The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 (Mains) 2024 – General English paper once again reaffirmed a crucial truth:
👉 NABARD does not test language alone; it tests developmental awareness expressed through precise, structured English.
This year’s paper was balanced, predictable in themes, but demanding in execution. Let’s break it down section-wise and decode what NABARD actually expected from aspirants.
📌 Overall Paper Snapshot
| Component | Marks | Word Limit | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter Writing | 30 | 220 words | Practical, administrative |
| Essay Writing | 40 | 520 words | Development-oriented, analytical |
| Precis Writing | 30 | 120 words | Comprehension + condensation |
The paper rewarded clarity of thought, relevance to rural India, and examiner-friendly structuring rather than ornamental English.
✉️ Letter Writing (30 Marks | 220 Words)
Questions Asked:
- Complaint Letter to the Municipal Office regarding damaged roads
- Complaint Letter to an organisation about a faulty electronic device
- Request Letter related to article completion as a writer
Examiner’s Expectation:
- Clear purpose statement in the opening
- Logical paragraphing (problem → impact → request)
- Administrative tone, not emotional language
- Proper format and word discipline (±10 words tolerance)
📌 Key Insight:
NABARD prefers real-life governance and professional scenarios, not creative storytelling.
📝 Essay Writing (40 Marks | 520 Words)
Themes Asked:
- Credit Facilities for Sustainable Agriculture
- Rural Youth Education & Empowerment
- Fisheries and its Role in GDP
- Forestry-related Issues
What This Signals:
These themes are core NABARD domains, intersecting:
- Rural finance
- Agriculture & allied sectors
- Sustainability
- Livelihood generation
A high-scoring essay required:
- Contextual introduction (data/concept)
- Structured body (issues, initiatives, challenges, way forward)
- Policy-aligned conclusion (NABARD / Government lens)
📌 Important:
Generic essays without rural specificity or institutional awareness were heavily penalised.
✂️ Precis Writing (30 Marks | 120 Words)
Topic:
Ethiopian Water Harvesting – Crisis & Management
Skill Being Tested:
- Ability to identify the central argument
- Elimination of examples and repetitions
- Logical sequencing in reduced form
- Neutral, third-person tone
📌 Common Pitfall:
Many aspirants reduce word count but fail to preserve logical flow — costing easy marks.
🎯 Key Takeaways for Future Aspirants
✔ NABARD is consistent in theme selection
✔ Structure matters more than vocabulary
✔ Rural + sustainability orientation is non-negotiable
✔ Word limit discipline is critical
✔ Examiner reads for clarity, relevance, and coherence
📚 How to Prepare Smartly for NABARD Descriptive English
To score consistently in NABARD Phase 2:
- Master 220-word letter formats
- Practice 520-word essays with NABARD-centric themes
- Develop a step-by-step precis reduction method
- Get answers evaluated from an examiner’s perspective
This is exactly what we focus on at Bank Whizz – Descriptive English.
Final Word
NABARD Grade A 2024 once again proved that Descriptive English is a scoring differentiator, not a formality. Aspirants who prepared strategically — not randomly — stood out.
📌 Prepare like NABARD expects. Write like an officer, not an aspirant.
Stay tuned — upcoming posts will decode answer structures, common mistakes, and model responses based on this paper. 🚀