd |
Paper 2: Stream-Specific Examination
Paper 2 is stream-specific and comprises different types of questions, marks, and durations as detailed below:
General Stream
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Multiple Choice Questions (Objective Type) |
| Subjects | Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act and Economics |
| No. of Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Minimum Cut-off | 40% |
| Weightage in Phase II | 2/3rd |
Legal Stream
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Part 1: Stream Specific Questions | MCQ/Objective Type |
| No. of Questions (Part 1) | 70 |
| Maximum Marks (Part 1) | 70 |
| Duration (Part 1) | 60 Minutes |
| Part 2: Descriptive Questions | On Specialized Subject related to stream |
| No. of Questions (Part 2) | 3 (10 marks each) |
| Maximum Marks (Part 2) | 30 |
| Duration (Part 2) | 60 Minutes |
| Combined Minimum Cut-off | 40% |
| Weightage in Phase II | 2/3rd |
Information Technology Stream
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Stream Specific Questions (MCQ/Objective Type) – Mix of logic flow completion, debugging, syntax understanding, program dry run outputs, data analysis, etc. |
| No. of Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Minimum Cut-off | 40% |
| Weightage in Phase II | 2/3rd |
Research Stream
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Descriptive Exam to test practical in-depth knowledge and drafting skills in Economics, financial markets and statistics. |
| Section A | Financial Markets (2 questions to be attempted out of 4, each 25 marks) |
| Section B | Economics (2 questions to be attempted out of 4, each 12.5 marks) |
| Section C | Statistics (1 question to be attempted out of 3, each 25 marks) |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Minimum Cut-off | 40% |
| Weightage in Phase II | 2/3rd |
Official Language Stream
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Stream Specific Questions (Descriptive Questions) – Translation (English to Hindi, Hindi to English), Notings (English to Hindi, Hindi to English), Sentences (English to Hindi, Hindi to English) |
| No. of Questions | 8 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Minimum Cut-off | 40% |
| Weightage in Phase II | 2/3rd |
Engineering Stream (Electrical & Civil)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Stream Specific Questions (MCQ/Objective Type) |
| No. of Questions | 50 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 40 Minutes |
| Minimum Cut-off | 40% |
| Weightage in Phase II | 2/3rd |
Overall Phase II Cut-off & Shortlisting
- Candidates must secure a minimum of 30% in Paper 1 and a minimum of 40% in Paper 2.
- An aggregate cut-off of 50% in Phase II examination is required.
- Paper 1 carries 1/3rd weightage, and Paper 2 carries 2/3rd weightage in the Phase II aggregate score.
- Candidates equaling 3 times the number of vacancies will be shortlisted for Phase III (Interview) in order of merit. The list of shortlisted candidates will be made available on the SEBI website.
Admit Card
The call letter (Admit Card) is a mandatory document for entry to the examination venue. It will contain essential details such as the exam date, reporting time, and the complete venue address. If a candidate has applied and qualified for two streams, the call letter will show the names of both posts, but only one registration number and roll number will be generated for administrative purposes.
How to Download Admit Card (General Guidance)
While the exact steps for downloading are not in the handout, typically, SEBI admit cards are downloaded from the official website. Candidates will usually need their registration number and password/date of birth to log in and retrieve their hall ticket. Please keep an eye on the official SEBI website for the admit card release announcement.
What to Verify on Admit Card
- Your Name, Date of Birth, and Category
- Exam Date, Reporting Time, and Shift
- Examination Venue Address
- Photograph and Signature
- Stream(s) applied for and appearing in
- Any special instructions
Critical: Ensure your name on the call letter exactly matches the name on your photo identity proof. Discrepancies, especially for female candidates who have changed their name post-marriage, must be addressed as per official guidelines to avoid being barred from the exam.
Documents Required on Exam Day
It is crucial to carry all mandatory documents to the examination venue. Failure to produce any of these may lead to disqualification.
Mandatory Checklist:
- Call Letter: Printed copy of the Phase II Call Letter with a recent passport-size photograph securely pasted on it (preferably the same photograph as uploaded in the application form).
- Photo Identity Proof (Original): A currently valid photo identity proof in its original form.
- Photo Identity Proof (Photocopy): A photocopy of the same photo identity proof, duly stapled along with the Call Letter.
- Ball-point Pen: For signing and any rough work.
- Ink Stamp Pad (Optional but Recommended): A blue/black ink stamp pad for thumb impression, if required.
Accepted Photo ID Proofs:
- PAN Card
- Passport
- Permanent Driving License
- Voter’s Card
- Bank Passbook with photograph
- Photo Identity proof issued by a Gazetted Officer on official letterhead with photograph
- Photo Identity proof issued by a People’s Representative on official letterhead with photograph
- Valid recent Identity Card issued by a recognized College/University
- Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar Card with a photograph
- Employee ID
- Bar Council Identity card (for Legal stream candidates)
Not Accepted ID Proofs:
- Ration Card
- Learner’s Driving License
Exam Day Instructions
Adhering to the instructions provided by the Test Administrator and SEBI Representative is paramount. Any violation may lead to disqualification.
Before the Exam:
- Venue Visit: Visit the examination venue one day before the exam date to familiarize yourself with the location and ensure timely reporting. Latecomers will not be allowed.
- Queries: Ask any doubts or questions to the Test Administrator ONLY before the commencement of the test. No queries will be entertained once the exam starts.
During the Exam:
- Biometric & IRIS Capture: Biometric data (thumb impression) and photograph/IRIS scan will be captured at the venue.
- Thumb Impression: Ensure fingers are clean, dry, and free from any coating (ink, mehndi, color) before biometric capture. Immediately notify authorities if the primary finger is injured.
- IRIS Scan: Remove contact lenses and spectacles during IRIS capture. It is advised to avoid wearing contact lenses and prefer spectacles.
- Typing Descriptive Answers: Paper 1 (English Descriptive) and descriptive parts of Paper 2 (Legal, Research, Official Language) require typing answers using a keyboard. Candidates must check all key functions before starting.
- Language Selection: A panel will be available for selecting Hindi or English for descriptive papers (Paper 2, where applicable). DO NOT click the “EXIT” button on this panel.
- Objective Questions: All objective questions will have multiple choices. Select the most appropriate answer and click on it.
- Saving Answers: To save an answer and move to the next question, you MUST click on ‘Save & Next’. Questions marked for review with an answer selected will be considered for final evaluation.
- Rough Work: A sheet of paper will be provided for rough work. This sheet, along with the Call Letter, MUST be handed over to the invigilator at the end of the test.
- Prohibited Items: Do not carry calculators (except for specific streams in Paper 2 as mentioned), books, notebooks, written material, cell phones, pagers, or any other electronic device. Any candidate found with banned items or resorting to unfair means will be disqualified.
- Time Limit: The exam will end automatically when the countdown timer runs out. Answers will be saved even if the candidate has not clicked the “Submit” button.
Post-Exam:
- Orderly Exit: After the exam, candidates must leave the hall in an orderly manner without discussion.
- Misconduct: Providing incorrect information or any process violation will lead to disqualification from the current and future SEBI recruitment processes.
- Equating Scores: If the examination is held in multiple sessions, scores will be equated to adjust for difficulty level differences.
- PWBD Candidates: Scribe facility details and the Joint Undertaking/Declaration form can be found in the detailed advertisement on the SEBI website.
Last-Minute Tips
As the SEBI Grade A Phase 2 exam approaches, effective last-minute preparation can significantly boost your performance:
- Revision Focus: Prioritize revising key concepts and formulas. Don’t try to learn new topics at this stage.
- Mock Tests: Take at least one full-length mock test under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam environment, especially for the descriptive papers to practice typing speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Practice allocating time effectively for each section during your mock tests. For descriptive papers, ensure you can type within the given time limit.
- Document Check: Double-check all required documents (Call Letter, ID proof, photograph) the night before to avoid last-minute panic.
- Stay Calm: Maintain a positive mindset. Get adequate sleep before the exam day to ensure you are fresh and focused.
What to Expect
The SEBI Grade A Phase 2 examination will be a rigorous test of your knowledge and analytical skills. Here’s what you can generally expect:
- Online Environment: The exam will be conducted entirely online in a secure environment. Familiarize yourself with the navigation and question palette.
- Biometric Process: Be prepared for biometric verification (thumb impression, photograph, IRIS scan) before entering the exam hall. This is a standard procedure to ensure authenticity.
- Question Difficulty: Expect questions ranging from moderate to difficult, especially in stream-specific papers. The descriptive English paper will assess your drafting skills, requiring clarity and coherence.
- Time Pressure: Both objective and descriptive papers will have strict time limits. Effective time management will be crucial to attempt all questions.
- Technical Aspects: For descriptive papers, ensure you are comfortable with keyboard typing, as answers must be typed directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there negative marking in the SEBI Grade A Phase 2 exam?
A. Yes, for objective type questions, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
Q2. What are the minimum qualifying marks for Phase 2?
A. Candidates must secure a minimum of 30% in Paper 1 and 40% in Paper 2, along with an aggregate cut-off of 50% in Phase II.
Q3. What documents are mandatory to carry on the exam day?
A. You must carry your Call Letter with a pasted photograph, the original photo identity proof, and a photocopy of the same ID proof.
Q4. Can I use a calculator during the exam?
A. For Paper 2, a simple calculator is permitted for the General stream. A scientific (non-programmable) calculator is allowed for Research and Engineering (Electrical & Civil) streams only. Calculators are generally not allowed for Paper 1 or other streams unless explicitly stated.
Q5. What happens if I fail to participate in the biometric verification process?
A. Refusal to participate in biometric data capturing/verification on any occasion may lead to the cancellation of your candidature.
Q6. What should I do if there is a technical glitch during my online exam?
A. Immediately inform the Test Administrator. The decision regarding re-examination or other solutions will be at the absolute discretion of the test conducting body. Candidates will not have any claim for a re-test.
Q7. How many candidates will be shortlisted for the interview (Phase III)?
A. Candidates equaling 3 times the number of notified vacancies will be shortlisted for Phase III (Interview) based on their merit in Phase II.
Q8. Can I change my exam center after the admit card is released?
A. Generally, requests for changing the exam center are not entertained once the admit card is released. The center allotted is usually final.
Q9. Is there any specific keyboard layout required for Hindi typing in the Official Language stream?
A. Yes, candidates should have knowledge of Inscript or Remington (GAIL) keyboard mapping for Hindi typing in the Descriptive Paper (Paper 2).
Q10. What if my name on the ID proof does not match the name on the call letter?
A. Any mismatch may lead to non-admittance to the examination. It is crucial that the names match exactly. If there’s a name change (e.g., post-marriage), ensure you carry supporting documents or have your name updated as per official guidelines.