How to apply for NISM exam

NISM exam is conducted for different certifications in mutual funds, derivatives, investment advisors, etc.
How to apply for NISM exam
3 min
02-August-2024
Suppose you wish to pursue a career in stocks and other investment categories like mutual funds. In that case, you can do the National Institute of Securities Market (NISM) Examination and obtain an official certification to advance your career. The educational division of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) offers individuals certifications if they wish to forge careers in merchant banking, work as investment advisors, have careers in currency derivatives, and more. The certification is obtained after undertaking an examination. Read on to learn about different aspects of the NISM exam and how to apply for the NISM exam.

What is the NISM exam?

The National Institute of Securities Market (NISM) is the educational branch of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). NISM began as a public trust that was established by SEBI in 2006 and acted as an instructional unit, conducting a variety of courses leading to examinations and certifications. The courses include investment advisor courses, currency derivatives certification programs, merchant banking certification courses, and more.

The NISM exam leads to certification that provides different professionals in the financial markets with credentials to perform various operations of investment and financial management. Furthermore, with a NISM certification, the credentials of any professional organisation or individual are enhanced as they assure the principles of standardisation of practices in the securities markets. If you wish to know how to apply for the NISM exam, then you can read further as you learn about aspects of the exam, like eligibility, registration, and more. Additionally, for those who want to boost their professional credentials and operate as market intermediaries dealing with the sale of mutual fund schemes, for example, the NISM certification is a mandatory requirement.

How to register for the NISM certification exam?

Employing a diverse network of test administrators, NISM conducts certification examinations in several cities in India. You may be interested in obtaining the NISM certification, and for this, you must know how to register for NISM certification. To get the certification, you have to appear for an exam first, and here is how you must register for the NISM exam:

Step 1: Create a NISM account

The first thing to do if you want to register for the NISM exam is to create an account on the NISM website. You must upload some documents like your ID proof.

Step 2: Activate the account

The NISM account you have created has to be activated through a link that will be sent to your email ID. Within 72 hours, your NISM account will be verified.

Step 3: Log into the certification portal

Once your account is verified, you can log in to the NISM Certification Portal with your email ID and your password. You must select the “Enrollment” tab, and then click on “Enroll for Examination”.

Step 4: Choose the required examination

In the process of learning how to apply for the NISM exam, you should know what exam you wish to select, the city in which you will give the exam, the exam centre, and the date of the exam. You must also be sure about the exam time. You can then select the appropriate options and proceed to pay the exam fees online. Once you pay the exam fees, you will receive your exam admission card.

On the exam date, candidates must carry their admit cards and proof of identity. Any professional who aims to become a mutual fund distributor assisting investors in investing in mutual funds, must take the NISM Certificate Exam and pass this exam to obtain the certification required.

Procedure for the NISM Exam

The procedure for the NISM exam is straightforward and tells you how to register for the NISM exam. Here is the procedure:

1. Registration

The first thing to do to take the NISM exam is to register on the NISM portal. You will have to select the “related links” tab and provide your details like contact information, email ID, PAN, and other information.

2. Enrollment

After you register on the NISM portal, you can select the exam you wish to take. You can also select the date of the exam, centre preference, city preference, time slot, and other details. The NISM Certification exam registration fees are reasonable and range between Rs. 1,200 and Rs. 3,000, based on the certification/exam you select. Once you have paid the fees, your application will undergo a verification process, and you will get an exam admit card. The exam is vital as it leads to certification required by individuals and entities like the Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund Platform to operate under the governance of the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).

3. NISM certification exam preparation

You can start to prepare for the NISM exam and on the exam date, you will have to carry your admit card and proof of identification.

4. Issuance of NISM certification

Once you successfully clear your NISM exam, you will receive your NISM certificate within 15 working days. This will be a soft copy. This certificate is valid for three years.

5. NISM registration dates 2024

Here are the NISM registration and related dates in 2024:

How do you qualify for the NISM exam?

Learning how to apply for the NISM exam is one aspect of the process to obtain an NISM certification. After taking the exam, you have to qualify for passing with a certain number of marks. Here are some important points to qualify in the NISM exam:

  • The examination consists of a paper of 100 marks, in general, and some papers carry a total of 90 marks
  • Each question carries 1 mark
  • To qualify in the NISM exam (to pass the exam), you must score at least 50% marks.
Related articles to read

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  1. How mutual funds work
  1. Different types of mutual funds
  1. How to choose mutual funds
  1. How to invest mutual funds
  1. Advantages of mutual funds
  1. Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)

Why take the NISM certification exam?

Before you learn the process of how to apply for the NISM exam, you should know why you should take the NISM Certification Exam. Essentially, this means that you should learn the reasons to take the NISM Certification Exam, which are highlighted below:

  • The examinations and the institution have the backing of SEBI. Consequently, they are popular in the financial industry across India.
  • A NISM qualification looks good on your CV, enhancing your opportunities for obtaining employment in the Indian financial sector.
  • Comprehensive study resources are provided by NISM. They assist candidates with their exam preparation. Furthermore, with the study material available from NISM, applicants do not have to refer to any additional resource material.
  • The courses offered by NISM are more cost-effective relative to other professional courses related to the finance industry. The affordability of the course and the resulting exam makes it an appealing prospect for candidates preparing to join key areas of the financial sector.
  • Before you find out how to register for the NISM certification, you should know key reasons for doing this exam. One of the main reasons for doing this exam is that it is open to you no matter what your educational background is. All you require is an interest in the field of finance to pursue the NISM certification.

How do I schedule my NISM exam?

A main part of how to apply for the NISM exam is the scheduling of the exam itself. This must be decided by you, well in advance of your applying for the exam, as you must indicate, in your application, certain scheduling details. Here is how to schedule your NISM exam:

  • You can register for the NISM exam on the NISM portal.
  • After you have registered yourself, you have to select the type of NISM exam you will be taking.
  • Once you have selected the type of NISM exam, you can choose the city of preference, the location (exam centre), the time of the exam, and the date of the exam.
  • When you have selected your preferences, you can go ahead with your application and enrollment process. When you have completed this online by submitting your details and paying your fees, you will receive an admit card for your exam with your preferential exam schedule.

Conclusion

The process of how to apply for the NISM exam is not rocket science, but it does involve planning on the part of the applicant. Since the course material for exam study is available online and you can apply through a quick and convenient process, the NISM exam is an appealing way to enhance your qualifications if you wish to enter areas of the Indian financial sector, whether you wish to become a mutual fund distributor or a merchant banker.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you qualify for NISM exam?
You qualify for passing the NISM exam only if you score at least 50% marks.

What are the fees of the NISM exam?
The NISM Certification exam registration fees are reasonable and range between Rs. 1,200 and Rs. 3,000, based on the certification/exam you select. Fee payment is a mandatory requirement every time you apply for a specific NISM certificate exam.

Can I take NISM exam from home?
Yes, candidates can attempt NISM proctored remote exams from their own home or office, rather than take the exam at a physical exam location. To attempt remote proctored exams, candidates must have a Windows OS laptop/ desktop with viable internet connectivity, a webcam, and a microphone.

Is it difficult to pass NISM exam?
The NISM exam is easy to pass if you are from a commerce or accounts background. Furthermore, you will be well prepared for the exam if you are preparing for or have prepared for other certifications such as CFA, FRM, CQA, etc. in case you do not have a finance background, you may study the work book offered by NISM to prepare well for the test.

How many times can I attempt the NISM exam?
If you already possess a NISM Certificate for a specific Series, you are eligible to take such an examination again solely for the purpose of renewal of the certification within the last 12 months of the validity of the certification you possess.

How many exams are there in NISM?
There are 30 exams in NISM, and these include NISM-Series-V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors and NlSM-Series-V-C: Mutual Fund Distributors (Level 2), among others.

Is the NISM exam MCQ based?
Some of the questions in certain exams in the NISM series are MCQ-based. For instance, the Investment Adviser Certification Examination comprises 90 independent multiple-choice questions and 9 case-based questions.

Is the NISM exam online or offline?
NISM exams are available for candidates to take online, but some for some exams like the Derivatives Certification Examinations have been discontinued in the online mode and only physical examinations are available for these exam certifications.

What is the pass marks for NISM?
The pass marks for the NISM exam are 50-60 marks depending on the exam and the series to which it belongs.

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