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

Revised Launch of NISM-Series-XXIII: Social Impact Assessors Certification Examination w.e.f. April 18, 2025

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 and social impact assessment.
  • Know the social impact assessment reporting disclosures and regulations.

Assessment Structure

The examination consists of 85 multiple-choice and 3 case-based/caselet 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 Auditors Certification Examination

~ 85 multiple-choice and 3 case-based/caselet 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 Ecosystem
Section I: Social Sector in India
A. Overview of Social Sector in India
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

II: Social Stock Exchange: Introduction, Funding Structures and Instruments
A. Concept of Social Stock Exchange
B. Stakeholders of Social Stock Exchange
C. Funding Structures

III: Registration and Listing on Social Stock Exchanges
A. Registration process on Social Stock Exchanges
B. Rights, Obligations and Disclosures Document
C. Key Listing Guidelines

IV: Understanding Logic Model in Social Programs for Social Impact Assessment
A. Logical Framework Analysis for Social Enterprises
B. Key Components of LFA
C. The flow of Project/ Program design under Logic Model
D. Developing the Logical Framework Matrix
E. Logical Framework Matrix

V: Social Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessors
A.  Evolution of Social Impact Assessment
B.  Principles of Impact Assessment
C.  Social Impact Assessors
D. Social Impact Assessment (Audit) Standards
E.  List of Social Impact Assessment (Audit) Standards (SAS)
F.  Social Impact Assessment Standard (SAS) Framework
G.  Social Impact Assessment Process
H.  Impact Assessment Evidence
I.  Social Impact Assessment Engagement
J. Social Impact Assessment Quality Control for Social Impact Assessor/ Audit firm
K. Field level research agency and/or subject matter experts
L. Challenges related to Social Impact Assessment
M. Use of Technology in Social Impact Assessment
N. Social Impact Assessment Report
P. Impact Assessment Conclusions

VI: Social Impact Assessment Frameworks, Techniques and Standards
A. Introduction to Social Impact Assessment Frameworks
B. Other Guidelines and Tools for Impact Assessment

VII: Social Impact Assessment Reporting
A. Social Impact Assessment
B. Different organisational models for structuring evaluation
C. Impact Reporting
D. Issues or Challenges in conducting SIA

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

IX: Disclosure Norms, Reporting Requirements by Social Impact Assessor and Penalties
A. Disclosures as per SEBI ICDR Regulations
B. Disclosures norms under SEBI LODR Regulations
C. Penalties as per the SEBI Act, 1992

X: Taxation
A. Introduction
B. Deduction under section 80G of Income Tax Act
C. Exemptions for Social Enterprises

XI: Key Regulations
A. SEBI Act 1992
B. SEBI Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2018
C. SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015
D. Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002
E. SEBI Prevention of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Regulations, 2003

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