The journey to cracking the SEBI Grade A 2024 exam is never easy, but with the right mindset and preparation strategy, it becomes achievable. Sudhansu Palav’s story is a perfect example of this.
If you’re aiming to crack the SEBI Grade A exam, there’s no better way to learn than from those who’ve already done it. In this blog, we bring you the detailed journey of Sudhansu Palav, who successfully cleared the SEBI Grade A 2024 exam from the general stream.
From early preparation in his college days to his smart study strategy, interview planning, and mindset shifts, Sudhansu’s story is a goldmine of practical advice and exam tips. Whether you’re just starting your SEBI Grade A journey or you’re in the revision phase, this blog will show you exactly what worked for a successful candidate like Sudhansu Palav.
Starting Early: The Power of Long-Term Planning
Sudhansu Palav’s preparation didn’t begin a few months before the exam. In fact, his journey started during his undergraduate studies. Like many serious aspirants, he took attempts at UPSC Civil Services, UGC NET, EPFO, and banking exams. While not every exam attempt turned into a selection, the overall process helped him build a strong foundation.
This early exposure to competitive exams helped him understand how to study effectively, manage time, and stay focused despite setbacks. It also gave him clarity on what kind of government job he wanted. Eventually, his preparation streamlined towards the SEBI Grade A Exam—where he found the right match for his background and interest in finance and public policy.
Sudhansu Palav’s Smart Use of Syllabus Overlap
One of the most effective parts of Sudhansu’s strategy was leveraging the syllabus overlap between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the SEBI Grade A exam. Instead of treating the two phases as separate, he used a smart approach—completed the entire Phase 2 Paper 2 syllabus first.
This saved time and reduced stress. By the time Phase 1 approached, he already had a grip on important topics like commerce, accountancy, finance, costing, and management. This reduced last-minute cramming and gave him an edge in Phase 1 preparation too.
This strategy is highly recommended for all SEBI aspirants. Instead of switching between Phase 1 and Phase 2 topics, focus on the common subjects first. Build depth, and then fine-tune for each phase as the exam approaches.
Tackling Difficult Subjects With Confidence
Sudhansu didn’t have a formal background in management accounting or cost accounting, which are important parts of the SEBI Grade A syllabus. But that didn’t stop him. Instead of panicking or running after multiple coaching materials, he focused on understanding the syllabus and exam pattern first.
He analyzed previous year question papers to assess the difficulty level and common question types. This helped him break down the subjects into manageable sections. Then, using limited high-quality sources, he built his confidence.
Sudhansu Palav’s message is clear: you don’t need to be an expert in every subject. What you need is a practical approach that focuses on the right topics, the right resources, and regular revision.
Descriptive English: The Underrated Game Changer
A lot of SEBI aspirants ignore the descriptive English paper or leave it for the last moment. Sudhansu Palav did the opposite. He treated it as a scoring opportunity. His preparation included:
- Watching tutorials on essay writing
- Preparing templates for common topics
- Practicing press releases, precis, and reading comprehension
Sudhansu Palav also experimented with the sequence of attempting questions. Starting with reading comprehension gave him momentum and saved time for the essay at the end. This method ensured he completed the paper with quality content and proper structure.
Sudhansu’s tip: don’t treat English as “just language”—it’s a skill you can improve with practice, and it may just make the difference in your final score.
Interview Preparation: A Structured and Focused Approach
Clearing the written exams is only half the battle. The SEBI Grade A interview round can make or break your final result. Sudhansu divided his interview preparation into five key areas:
- Personal Profile: He anticipated questions about his background, especially his teaching experience and academic interests in economics.
- Service Allocation (SA): He studied the structure and functions of SEBI and how officers work within the organization.
- Finance: Brushed up on basics like monetary policy, inflation, financial institutions, and current economic issues.
- Current Affairs: He followed financial news with a focus on “why” and “how” rather than “what” — this added depth to his answers.
- Mock Interviews: Practiced with mentors and friends to get feedback on content and body language.
Sudhansu Palav’s interview strategy shows that depth and clarity matter more than simply memorizing facts. Understanding the role of a SEBI officer, connecting your academic background to the job, and showing awareness of current issues can help you stand out in the interview.
One Mistake Most Aspirants Make—and How to Avoid It
In today’s world, there’s no shortage of study materials—PDFs, YouTube videos, coaching apps, Telegram groups, etc. But Sudhansu Palav warns against falling into the trap of “resource overload.”
He made a conscious effort to stick to a limited number of resources. For each subject, he picked one trusted source and revised it multiple times. This helped him avoid confusion and saved him from wasting time on conflicting information.
His advice: “You don’t get marks for reading everything. You get marks for remembering what you read.”
Don’t Fear Low Vacancies—Focus on Cut-Offs
A lot of aspirants feel discouraged when they see low vacancy numbers in SEBI Grade A notification. But Sudhansu Palav says this mindset is a distraction. Vacancies don’t matter if you’re focused on cut-off scores and your own preparation.
The SEBI exam, like any other competitive exam, filters candidates based on cut-offs. If your goal is to score above the cut-off and stay consistent in every phase, vacancies won’t matter. In fact, most toppers don’t even track the number of seats—they focus entirely on performance.
This mental shift helped Sudhansu stay motivated, even when the competition was intense.
Final Tips From Sudhansu’s Journey
Sudhansu’s experience is packed with insights that every SEBI aspirant can benefit from:
- Start your preparation as early as possible. Even if you’re not sure about SEBI yet, preparing for related exams builds your skills.
- Understand the SEBI Grade A exam pattern and syllabus deeply. Don’t just download the syllabus—analyze it, connect it with previous year papers, and build a plan.
- Be consistent. Whether it’s reading finance news or practicing mock tests, doing small things daily adds up.
- Avoid the trap of self-doubt. Everyone struggles with unfamiliar topics. Use smart strategies to overcome, instead of giving up.
- Practice SEBI Grade A mock tests—both written and interview. This builds exam temperament and improves accuracy.
- Stay away from negativity—don’t focus on number of seats or rumors on difficulty level. Focus on what you can control.
Summing Up
Sudhansu Palav’s success in SEBI Grade A 2024 is a great reminder that you don’t need to be a topper in every subject. What matters is your planning, consistency, and mindset. With focused preparation, confidence, and smart strategies, you can crack even the toughest government exams.
If you’re preparing for SEBI Grade A, take notes from Sudhansu’s journey. Start early, prepare smart, and believe in the process. Whether you’re a working professional, a college student, or someone attempting SEBI for the second time—your success lies in how well you execute your plan.
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