Mr. Soumya Sourav Explained Why PMS Is The Most Important NISM Series

Mr. Soumya Sourav Explained Why PMS Is The Most Important NISM Series

Sun Jun 1, 2025

Navigating the SEBI Certification Journey: Insights from an Experienced CandidateAs the financial industry continues to evolve, the importance of professional certifications has become increasingly crucial for aspiring finance professionals. In this insightful discussion, Soumya Sourav, a seasoned SEBI certification holder, shares valuable advice and experiences with Shreyas Karade to guide those embarking on their SEBI certification journey.

The Foundation:

Starting with the Research Analyst (RA) Certification Soumya emphasizes the significance of beginning the certification process with the Research Analyst (RA) exam. "I had no intention of giving mutual fund distributors. So, what I did was, I started off with RA. Then, I think, secondly... secondly... So after that, had directly equity derivatives." This strategic approach provides a strong foundation in fundamental analysis, which Soumya believes is essential for long-term investing and understanding other SEBI exams."Unless you are doing fundamental analysis, you have to resort to technical analysis which is even harder. So long term investing ke liye fundamental analysis is a given.

Without fundamental analysis, I mean, you can't To technical analysis for long term investing, for short term investing, have to or intraday or swing trading, in some things, technical analysis has more importance, so research analyst is very important, I mean, not from an example of view, but for your own wealth management, feel. Yes, very important."The Credibility of SEBI Certifications vs. International Designations When discussing the value of SEBI certifications compared to international designations, Soumya provides a clear perspective.

"I know people who work in Christian And who work in your care rating, in Mumbai, in ICC, in HDFC. I have not seen a single person having certifications which you mentioned right now. They don't have certifications. They get proper certifications. I mean, for knowledge building and all, you can always do courses, free courses. But these sources which you said, I mean, international certifications and all, except CFA, except CFA Chartered Financial Analyst, which is certified by American Chartered Society. Except for CFA, I mean, these international certifications are not in much regard by any of the financial institutions who provide job roles in..."This insight highlights the importance of focusing on SEBI-recognized certifications, such as RA, PMS, and Derivatives, which are highly valued by Indian financial institutions.

The CFA designation remains the only internationally recognized certification that carries significant weight in the Indian market.Navigating Market Volatility and Investment Decisions Amidst the current market volatility, Soumya shares his personal approach to investment decisions. "I myself pulled all of my investments and closed my positions in cash two days back. So, I mean, it is very difficult for me to comment on that part because I don't want to be in the market right now. So, I'm not in English because it might act as a boost to the bearish sentiment of Indian industrial investors, but I closed all my positions of investment last Friday, Thursday. No case."This cautious stance underscores the importance of adapting to market conditions and prioritizing risk management during uncertain times. Soumya's decision to exit the market reflects the need for finance professionals to stay vigilant and make prudent investment choices, rather than succumbing to the temptation of short-term trading strategies.Exam Preparation Strategies Soumya provides valuable insights into effective exam preparation strategies, cautioning against the common pitfall of relying solely on question banks and cramming.

"Firstly, it will not help you in the short long term. You are not having any proper knowledge transfer. You are not learning actually anything. Secondly, in the short term, you people are also not able to clear the exam in the first place."Instead, Soumya emphasizes the importance of thoroughly understanding the SEBI-prescribed study materials and developing conceptual clarity. "What I would suggest. For RA, think your organization has given me support. I mean, the content is quite okay. So they can look it up. They can join your course with live recordings. can watch Shukuntala Mahim.

That's it. mean, they have to also refer to curriculum prescribed, NISM prescribed materials."Soumya also highlights the value of practice tests and mock exams, recommending a minimum of 3-4 mocks per exam to familiarize oneself with the exam format and interface.Regulatory Changes and Staying Updated The financial industry is known for its dynamic nature, and Soumya emphasizes the importance of staying updated with regulatory changes. "SEBI regularly wants to update both registered RAs, non-registered RAs, aspiring to be RAs, to APPLAUSE. All of the three categories to stay updated with the market changes.

"This is reflected in SEBI's decision to mandate re-certification every 3 years, ensuring that professionals maintain their knowledge and skills in line with the evolving regulatory landscape.The Compounding Effect of Multiple Certifications Shreyas raises an interesting point about the potential benefits of holding multiple SEBI certifications. Soumya agrees, stating, "Holding multiple SEBI certifications can enhance one's profile and career prospects." He also suggests exploring risk-specific certifications, such as those offered by CRYSL, to provide an additional edge in the industry."Coming to that question, initially felt that the mutual fund distributor was a very enticing role.

I mean, it has a lot of opportunities. I mean, in the market, for the people I see, even I have my own relationship managers and the interactions he has, the connection he has. I see a lot of people, mean, if you don't end up as a front-end product manager, there is a second option to become a back-end digital distributor."This insight highlights the compounding effect of diversifying one's SEBI certifications, which can open up a wider range of career opportunities and enhance an individual's overall value proposition in the financial sector.

In conclusion:

Soumya's experiences and advice provide a comprehensive roadmap for aspiring finance professionals navigating the SEBI certification journey. By emphasizing the importance of a strong fundamental foundation, staying updated with regulatory changes, and adopting effective exam preparation strategies, Soumya's insights offer a valuable guide for those seeking to excel in the dynamic world of finance

Prof. Sheetal Kunder

SEBI® Research Analyst. Registration No. INH000013800 M.Com, M.Phil, B.Ed, PGDFM, Teaching Diploma (in Accounting & Finance) from Cambridge International Examination, UK. Various NISM Certification Holders. Ex-BSE Institute Faculty. 16 years of extensive experience in Accounting & Finance. Faculty Development Programs and Management Development Programs at the PAN India level to create awareness about the emerging trends in the Indian Capital Market and counsel hundreds of students in career choices in the finance area.

Mr. Soumya Sourav Explained Why PMS Is The Most Important NISM Series

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