📊 NISM Series V-DChapter 12 of 22⚖ 10 of 150 marks weightage
Ch.12: Mutual Fund Scheme Selection
Practice questions for NISM-Series-VD: Mutual Fund - Specialised Investment Fund Distributors Certification Examination, Chapter 12: Mutual Fund Scheme Selection — covering SEBI's two-tiered benchmarking structure for equity, debt, hybrid and other scheme categories, the principles concerning benchmarks, the effective date and implementation of SEBI's uniformity-in-benchmarks circular, quantitative measures of fund manager performance, and choice of investment universe. Carries 10 out of 150 marks — tied for the heaviest-weighted Module 1 chapter. The exam has 150 MCQs, 60% passing score, and −10% negative marking per wrong answer.
25
MCQ
25
Total Qs
10
Exam Marks
60%
Pass Score
-10%
Neg. Marking
What You Will Learn in This Chapter
SEBI's two-tiered benchmarking structure — Tier-1 (broad market/category index) and Tier-2 (style/strategy-specific index) — for equity and other scheme categories
Principles concerning benchmarks of mutual fund schemes, and standard benchmark disclosure requirements
Effective date and implementation timeline of SEBI's 'Guiding principles for bringing uniformity in benchmarks' circular
Benchmarks applicable to hybrid funds, Fund of Funds, and other specialized categories like Real Estate Funds
Quantitative measures of fund manager performance, relative return comparison against benchmarks, and choice of investment universe in scheme selection
Key Terms:Two-Tiered Benchmark StructureTier-1 BenchmarkTier-2 BenchmarkTotal Return Index (TRI)SEBI Uniformity in Benchmarks CircularFund of FundsHybrid Fund BenchmarksInvestment UniverseRelative ReturnFund Manager Performance
Multiple Choice Questions (25)
Q1MCQMediumBenchmarking for Fund of Funds
If a Fund of Funds (FoF) scheme invests in multiple underlying schemes, what benchmark is prescribed by SEBI?
AThe benchmark of the single largest underlying fund.
BA bespoke benchmark created by the FoF manager.
CA Broad Market Index.
DThe average of the benchmarks of all underlying schemes.
Q2MCQMediumBenchmarks for Other Schemes - Real Estate Funds
What is a common challenge associated with using real estate indices as benchmarks for Real Estate Funds?
AThey are too volatile compared to the fund's portfolio.
BThey have shorter histories and lack wider acceptance compared to equity indices.
CThey are typically not available in India.
DThey only measure commercial real estate, not residential.
Q3MCQEasyChoice of Investment Universe
Which benchmark is most appropriate for a Gilt mutual fund scheme?
AIndices based on corporate bonds
BIndices based on Government Securities
CEquity market indices
DMoney market indices
Q4MCQMediumDisclosure requirements
The disclosures of standardized benchmarks, including returns in INR and CAGR, must form part of which mutual fund documents?
AOnly the Key Information Memorandum (KIM)
BOnly the Scheme Information Document (SID)
CThe Statement of Additional Information (SAI) and all advertisements of Mutual Funds
DOnly the annual report to unitholders
Q5MCQMediumEffective Date of SEBI Circular
The SEBI circular dated October 27, 2021, establishing guiding principles for uniformity in benchmarks, came into force with effect from which date?
AApril 1, 2021
BOctober 27, 2021
CJanuary 1, 2022
DApril 1, 2022
Q6MCQHardEffective dates of regulations and debt schemes
The first-tier benchmarks for open-ended debt schemes, as per their Potential Risk Class, were to be implemented by AMCs with effect from which date?
AOctober 27, 2021
BJanuary 1, 2022
CApril 1, 2022
DJuly 1, 2022
Q7MCQEasyFund Manager Performance
In mutual fund performance analysis, what does it indicate if a scheme earned a higher return than its benchmark?
AThe scheme underperformed
BThe scheme performed in line with the market
CThe fund manager outperformed
DThe benchmark was too easy
Q8MCQMediumHybrid Funds Benchmarks
A hybrid scheme with an asset allocation of approximately 65 percent in equity and the balance in debt would typically use a synthetic index calculated as:
A65% of NIFTY 50 and 35% of CRISIL Liquid Fund Index
B65% of S&P BSE Sensex and 35% of I-Bex
C100% of S&P BSE 100
D50% of S&P BSE Sensex and 50% of 10 years dated GoI security
Q9MCQHardPrinciples concerning Benchmarks
As per SEBI circulars, the first tier benchmarks for open-ended debt schemes based on the Potential Risk Class were implemented by AMCs with effect from which date?
AJanuary 1, 2022
BMarch 1, 2022
CApril 1, 2022
DOctober 27, 2021
Q10MCQEasyPrinciples Concerning Benchmarks
According to SEBI circular dated October 27, 2021, all benchmarks followed for mutual fund schemes must necessarily be what type of indices?
APrice Return Indices (PRIs)
BNet Asset Value (NAV) Indices
CGross Return Indices (GRIs)
DTotal Return Indices (TRIs)
Q11MCQEasyPrinciples concerning Benchmarks of Mutual Fund Schemes
As per SEBI circular dated October 27, 2021, all benchmarks followed for mutual fund schemes must necessarily be what type of indices?
APrice Return Indices
BTotal Return Indices
CDividend Yield Indices
DVolatility Indices
Q12MCQEasyQuantitative Measures of Fund Manager Performance
If a comparison of relative returns indicates that a mutual fund scheme earned a higher return than its benchmark, what does this primarily signify?
AUnderperformance by the fund manager.
BOutperformance by the fund manager.
CThe scheme's absolute return.
DA change in the scheme's investment objective.
Q13MCQHardReal Estate Funds Benchmarks
Why are real estate indices generally considered to have less wider acceptance compared to equity indices as benchmarks for mutual funds?
AReal estate funds are not allowed to use benchmarks.
BReal estate indices are only available for international properties.
CReal estate services companies have not developed any indices.
DThese indices have shorter histories and are yet to earn wider acceptance.
Q14MCQEasyRelative Return Comparison
When a mutual fund scheme's performance is evaluated by comparing its returns against its benchmark or peer group, what is this type of comparison called?
AAbsolute return comparison
BRelative return comparison
CAlpha generation comparison
DStandard deviation comparison
Q15MCQHardSEBI Guidelines on Benchmarks - Effective Date
The SEBI circular dated October 27, 2021, which introduced the two-tiered structure for benchmarking of mutual fund schemes, came into force with effect from which date?
AOctober 27, 2021
BJanuary 1, 2022
CApril 1, 2022
DMarch 31, 2022
Q16MCQMediumSEBI Two-Tier Benchmarking Implementation Date
When did SEBI's circular on the guiding principles for uniformity in benchmarks of mutual fund schemes (the two-tiered structure) come into force?
What is the purpose of the 'Tier-2' benchmark in SEBI's two-tiered structure for Income / Debt Oriented Schemes?
ATo reflect the broad market performance of the debt category.
BTo demonstrate the investment style/strategy of the Fund Manager within the category.
CTo provide a common benchmark across all debt schemes regardless of their strategy.
DTo compare the scheme against a global debt index.
Q18MCQEasySingle Benchmark Categories
Which of the following scheme categories, as per SEBI's guidelines, typically uses a single benchmark because its characteristics are already specific to a particular area?
AGrowth / Equity Oriented Schemes
BIncome / Debt Oriented Schemes
CThematic/Sectoral Schemes
DHybrid and Solution Oriented Schemes (when broad market benchmark is available)
Where are the disclosures for standard benchmarks (return in INR and CAGR) required to be included?
AOnly in the scheme's Key Information Document (KIM)
BOnly in annual reports to SEBI
CIn the Statement of Additional Information and all advertisements of Mutual Funds
DOnly on the AMC's official website
Q20MCQHardStandard Benchmarks
Prior to the SEBI October 2021 circular, which of the following mutual fund categories shared the same standard benchmark of '10 years dated GoI security'?
AEquity scheme and Retirement Fund
BAll Debt Schemes which are not covered in point 2 and Conservative Hybrid Fund
CBalanced Hybrid Fund and Aggressive Hybrid Fund
DLiquid schemes and Arbitrage Funds
Q21MCQHardTier-2 Benchmarks for Debt Schemes
Which of the following statements accurately describes the nature and purpose of a Tier-2 benchmark for Income / Debt Oriented Schemes?
AIt is a broad market index like NIFTY Ultra Short Duration Debt Index, reflecting the overall debt category.
BIt is a benchmark that replicates a specific government security for standardization purposes.
CIt is a bespoke benchmark according to the investment style/strategy of the Fund Manager, such as an AAA Bond Index.
DIt is primarily used for comparing the scheme's performance against global debt markets.
Q22MCQEasyTotal Return Indices Mandate
As per SEBI's principles concerning benchmarks of mutual fund schemes, what type of indices must all benchmarks necessarily be?
APrice Return Indices (PRIs)
BTotal Return Indices (TRIs)
CBroad Market Indices (BMIs)
DCustomized Indices (CIs)
Q23MCQMediumTwo-tiered Benchmark Structure
As per the SEBI circular on uniformity in benchmarks, what is the primary purpose of the two-tiered structure for benchmarking certain scheme categories?
ATo reduce the number of benchmarks
BTo reflect both the scheme category and the fund manager's investment style
CTo only reflect the broad market
DTo simplify international fund benchmarking
Q24MCQMediumTwo-tiered Benchmarking Structure
What is the primary characteristic of the 'Tier-1' benchmark in the two-tiered structure for mutual fund schemes?
AIt reflects the fund manager's specific investment style or strategy.
BIt is a bespoke index created uniquely for the scheme.
CIt is reflective of the category of the scheme.
DIt is an average of the benchmarks of the peer group schemes.
Q25MCQHardTwo-tiered Benchmarks for Equity Schemes
For Growth / Equity Oriented Schemes under the two-tiered benchmark structure, which statement accurately describes the distinction between Tier-1 and Tier-2 benchmarks?
ATier-1 is a bespoke index reflecting the fund manager's style, while Tier-2 is a broad market index.
BTier-1 is a broad market index (e.g., S&P BSE100), while Tier-2 is bespoke according to the investment style (e.g., Nifty 50 Index).
CBoth Tier-1 and Tier-2 are broad market indices, but for different market caps.
DTier-1 is for international equity and Tier-2 is for domestic equity.
About this content: These practice questions are based on the
NISM-Series-VD: Mutual Fund - Specialised Investment Fund Distributors Certification Examination Workbook
published by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), Mumbai (March 2026 edition).
NISM is a SEBI-established institution. Questions cover Chapter 12: Mutual Fund Scheme Selection with verified answers and explanations.
BullWiser is an independent exam preparation platform — not affiliated with NISM, SEBI or AMFI.
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