Many friends have expressed interest in becoming SEBI-registered investment advisors (RIAs), offering unbiased advice to clients and earning a decent income. Several DIY investors are keen on helping others manage their finances. For them, it can be a second career.
About the author: Melvin Joseph is one of the first RIAs in the country. He has a large client base of middle-class Indians and has provided unbiased advice across the country for the past 16 years. He now wants to create more fee-only, SEBI-registered investment advisors, given the significant scarcity of unbiased advisors in the country.
More about Melvin
- Fee-only Advisor Journey: Melvin Joseph’s determined struggle to the top
- My experiences as a fee-only financial planner
The good news is that SEBI relaxed the eligibility criteria again. Graduates in any subject are now eligible to apply for RIA.
If you are a graduate, you can apply for an RIA license, even if you don’t have any work experience. You must pass the NISM XA and XB examinations to obtain the RIA license.
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I have been practising as a Financial Planner since 2010. Now, I am not taking new clients. I am on a mission to expand the number of fee-only financial planners.
My interview on the Labour Law Advisor YouTube channel discusses my journey and my plans to create more RIAs.
I am arranging a webinar for RIA aspirants on 21st February 2026, at 6 pm. If you are serious about becoming an RIA, this will provide essential information and insights.
I will guide you through obtaining the RIA license and setting up an advisory practice.
The webinar is organised by Vaxel Academy. There will be a registration fee of 1000/- to ensure only serious participants register.
If you are interested in attending the webinar, please use this link toregister https://vaxel.in/vaxel-2026-aspiring-ria-webinar-series/
Entry is limited only to the first 100 participants.