Descriptive Writing Analysis & Model Answers
Date: 12 October 2025
Shift: 1
Section: Descriptive English (Essay + Reading & Comprehension)
1. Overview & Context
With IBPS introducing a descriptive component in the Mains exam, candidates now must not only master objective reasoning and banking knowledge, but also showcase clarity, coherence, depth of thought and command over language.
For Shift 1 of 12 October 2025, the descriptive portion comprised:
- Essay (≈ 250–350 words) – 15 marks
Two broad topics offered:- Biodiversity Loss & Concerns, OR
- “People have a right to know; Govt has to protect” (i.e. government & public role in sensitive information)
- Reading / Comprehension (≈ 150–180 words RC + 4 questions) – 10 marks
Passage theme: AI tools in India vs foreign countries
Feedback from test-takers confirms that clarity, balanced arguments, relevant examples, and structured flow were key differentiators.
2. What Candidates Faced: Topic Analysis & Strategy
Essay Topics
- Biodiversity Loss & Concerns
This is a familiar theme in banking / general awareness essays. Many candidates could draw from topics like:- Causes of biodiversity depletion (deforestation, pollution, climate change, habitat fragmentation)
- Impacts (ecosystem collapse, species extinction, disruption of food chain, livelihood risks)
- Mitigation: laws, conservation, public awareness, sustainable practices
- Role of government, civil society, citizens
- People’s Right to Know & Government’s Duty to Protect Sensitive Information
A more contemporary and nuanced topic. Key angles to cover:- Definition of “right to information” (RTI, transparency)
- What constitutes “sensitive information” (security, defence, privacy, personal data)
- Tension between transparency and national interest / privacy
- Roles: government (regulation, data protection laws), media, citizens (responsible usage)
- Examples: data leaks, whistleblowing, RTI in India, GDPR in EU
Because the second topic is more dynamic and less formulaic, good essays often stood out by fresh examples (e.g. data privacy scandals, technology leaks) and balanced judgment.
Comprehension Passage & Questions
The reading passage compared AI tools / adoption in India vs foreign (developed) countries. Themes included:
- How AI is used in India (healthcare, education, finance, governance)
- Challenges: infrastructure, data privacy, regulation, skilled manpower
- Contrast with advanced adoption in foreign nations
- Prospects: bridging digital divide, boosting innovation
Typical questions asked:
- Main idea / theme
- Inferential / implicit meaning
- Specific detail from paragraph
- Author’s tone / opinion or vocabulary usage
Because the passage was factual and recent, candidates with good reading speed and critical thinking had an advantage.
3. Model / Sample Answers & Outline
Below I present two model outlines + sample writeups (trimmed for brevity). Use them as a guide to structure your essays and answers.
A. Essay Option — People have a right to know; Govt has to protect
Outline / Structure:
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | State the conflict: transparency vs confidentiality; define “right to know” and “sensitive information” |
| Body 1 – Importance of Right to Know | Role in democracy, accountability, citizen empowerment, curbing corruption |
| Body 2 – Why some information must be protected | National security, privacy, personal data, state secrets |
| Body 3 – Challenges & tensions | Misuse of data, sensational media, leaks, overexposure, security threats |
| Body 4 – Roles & safeguards | Government (legislation, oversight, data protection laws), public (responsible usage, activism), media (responsible journalism) |
| Conclusion | Balanced closure: transparency with prudence; call for robust legal and ethical safeguards |
Sample (abridged):
In any democracy, the right to know is foundational — it ensures that the state remains accountable to its citizens. Yet, this right cannot be absolute, for there exists a category of sensitive information whose exposure could endanger national security or individual privacy.
On one hand, transparency fosters trust, helps curb corruption, empowers citizens to demand better governance, and keeps public institutions in check. When citizens know how decisions are taken and funds are spent, they can question inefficiencies and malpractices.
On the other hand, certain domains—defense strategies, intelligence operations, individual medical records, ongoing investigations—must remain confidential to maintain public safety and safeguard individual dignity. Blind exposure of such data can be weaponized or misinterpreted.
The tension arises when the boundary is murky. Excessive secrecy breeds suspicion; overexposure risks harm. To strike a balance, the government must enact robust data protection laws, independent oversight bodies (like an Information Commission), and strict penal provisions for data misuse. At the same time, citizens must use this power responsibly—demanding information for public interest, not sensationalism. Media and civil society must act as ethical intermediaries.
In sum, the people’s right to know and the government’s duty to protect are not mutually exclusive. A mature democracy finds a middle path—transparency with integrity, confidentiality with accountability.
For full 250–300 words your version would expand each paragraph with examples (e.g. RTI in India, whistleblower episodes, GDPR, Pegasus controversies, etc.)
B. Comprehension Passage (AI tools: India vs Foreign)
Here is a sample answer set for a hypothetical passage comparing AI use in India and abroad:
- Main idea / theme — The passage argues how AI adoption in India trails behind foreign countries due to infrastructural, regulatory, and skill constraints, but holds great potential for growth if challenges are addressed.
- Inferential question — When the author says “data ecosystems remain fragmented,” they imply that India lacks unified data networks and integrated platforms, impeding AI’s full utility.
- Detail-based — According to paragraph 2, India’s biggest challenge is lack of robust regulation and standardization of datasets.
- Tone / author’s opinion — The author’s tone is cautiously optimistic: critical of current limits yet hopeful about future prospects and reforms.
(Actual answers will depend on the exact passage. Use your logical reading.)
4. Key Tips & Takeaways for Aspirants
- Plan first, write second – Spend 2–3 minutes outlining your essay to ensure logical flow and avoid rambling.
- Balance arguments – Especially on sensitive topics, avoid one-sided advocacy. Acknowledge counterpoints.
- Use relevant examples – Refer to recent events (data leaks, AI pilot projects in India, Supreme Court judgments, global practices) to add weight.
- Connect to banking / development context – Since your audience is banking aspirants, relating issues to finance, digital banking, cybersecurity gives relevance.
- Language matters – Use varied vocabulary, avoid repetition, simple but precise grammar. Don’t overdo “highfalutin” words that hamper clarity.
- Time management – You have ~30 minutes for the descriptive part including reading RC, writing essay etc. Keep your word count in check.
- Reading skills count – For comprehension, read with purpose. Underline keywords, eliminate distractors in options, revisit lines for consistency.
5. Conclusion & Call to Action
The IBPS PO Mains 2025 Shift 1 descriptive section tested not just your knowledge, but your ability to think, structure, and express in real time. The essay topics were timely, ideological yet practical. The RC on AI required you to connect global trends with Indian realities.
As Bank Whizz readers, your goal should be: practice (write 2 essays/week), review (get feedback), and stay updated (read news, reports, judgments). In the actual exam, what distinguishes a 12/15 from an 9/15 is not just “what you write,” but how you present it — coherence, examples, balance, clarity.