IFSCA Grade A Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025, Syllabus Topics for Phase I and Phase II

International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) is going to conduct the IFSCA Grade A Phase 2 online exam on 15th November 2025 for the Assistant Manager (Officer Grade-A) posts. To grab the opportunity and ensure their seat for the examination, it is a must for the candidates to understand the IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025. In this article, we have discussed the detailed syllabus for reference to the candidates.

IFSCA Grade A Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025

Candidates preparing for the IFSCA Grade A Exam should understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern to know the marking scheme, question types, and important topics asked in the exam. The IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025 not only guides preparation but also boosts confidence by offering clarity on what to expect in the actual exam.

IFSCA Mains Result 2025- Click to Check

IFSCA Grade A Selection Process 2025

The candidates have to undergo the three stages of the selection process to be recruited for Officer Grade A (Assistant Manager) posts. The selection process includes Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains) exams, and an Interview.

• Phase 1- Online Exam
• Phase 2- Online Exam
• Phase 3- Interview

IFSCA Grade A Exam Pattern 2025

IFSCA Grade A Exam consists of two written examinations/phases, Phase 1 (Prelims) and Phase 2 (Mains), each having two papers. In Phase 1, Paper 1 is common for all streams and includes multiple-choice questions on General Awareness (Financial Sector), English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. In Paper 2, multiple-choice questions are based on the chosen stream. In Phase 2, IFSCA Paper 1 is a common descriptive English test, and Paper 2 contains multiple-choice questions specific to the stream.

IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025 For Phase I

The candidates who will be appearing for the IFSCA Grade A Exam must know the IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025. Having a clear understanding of the subject-wise syllabus not only helps candidates focus on important areas such as Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Finance, and IFSCA-related topics but also enables them to plan their preparation strategically and improve their chances of qualifying for the exam.

General Awareness Syllabus

• National News: MoUs, summits, and major events related to India.
• International: Summits and conferences held abroad.
• Financial & Economics News
• Financial Awareness: IFSCA and IFSCA notification and regulations
• Defence: Military exercises, drills, and major updates related to the defence sector of India
• Days in News: Major events or days, along with its date and theme
• Persons in News: Obituaries, appointments, and retirements
• Sports: Major tournaments and its winners
• Science, Technology, and Space
• Awards and Honours
• Environment
• Banking and Economy Related News
• Reports and Government Schemes
• Books and Authors
• Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers
• National Parks and Sanctuaries
• Airport Locations, Stadiums
• Organisations’ Headquarters
• Banks’ Headquarters and Taglines
• Power Plants in India
• Indian Dance Forms
• Countries, Capitals, and their Currencies
• Important Days

English Syllabus

• Grammar
• Error Spotting
• Sentence Improvement
• Comprehension Ability
• Comprehension passage
• Cloze test
• Rearrangement
• Para jumbles
• Double Fillers
• Vocabulary – Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution, Phrasal Verbs

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

• Ratio and Proportion
• Percentage
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Average and Ages
• Time and Work
• Pipes and Cistern
• Time and Distance
• Mixture and Alligation
• Series and Quadratic Equation
• Mathematical Inequalities
• Number Series
• Data Interpretation
• Simplification/Approximation
• Quantity Comparisons
• Data Sufficiency
• Partnership

Reasoning Ability Syllabus

• Alphanumeric Series
• Coding and Decoding
• Syllogism
• Direction Sense
• Inequality
• Ranking and Order
• Blood Relation
• Puzzles
• Seating Arrangement
• Input-Output
• Critical Reasoning
• Questions Based on Data Sufficiency

Economic and Social Development Syllabus

1. Growth and Development
   (i) Measurement of Growth: National Income and Per Capita Income
   (ii) Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India
   (iii) Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues
2. Social Structure in India
   (i) Multiculturalism
   (ii) Demographic Trends
   (iii) Urbanisation and Migration
   (iv) Gender Issues – Social Justice

Commerce and Accountancy Syllabus

• Accounting as a Financial Information System.
• Accounting Standards With Specific Reference to Accounting for Depreciation, Inventories, Revenue Recognition, Fixed Assets, Foreign Exchange Transactions, and Investments.
• Cash Flow Statement, Fund Flow Statement, Financial Statement Analysis; Ratio Analysis.
• Accounting for Share Capital Transactions Including Bonus Shares and Right Shares.
• Employees Stock Option and Buyback of Securities.
• Preparation and Presentation of Company Final Accounts.

Management Syllabus

• Management: Its Nature and Scope; the Management Processes. Planning, Organization, Staffing, Directing, and Controlling.
  The Role of a Manager in an Organisation.
• Leadership: The Tasks of a Leader.
• Leadership Styles: Leadership Theories; a Successful Leader Versus an Effective Leader.
  Human Resource Development: Concept of HRD; Goals of HRD
  Motivation, Morale, and Incentives: Theories of Motivation; How Managers Motivate; Concept of Morale; Factors Determining Morale; Role of Incentives in Building Up Morale.
• Communication: Steps in the Communication Process; Communication Channels; Oral Versus Written Communication; Verbal Versus Non-verbal Communication; Upward, Downward and Lateral Communication; Barriers to Communication, Role of Information Technology.
• Corporate Governance: Factors affecting Corporate Governance; Mechanisms of Corporate Governance

Finance Syllabus

• Financial System: Role and Functions of Regulatory Bodies in the Financial Sector.
• Financial Markets: Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, Etc.), Functions, Instruments, and Recent Developments.
• General Topics
  Basics of Derivatives: Forward, Futures, and Swap
  Recent Developments in the Financial Sector
  Financial Inclusion: Use of Technology
  Alternate Source of Finance, Private and Social Cost-benefit, Public-private Partnership
  Direct and Indirect Taxes: Non-tax Sources of Revenue, GST, Finance Commission, Fiscal Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act(FRBM),
  Inflation: Definition, Trends, Estimates, Consequences, and Remedies (Control): WPI, CPI-components, and Trends

Costing Syllabus

• Overview of Cost and Management Accounting: Introduction to Cost and Management Accounting, Objectives and Scope of Cost and Management Accounting.
• Methods of Costing: Single Output/ Unit Costing, Job Costing, Batch Costing, Contract Costing, Process/ Operation Costing, and Costing of Service Sectors.
• Basics of Cost Control and Analysis: (a) Standard Costing, (b) Marginal Costing, (c) Budget, and Budgetary Control.
• Lean System and Innovation:
  Introduction to Lean System
  Just-in-Time (JIT)
  Kaizen Costing
  5 Ss
  Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
  Cellular Manufacturing/ One-Piece Flow Production Systems
  Six Sigma (SS)
  Introduction to Process Innovation and Business Process Re-engineering(BPR)

Indian Economy & Global Economy Syllabus

• Demand and Supply, Market Structures, National Income: Concepts and Measurement, Classical & Keynesian Approach Determination of output and employment, Consumption Function, Investment Function, Multiplier and Accelerator, Demand and Supply for Money , IS – LM, Inflation and Phillips Curve, Business Cycles
• Balance of Payments, Foreign Exchange Markets, Inflation, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Non-banking Financial Institutions.
• Role of International Financial Institutions: BIS, IOSCO, IMF & World Bank.

General Knowledge and Current Events Syllabus

The official IFSCA Grade A notification mentions general knowledge and current events of national and international importance as a part of the IFSCA Grade A Phase 1 Paper 2 exam.

Central Government’s Initiatives/Schemes Syllabus

The official IFSCA Grade A notification mentions the central government’s initiatives/ schemes in the financial sector as a part of the IFSCA Grade A Phase 1 Paper 2 exam.

IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025 for Phase II

IFSCA Grade A Syllabus 2025 for Phase II goes deeper into descriptive English and technical subjects. The descriptive English paper checks a candidate’s ability to present ideas clearly and effectively through essays, a precis, and comprehension. The second paper includes objective-type questions from Finance, Indian Economy, IFSCA Act, Capital Markets, Insurance, Pension Funds, and other regulatory frameworks, which are important for working in an international financial services environment.

Descriptive English Syllabus

There is no defined descriptive English syllabus mentioned in the official IFSCA Grade A notification. Generally, 3 questions are asked, one each from:

• Essay: You have to choose one out of the 4-5 topics and write an essay in around 200 words.
• Precis Writing: You have to summarize a passage spanning 400 to 600 words in approximately 170 to 180 words.
• Reading Comprehension: You need to answer 5 questions based on the given passage of around 400 to 600 words.

Banking Syllabus

• Structure and Functions of Financial Institutions
• Functions of Reserve Bank of India
• Banking System in India – Structure and Developments, Financial Institutions – SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, NaBFID, etc.
• Recent Developments in Global Financial System and its impact on Indian Financial System
• Role of Information Technology in Banking and Finance
• Non-Banking System
• Developments in Digital Payments

Capital Market Syllabus

• Role and Functions of Regulatory bodies in Financial Sector
• Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions, instruments, recent developments
• Basics of Derivatives: Forward, Futures and Swap
• Spot and Derivative market of Precious Metals

Insurance Syllabus

• History of Indian Insurance, principles of Insurance
• Risk and uncertainty, pooling and diversification of risk, Indemnity and Insurable interest
• Legal foundations of Insurance, basics in Group/Health Insurance/Pensions Intermediation: role in mobilizing savings, evolution of various types and Bancassurance in India;
• Functions performed by Insurers: Product design, pricing, distribution, underwriting, claims, Investment and Reinsurance;
• Insurance lines and products: Property-Liability, Life Insurance and Annuities and Health Insurance; Liability risks and Insurance, valuation and Solvency requirements, Specialist Insurance lines in India – Agricultural and Export Credit Guarantee; Reinsurance, GIC of India, obligator sessions and retention of risk within the Country.

Pension Sector Syllabus

• Status of pension sector in India
• Types of retirement schemes in India and their features
• National Pension System
• Atal Pension Yojana
• Annuity Plans
• Basics of investment

IFSCA Act & GIFT City Syllabus

The official IFSCA Grade A notification mentions IFSCA Act, IFSCA, IFSC, GIFT IFSC, GIFT City and Global Financial Centres as a part of the IFSCA Grade A Phase 2 Paper 2 exam.

IFSCA Grade A Previous Year Question Papers- Click to Download