BUSINESS, FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Stock Broker / Dealer

Buys and sells shares and other securities for clients on stock exchanges.

Class 12 in any stream; Maths helps After Class 12 Private sector

Facts checked 29/10/2026

Is this for me?

People in this work enjoy

Working with numbers and making quick decisions
Following markets, companies and business news every day
Helping clients reach their savings or investment goals

It may not suit you if you dislike

Pressure and noise on volatile market days
Early starts and long hours around trading sessions
Income that can swing with client activity and market moods

Class 11–12 subjects: Class 12 pass in any stream. Maths, Economics or Commerce help with market numbers and accounts. Individuals applying to SEBI for a broker licence must have at least passed Class 12 under the 1992 regulations; the Board can relax this on merit.
First degree: No fixed degree is set by the rules I could check. Many people in the field have a B.Com or a similar commerce degree, which helps with accounts and compliance work.
Entrance exams: NISM Series VII (Securities Operations and Risk Management) for back-office, risk and compliance staff. Dealers who trade derivatives also need NISM Series VIII (Equity Derivatives).
Licence or registration: Employees need NISM certification for their roles. A person who wants to run a broking firm needs SEBI registration through a recognised stock exchange, and the firm must meet net worth and experience rules.

Open to every streamClass 12 in any stream; Maths helps.Check your subjects against every career

What the work is like

Placing buy and sell orders for clients on the exchange, advising on trades, checking client orders and margins, settling trades, and handling complaints. Dealers and back-office staff work in brokerage firms, mostly in cities.

A day in the work
A dealer usually reads overnight market news and checks client orders before the market opens. During trading hours, they place buy and sell orders on the terminal as clients instruct, watch prices and confirm trades by phone. After the closing bell, they check contract notes, margin balances and any client complaints.

The path, step by step

Step 1 · Class 10–12Build strong Maths skills and follow business news. Commerce or Economics in Class 11–12 is useful but not compulsory.
Step 2 · Class 12Pass Class 12 in any stream. This is the basic education rule for individuals under SEBI's broker regulations.
Step 3 · After Class 12Most people take a B.Com or a similar degree, which helps with accounts, finance and compliance.
Step 4 · CertificationPass NISM Series VII: about 100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, 50% to pass, with negative marking. Derivatives dealers also need NISM Series VIII. (reported — check with the official body)
Step 5 · Join a firmStart as a dealer, back-office or compliance trainee with a SEBI-registered broker. Brokers must keep certified staff, and new staff are usually given a set time to pass the exam. (reported — check with the official body)
Optional · Own firmTo run your own broking firm you need exchange membership, SEBI registration, a minimum age of 21, a clean record, net worth as set by SEBI, and experience in trading. (reported — check with the official body)

Time and money

Stage	Time	Government college or body	Private college	Help available
Class 11–12 (commerce or any stream)	2 years	Your school's fees	Your school's fees	—
B.Com or similar degree (most common, not compulsory)	3 years	Check the college's fee page	Check the college's fee page	National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in); scholarship amount not confirmed
NISM Series VII certification exam (required for staff)	1 day exam	₹1,500 per attempt (plus taxes; confirm on nism.ac.in)	—	Study workbooks free to download; no stipend
NISM Series VIII (only for derivatives dealers)	1 day exam	Check the notice	—	Study material free; no stipend
Join a SEBI-registered firm as trainee	Set time to pass exam (not stated)	—	—	No paid training compulsory; no stipend found

Total timeAbout 5 years after Class 12 (reported, if you take B.Com; otherwise weeks to months for NISM exam)

Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages; exam fee is ₹1,500 per attempt.

Good to knowEmployees need NISM certification for the job; it does not guarantee a job, and no pay figure is given on the page.

Fees from: NISM: FAQ on the Series VII exam · Modelexam: NISM exam fee list (reported, secondary) · NSP Students page (scholarships.gov.in, 2026-27 dates) · Government Degree College Chamba Prospectus 2026-27 (B.Com fee tables, unclear labels). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

What people earn

Earnings vary a lot by role, firm, city and how much client business you bring in. Beginners usually earn much less than experienced dealers, and income can rise and fall with market activity.

Myth and fact

Myth: ~~Passing the NISM exam means you will make money in the market.~~

Fact: NISM certification shows you know the rules and operations of the market. It does not guarantee returns for you or your clients.

Try it now

Class 7–9Pick one listed company and follow its share price and news for one month. Write down what moved the price and why.Open link ↗
Class 10–12Enrol in a free economics or financial markets course on SWAYAM, if your school allows online courses.Open link ↗
College or afterDownload NISM's free Series VII workbook and read the first two chapters to see how trades are settled.Open link ↗

Good to know

NISM certification is required for the job itself. It does not guarantee a job or any returns for clients.
SEBI's rules were consolidated into new stock broker regulations in 2026, so check the latest text before relying on any figure in this profile.
Most entry-level people start as trainees under a certified supervisor, not as independent brokers.

Sources: NISM: FAQ on the Securities Operations and Risk Management exam (NISM Series VII) · SEBI (Stock Brokers and Sub-Brokers) Regulations, 1992 (SEBI) · Corplawupdates: summary of SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 2026 (reported, secondary) · Modelexam: NISM certification exam list and fees (reported, secondary)