It can be a little tough trying to prepare for the SEBI Grade A, PFRDA Grade A, and NABARD Finance exams. The fact that they rank as some of the most important regulatory body exams, the preparation process is more stress-inducing.
Each of these recruitment opportunities gives aspirants a chance at a prestigious career where they can directly impact the country’s development and financial policies. However, such a promise is accompanied by a lengthy curriculum, several stages, and fierce competition.
Both the opportunity and the challenge are genuine. You can prepare for all three at once without overcommitting yourself if you plan ahead. For this, you need to understand how the syllabi overlap and use a consistent approach to your preparation.
CA Neha Agrawal’s thorough analysis of the three exams is the basis for this blog. It will teach you how to effectively coordinate your preparation, manage your stress, and make steady progress toward your goals.
Understanding the Exams: Similarities and Differences
You must have an understanding about the similarities and differences between these exams before beginning your preparation . Understanding this will help you to make better use of your time and gives value to your efforts.
PFRDA and SEBI: Nearly Similar
In Phase 1, the PFRDA Grade A exam and the SEBI Grade A exam are fairly comparable. The four topics in these exams are Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness (GA).
You get 20 questions in each section, for a total of 80 questions of 100 marks. Since they are so similar, studying for one test inevitably improves your preparation for the other.
NABARD Finance: A Wider Syllabus
If you have your sights set on NABARD, then you need to understand its syllabus well. The NABARD Finance exam has a broader scope in Phase 1. Its preliminary exam has eight subjects namely, General Awareness, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Economic and Social Issues (ESI), Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), Computer Knowledge and Decision Making
This extended syllabus reflects NABARD’s focus on rural finance and development. Aspirants need to spend some more time to these extra subjects. Along with that they also need to continue their preparation for common topics.
Comparison of SEBI, PFRDA and NABARD Exam Patterns
You should have an idea about the exam structure for each recruitment opportunity before hitting the books. Knowing how the SEBI Grade A exam, PFRDA Grade A exam, and NABARD Finance exam are designed will help you plan your studies smoothly.
While SEBI and PFRDA have a lot of similarities as we have established already, NABARD introduces additional subjects that are necessary for its purposes. The table given below gives you a better idea on what you need to understand about the SEBI, PFRDA and NABARD Finance exams.
| Feature | SEBI Grade A Exam | PFRDA Grade A Exam | NABARD Finance Exam |
| Phase 1 Total Marks | 100 | 100 | 200 |
| Number of Questions | 80 | 80 | 200 |
| Subjects Covered | GA, English, Quant, Reasoning | GA, English, Quant, Reasoning | GA, English, Quant, Reasoning, ESI, ARD, Computer Knowledge, Decision Making |
| Negative Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phase 2 Paper Structure | 2 Papers (English + Stream-specific) | 2 Papers (English + Stream-specific) | 1 Paper (Objective + Descriptive) |
| Unique Focus Areas | SEBI Act | PFRDA Act | Agriculture & Rural Development |
The Role of Negative Marking in SEBI PFRDA & NABARD Finance Exams
The SEBI, PFRDA and NABARD finance exams include negative marks which means every wrong answer carries a penalty. The good news is that you can avoid reduce negative marks by first attempting the answers you know and skipping the ones you don’t.
It would be a good idea to practice with mock tests regularly to develop a balance between speed and accuracy. A thoughtful exam preparation strategy will reduce the chances of losing marks unnecessarily and build confidence for the actual exam day.
The 90% Syllabus Overlap: Your Biggest Advantage
One of the most encouraging takeaways from CA Neha Agrawal’s analysis is that the syllabus overlaps helps you prepare better. Roughly speaking, nearly 90% of the topics are common, which means your efforts in mastering these areas is going to help all these exams.
You should be aware of what the common topics are and which are unique for the SEBI Grade A , PFRDA Grade A , and NABARD Finance exam syllabus. Knowing this will help you to create a strong study plan that will help you study. As we said earlier, nearly 90% of the core topics overlap across all three exams. This is a huge advantage allowing you to prepare for all these exams together.
However, each exam also has specific focus areas. This is to be expected since each recruitment role has a different set of job profile and responsibilities. If you know where the differences are will be helpful when you prepare for the exams. The table given below will give you a clearer understanding of what to expect for each exam.
| Syllabus Area | Common to All Exams | Unique Topics |
| Accounts | Accounting principles, standards, financial statements, depreciation | – |
| Cost & Management Accounting | Marginal costing, break-even analysis, budgeting | – |
| Financial Management | NPV, IRR, cost of capital, leverage, working capital management | – |
| Economics | Micro and macroeconomics | – |
| Finance & Banking | Financial markets, instruments, regulatory frameworks | – |
| Company Law | Companies Act 2013 key provisions | – |
| Regulatory Acts | – | SEBI Act (SEBI), PFRDA Act (PFRDA), ARD & ESI (NABARD) |
Unique Focus Areas: The 10% Difference
While the bulk of your syllabus is shared, each exam has its distinct personality which we have mentioned below:
- SEBI Grade A Exam: This focuses on the SEBI Act and regulations essential to securities markets.
- PFRDA Grade A Exam: Preparing for PFRDA requires knowledge of the PFRDA Act, which governs pension funds and related policies.
- NABARD Finance Exam: Thís covers agriculture, rural development, and social issues central to NABARD’s mission. If you take a few hours every week to focus on these topics, you will be able to cover your NABARD preparation.
Phase 2: Building Your Descriptive Skills
Phase 2 exams are where the three exams are further different:
- SEBI and PFRDA: There are two distinct papers. Of this, Paper 1 is English descriptive (essays, précis, comprehension). On the other hand, Paper 2 is stream-specific and will be focused on your chosen stream—General, Legal, IT, or Finance.
- NABARD: One paper with an objective section and a descriptive section. The descriptive part includes essay-type questions, often on finance, economics, or social issues.
Many aspirants underestimate the English descriptive section. But with consistent practice—writing essays on recent financial topics or summarizing news articles—you can turn it into a scoring area. This practice also reinforces your understanding of current affairs for finance, which often informs essay topics.
Preparing for SEBI PFRDA & NABARD Finance Exams
Attempting all three exams together may seem ambitious, but you can achieve this with a structured plan. The first step in that is to have mastery over the common topics. Once you prioritize the 90% overlapping topics in first two months, half the battle is won.
The second step is to plan out your preparation for the unique topics. You should chalk out specific weeks for the important topics like SEBI Act, PFRDA Act, and NABARD’s ARD/ESI topics. Don’t forget to spend some time on General Awareness by reading newspapers and making use of ixamBee’s BeePedia.
The third step is to practice with mock exams. ixamBee provides SEBI Grade A Mock Tests as well as PFRDA Grade A and NABARD Mock Tests. Each recruitment’s mock tests are similar to the actual exam and most often there are similarities to the questions that are actually asked in the exam.
Staying Motivated on This Journey
Succeeding in these exams doesn’t happen when you cram too much or even pull all-nighters. On the other hand, it comes only when you are calm, disciplined, and have put in constant efforts for the exams.
Sure, there will be days when everything may seem overwhelming. But of course, that’s only natural. On these days, just remind yourself about why you started this journey in the first place. Think of that dream job at SEBI, PFRDA, or NABARD. Think of your passion of contributing for India’s growth. Check out the video below for a better understanding of this.
Summing Up
To sum up, preparing for the SEBI Grade A exam, the PFRDA Grade A exam, and the NABARD Finance exam together is not only possible—it’s practical with the right mindset and strategy. Start by focusing on the common topics and then prepare for the unique subjects. Also make sure to focus on General Awareness by checking up on current affairs as well.
Your dream career is not far—it’s waiting for your focused effort.
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Also Read:
RBI Rajbhasha and Legal Notification 2025: Everything You Should Know!
The RBI Grade B Officer Journey: Mindset, Preparation, and Patience
Combined Preparation Tips for SEBI, NABARD and RBI Exams
