1. Who can take NISM-Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser Certification Examination?
The following people can take NISM-Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser Certification Examination: Individuals, proprietors, partners and representatives of a retirement adviser registered under Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Retirement Adviser) Regulations, 2016. Interested students/professionals Any other individuals
2. For whom is this examination mandated?
Please refer to NISM Notification NISM/Certification/Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser/2016/01 dated June 30, 2016 (in the ‘Circulars’ section). Further you may look at PFRDA circular (PFRDA/2016/14/CORP/02) dated June 28, 2016 which specifies that “any individuals, proprietors, partners, trustees, members and representatives of the entity, acting or desirous of acting as retirement adviser under the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Retirement Adviser) Regulations, 2016 shall obtain the certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) by passing “NISM-Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser Certification Examination” to become eligible for grant of certificate of registration as a retirement adviser, besides fulfilling other terms and conditions mentioned in the regulations.”
3. How can I register for NISM-Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser Certification Examination?
Candidates can register with National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) at https://certifications.nism.ac.in/nismaol/After successful registration, candidates may select a test centre, date and time slot of their choice on the link provided above.
4. What is the fee structure?
The fees for “NISM-Series-XVII: Retirement Adviser Certification Examination” is Rupees One Thousand Five Hundred only (Rs. 1500/-).
5. What is the assessment structure?
The examination will be of 100 marks, will have 100 questions, and should be completed in 2 hours. There will be negative marking of 25% of the marks assigned to a question. The passing score for the examination is 60%.
6. Is there a study material available for preparing for this examination?
You will receive a soft copy of the workbook/study material after enrolment for the examination. For non-receipt of soft copy of the workbook/study material, you may contact the NISM helpdesk at certification@nism.ac.in
7. Do I have to pay for the study material?
You will receive a soft copy of the workbook/study material free of cost after enrolment for the examination. Candidate can buy NISM workbooks online through Taxmann Publications Private Ltd.
Visit https://www.taxmann.com/bookstore/ to place your orders for NISM workbooks.
If you prefer to order by phone, please call your nearest store directly to place your order. Click here to get the details of your nearest store.
8.Where do I get sample questions for the Certification Examination? How can I appear for a mock test?
Candidates may refer to the chapter-end sample questions and the worked-out examples/ illustrations provided in the workbook. To appear for a mock test, candidates may click here.
9. I have passed NISM Retirement Adviser Certification Examination, when will I receive the certificate?
Only the candidates who have produced their Income Tax Permanent Account Number (PAN) during registration would receive the NISM Certificate within two weeks of appearing for the examination. Candidates who produced other identification proofs would not receive the NISM certificate. They would receive only the temporary mark sheet at the end of the examination.
10. I have not provided my PAN information at the time of taking the certification examination. How do I obtain the certificate?
Candidates who have not provided their PAN information during registration may furnish their PAN details to the Test Administrator they have registered with anytime after taking the examination. After receiving and verifying PAN details, the candidate will receive the certificate from the Test Administrator they have registered with. No additional payments are necessary for obtaining the certificate.
11. I have passed NISM Retirement Adviser Certification Examination and also provided PAN details, however I have not received a certificate. Whom should I contact?
For non-receipt of certificate contact the NISM helpdesk at certification@nism.ac.in
12. What is the validity period of the certificate?
The certificate will be valid for 3 years from the date of the examination.
13. How do I renew my certificate?
To renew your current certificate, you need to appear for NISM CPE for Retirement Advisers or successfully pass the NISM Retirement Adviser Certification Examination before the expiry of such certificate.
14. Can I request for re-evaluation of NISM Certification Examinations?
NISM Policy on Re-evaluation of performance of candidates appearing for Certification Examination and resolution of doubts about the questions forming part of such examination, if any. “No re-evaluation of the performance of candidates appearing for Certification Examination conducted by NISM (Mandatory & Non-Mandatory examination) is permitted since the assessment of answers, with respect to Certification Examinations questions which are in the nature of the selection of only one correct answers from multiple choices offered, is carried out in an objective manner by in-built system architecture created for Certification Examination without any scope for human intervention and subjectivity element. Also, considering the examination structure, no disclosure of the questions and/or answers is permitted as it will violate the confidentiality of the question bank, which is the essence of the examination. In view of the above, no communication regarding re-evaluation, etc. will be entertained/serviced by NISM.” Subject to the above, request/s received from a candidate for resolution of doubts about a question forming part of such examination will be considered as per the following policy.
(1)Candidate’s request/s will be considered only when he/she specifically mentions a particular question or two which he/she thinks contain errors. Claims/ to recheck more than two questions shall normally be not permitted unless substantive material is provided by the candidate as to why he/she considers errors in such questions. In no case, claims to recheck all the questions appeared in his/her question paper shall be entertained.
(2)No request/s to disclose/discuss question/s and/or their answers shall be entertained as disclosure of the question/s will violate the essence of the question bank viz. breach the confidentiality/secrecy of the Question bank.
(3)Only those request/s made on-the-spot (before leaving the test centre) will be considered for verification.
(4)When a valid request is received from a candidate at the Test Centre, it shall be forwarded by the respective TA to NISM. NISM’s team will look into claim relating to the contested question/s to verify whether there is a mistake in the question or answer. If it is prima facie found that the question or answer contains a mistake, no score will be computed and consequently, no scorecard will be issued then at the Test Centre.
(5)Such matter will then be escalated with the question/answer to the Committee with the details of the nature of the error, the correct version of the question or contested correct answer and system recognized the correct answer. The Committee, after due diligence and proper scrutiny, will arrive at a conclusion whether the claim made by a candidate in relation to a question or answer is right. Such a conclusion will be recorded in writing and put up for formal approval to the authority of NISM.
(6)Score computation, kept in abeyance as per point 4, shall be carried based on the approval as per point – 5. Such scorecard will then be issued to the candidate by TA/NISM.
(7)Even though NISM endeavors best efforts and has put in place a robust mechanism to review its question bank intermittently, attributable to continuous changes taking place emanating from dynamics of the market, encompassing products and features, and its regulatory framework, there is a possibility of inadvertently escaping some updation and/or escaping indirect impact on some question/answer. Therefore, to take care of such eventuality, the above process of entertaining request from the candidate in relation to the question/answer is put in place.
(8)The above policy and process will be subject to review from time to time and shall be binding and final in relation to any claim and/or matter when disposed off with the approval of the authority of NISM.
