What is NISM 19E Alternative Investment Fund Manager (category 3) Exam?
The NISM 19E Alternative Investment Fund Manager (category 3) examination seeks to create a common minimum knowledge benchmark for Category III
AIF Managers and its key investment team. The examination focuses to enhance the quality
of fund management activities in the Category III AIF space and enables a better
understanding of features of AIF products, investment valuation norms, fund governance
processes, fund performance measurements, taxation aspects and related regulations. The
examination is focused on fund management aspects relating to Category III AIFs.
What are the different names of the NISM XIX-E: Alternative Investment Fund Manager (category 3) Examination ?
Official name of the exam is NISM Series XIX-E: Category I and II Alternative Investment Fund Managers Certification Examination.
However, candidates refer this Exam with other names like nism 19e, nism XIX-E, AIF Manager(cat 3) exam, AIF exam, nism AIF-19E exam etc.
Who is an Alternative Investment Fund Manager ?
An Alternative Investment Fund Manager is a person or company responsible for managing Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). These are funds that invest in assets outside of traditional investments like stocks, bonds, or cash. AIFs include hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, and more.
Which Exam is Required for the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Role?
One should pass NISM Series XIX-E: Category III Alternative Investment Fund Managers Certification Examination to become an Alternative Investment Fund Manager.
Who should attend NISM Series XIX-E: Category III Alternative Investment Fund Managers Certification Examination ?
This certification is ideal for:
Fund Managers – Those managing Category III AIFs, including hedge funds, long-short funds, and other structured investment vehicles.
Investment Advisors – Professionals advising clients or institutions on investment in Category III AIFs.
Compliance Officers – Ensuring regulatory adherence within AIF management companies.
Senior Management – Directors, CEOs, and senior decision-makers at AIF management firms or Portfolio Management Services (PMS).
Employees of AIFs – Anyone involved in fund operations, research, product structuring, or marketing of Category III AIF products.
Professionals Seeking a Career in AIFs – Those aspiring to work in hedge fund management or alternative investment space in India.
Legal and Risk Professionals – Those dealing with legal, compliance, or risk aspects of AIF operations.
What is meaning of 'Series XIX-E' in NISM Series XIX-E: Category III Alternative Investment Fund Managers Certification Examination name ?
Its series 19E. ' XIX ' is Roman Numeral for 19.
How to Prepare for the NISM Series XIX-E: Category III Alternative Investment Fund Managers Certification Examination ?
MODELEXAM offers NISM Series XIX-E: Category III Alternative Investment Fund Managers Certification Examination PRACTICE TEST based on the NEW NISM syllabus
Where can I get NISM 19E AIF Category(3) Study Material ?
MODELEXAM provides Short Study Guides for NISM 19E AIF Cat(3) exam preparation. Short Notes contains exam oriented important concepts only.
Where can I get NISM 19E AIF Category(3) Exam Dates ?
What is the Assessment Structure of the NISM 19E AIF Cat(3) Exam?
Total Marks
100
Total Questions
Multiple Choice Questions [60 questions of 1 mark each] 60 x 1 = 60
Case-based Questions [4 cases (each case with 5 questions of 2 mark each)] 4 x 5 x 2 = 40
Total Duration
2 hours.
Passing score
60%
Negative Marking
25% of the marks assigned to a question.
Syllabus Outline with Weightage - NISM 19E AIF-Managers Examination(category III)
Chapter No.
Chapter Name
Marks Allocated
1
2
3
(Investment Landscape
Types of Investments
Introduction to Modern Portfolio Theory and Capital Market Theory)
1.2 Distinction between Investment and Speculation
1.3 Know the objectives of Investments
1.4 Estimating the required rate of return
1.4.1 Concept of Nominal rate of return, Real Risk-free rate and Expected Inflation
1.4.2 Concept of Risk Premium
1.4.3 Understand the various types of risks:
Business Risk
Financial Risk
Liquidity Risk
Exchange rate Risk
Political Risk
Geopolitical Risk
Regulatory Risk
Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
1.4.4 Understand the relationship between risk and return
1.5 Overview of Indian Securities Markets
Chapter 2: Types of Investments
2.1 Distinguish between Traditional investments and Alternate investments.
2.2 Know the types of Traditional Investments and their role and characteristics
2.2.1 Equity
2.2.2 Fixed Income Securities
2.2.3 Derivatives
2.2.4 Money Market Instruments
2.3 Outline the different types of alternate investments:
2.3.1 Venture Capital (including venture debt)
2.3.2 Private Equity
2.3.3 Private Debt
2.3.4 Hedge Funds (including CDS)
2.3.5 Real Estate and Infrastructure
2.3.6 Distressed Securities
2.3.7 Other (sunrise sector funds, special situation funds, fund of funds etc)
2.4 Know the channels for making investments
2.4.1 Direct investments
Understanding the role of Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs)
2.4.2 Investments through managed portfolios
Mutual Funds
Collective Investment Schemes
Portfolio Management Services
Alternative Investment Funds
Specialised Investment Funds
2.5 Explain the role of Alternate Investments in overall portfolio with regard to the benefits and limitations of Alternate Investments.
2.6 Trace the global evolution and growth of Alternate investments and its transformation over time to its present context.
2.6.1 Compare the investments (including taxation aspects) made by Hedge Funds globally, in USA, European and Asia Pacific Markets, as compared to investments made by Hedge Funds set-up in India
Chapter 3: Introduction to Modern Portfolio Theory and Capital Market Theory
Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT):
3.1 Discuss the Framework for constructing portfolios – Modern Portfolio Theory
3.2 Know the Assumptions of the theory
3.3 Calculation of expected rate of return for individual security
3.4 Calculation of Variance of return for individual security
3.5 Calculation of expected rate of return for a portfolio
3.6 Calculation of Variance of return for a portfolio
3.6.1 Calculating risk for two securities portfolio
3.7 Understand the concept of Efficiency Frontier
3.8 Know the Portfolio Optimization process
3.9 Discuss Estimation issues
Capital Market Theory (CMT):
3.10 Introduction to Capital Market Theory
3.11 Understand the Assumptions of Capital Market Theory and the implications of relaxing these assumptions
3.12 Discuss the Capital Market line
3.13 Understand the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
3.14 Discuss the Security Market Line
3.15 Understand the concept of Market Portfolio
Section B: Understanding the AIF Ecosystem
Chapter 4: Alternative Investment Funds in India and its Suitability
4.1 Trace the evolution and growth of AIFs in India.
4.2 Identify the factors that enable India to be one of the top AIF markets in the world.
4.3 List and compare the fund categories as per SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations 2012.
4.3.1 Category I AIF
Venture Capital Fund
Angel Fund
Infrastructure Fund
SME Fund
Social Impact Fund
Special Situations Fund
Corporate Debt Market Development Fund
4.3.2 Category II AIF
Private Equity Fund
Debt Fund
4.3.3 Category III AIF
4.4 Analyse the suitability of AIF products to particular classes of investors (based on Investors’ risk-return profile)
4.4.1 Ascertain the suitability of a Category III AIF
4.4.2 Describe asset allocation for HNI and Institutional investors looking to invest in AIFs.
4.5 Discuss the size and segments of AIF market in India, no. of AIFs registered with SEBI.
4.6 Identify the types of asset classes and products used by Category III AIF and how they are different from Traditional Investments such as Mutual Funds, Specified Investment Funds and PMS
4.7 Assess the role of AIF in Portfolio Diversification
4.8 Interpret the use of AIF as a Risk Management tool:
4.8.1 Alpha Management
4.8.2 Beta Management
Chapter 5: Alternative Investment Fund Ecosystem
5.1 Explain the concepts prevalent in the AIF industry:
5.1.1 AIF Ecosystem:
Investors
Sponsors
Trustees
Investment Managers
5.1.2 Crowdfunding and Corporate Venture Funding
5.1.3 Co-investments
5.1.4 Service Providers
Fund Administrators
Fund Infrastructure
Distributors and Placement Agents
Tax Advisors
Registrar and Transfer Agents
Legal Advisors
Custodian
Auditors
Investment Advisers
Merchant Bankers
Independent Valuers
5.1.5 Capital Committed and Sponsor Commitment
5.1.6 Drawdown and Capital Invested
5.1.7 Due Diligence
5.1.8 Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)
5.1.9 First Close and Final Close
5.1.10 Green shoe option
5.1.11 Fees and Expenses:
Lock-in Period and Exit Load
Management Fees
Set-up Costs and Operational Expenses
Hurdle rate and High Watermark
5.1.12 Additional returns (carry) and Performance Fees
5.1.13 Distributions and Distribution Waterfall
5.1.14 Term Sheet/ Summary of Principal Terms (SOPT)
5.1.15 Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)
Chapter 6: Alternative Investment Fund Structuring
6.1 Explain the concept of ‘pooling’ and how it is different from individual portfolio management.
6.2 Identify the main considerations in deciding the geographical jurisdiction for ‘pooling’ from an offshore Investor perspective for an India focussed fund.
6.3 Summarise the overall regulatory perspective and tax in the context of setting up of an India focussed AIF.
6.4 Identify and explain the main pooling structures possible in India for a domestic AIF.
6.5 Discuss with reference to the Trust Structure / LLP Structure/ Company structure, the composition of a domestic AIF in India.
6.6 Discuss the regulatory implications of fund structure on domestic AIF investors.
6.7 Explain the common fund structures of AIF:
6.7.1 On-shore and Off-shore Funds
6.7.2 Unified and Co-Investment Structures
6.7.3 Parallel Structures and Master Feeder Structures
Chapter 7: Fee Structure and Fund Performance
Fee Structure:
7.1 Describe and calculate Management Fees and Incentive Fees charged by AIF. Discuss the concept of Total Fee.
7.2 Discuss the importance of Hurdle Rate, when computing Fees and forming the Fee Structure of AIF.
7.3 Explain the principle of High watermark and catch-up and discuss its importance.
7.3.1 Calculate and analyse Pre and Post fees returns of an AIF.
7.3.2 Analyse the impact of GST on Fees
Fund Performance Evaluation:
Risk Metrics:
7.4 Summarise the risk of adverse selection by the Investors (contributory) based on various criteria that would impact their interests
7.5 Interpret the key risk areas based on the disclosure in the Private Placement Memorandum (PPM):
7.5.1 Investor Level Risks (for both equity and debt funds under AIF)
7.5.2 Governance/Fund Level Risks (for both equity and debt funds under AIF)
7.6 Explain the types of risks involved in AIF (such as Market risk, Liquidity risk etc.)
7.7 Discuss the risk measures used to analyse risks for Category III AIFs:
7.7.1 Standard Deviation
7.7.2 Skewness and Kurtosis
7.7.3 Maximum Drawdown
Return Metrics:
7.8 Discuss the main approaches to evaluate Fund Performance
7.8.1 The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) method – Gross and Net IRR computation with scenario analysis and illustrations
Explain with scenario analysis reasons for differential IRRs in Fund Performance
7.8.2 Discuss the concepts of Total Value to Paid-in-Capital (TVPI), Distributions to Paid-in-Capital (DPI) and Residual Value to Paid-in-Capital (RVPI) and their application to benchmarking with industry performance.
7.9 Discuss the other return measurement metrics used in Alternative Investments
7.9.1 Direct Alpha
7.10 Explain the concept of Multiple on Invested Capital (MOIC)
7.11 Analyse the impact of direct and indirect taxes on performance of AIFs
7.11.1 Calculate Pre and Post Tax Returns of AIFs
Risk-Return Metrics:
7.12 Explain various risk-return metrics
7.12.1 Sharpe Ratio
7.12.2 Treynor Ratio
7.12.3 Value at Risk
Chapter 8: Indices and Benchmarking
8.1 Understand what is an Index
8.2 Know the Uses of Indices
8.3 Discuss the Factors differentiating the indices
8.3.1 Price weighted index
8.3.2 Value weighted index
8.3.3 Equal weighted index
8.3.4 Fundamental weighted and factor-based index
8.4 Know how indices are created – Index Methodologies
8.5 Discuss the Stock market indices
8.5.1 Broad based indices
8.5.2 Market capitalization-based indices
8.5.3 Style indices
8.5.4 Capitalization and style indices
8.5.5 Sectoral index
8.5.6 Total Return Index
8.5.7 Dollar denominated index
8.5.8 Global Equity Indices
8.5.9 MSCI Indices for India
8.6 Discuss the Bond market indices
8.6.1 Government Securities Index
8.6.2 Corporate Bond Index
8.6.3 High Yield Bond Index
8.6.4 Global Bond Index
8.6.5 Total Return Index
8.7 Discuss the Stock-Bond (Composite) Indices
8.8 Discuss about Performance Benchmarking i.e. relevant benchmark for the AIFs, which has the similar characteristics and risk-return profile, as the fund under consideration. Discuss suitability of appropriate benchmarks for AIF, based on its investment strategy and support with example.
8.8.1 Benchmarking Agencies
8.8.2 Role of a benchmark in evaluating alpha generated by AIF.
Chapter 9: Legal Documents and Negotiations
Understand the broad description and purpose of the type of documentations used in AIF investment activity.
9.1 Fund Documentation
9.1.1 The Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)
Additional Disclosures under PPM
Investor Charter
Disclosure of Complaints
PPM Audit
Material changes in PPM
9.1.2 The Trust Indenture (Trust Document/ Limited Liability Partnership Deed/ Memorandum and Articles of Associations)
9.1.3 The Subscription (Investor Contribution) Agreement
Side Letters with Investors
9.1.4 Preferential Rights to Investors (In accordance with Pari-Passu Rights)
9.1.5 Investment Management Agreement
9.1.6 Support Service Agreements
Distribution Agreement (between the Investment Management Company and a Distributor)
Agreement with Merchant Banker
Agreement with Custodian
Agreement with Depository Participants
Section C: Managing AIF Investments – Category III
Chapter 10: Investment Strategies
Investment Strategies
10.1 Discuss common Equity-Market Investment Strategies used by Cat III AIF:
10.1.1 Long-only Equity Strategy
10.1.2 Long/Short Equity strategy
10.1.3 Market-Neutral Strategy
10.1.4 Directional and Short-bias Strategies
10.2 Discuss Global-Macro strategy
10.3 Discuss Convertible Arbitrage strategy
10.4 Discuss common Event-driven Investment Strategies used by Cat III AIF:
10.4.1 Activist Strategy
10.4.2 Merger Arbitrage Strategy
10.4.3 Pre-IPO Strategy
Chapter 11: Governance of Funds and Due Diligence
Investor Due Diligence by AIFs
11.1 Explain Investor Due Diligence (IDD) and who performs it. Discuss the principal areas of IDD.
11.2 Outline the scope, coverage and brief overview of Investor Due Diligence (IDD).
11.3 Identify the Definitive Agreements entered into as part of the deal documentation by the fund and the investee company.
Governance of Funds
11.4 Evaluate the role of the Investment Committee, transparency and governance standards in a Fund.
11.4.1 Role of Fund Governance
11.4.2 Fund Governance Structure
11.4.3 Investment Committee (IC) Approvals
11.4.4 Investor Advisory Committee
11.4.5 Role of Board of Directors of AMC
11.4.6 Conflict of Interest Issues
11.4.7 Investor Grievances and Dispute Resolution
11.4.8 Managing the stakeholders in PE deals
11.5 Summarise the process of decision making in a fund and internal measures to be taken to avoid conflict of interest. Discuss the role of human capital and fund manager and its team.
11.6 Explain the concept of Co-investments in AIFs
11.7 Discuss the Code of Conduct of Investment Managers of AIF
11.8 Discuss industry best practices
Chapter 12: Valuation
12.1 Describe briefly the general approaches to valuation of AIF investments in investee companies
12.1.1 The Income Approach using DCF methodology
12.1.2 The Market Approach using Relative Valuation
EBITDA Multiple
Price to Book Value Multiple
Price to Earnings Multiple
12.2 Distinguish between Enterprise Value and Equity value of a company.
12.3 Outline the general approaches to valuation of Debt fund investments.
12.4 Summarise the general approach to Fund Valuation and the valuation of Investor interest in a fund.
12.4.1 Valuation of AIF Portfolio Investments (Investee Companies) based on the IPEV Valuation Guidelines
12.5 Discuss the concept of Net Asset Value (NAV). Describe the Mark-to-Market (MTM) process used by Cat III AIF to value NAV.
12.6 Describe briefly the valuation techniques used by a Category III AIF to value the NAV of the underlying portfolio:
12.7 Portfolio of Liquid and Illiquid Securities
12.8 Positions in Commodity Derivatives and Equity Derivatives Markets (MTM Derivatives)
12.9 Positions in Money Market Instruments and Long-term Fixed Income Securities
12.10 Differentiate between the general approach to compute the NAV for Category III AIF and NAV attributable to a Series of Units issued to investors.
12.11 Discuss the role of third-party registered valuers and the frequency of such valuation. Also specify the timeline for generation of valuation reports and limitation of valuation reports.
Chapter 13: Fund Monitoring, Reporting and Exit
13.1 Monitoring Alternative Investment Fund Progress and Performance
13.1.1 Context and Scope of Effective Fund Monitoring
13.2 List the periodic reporting process of the Fund / Investment Managers to the Investors under their:
13.2.1 Regulatory obligations
Specific Transparency and Periodic Disclosure Requirements
Maintenance of Records
Submission of reports to SEBI
13.2.2 Contractual obligations
13.2.3 Additional information
13.3 Describe a reporting template.
13.3.1 Conflicts and Concerns in Fund Reporting
13.4 Outline the available exit options for an AIF
13.4.1 Exit from its investee/ portfolio companies
13.4.2 Exit due to Material Changes in PPM
13.4.3 Change in Manager/ Change in control
13.4.4 Other exit scenarios
13.5 Compare IPO, Strategic Sale (M&A), Secondary sale, Buyback and Liquidation as exit options.
13.6 Discuss about winding up of an AIF
Section D: Taxation and Regulatory Framework
Chapter 14: Taxation
14.1 Income streams for the AIF from its investments
14.2 Concept of Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR).
14.3 Investor reporting requirements
14.4 Identify the tax implications on transfer of units of AIF by the investors
14.5 Explain the tax-regime for Category III AIFs in India.
14.6 Taxation aspects of a category III AIF
14.6.1 General principles trust taxation
14.6.2 Concept of Determinate vs. Indeterminate trust
14.6.3 Concept of Revocable vs. Irrevocable trust
14.6.4 General principles of LLP taxation
14.7 Explain taxation on distribution on / withdrawal of units of Cat III AIFs.
14.8 Explain taxation on transfer of units of AIF by investors.
14.9 Withholding tax obligations and compliances
14.10 Discuss about the Indirect Taxes as applicable to AIFs
14.10.1 GST Regime
14.10.2 Stamp Duty and Local Taxes
Chapter 15: Regulatory Framework
Discuss the general framework of regulations and their purpose.
A. SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012
15.1 Outline the registration process of AIFs and the eligibility criteria to seek registration
15.1.1 Registration requirements
15.1.2 Registration criteria and Documentations
15.1.3 Conditions for Registration
15.2 List the principal and general obligations of Sponsors and Investment Managers of AIFs
15.2.1 Sponsor and Manager Commitment
15.3 Concept of open ended and closed ended funds
15.3.1 Examine whether Category III AIFs can be open-ended and closedended
15.3.2 Outline the eligibility requirements for listing of a closed-ended scheme of a Category III AIF on a recognized stock exchange platform. List the benefits of such listing.
15.4 Tenure of Fund and Schemes
15.5 Requirements with regard to subscriptions to the fund by investors
15.6 Discuss the concepts of Accredited Investor, Accreditation Agencies and the Accredited Investor Framework:
15.6.1 Accredited Investors
15.6.2 Accreditation Agency
15.6.3 Large value fund for Accredited Investors
15.7 Raising of Corpus Capital and Role of PPM and fund documents
15.8 Regulatory framework applicable to investments
15.8.1 General Investment Conditions for all AIFs
15.8.2 Specific Investment Conditions for Category III AIFs
15.9 List General Obligations and Responsibilities of a Category III AIFs
15.9.1 General Obligations
15.9.2 Code of Conduct
15.9.3 Exemption from enforcement of the regulations in special cases
15.10 List the periodic and exceptional disclosures and reporting to be made by AIFs
B. Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999
15.11 Explain briefly the concept of foreign direct investment (FDI) and its economic significance for India.
15.12 Analyse why there are restrictions on FDI in Indian companies and on full convertibility of the rupee.
15.13 Identify when the FDI policy under FEMA gets attracted to AIF investments by foreign investors.
15.14 Outline the principal investment requirements under FEMA as are applicable to AIF investments
D. SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations and SEBI (PFUTP) Regulations
15.15 Illustrate the applicability of SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations and SEBI (PFUTP) Regulations for Category III Funds and discuss the importance of relevant disclosures by the Category III AIF, as per these regulations.
E. Prevention of Anti-Money Laundering Act
15.16 Demonstrate the importance of disclosures made by a Category III AIF under the Prevention of Anti-Money Laundering Act
F. SEBI (ICDR) Regulations
15.17 Pricing of securities issued in IPO
15.18 Lock-in restriction in case of securities issued in IPO
15.19 Preferential Allotment of Shares in a QIP
15.20 Lock-in Restriction in case of Preferential Allotment
15.21 Sale of Shares by a Category III AIF, in an Offer for Sale (OFS)
G. SEBI (FPI) Regulations
15.22 Relevance of SEBI (FPI) Regulations for category III AIFs
H. Other Regulations
15.23 Discuss the regulatory and reporting requirements under FATCA and CRS