Social Impact Assessors Certification Examination

Know more about Social Impact Assessors

Social Impact Assessors Certification Examination aims to create a pool of social Impact Assessors who would assess the impact of social interventions of various social enterprises who raise funds through the Social Stock Exchange.

About NISM : Social Impact Assessors Certification Exam

The examination aims to create a pool of social Impact Assessors who would assess the impact of social interventions of various social enterprises who raise funds through the Social Stock Exchange platform.

Examination Objectives

On successful completion of the examination the candidate should:

  • Know the basics of social Impact Assessment, Code of conduct of Social Impact Assessors.
  • Understand the general concepts related to social stock exchange, social Impact Assessors and social impact assessment.
  • Know the Social Impact Reporting disclosures and regulations.

Assessment Structure

The examination consists of 85 multiple-choice and 3 case-based/case-let questions (each case having 5 questions) totaling to 100 marks. The assessment structure is as follows:

Multiple Choice Questions [85 questions of 1 mark each]85*1 = 85  
Case-based Questions [3 cases (each cases with 5 questions of 1 mark each]3*5*1 = 15  

The examination should be completed in 2 hours. The passing score for the examination is 60. There shall be negative marking of 25 percent of the marks assigned to a question.

Test Details

Name of Module: NISM Series XXIII: Social Impact Assessors Certification Examination

~ 85 multiple-choice and 3 case-based/case-let questions (each case having 5 questions) totaling to 100 marks.

* Negative marking – 25% of the marks assigned to the question.

+ Payment Gateway Charges extra.

# Passing Certificate will be issued only to those candidates who have furnished/ updated their Income Tax Permanent Account Number (PAN) in their registration details.

I. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SECTOR AND INDIAN FINANCIAL MARKETS
Section – I Social Sector in India
A.Overview of Social Sector in Indian Economy
B.Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
C.Concept of Social Enterprises (SE)
D.Taxonomy related to Social Enterprises
E.Social Intervention
F.International standards applicable for social development
G.Challenges of comparability faced by social sector organisations
H.Social Sector Landscape in India
I.Social Sector Inequities

Section – II Indian Financial Markets
A.Indian Financial Markets
B.Type of Securities
Annexure 1:List of areas and subareas for taxonomic classification of social objectives
Annexure 2:Developmental Initiatives

II. INTRODUCTION TO TRADING, CLEARING, SETTLEMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT ON STOCK EXCHANGES
A.Trading Mechanism
B.Clearing, Settlement and Risk management

III. SOCIAL STOCK EXCHANGE: INTRODUCTION, FUNDING STRUCTURES AND INSTRUMENTS
A.Concept of Social Stock Exchange
B.Stakeholders of Social Stock Exchange
C.Funding Structures

IV. REGISTRATION AND LISTING ON SOCIAL STOCK EXCHANGES
A.Registration process on Social Stock Exchanges
B.Rights, Obligations and Disclosures Document
C.Key Listing Guidelines
Annexure 3: Outline for the Offer document requirements for Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments

V. SOCIAL AUDIT AND SOCIAL AUDITORS
A.Evolution of Social Audit
B.Principles of auditing
C.Code of Conduct for Social Auditors
D.Certification requirements for Social Auditors
E.Competencies and Skills required for Social Auditor
F.Empanelment of Social Auditors with SROs
G.Scope of Work for Social Auditors
H.Social Audit Process
I.Accounting System and Internal Control
J.Social audit report
K.Challenges related to Social Auditing

VI. SOCIAL AUDIT STANDARD FRAMEWORK
A.Social Audit Standard
B.Social Audit Standard (SAS) Framework
C.Social Audit Engagement
D.Social Audit Scope
E.Stakeholders
F.Social Audit Engagement Acceptance
G.Communication with those charged with governance
H.Social Audit Quality Control for Social Auditor/ Audit firm
I.Social Audit Planning
J.Understanding the Entity and its environment
K.Social Auditor’s Responses to Assessed Risk
L.Field level research agency and/or subject matter experts
M.Use of Technology in Social Audit

VII. SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
A.Social Impact Assessment
B.Different organisational models for structuring evaluation
C.Theory of Change
D.Guidelines and Tools for impact assessment
E.Impact Reporting
F.Issues or Challenges in conducting SIA

VIII. SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (CASE STUDIES)
A.Case Study on Draft Social Audit Standard (SAS) 500: Ensuring environmental sustainability, addressing climate change including mitigation and adaptation, forest and wildlife conservation
B.Case Study on Draft Social Audit Standard (SAS) 200: Promoting health care including mental healthcare, sanitation and making available safe drinking water
C.Case Study on Draft Social Audit Standard (SAS) 400: Promoting gender equality, empowerment of women and LGBTQIA+ communities
D.Case Study on Draft Social Audit Standard (SAS) 1300: Promotion of Financial Inclusion
E.Case study on Affordable Housing on Draft Social Audit Standard (SAS) 1100: Slum area development, affordable housing and other interventions to build sustainable and resilient cities

IX. DISCLOSURE NORMS, REPORTING REQUIREMENTS BY SOCIAL AUDITORS AND PENALTIES
A.Disclosures as per SEBI ICDR Regulations
B.Disclosures norms under SEBI LODR Regulations
C.Penalties as per the SEBI Act, 1992
D.Different books to be maintained as per SC(R)R, 1957
Annexure 4:Guidance notes for listed/registered NPOs on disclosures of general, governance financial aspects
Annexure 5: Guidance notes for all Social Enterprises (SEs) on AIR

X. TAXATION
A.Securities Transaction Tax
B.Capital Gains Tax
C.Deduction under section 80G of Income Tax Act
D.Exemptions for Social Enterprises

XI. KEY REGULATIONS
A. Securities Contracts Regulation Act (SCRA 1956)
B. SEBI Act 1992
C. Depositories Act, 1996
D.SEBI (Stock Broker) Regulation, 1992
E.SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015
F. Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002
G.SEBI Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Regulations, 2003

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