NISM Series VA:Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination

Published on March 28, 2024

The NISM Series VA:Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination aims at creating a common minimum expertise standard for all persons who are involved in trading equity derivatives in a recognized stock exchange.

Exam Pattern NISM Series VA:Mutual Fund Distributors

Fees

Rs.1500

Test Duration (in Minutes)

120

No. of Questions

100

Maximum Marks

100

Pass Marks*(%)

50

Certificate Validity(in years)#

3

Assessment Structure:

  • The Mutual Fund Distributors examination consists of 100 questions of 1 mark each and should be completed in 2 hours. The passing score for the examination is 50%. There shall be no negative marking.
  • No negative marks for incorrect answers.

Syllabus NISM Series VA:Mutual Fund Distributors

I. INVESTMENT LANDSCAPE

  • Investors and their Financial Goals
  • Savings or Investments
  • Different Asset Classes
  • Investment Risks
  • Risk Measures and Management Strategies
  • Behavioral Biases in Investment Decision Making
  • Risk Profiling
  • Understanding Asset Allocation
  • Do-it-yourself versus Taking Professional Help

II. CONCEPT AND ROLE OF A MUTUAL FUND

  • Concept of a Mutual fund
  • Classification of Mutual Funds
  • Growth of the mutual fund industry in India

III. LEGAL STRUCTURE OF MUTUAL FUNDS IN INDIA

  • Structure of Mutual Funds in India
  • Key Constituents of a Mutual Fund
  • Organization Structure of Asset Management Company
  • Role and Support function of Service Providers
  • Role and Function of AMFI

IV. LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

  • Role of Regulators in India
  • Role of Securities and Exchange Board of India
  • Due Diligence Process by AMCs for Distributors of Mutual Funds
  • Investor Grievance Redress Mechanism
  • AMFI Code of Conduct for Intermediaries

V. SCHEME RELATED INFORMATION

  • Mandatory Documents
  • Non-Mandatory Disclosures

VI. FUND DISTRIBUTION AND CHANNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

  • The role and importance of mutual fund distributors
  • Different kinds of mutual fund distributors
  • Modes of distribution
  • Pre-requisites to become Distributor of a Mutual Fund
  • Revenue for a mutual fund distributor
  • Commission Disclosure mandated by SEBI
  • Due Diligence Process by AMCs for Distributors of Mutual Funds
  • Difference between distributors and Investment Advisors
  • Nomination facilities to Agents/Distributors and Payment of Commission to Nominee
  • Change of distributor

VII. NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL EXPENSE RATIO AND PRICING OF UNITS

  • Computation of Net Assets of Mutual Fund Scheme and NAV
  • Concept of Entry and Exit Load and its impact on NAV
  • NAV, Total expense ratio and pricing of units for the Segregated Portfolio

VIII. TAXATION

  • Applicability of taxes in respect of mutual funds
  • Capital Gains
  • Dividend income
  • Stamp Duty on Mutual Fund Units
  • Setting off of Capital Gains and Losses under Income Tax Act
  • Securities Transaction Tax
  • Tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act
  • Tax Deducted at Source
  • Applicability of GST

IX. INVESTOR SERVICES

  • The NFO process
  • New Fund Offer Price/On-going Offer Price for subscription
  • Investment Plans and Services
  • Allotment of Units to the Investor
  • Account statements for investments
  • Mutual Fund Investors
  • Filling the Application Form for Mutual Funds
  • Financial Transactions with Mutual Funds
  • Cut-off Time and Time Stamping
  • KYC Requirements for Mutual Fund Investors
  • Systematic Transactions
  • Operational aspects of Systematic Transactions
  • Non-Financial Transactions in Mutual Funds
  • Change in Status of Special Investor Categories
  • Investor transactions – turnaround times

X. RISK, RETURN AND PERFORMANCE OF FUNDS

  • General and Specific Risk Factors
  • Factors that affect mutual fund performance
  • Drivers of Returns and Risk in a Scheme
  • Measures of Returns
  • SEBI Norms regarding Representation of Returns by Mutual Funds in India
  • Risks in fund investing with a focus on investors
  • Measures of Risk
  • Certain Provisions with respect to Credit risk

XI. MUTUAL FUND SCHEME PERFORMANCE

  • Benchmarks and Performance
  • Return Index or Total Return Index
  • Basis of Choosing an appropriate performance benchmark
  • Benchmarks for equity schemes
  • Benchmarks for Debt Schemes
  • Benchmarks for Other Schemes
  • Quantitative Measures of Fund Manager Performance
  • Tracking Error
  • Scheme Performance Disclosure

XII. MUTUAL FUND SCHEME SELECTION

  • Scheme Selection based on Investor needs, preference and risk-profile
  •  Risk levels in mutual fund schemes
  • Scheme Selection based on investment strategy of mutual funds
  • Selection of Mutual Fund scheme offered by different AMCs or within the scheme category
  • Selecting options in mutual fund schemes
  • Do’s and Don’ts while selecting mutual fund schemes

  • Appendix 1: Fifth Schedule of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 [Regulations 18(22), 25(16), 68(h)]
  • Appendix 2: AMFI Code of Ethics
  • Appendix 3: AMFI’s Code of Conduct for Intermediaries of Mutual Funds
  • Appendix 4: Format of Scheme Information Document (SID)
  • Appendix 5: Format of Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
  • Appendix 6: Format of Key Information Memorandum
  • Appendix 7: KYC Form for Individual
  • Appendix 8: KYC Form for Non-Individuals
  • Appendix 9: KYC Details Change Form for Individuals
  • Appendix 10: KYC Details Change Form for Non-Individuals
  • Appendix 11: Process for Aadhaar e-KYC of investors (resident) in the securities markets
  • Appendix 12: Procedure for Transmission of Units on Death of a Unitholder
  • Appendix 13: Easy guide for New Distributors
  • Appendix 14: Indian and Global mutual fund industry.
  • Appendix 15 :Additional knowledge resources

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