If you’ve been tracking the Indian financial markets, you know a stint at SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) is a gold star on any resume. The SEBI Young Professional Program (YPP) 2026 has just been announced with 91 vacancies, and the buzz is mostly about that ₹70,000 monthly stipend.
But here’s what the official PDF doesn’t tell you: it’s not just a job; it’s a high-pressure gateway to the big leagues of finance and law.
Quick Facts You Need to Know
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Application Deadline: March 1, 2026.
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Age Limit: 30 years (as of Feb 8, 2026).
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The Catch: You can only apply for ONE domain. Choose wisely, because your SOP (Statement of Purpose) must be hyper-specific to that role.
Domain Breakdown: Where Do You Fit?
| Domain | Openings | Who should apply? |
| Securities Market Ops | 40 | CAs and MBAs looking to understand market surveillance. |
| Information Technology | 29 | Engineers interested in Fintech and Cybersecurity. |
| Legal | 13 | LLBs who want to see how securities law is actually enforced. |
The “Hidden” Key to Selection: The SOP
In my observation of previous batches, the Statement of Purpose (SOP) is where 80% of applicants fail. SEBI isn’t looking for a Wikipedia summary of their own history. They want to know:
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Practicality: How can your specific skills (e.g., Python for IT or Audit for SMO) solve a current market problem?
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Long-term Vision: How does a 1-year stint at SEBI fit into your 10-year career plan?
Pro-Tip: Don’t use AI to write your SOP. SEBI’s screening committee looks for authentic voice and specific project mentions from your college or past work.
Selection Process (No Written Exam)
The selection is purely merit and profile-based, involving three stages:
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Application Screening: Shortlisting based on academic records, institute ranking (NIRF), and your Statement of Purpose (SOP).
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Preliminary Interview: Conducted virtually for shortlisted candidates.
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Final Interview: A final virtual round to assess domain knowledge and fit for the role.
My Take: Is it worth it?
₹70,000 is a competitive stipend for a “Professional” role, especially considering it’s an all-inclusive pay. However, remember that this is a contractual role. While it doesn’t guarantee a permanent job as a Grade A Officer, the “SEBI” tag on your LinkedIn profile will likely double your market value in the private sector within 12 months.
How to Apply
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Visit the official SEBI Careers Portal at sebi.gov.in.
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Locate the link: “Invitation for Applications under SEBI Young Professional Program 2026”.
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Fill in your personal details, academic scores, and work experience.
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Important: You must draft a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) as this is a primary screening criterion.
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Submit the form and save your application number for future reference.