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100+ Free NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) Exam

100 questions

NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) has 100 multiple-choice questions

NISM - CD assessment structure

2 hours

Candidates must complete the NISM Series I exam in 120 minutes

NISM - CD assessment structure

60% pass

The passing score for NISM Series I is 60 out of 100 marks

NISM - CD FAQ

25% negative marking

Each wrong answer deducts 25% of the marks assigned to the question

NISM - CD assessment structure

Rs. 1,500

The NISM Series I examination fee is Rupees one thousand five hundred (plus GST)

NISM - CD FAQ

3 years

The NISM CD certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of the exam

NISM - CD certification page

10 chapters

The Currency Derivatives syllabus is divided into ten weighted chapters

NISM - CD curriculum

100

Free original practice questions available here

OpenExamPrep

NISM-Series-I (Currency Derivatives) is a SEBI-mandated certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets for professionals dealing in currency futures and options. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours, with a passing score of 60% and negative marking of 25% for wrong answers. The fee is Rs. 1,500 and the certificate is valid for 3 years. The 2022 NISM syllabus weights Exchange Traded Currency Futures (20%) and Exchange Traded Currency Options (20%) as the largest units, followed by Introduction to Currency Markets (10%), Strategies (10%), Trading Mechanism (10%), and Clearing, Settlement and Risk Management (10%). This 100-question practice bank provides coverage of all units with detailed explanations for every option.

Sample NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An Indian importer has to pay USD 100,000 to a US supplier. The exchange rate is quoted by a bank in Mumbai as USD/INR = 83.50. Under this direct quotation, which of the following statements is correct?
A.USD is the quote currency and INR is the base currency
B.INR is the quote currency and USD is the base currency
C.Both currencies are quote currencies in the Indian market
D.This represents an indirect quote from the perspective of a Mumbai resident
Explanation: In the standard quotation format USD/INR = 83.50, the first currency (USD) is the base currency and the second currency (INR) is the quote currency. Since it defines the price of one unit of foreign currency in terms of the home currency, it is a direct quote for residents of India.
2Which of the following transactions is recorded in the Capital Account of India's Balance of Payments (BOP)?
A.Export of software services to a client in Germany
B.Import of crude oil from Saudi Arabia by an Indian refinery
C.Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by a French car manufacturer in a plant in Tamil Nadu
D.Interest received on foreign government bonds held by the Reserve Bank of India
Explanation: The capital account records transactions that represent a change in the foreign assets and liabilities of a country, such as FDI, portfolio investment, and external commercial borrowings. Export of services, import of goods, and interest receipts are current account transactions.
3An Indian textile exporter has an upcoming USD receivable in three months. What is the primary role of this exporter in the currency derivatives market?
A.To speculate on the appreciation of the Indian Rupee
B.To hedge against the risk of the US Dollar depreciating
C.To arbitrage price differences between the spot and futures markets
D.To act as a market maker providing liquidity to other participants
Explanation: As an exporter with foreign currency receivables, the primary risk is that the foreign currency (USD) will depreciate against the home currency (INR) by the time payment is received. Therefore, the exporter uses derivatives to hedge this risk by locking in a sell rate.
4In the foreign exchange spot market, if a trade is executed on Monday, October 12th, and is settled on Wednesday, October 14th (assuming no holidays), what is the settlement type?
A.Cash / Ready settlement
B.TOM (Tomorrow) settlement
C.Spot settlement
D.Forward settlement
Explanation: Spot settlement in the foreign exchange market occurs on the second working day after the trade date (T+2). If the trade is on Monday (T), then Tuesday is T+1 (TOM) and Wednesday is T+2 (Spot).
5If inflation in India rises significantly higher than inflation in the United States, how is the exchange rate of USD/INR expected to behave, assuming all other factors remain constant?
A.The USD/INR rate will decrease, indicating the Indian Rupee has appreciated
B.The USD/INR rate will increase, indicating the Indian Rupee has depreciated
C.The exchange rate will remain completely unchanged
D.The US Dollar will depreciate against all major world currencies
Explanation: According to Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), a country with a higher rate of inflation will see its currency depreciate against a country with lower inflation. Higher domestic inflation erodes the purchasing power of the Rupee, leading to an increase in the USD/INR exchange rate (more Rupees per Dollar).
6A treasury desk needs to calculate the EUR/INR cross-rate. The current spot quotes are EUR/USD = 1.0920 and USD/INR = 83.50. What is the calculated EUR/INR exchange rate?
A.EUR/INR = 76.4652
B.EUR/INR = 91.1820
C.EUR/INR = 94.6200
D.EUR/INR = 84.5920
Explanation: The cross-rate is calculated as: EUR/INR = (EUR/USD) * (USD/INR). Substituting the given rates: EUR/INR = 1.0920 * 83.50 = 91.1820.
7Which of the following macroeconomic developments is most likely to lead to an appreciation of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar?
A.A steep rise in international crude oil prices
B.A widening of India's current account deficit
C.A massive influx of foreign portfolio investment (FPI) capital into Indian equities
D.A downgrade of India's sovereign debt rating by international agencies
Explanation: A massive influx of foreign capital (FPI) increases the demand for Indian Rupees as foreign investors must buy Rupees to invest in Indian stock markets. This high demand leads to the appreciation of the domestic currency.
8If the spot USD/INR rate is 83.00, the annualized domestic interest rate in India is 7.00% p.a., and the annualized foreign interest rate in the US is 5.00% p.a. What is the theoretical 3-month forward exchange rate using simple compounding (using a 360-day year)?
A.81.45
B.83.00
C.83.41
D.84.66
Explanation: Using Interest Rate Parity with simple interest: Forward = Spot * [1 + (r_d * t)] / [1 + (r_f * t)], where t = 3/12 = 0.25. Forward = 83.00 * [1 + (0.07 * 0.25)] / [1 + (0.05 * 0.25)] = 83.00 * [1.0175] / [1.0125] = 83.41.
9In the context of the currency market, what is the main objective of a speculator?
A.To eliminate currency exposure in commercial operations
B.To profit by taking on currency risk based on market forecasts
C.To earn low-risk profits from simultaneous price mismatches across markets
D.To regulate foreign exchange reserves and maintain market stability
Explanation: Speculators intentionally assume market risks by taking unhedged positions in derivatives in order to profit from anticipated changes in currency prices. They provide risk-bearing capacity and liquidity to the market.
10Which of the following currency pairs is NOT traded as an Exchange-Traded Currency Derivative (ETCD) contract on recognized stock exchanges in India?
A.USD/INR
B.EUR/INR
C.GBP/INR
D.CHF/INR
Explanation: In India, SEBI and RBI permit currency derivatives trading in four domestic pairs: USD/INR, EUR/INR, GBP/INR, and JPY/INR, as well as three cross-currency pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY). Swiss Franc (CHF/INR) contracts are not permitted.

About the NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) Exam

NISM-Series-I: Currency Derivatives Certification Examination is a SEBI-mandated certification administered by the National Institute of Securities Markets. It is the requisite standard for associated persons of registered stock-brokers and trading members who deal with clients, execute trades, or handle operations in currency derivatives. The syllabus covers the basics of currency markets, foreign exchange derivatives, futures contract design and pricing, trading strategies (hedging, speculation, arbitrage), trading platform rules, clearing, settlement, risk management (SPAN margins and ELM), currency options contracts, accounting entries, taxation aspects, SEBI and RBI regulations, and codes of conduct. The exam has 100 one-mark questions, a 60% pass score, 25% negative marking, and the certificate remains valid for three years.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each, totalling 100 marks, drawn from ten chapters covering currency spot and derivatives markets, futures strategies, options, trading mechanisms, clearing, settlement, risk management, accounting, taxation, and regulations.

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes).

Passing Score

60% (60 out of 100 marks). Negative marking of 25% of the marks assigned to a question applies for each wrong answer.

Exam Fee

Rs. 1,500 (plus payment gateway charges and applicable GST). (National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), established by SEBI.)

NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) Exam Content Outline

10%

Introduction to Currency Markets

Exchange rate arithmetic, direct and indirect quotes, balance of payments, and determinants of exchange rates.

5%

Foreign Exchange Derivatives

Definition of derivatives, over-the-counter vs exchange-traded derivatives, forwards, options, futures, and swaps.

20%

Exchange Traded Currency Futures

Contract specifications, payoff profiles, currency futures pricing, cost of carry model, interest rate parity, and basis.

20%

Exchange Traded Currency Options

Call and put options contracts, European style options, intrinsic and time value, option pricing, options Greeks, and basic option strategies.

10%

Strategies using Exchange Traded Currency Derivatives

Hedging strategies for exporters and importers, calendar spread trading, cash-futures arbitrage, speculation, and basis risk.

10%

Trading Mechanism in ETCD

Exchange trading platform, order matching logic, order types, membership structure, and contract specifications.

10%

Clearing, Settlement and Risk Management

Central counterparty clearing, daily mark-to-market settlement, SPAN margins, extreme loss margins, and risk management limits.

5%

Regulatory Framework for ETCD

Roles of SEBI and RBI, Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), and underlying exposure limits for domestic and foreign investors.

5%

Accounting and Taxation of ETCD

Accounting entries for initial margins and MTM profits/losses, and tax treatment of derivatives as non-speculative business income.

5%

Codes of Conduct and Investor Protection Measures

Broker code of conduct, contract note issuance rules, client money segregation, and investor grievances redressal via SCORES and Arbitration.

How to Pass the NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 60% (60 out of 100 marks). Negative marking of 25% of the marks assigned to a question applies for each wrong answer.
  • Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each, totalling 100 marks, drawn from ten chapters covering currency spot and derivatives markets, futures strategies, options, trading mechanisms, clearing, settlement, risk management, accounting, taxation, and regulations.
  • Time limit: 2 hours (120 minutes).
  • Exam fee: Rs. 1,500 (plus payment gateway charges and applicable GST).

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Prioritise the highest-weight chapters per the 2022 NISM syllabus: Exchange Traded Currency Futures (20%), Exchange Traded Currency Options (20%), and the four 10%-weighted chapters (Introduction to Currency Markets, Strategies, Trading Mechanism, and Clearing/Settlement/Risk Management) together cover 60% of the marks.
2Understand the mechanics of futures pricing (Interest Rate Parity and cost of carry) and option pricing (intrinsic value vs time value) as calculation questions are common.
3Learn key margin terms: SPAN margins (initial margin scenario modeling) and Extreme Loss Margin (1% minimum under SEBI rules), and understand the mark-to-market (MTM) calculation logic.
4Master directional trading strategies (long/short futures, call/put buying) as well as non-directional strategies (spreads, straddles, strangles) and their respective payoff/breakeven points.
5Because of the 25% negative marking, avoid random guessing. Skip questions where you cannot eliminate at least two wrong options.
6Thoroughly review the FEMA regulations and underlying exposure limits (such as the USD 10 million undocumented trade limit for domestic residents).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NISM Series I (Currency Derivatives) exam and what is the duration?

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each, totalling 100 marks. The total time duration allocated is 2 hours (120 minutes).

What is the passing score for NISM Series I?

The passing score is 60%, which means you must score at least 60 out of 100 marks to clear the examination.

Does NISM Series I have negative marking?

Yes. The exam has negative marking of 25% of the marks assigned to a question, which translates to a deduction of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions do not carry negative marks.

What is the fee and certificate validity for NISM Series I?

The exam fee is Rs. 1,500 plus applicable GST. The certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of passing the examination.

Who is required to pass the NISM Series I exam?

SEBI mandates this certification for associated persons of a registered stock-broker or trading member of a recognized stock exchange who deal with clients, execute trades, or handle operations in currency derivatives.

Are these official NISM practice questions?

No. These are original practice questions created by OpenExamPrep, modeled on the official NISM-Series-I (Currency Derivatives) syllabus. NISM provides its own workbook to registered candidates separately on its website.