What is the passing mark for NISM Series X-C?

You need 50% to pass NISM-Series-X-C: Investment Adviser Certification (Renewal). On a 50-mark paper that is 25 marks.

How long is the NISM Series X-C exam?

The exam runs for 60 minutes and carries 50 marks in total.

How long is the NISM Series X-C certificate valid?

NISM certifications are generally valid for 3 years from the date of passing, after which they must be renewed. Confirm the current position on nism.ac.in before your certificate lapses.

NISM Series X-C

Investment Adviser Certification (Renewal)

The one-hour renewal paper for advisers whose certification is expiring. Shorter, no negative marking.

Exam pattern

Duration: 60 min
Total marks: 50
Pass mark: 50% (25)
Negative marking: None

There is no negative marking, so never leave a question blank — an uncertain guess costs you nothing.

NISM’s examination fee is ₹2,500, plus taxes and payment charges. Confirm the current fee when you register.

This pattern was checked against NISM’s own page for this examination on 18 September 2026.

Who can take this exam

This is a renewal paper, and it is not open to everyone. NISM restricts it to candidates who already hold both a valid NISM-Series-X-A (Investment Adviser Level 1) certificate and a valid NISM-Series-X-B (Level 2) certificate. Holding only one of the two is not enough.

You apply through NISM's certification portal at cert.nism.ac.in by declaring that you hold both certificates. NISM verifies that against its own records and confirms by email, which it says takes about two working days — so do not leave it to the week your certificate expires.

If you do not already hold X-A and X-B, the renewal route is closed to you and the full X-A and X-B examinations are the way in.

How the exam is delivered

X-C is not a sit-down paper at a test centre. NISM delivers it entirely online in two parts, and you must complete both:

Pre-recorded video training on the NISM portal — NISM describes this as around 2 to 3 hours of material.
A one-hour assessment of 50 multiple-choice questions, one mark each, with no negative marking. You need 25 marks to pass.

Both parts are proctored, and NISM requires a desktop or laptop with a webcam and microphone — phones and tablets are not accepted. Read its own hardware and conduct requirements before the day, because NISM reserves the right to withhold or cancel a certificate where they are not met.

Syllabus and study material

NISM publishes no workbook and no syllabus for X-C, and no chapter weightages. The only study material is the pre-recorded training on the NISM portal, which you work through as part of the exam itself. That is why this page shows the pattern and the eligibility rules rather than chapters: we will not invent a syllabus NISM has not published. If you want to revise the underlying adviser material, our Series X-A and X-B chapters are written from those papers' own workbooks.

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Every chapter explained in plain English, then tested at three levels, with mock exams that use this paper’s real marking rules.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the passing mark for NISM Series X-C?: You need 50% to pass NISM-Series-X-C: Investment Adviser Certification (Renewal). On a 50-mark paper that is 25 marks.
Is there negative marking in NISM Series X-C?: There is no negative marking, so never leave a question blank — an uncertain guess costs you nothing.
How long is the NISM Series X-C exam?: The exam runs for 60 minutes and carries 50 marks in total.
How long is the NISM Series X-C certificate valid?: NISM certifications are generally valid for 3 years from the date of passing, after which they must be renewed. Confirm the current position on nism.ac.in before your certificate lapses.