NISM was founded to develop the securities markets through skill-building programs, certifications for market participants, and research initiatives, ensuring better regulation and investor protection under SEBI's guidance.

NISM conducts certification exams mandated by SEBI for securities market intermediaries, provides academic programs like postgraduate courses in securities markets, and organizes continuing professional education (CPE) to keep professionals updated. It also focuses on investor education and financial literacy initiatives.

NISM offers over 20 certification series, including Mutual Fund Distributors (Series V-A), Research Analyst (Series XV), Commodity Derivatives (Series XVI), Investment Adviser (Series X-A and X-B), and Portfolio Management Services Distributors (Series XXI-A), among others. Some certifications like Fixed Income Securities (Series XXII) have been discontinued as of October 1, 2024.

NISM exams are open to anyone interested in the securities markets, including professionals, students, distributors, agents, and intermediaries. There are no age or educational qualification requirements, though certain roles (e.g., approved users in commodity derivatives) mandate specific certifications per SEBI regulations.

Register online at https://certifications.nism.ac.in/ by creating an account with your personal details and ID proof (e.g., PAN). After verification, log in, enroll for the desired exam, select a test center, date, and time slot, and complete the payment. Exams are available at over 150 centers in India or via remote proctored mode for some series.

Exam fees typically range from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 (inclusive of GST), depending on the series. For example, the Research Analyst (Series XV) and Mutual Fund Distributors (Series V-A) exams cost Rs. 1,500 each. Payments are non-refundable, and enrollment is valid for 180 days.

Most exams consist of 100 multiple-choice questions worth 100 marks, to be completed in 2 hours, with a passing score of 60%. There is usually a 25% negative marking for wrong answers, though some series (e.g., Series V-A) have no negative marking. Some include case-based questions.

NISM provides a free soft copy of the workbook/study material after enrollment, downloadable from their portal. Additional preparation can include mock tests available on the NISM website or third-party platforms. No external resources are required, as the material is comprehensive and SEBI-verified.

Certificates are valid for 3 years from the exam date.

Renew by attending a NISM Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program or retaking and passing the exam in the final year of validity (within 12 months before expiry). CPE programs revalidate the certificate for another 3 years.

Yes, rescheduling is allowed once, at least 4 days before the exam date (excluding the exam day and today), via the NISM portal. No refunds or further changes are permitted after that.

Certificates are issued electronically to your registered email and can be downloaded from the NISM portal under 'My Examinations'. Physical duplicates are not issued; contact certification@nism.ac.in for assistance.

No re-evaluation is permitted, as assessments are automated. However, on-the-spot queries about specific questions (up to two) can be raised at the test center for review, but no disclosure of questions/answers occurs to maintain confidentiality.

NISM certifications are SEBI-recognized, enhancing employability in finance roles, providing in-depth market knowledge, and fulfilling regulatory requirements for intermediaries. They are affordable, accessible, and add credibility to your resume.