NISM Series XXI-A

Key Features of NISM Series XXI-A Mock Tests


Prepare for the NISM Series XXI-A: Portfolio Management Services Exam with our expert-designed mock tests. Practice with updated question banks and realistic exam simulations to enhance your knowledge and confidently pass.


What is the NISM Series XXI-A PMS Certification Exam?

The NISM Series XXI-A: Portfolio Management Services (PMS) Distributors Certification Examination is a mandatory exam for professionals engaged in distributing PMS on behalf of SEBI-registered portfolio managers. This exam is introduced by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) under SEBI regulations to ensure distributors have adequate knowledge of investments, portfolio management, and regulatory compliance.


Why is this Certification Important?

  • Mandatory for PMS distributors as per SEBI guidelines
  • Builds credibility and trust with clients
  • Enhances knowledge in portfolio management, taxation, performance evaluation, and ethics
  • Required for continuing employment in PMS distribution roles

Exam Details (2025 Update)

Current Exam Pattern (Valid till March 14, 2025)
  • Number of Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Total Marks: 100
  • Passing Marks: 60% (60 marks)
  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
Revised Exam Pattern (Effective March 15, 2025)

As per NISM Circular dated March 3, 2025, a revised exam structure will apply from March 15, 2025. Candidates should check the official NISM website for the latest updates, syllabus, and workbook.


NISM XXI-A PMS Syllabus

The exam syllabus covers the following major topics:

  • Basics of Investments and Securities Markets
  • Equity, Debt, and Derivatives
  • Mutual Funds vs PMS
  • Role and responsibilities of Portfolio Managers
  • Operational Aspects of PMS
  • Portfolio Management Process
  • Performance Measurement & Evaluation
  • Taxation in PMS
  • Regulations, Governance & Ethics

✅ Tip: Focus more on Portfolio Management Process, Operations, and Regulatory Aspects as they carry higher weightage in the exam.


Eligibility and Validity

  • Open to anyone interested in PMS distribution (no specific academic background required).
  • Mandatory for individuals engaged in PMS distribution after SEBI’s directive.
  • Certificate validity: 3 years from the exam date.

Preparation Tips for NISM XXI-A Exam

  1. Refer to the official workbook – Download the latest NISM PMS workbook.
  2. Practice with mock tests – Many online platforms provide free NISM mock tests.
  3. Revise high-weightage topics – Portfolio management process, taxation, and ethics.
  4. Focus on numericals – Calculation-based questions may appear in performance measurement and portfolio returns.
  5. Be mindful of negative marking – Attempt only when sure.

How to Register for the Exam?

  1. Visit the official NISM Certification Portal.
  2. Create an account with PAN and personal details.
  3. Select Series XXI-A PMS Distributors Exam.
  4. Choose exam date, center, and slot.
  5. Pay the exam fee and download your admit card.

FAQs on NISM Series XXI-A PMS Exam

Q1. Is NISM XXI-A mandatory?
Yes, it is mandatory for anyone engaged in distributing PMS on behalf of SEBI-registered Portfolio Managers.

Q2. What is the passing score for NISM PMS Exam?
You need at least 60% marks to qualify.

Q3. How long is the certificate valid?
The certification is valid for 3 years.

Q4. Is there negative marking?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.

Q5. When is the new exam structure applicable?
From March 15, 2025 as per the NISM circular.


NISM Series XXI-A Portfolio Management Services (PMS) | Mock Test-1

1 / 50

1.

 ____________ is not considered a part of Rebalancing cost.

2 / 50

2.

Future Value of the investment is influenced by _________________.

3 / 50

3.

The SEBI Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practice Regulation prohibit a person to, directly or indirectly ____________ Securities in a fraudulent manner.

4 / 50

4.

Type of securities purchased by the fund, depends on _________________.

5 / 50

5.

 Which of the following is not a valid classification of a portfolio management service provider

6 / 50

6.

As per Chapter V of SEBI (Intermediaries) Regulation, 2008, the period for which a portfolio manager would be prohibited from taking any new assignment (in case of default) is __________

7 / 50

7.

Which of the following persons/entities can invest in PMS?

8 / 50

8.

 For Which Category of FPIs is Section 9A of the Income Tax Act 1961 not applicable?

9 / 50

9.

 In the discretionary PMS, a client cannot impose which of the following condition/restriction?

10 / 50

10.

Debt Funds have ________________.

11 / 50

11.

Economic MOAT is a typical example of ________.

12 / 50

12. A.The quantity of the asset to be exchanged:-

13 / 50

13.

What are the bonds known as which are issued by Government Agencies?

14 / 50

14.

Which valuation matric is appropriate to value a firm belonging to a industry which thrives on high volume and low margin model?

15 / 50

15.

Full form of PIS in NRI documentation is called:-

16 / 50

16.

Is it correct for PMS to execute OFF-MARKET transactions in the client’s account?

17 / 50

17. Identify which of these is not a cost investing in PMS

18 / 50

18.

What type of strategy is a company following if it is positioning it self as an unique one in the industry?

19 / 50

19.

 Michael Porter is a _____________ force model.

20 / 50

20.

Timing is more important than Time in the market to make Wealth.

21 / 50

21.

 The SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations came in the year

22 / 50

22.

What is the fixed amount that is paid at regular intervals till the maturity of a bond known as?

23 / 50

23.

_____________ can be a day count convention in the Fixed Income markets of the world.

24 / 50

24.

Timing is more important that Time in the market to make Wealth.

25 / 50

25.

Identify which of these is not an example of an unique preferences of the investors.

26 / 50

26.

Which of the following is a step in the portfolio management process.

27 / 50

27.

The minimum investment required for the PMS investment is _________________.

28 / 50

28.

A new category of resident has been introduced in the clause(1A) of Section 6 of the Income Tax Act with effect from Assessment Year 2021-22. What is it?

29 / 50

29.

 ___________ industries rise and fall and very closely follow the general economic activity in comparison to other industries. .

30 / 50

30.

Sharpe’s performance measure divides the portfolio’s risk premium by the_________________.

31 / 50

31.

Cost of Equity is measured by __________.

32 / 50

32.

___________ portfolio manager manages the funds in accordance with the direction of the client.

33 / 50

33.

A Debt security has been assigned a credit rating of BBB. This means that this security is _____________ .

34 / 50

34.

With respect to equity markets, what does Impact Cost means.

35 / 50

35.

_____________ ratio compares the price of the stock to the earning it generates.

36 / 50

36.

Non ordinary resident is a citizen who is deemed to reside in India under the _____________ of Income Tax Act

37 / 50

37. Due to changes in immigration laws in the USA, there was a fall in IT sectors stocks. What type of risk in this?

38 / 50

38.

Which type of equity can be offered to investors in the Accumulation Phase.

39 / 50

39.

Which Section of the companies Act 2013 defines a body corporate.

40 / 50

40.

Which of these form a part of the GIPS Advertising guidelines?

41 / 50

41. ___________ category AIF allows you to invest into hedging and trading strategies involving derivative positions.

42 / 50

42.

_____________ of a future contract is not decided on the date of entry into the contract.

43 / 50

43.

Bond duration is measured by _______________.

44 / 50

44.

Arbitrage opportunities can exist between _______ ________.

45 / 50

45.

Identify which of these is not an example of an unique preferences of the investors.

46 / 50

46.

Who appoints the Compliance Officer in  a PMS

47 / 50

47.  Clause 12(B) of Schedule III of SEBI (Portfolio Manager) Regulation relate to ___________ .

48 / 50

48.

____________ is not like a traditional bond

49 / 50

49.

Investment in antiques is an example of ___________ .

50 / 50

50.

____________ industries rise and fall and very closely follow the general economic activity in comparison to other industries.

Your score is

The average score is 68%

0%

NISM Series XXI-A Portfolio Management Services (PMS) | Mock Test-2

1 / 50

1.

Which of these values(s) will be required for calculating Portfolio Beta?

2 / 50

2.

An Appropriate day count convention used in the Bond markets is _____________ .

3 / 50

3. Which of these values(s) will be required for calculating Portfolio Beta?

4 / 50

4.

 The time period restriction for a contra trade by the Designated Person of the Company is ________________.

5 / 50

5.

 As per which regulations is the KYC compliance been made mandatory.

6 / 50

6.

The currency pair of ____________ does not have futures or options trading on Indian Stock Exchanges.

7 / 50

7.

Identify which of these is not a cost of investing in a PMS?

8 / 50

8.

Identify the TRUE statement with respect to Bonds.

9 / 50

9.

Future Value of the investment is influenced by _________________.

10 / 50

10.

What is a Call Option said to be Out of the Money (OTM)?

11 / 50

11.

 The minimum investment required for the PMS investment is _________________.

12 / 50

12.

An investor wants to invest for some near term goals and he does not have much tolerance for variation. In this case the investments universe should be restricted to _________________.

13 / 50

13.

 Identify the ‘Incorrect’ statement with respect to Unsystematic Risk.

14 / 50

14.

 The Counterparty Risk in a future contract is mitigated primarily through ________________ .

15 / 50

15.

With respect to equity markets, what does Impact Cost means.

16 / 50

16.

 Investment in antiques is an example of ___________.

17 / 50

17.

 ___________ is the threshold limit for the suspicious transactions for which records needs to be kept as per the Money Laundering Act........

18 / 50

18.

Define the relationship between the prices of bond and its yield.

19 / 50

19.

A PMS has changed its main office address. This should be informed to________.
A. Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU)
B. SEBI
C. Clients

20 / 50

20.

Economic MOAT is a typical example of ________.

21 / 50

21.

 _____________ portfolio manager manages the funds in accordance with the directions of the client.

22 / 50

22.

The following is the requirement for granting the certificate of registration under Portfolio Managers Regulations 2020:

23 / 50

23.

 Except for the one that provides only the __________, every portfolio manager shall appoint a custodian in respect of securities managed or administered by it.

24 / 50

24.

A ______________ is a trust that pools the savings of a number of investors who share a common financial goal.

25 / 50

25.

Which of the following regulates Portfolio Management Services in India.

26 / 50

26.

The types of securities purchased by the fund, depends on _____________.

27 / 50

27.

The following is/are the benefits of investing through mutual funds:

28 / 50

28.

Arbitrage opportunities can exist between _____________.

29 / 50

29.

 The settlement price for determining daily mark-to-market margins for a futures contract is ___________.

30 / 50

30.

The counterparty risk in a futures contract is mitigated primarily through _________________.

31 / 50

31.

 In a Nifty 50 futures contract ,the underlying is _______.

32 / 50

32.

Typical putability (put option) feature of a bond :-

33 / 50

33.

The feature that allows the issuing firms to retire the bonds before the maturity by paying a prescribed price is called ?

34 / 50

34.

Coupon yield is the coupon payment as a percentage of the?

35 / 50

35.

 Market Risk refers to risk in equity investment arising due to ?

36 / 50

36.

 Under relative valuation techniques, value of a stock is estimated based upon its current price relative to variables considered to be significant in valuation, such as ______________.

37 / 50

37.

Under the typical assumption that a stock’s dividend will grow at a constant rate, what will be the intrinsic value of the stock if D1=Rs. 3, k = 9%, g=6%?

38 / 50

38.

  A trade that is squared-off during the day.

39 / 50

39.

The undertaking of an Intermediary to buy the unsubscribed portion of any issue, during the initial stages of an IPO is :-

40 / 50

40.

 Which of the following is the function of the secondary markets.

41 / 50

41.

 Which of the following is essential for the public issue of a debt security?

42 / 50

42.

When a listed company issues shares to a select group of persons, which is neither a rights nor a public issue, then it is known as _______________.

43 / 50

43.

 Future value of the investment is influenced by __________.

44 / 50

44.

____________________ represent ownership in a company that entitles its holders to participate in its profits and the right to vote on the company’s affairs.

45 / 50

45.

Which of the following statements about Speculation is FALSE?

46 / 50

46.

Liquidity Risk refers to _________?
A. The ease with which one can convert an asset into Cash
B. The possibility of realising almost the entire economic worth of an asset.

47 / 50

47.

If there is an uncertainty with respect to the future payment, the investor would require return more than the nominal required rate of return. The additional component is called ________.

48 / 50

48.

While making an application for a portfolio manager, financial information has to be submitted for which of the three years?

49 / 50

49.

_____________ ratio compares the price of the stock to the earning it generates.

50 / 50

50.

A reputed PMS firm has five group of companies. Identify which among the following is the best practice about disclosing these to the client.

Your score is

The average score is 80%

0%

NISM Series XXI-A Portfolio Management Services (PMS) | Mock Test-3

1 / 7

Due to changes in immigration laws in the USA, there was a fall in IT sectors stocks. What type of risk in this?

2 / 7

Which of these asset classes is most likely to meet the objective of generating regular income?

3 / 7

Gold Exchange Traded (ETFs) can invest in__________.

4 / 7

Identify which of these is not a cost investing in PMS

5 / 7

The standard deviation of an investment is calculated at 3% and the expected return is 14%,then_______.

6 / 7

Calculate the coupen yield of bond which pays a coupon of Rs 7 on a face value of Rs.100 and the market price of it is Rs.103.

7 / 7

As per SEBI (Investment Advisors) Regulations ,some categories of person are exempted from the requirement of registration of SEBI to provide investment advisory services incidental to their primary activity. Which of the below categories are exempted?

Your score is

The average score is 73%

0%


For the of NISM Series XXI-A latest and most accurate information, please visit the NISM website at https://certifications.nism.ac.in/nismaol/


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