1. Why Practice Sample Essays Matters
- Helps you understand structure: how a good introduction, body, conclusion work together.
- Builds your idea bank — when you see various topics, you have more content ready during exam.
- Improves writing fluency & speed — practice reduces hesitation during the real test.
- Shows you what examiners expect in terms of clarity, relevance, coherence, and examples.
2. What the Pattern & Latest Updates Are (2025)
- Descriptive test in NIACL AO 2025 has 30 marks total: 20 marks for essay, 10 for letter writing.
- Time limit: 30 minutes for both sections together.
- Candidates must qualify descriptive section to proceed.
- Essay topics usually relate to current affairs, insurance, finance, environment, technology, social issues. These are recurring domains. (Observed from latest sample & previous years.)
- Official syllabus 2025 confirms descriptive English part of Mains, and encourages aspirants to practise essays & letters.
3. Sample Essay Topics to Practice (2025-Relevant)
Here are some sample essay prompts you should write (in timed mode) to simulate real exam conditions. These are based on recent trends, upcoming concerns, and themes that NIACL & similar bank-insurance exams often pick.
| # | Sample Essay Prompt |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Role of Insurance in Strengthening Health Infrastructure |
| 2 | Digital Payment Systems & Their Potential for Financial Inclusion |
| 3 | AI & Automation in Insurance: Benefits vs Threats |
| 4 | Sustainability vs Economic Growth: Where Should the Balance Lie? |
| 5 | Mental Health Awareness Post-Pandemic: Role of Insurance & Government Policies |
| 6 | Data Privacy and Consumer Rights in the Financial Sector |
| 7 | Impact of Global Warming on Risk Assessment in Insurance Companies |
| 8 | The Rise of Remote Working: Economic & Social Implications |
| 9 | Women’s Empowerment Beyond Legislation: Challenges & Opportunities |
| 10 | Cybersecurity Threats in Banking & Insurance: How to Mitigate Risks |
4. How to Use These Sample Essays Effectively
Here’s a step-by-step method to gain maximum benefit from practicing sample essays:
- Time yourself: Allocate about 18-20 minutes for essay writing. Try to finish introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, conclusion.
- Plan first: Take 1-2 minutes to outline your essay: decide your thesis, main supporting points, examples.
- Use relevant & recent examples: For instance, mention recent government insurance schemes, climate reports, tech changes etc. That shows you’re updated.
- Focus on vocabulary & correctness: Use insurance, financial, regulatory terms when appropriate. Avoid grammatical errors, awkward sentences.
- Review critically: After writing, read what you’ve written. Check whether all parts are cohesive, whether points are fully developed. Fix errors.
- Compare with model essays: If possible, see good essays to understand how they are structured, how transitions are made, how examples are used.
5. Model Answer Structure: What a Good Essay Looks Like
Here’s a generalized template / structure you may follow for essays:
- Introduction: Context + brief thesis statement
- Body Paragraph 1: First major point + example(s) + explanation
- Body Paragraph 2: Second major point + example(s) + explanation
- (Optional Body Paragraph 3, if time allows and topic demands it)
- Address Counter-arguments / Challenges: If relevant, mention a challenge or downside to show balanced view
- Conclusion: Summarize points + restate thesis + a suggestion or vision forward
6. Sample Essay Snapshot
Below is a short example outline + intro + conclusion for prompt “Digital Payment Systems & Their Potential for Financial Inclusion”
- Outline:
- Introduction: importance of digital payments; context of financial inclusion
- Body 1: how digital payments reduce barriers (cost, geography) + government initiatives
- Body 2: challenges (digital divide, cybersecurity, infrastructure) + mitigating steps
- Conclusion: digital payments are powerful tool but need supportive policy & infrastructure
- Sample Introduction: In the modern era, digital payment systems have revolutionized the way financial transactions occur. In India, where millions still lack access to basic banking facilities, digital payments hold the promise to bridge that gap and enable financial inclusion by offering accessibility, security, and affordability.
- Sample Conclusion: In conclusion, digital payment platforms have immense potential to bring unbanked and underbanked populations into the formal financial system. However, to realize this promise fully, issues like digital literacy, reliable internet access, and robust cybersecurity must be addressed through concerted efforts from government, financial institutions, and technology providers.
You can fill in the body following the outline.
7. Common Evaluation Criteria / What Examiners Notice
- Relevance: Are all points clearly tied to the prompt?
- Depth of discussion: Are arguments developed, not just mentioned?
- Examples: Are they apt, recent, and well-explained?
- Language: Grammar, vocab, clarity, style.
- Structure & Coherence: Flow of ideas, linking words, paragraphing.
8. Practice Schedule Using These Sample Essays
Here’s a suggested 3-week plan to practise efficiently:
| Week | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Pick 3 sample essay topics. Write each, without much time pressure, focus on content, examples, structure. |
| Week 2 | Write 2 essays under timed conditions. After writing, review with checklist (structure, grammar, relevance). |
| Week 3 | Write 1 essay per day for 4 days. On last 2 days simulate exam: one essay + one letter in full descriptive section time. |
