The IRDAI Grade A Phase II Descriptive English paper is a crucial differentiator between successful and unsuccessful candidates. While Paper I (Objective) filters candidates on domain knowledge, it is Paper II (Descriptive English) that evaluates your ability to communicate ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively — an essential skill for any regulatory officer.
In this post, we will decode the 2025 Phase II pattern, provide topic trends, and share practical preparation strategies so you can write with confidence and maximize your score.
1. Exam Pattern: Structure & Marks Distribution
The IRDAI Grade A 2025 Phase II Descriptive English paper followed its well-established format:
| Section | No. of Questions | Word Limit | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 1 (Choice from 4 topics) | ~500 words | 30 |
| Precis Writing | 1 | 170–180 words (1/3rd compression) | 20 |
| Reading Comprehension | 1 RC passage (3–5 Qs) | Short, factual answers | 20 |
| Letter Writing | 1 | 150–200 words | 20 |
| Statement Expansion | 1 | 80–100 words | 10 |
Total Marks: 100
Total Time: 60 minutes
Observation: This structure ensures balanced evaluation — testing your knowledge, summarization skill, grammar, and formal communication.
2. Essay Writing: Theme Trends & Strategy
Topics Asked in 2025
- Strategies for Insurance for All by 2047 in India
- Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence
- The Power of Positive Thinking
- (One additional topic — general/social issue)
Preparation Tips:
- Insurance-specific content: Study IRDAI’s “Insurance for All by 2047” mission, PM-JAY, micro-insurance schemes, and financial inclusion data.
- General topics: Prepare for AI, climate change, women empowerment, and ethical dilemmas.
- Structure: Follow a 3-part format (Introduction – Body – Conclusion). Use facts, data, and examples.
Pro Tip: Maintain a repository of 10-12 ready essays with updated statistics for quick recall.
3. Precis Writing: Scoring High
Precis tests your ability to condense without distorting meaning.
What Worked in 2025:
- Candidates who wrote in their own words, avoided copying sentences from passage, and stuck to word limit scored highest.
- Title carries 1–2 marks — make it crisp, relevant, and impactful.
Practice Plan:
- Solve 2–3 precis every week from editorials (The Hindu, Business Standard).
- Count words carefully. Maintain 1/3rd of original word length.
- Use formal, grammatically correct sentences.
4. Reading Comprehension: Smart Approach
The RC passage was factual and regulatory-oriented (related to risk management and insurance sector).
Approach:
- Skim entire passage first (30–40 sec).
- Read question, then locate answer in passage.
- Write to-the-point answers — avoid adding opinions.
- Manage time — keep RC within 10 minutes.
5. Letter Writing: Formal & Precise
Letter topics in 2025 focused on insurance-related communication (e.g., writing to a policyholder or a branch manager regarding claim settlement).
Tips:
- Follow formal letter format (Sender’s address, Date, Receiver’s address, Subject, Salutation, Body, Closing).
- Keep tone professional and solution-oriented.
- Stay within word limit (150–200 words).
6. Statement Expansion: Creativity + Clarity
This section asked candidates to expand a single line statement into a short paragraph (80–100 words).
For example: “Insurance – A Tool for Social Security”
Scoring Strategy:
- Start with definition → explain importance → give examples → conclude with impact.
- Avoid repetition. Use simple, crisp sentences.
7. Time Management: 60-Minute Plan
| Section | Suggested Time |
|---|---|
| Essay | 20 min |
| Precis | 15 min |
| RC | 10 min |
| Letter | 8 min |
| Statement Expansion | 7 min |
Golden Rule: Do not spend more than allotted time on one section. Move on and return later if time permits.
8. Preparation Roadmap
- Week 1–2: Build conceptual clarity on insurance sector + practice essays on policy initiatives.
- Week 3–4: Focus on precis and RC daily. Create a habit of summarizing newspaper articles.
- Week 5 onwards: Practice full-length mocks under timed conditions.
- Final Week: Revise your best essays, letter formats, and precis techniques.
9. Key Expressions & Vocabulary
Include sector-specific terms in answers:
- Financial Inclusion, Risk Pooling, Underwriting, Claim Settlement Ratio, IRDAI Sandbox, Micro-Insurance, Bancassurance, InsurTech, Reinsurance.
These keywords boost credibility and fetch higher marks.
10. Final Words
IRDAI Grade A Descriptive English is not just a test of writing — it is a test of structured thinking and regulatory awareness. With a disciplined practice schedule, updated sector knowledge, and mock test evaluation, you can comfortably score 70+ marks, placing yourself in the safe zone for final selection.