Introduction
NABARD Grade A Phase 2 is not just about objective tests — the Descriptive English Paper plays a crucial role in deciding your name in the final merit list. With 100 marks and 90 minutes, this paper checks your ability to express thoughts on rural economy, agriculture, financial inclusion, and social development issues — in clear, grammatically correct English.
Many aspirants score well in objective sections but underperform here due to lack of writing practice or time management. This post will give you a section-wise plan for Essay, Letter, and Precis Writing, a minute-wise strategy, and tips to boost your score to 70+.
NABARD Grade A 2025 – Descriptive English Paper Overview
| Section | Marks | Word Limit | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 40 | ~500–520 Words | 1 out of 4 topics |
| Letter Writing | 30 | ~200–220 Words | 1 out of 3 topics |
| Precis Writing | 30 | ~120 Words | 1 |
Total: 100 Marks
Duration: 90 Minutes
Mode: Online Typing (keyboard)
Section 1 – Essay Writing (40 Marks | 520 Words)
Essay is the most crucial part of the paper, carrying the highest weightage.
Likely Themes for 2025
Based on 2024 paper analysis and NABARD’s focus areas, expect essays on:
- Sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient farming
- Role of rural youth in nation-building
- Digital financial inclusion and fintech in rural India
- Renewable energy & rural development
- Women empowerment through SHGs and microfinance
Step-by-Step Strategy
- Choose Wisely (2–3 mins): Select the topic you have maximum points for. Don’t pick the one that “sounds interesting” but has limited content.
- Create a Quick Outline (5 mins):
- Introduction – Define the topic + give relevance
- Body – 3 paragraphs (importance, challenges, solutions)
- Conclusion – Summarize and suggest way forward
- Follow the ICE Structure:
- Introduction (50–70 words): Start with a fact, definition, or quote.
- Content (350–380 words): Present arguments logically, use examples, data, government schemes.
- Ending (40–50 words): Conclude on a positive, solution-oriented note.
- Language Tips:
- Keep tone formal and policy-oriented
- Use connectors like Moreover, Hence, Consequently
- Avoid slang, contractions, or very casual phrases
- Proofread (3 mins): Correct grammar, spelling, and recheck word count.
Scoring Benchmark: A well-structured, data-backed essay can fetch 28–30 marks.
Section 2 – Letter Writing (30 Marks | 220 Words)
Letter writing tests your ability to communicate formally and concisely.
Common Letter Types in NABARD:
- Complaint letter (to municipal authorities or organization)
- Request letter (for article publication, permission)
- Formal communication regarding rural/financial issues
Ideal Structure (Business/Official Letter)
Sender’s Address
Date
Receiver’s Address
Subject: (One-line purpose)
Salutation (Sir/Madam)
Paragraph 1 – Introduction: State purpose of writing
Paragraph 2 – Main Content: Details, facts, request/complaint
Paragraph 3 – Conclusion: Expected action + polite closing
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully/sincerely,
(Signature)
Tips to Score High:
- Keep word count 200–230 words
- Use professional tone, avoid emotional or aggressive language
- Keep subject line short and meaningful
- End with clear call-to-action (e.g., “Kindly take necessary steps at the earliest”)
Target Score: 21–23 marks for a clear, structured, error-free letter.
Section 3 – Precis Writing (30 Marks | 120 Words)
Precis writing checks comprehension and summarization ability.
Approach:
- Read Passage Twice (5 mins): First for understanding, second for underlining key points.
- Identify Theme: Write it down in one line.
- Prepare Rough Draft (5 mins): Remove examples, adjectives, redundancies.
- Write Final Precis (7–8 mins):
- Maintain 1/3rd length of original
- Use simple sentences, active voice
- Give a suitable title
Example:
If passage discusses water harvesting in rural Ethiopia, your title could be:
“Water Harvesting – Key to Sustainable Rural Livelihoods”
Scoring Benchmark: 21–23 marks if word limit is maintained and theme captured well.
Time Management Plan (90 Minutes)
| Section | Suggested Time |
|---|---|
| Letter Writing | 20 mins |
| Precis Writing | 25 mins |
| Essay Writing | 40 mins |
| Final Review | 5 mins |
This sequence helps you finish quick-scoring sections first and dedicate maximum energy to essay.
Vocabulary & Key Expressions to Use
- Policy & Development: inclusive growth, credit penetration, fiscal outlay, rural upliftment
- Agriculture: climate-resilient farming, agri-value chain, soil health, crop diversification
- Finance: financial literacy, capital infusion, liquidity support, risk mitigation
- Letter Writing: “I request you to kindly…”, “This is to bring to your notice…”, “I shall be grateful for prompt action…”
Using such professional terms makes your writing examiner-friendly and polished.
Practice Plan (4 Weeks)
| Week | Focus Area | Task |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essay & Letter Basics | Learn formats, write 3 essays & 3 letters |
| 2 | Precis Practice | Summarize 5 newspaper editorials into 120 words |
| 3 | Mixed Mocks | Attempt 2 full 90-minute mocks |
| 4 | Final Polishing | Revise vocabulary, typing drills, practice under time pressure |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Crossing word limits: Penalty for exceeding limit by >10%.
- ❌ Informal tone in letter: Avoid words like “Hey” or “Thanks a lot.”
- ❌ One-paragraph essay: Always write in multiple paragraphs.
- ❌ Copy-pasting lines in precis: Must be rephrased.
- ❌ Skipping review: 3–4 marks are often lost due to typos and grammar errors.
Final Tips to Score 70+
- Build a content bank of facts, data, and government schemes relevant to rural economy.
- Practice typing — aim for 30+ WPM speed for smooth completion.
- Take weekly mocks to simulate real exam pressure.
- Analyze every practice attempt to eliminate repeated mistakes.
Conclusion
NABARD Grade A 2025 Descriptive English is not about writing fancy English — it is about clarity, structure, and relevance. With focused preparation, vocabulary building, and time management, you can easily cross the 70+ mark barrier.
Remember: Every mark in this 100-mark paper matters for final selection. Start practicing today, follow this step-by-step guide, and make the descriptive paper your strongest weapon in NABARD Grade A 2025.