IFSCA Grade A 2025: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, and Key Dates Explained

The IFSCA Grade A examination is among the most sought‑after opportunities for aspirants looking to build a career in India’s growing international financial ecosystem. Conducted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), this recruitment brings you a chance to work as an Assistant Manager at the forefront of policy making, regulation, and innovation in finance.

If you are planning to appear in the 2025 cycle, understanding the eligibility requirements, the updated exam pattern, and the important dates is the first step. This guide gives you all those details in one place—fact checked and easy to follow.

About the IFSCA Grade A Role

The IFSCA is a statutory regulatory body headquartered at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, which oversees financial products and services in India’s International Financial Services Centres. An IFSCA Grade A officer (Assistant Manager) is responsible for:

1. Framing and implementing regulations,

2. Supervising financial institutions in the IFSC,

3. Ensuring compliance with domestic and global standards,

4. Supporting innovation in banking, capital markets, insurance, and fintech.

It is a role that combines regulatory responsibilities with opportunities to work on cutting‑edge financial developments.

Eligibility Criteria for IFSCA Grade A 2025

Before applying, you must ensure you meet all eligibility conditions set out in the official notification.

Nationality

Applicants must be:

1. Citizens of India, or

2. Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, or

3. Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling, or

4. Persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanent settlement in India.

Age Limit

1. Minimum age: 21 years.

2. Maximum age: 30 years (based on previous notifications; latest notification may extend to 32 years).

3. Age relaxations:
   
   

1. SC/ST: 5 years

2. OBC (Non‑Creamy Layer): 3 years

3. PwBD: up to 10 years (with further relaxations if combined with SC/ST/OBC category).

            Check the official PDF for the exact date used to calculate age.

Educational Qualifications

For the General Stream, you need at least one of these:

1. A Master’s degree in any discipline,

2. A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Engineering, or recognized professional qualifications like CA, CFA, CS, or Cost Accountant,

3. An MBA or Postgraduate Diploma in Management with specialization in Finance, International Business, or similar fields.

For specialized streams (if notified):

1. Legal Stream: Bachelor’s in Law (LLB).

2. IT Stream: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent engineering disciplines.

3. Other specific streams may have their own criteria.

Exam Pattern for IFSCA Grade A 2025

The selection process consists of three phases.

Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (Online)

An objective test designed to screen candidates. It generally includes four sections:

Section	Question	Marks	Time
English Language	~30	30	20 min
Quantitative Aptitude	~30	30	25 min
Reasoning Ability	~40	40	35 min
General Awareness (Financial Sector focus)	~40	40	25 min

Negative marking: 0.25 per incorrect answer.
Cut‑offs: Sectional and overall cut‑offs are applied.

Phase 2: Mains Examination

Phase 2 is more specialized and consists of two papers:

Paper 1 – English (Descriptive):

1. Essay writing,

2. Precis writing,

3. Reading comprehension.

Paper 2 – Subject Knowledge:

1. For General Stream: Finance, Management, and Regulatory topics.

2. For Specialized Streams: Domain‑specific questions (IT, Law, etc.).

Each paper typically carries 100 marks with 60–90 minutes per paper.

Phase 3: Interview

Candidates shortlisted from Phase 2 are called for an interview. This stage evaluates:

1. Understanding of financial markets and regulatory concepts,

2. Communication and analytical skills,

3. Overall suitability for the role.

The final merit list is prepared based on combined marks from Phase 2 and the interview.

Key Dates for IFSCA Grade A 2025

The official notification is expected to announce exact dates. Based on previous recruitment trends, here’s a tentative timeline:

Event	Tentative Timeline
Release of Notification	Expected Q3 2025
Online Application Opens	Within a week of notification
Last Date to Apply	3–4 weeks after opening
Phase 1 Examination	1–2 months after application closes
Phase 2 Examination	~1 month after Phase 1 results
Interview	~1–2 months after Phase 2 results

For the latest updates, visit the IFSCA Grade A notification page on EduTap.

Tips to Prepare Early

1. Study the syllabus carefully: Balance your time between aptitude sections and finance/management concepts.

2. Make a preparation calendar: Assign topics to specific weeks and stick to deadlines.

3. Use quality resources:
   
   

1. Indian Financial System by Bharti Pathak (Finance),

2. Principles of Management by Harold Koontz (Management),

3. Daily editorials for English improvement.
   
   

4. Track current affairs: Follow IFSCA, RBI, and SEBI updates. Maintain a notebook for financial news.

5. Take regular mock tests: Simulate the exam environment and analyze your mistakes.
   
   

Conclusion

The IFSCA Grade A 2025 recruitment is more than just another government job opportunity—it’s a chance to contribute to India’s international financial hub while building a stable and prestigious career. By understanding the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and tentative dates well in advance, you can plan your preparation smartly and stay ahead of the competition.