NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SECURITIES MARKETS

Established by the Securities and Exchange Board of India

NISM-Series-V-B: Mutual Fund Foundation Certification Examination

Test Objectives

1. Concept and Role of a Mutual Fund

1.1. Know the concept and list advantages and limitations of a mutual fund
1.1.1. Define a mutual fund and list the functions of a mutual fund
1.1.2. Compare and contrast mutual funds with Bank Deposits and National Savings
Certificate
1.1.3. Define investment objectives
1.1.4. Define the terms unit capital, assets under management, fund running expenses
and net asset value and understand their implication
1.1.5. List the advantages and limitations of a mutual fund
1.2. List different types of funds
1.2.1. Know the salient features of Equity, Debt, Hybrid and Money Market Funds
1.2.2. Know the salient features of Open ended and Close ended Funds
1.2.3. Know the salient features for Active and Passive funds
1.2.4. Know what is an ETF.

2. Fund Structure and Constituents

2.1. Know the basic legal structure of mutual funds in India
2.1.1. Name all Fund Constituents and know their overall role
[Link]. Trustee
[Link]. Sponsor
[Link]. AMC
2.2. Name other Service Providers and list their function

3. Legal and Regulatory Environment

3.1. Know the regulators in India
3.1.1. Know the role of SEBI in regulating mutual funds
3.1.2. Name the regulatory authority for each category of fund constituents
3.1.3. List the functions of AMFI
3.1.4. Know salient features of the AMFI Code of Ethics
3.1.5. Understand salient features of AMFI Guidelines & Norms for Intermediaries
(AGNI)
3.2. Understand Investors rights and obligations
3.2.1. List the rights of investors in a mutual fund
[Link]. Beneficial ownership
[Link]. Right to inspect

NISM-Series-V-B: Mutual Fund Foundation Certification Examination Page 1 of 4

 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SECURITIES MARKETS
Established by the Securities and Exchange Board of India

Trust Deed
Investment Management Agreement
Custodial Services Agreement
R&T agent agreement
Memorandum & Articles of Association of the AMC
[Link]. Investor grievance and redressal standards
[Link]. Annual Reporting standards and disclosures

4. Offer Document
4.1. Know the process of NFO
4.2. Identify
4.2.1. Investment Objective
4.2.2. Investment Policy
4.2.3. Investment Strategy
4.3. Understand regulatory aspects of an offer document
4.3.1. Know the salient features of an SID
4.3.2. Know the salient features of an SAI
4.4. Know the salient features of Key Information Memorandum (KIM)

5. Fund Distribution and Sales Practices

5.1. Know various distribution channels for mutual funds
5.1.1. Individual distributors
5.1.2. Institutional channels
[Link]. Brokers
[Link]. Banks
5.1.3. Internet & Stock exchange
5.2. Know pre-requisites to be fulfilled to become a distributor of a mutual fund
5.2.1. Certification Examination
5.2.2. KYD Process
5.2.3. Filling up the KYD Form with illustrations
5.2.4. ARN Registration and Renewal
5.2.5. Empanelment
5.3. List key elements covered in an agreement between a distributor and a mutual fund
5.4. Know existing sales practices and commission structure
5.4.1. Know structure of payment of commissions and related regulations
[Link]. List types of commissions as initial / upfront and trail commissions
[Link]. Know the basis of charging trail commissions
[Link]. Claiming of commissions
5.4.2. Know transaction charges and applicability
5.4.3. Know the concept of load (contrast with insurance company)

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 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SECURITIES MARKETS
Established by the Securities and Exchange Board of India

6. Mutual Fund Products

6.1. List product features of diversified equity schemes, fixed maturity plans and index
schemes
6.1.1. Know Risk factors for each product
6.1.2. Analyze Returns and Know Tax applicability for each product
6.1.3. Know benchmark for each type of Fund
6.1.4. List factors affecting the NAV of a mutual fund scheme
6.1.5. Know the time-stamping requirement for mutual fund transactions for each
product
6.2. Know salient features of SEBI regulations on Risk disclosures and Return presentations
6.3. Know about fact sheets and their use

7. Investor Services
7.1. Know the process of purchase transactions
7.1.1. Know KYC requirements & Demat Account concept
7.1.2. Know the process for fresh and additional purchase in a mutual fund
7.1.3. Know the forms to be filled
7.1.4. Describe the additional documentation requirements applicable to institutional
investors.
7.1.5. List valid payment instruments
7.1.6. Describe investment plans and services
1) Dividend, growth and dividend re-investment options in a mutual fund.
7.2. Know the processes of redemptions by investors
7.3. Know the processes relating to of systematic investment plans
7.4. Know the processing relating to systematic withdrawals and transfers
7.5. List other investor services and facilities offered by mutual funds.
7.6. Describe the contents and periodicity of Statement of account to the investor
7.7. Explain the process for Nomination and Pledge
7.8. Know the service standards mandated for a mutual fund towards its investors for
7.8.1. Unit allotment and Refund
7.8.2. Scheme re-opening
7.8.3. Redemption/ Re-purchase
7.8.4. Statement of accounts
[Link]. Dormant investors
7.8.5. Demat units
7.8.6. Unit Certificates
7.8.7. Publishing NAV
7.8.8. Pledging
7.8.9. Dividend Warrants
7.8.10. Recovery of unclaimed dividends/ redemptions

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 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SECURITIES MARKETS
Established by the Securities and Exchange Board of India

8. Selecting the Right Investment products for Investors

8.1. Know how to analyze client needs and profile
8.2. Know ideal Mutual Fund product for various types of investors with illustrations

9. Helping Investors with Financial Planning

9.1. Know the need for Financial Planning
9.2. Understand the role of different asset classes and allocation
9.3. Understand basics steps of financial planning
9.3.1. Identify financial goals and the time horizon
9.3.2. Know various stages of Life Cycle and investment needs
9.3.3. Know various stages of Wealth Cycle and investment needs
9.3.4. Know basic Excel functions for assessing investment needs
9.3.5. Understand financial planning with the help of illustrations
9.3.6. Understand the importance of periodic reviewing of financial plans

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