The PFRDA Grade A 2025 Mains Exam is around the corner, and the Descriptive English paper can be a game-changer. Many aspirants prepare well for the objective section but underestimate the weightage of descriptive answers. Remember, this is where you can stand out, because clarity of thought, presentation, and writing skills directly impact your score.
This article gives you smart revision tips to maximize your performance in Essay, Precis, and Comprehension – backed with examples inspired by real exam patterns.
1. Essay Writing – Clarity, Structure & Depth Matter
An essay in PFRDA Grade A is usually 200–250 words and demands a structured response. Examiners look for logical flow, clarity of argument, and balanced viewpoints.
🔑 Revision Tips:
- Structure your essay into 3 parts:
- Introduction (define the topic, context)
- Body (2–3 arguments with supporting facts/examples)
- Conclusion (balanced, forward-looking ending)
- Use connectors like furthermore, however, therefore, in conclusion.
- Keep sentences short and crisp.
📌 Example (Past Pattern – 2023 Exam):
Topic: “Digital Finance and Its Impact on Financial Inclusion in India”
- Introduction: Define digital finance; why relevant in India.
- Body: UPI revolution, Jan Dhan Yojana, challenges like cybersecurity.
- Conclusion: Digital finance as a tool for inclusive growth if regulated well.
✅ Even if you don’t have exact data, use approximate but logical references (e.g., “Over 500 crore UPI transactions monthly reflect the digital shift”).
2. Precis Writing – Precision is the Key
Precis tests your ability to compress information without losing meaning. Usually, the passage is 250–300 words, and you must reduce it to about one-third length.
🔑 Revision Tips:
- Read the passage twice – once for understanding, once for identifying the main idea.
- Avoid examples, illustrations, and repetitions – keep only the core idea.
- Always frame a suitable title before writing the precis.
- Stick to the word limit strictly (±5 words is fine).
📌 Example (Inspired by 2022 PFRDA Exam):
Passage: On the role of pension funds in infrastructure financing. (~300 words)
- Original Idea: Pension funds provide long-term, stable capital, critical for infrastructure growth, but regulatory challenges remain.
- Precis (~100 words):
Title: “Pension Funds and Infrastructure Growth”
“Pension funds, with their long-term horizons, can effectively finance infrastructure projects. They offer stability, risk-sharing, and capital depth, but challenges like regulatory hurdles and limited investment options constrain their potential. Addressing these issues can enhance their role in boosting India’s development.”
3. Reading Comprehension – Accuracy + Speed
Comprehension passages test understanding, inference, and vocabulary.
🔑 Revision Tips:
- Skim the passage for overall idea before looking at questions.
- For fact-based questions, scan keywords in the passage.
- For inference questions, don’t rely on personal opinion – stick to the author’s tone.
- Be mindful of synonyms/antonyms in vocabulary-based questions.
📌 Example (Inspired by 2021 Exam):
Passage on “Sustainable Pension Systems in Emerging Economies.”
- Q: What does the author suggest to balance ageing population with pension obligations?
- A: By diversifying investments, adopting hybrid pension models, and ensuring fiscal sustainability.
4. Grammar & Language – The Silent Scorer
Your grammar won’t be checked like an English teacher’s exercise book, but errors weaken credibility.
🔑 Revision Tips:
- Avoid long, complex sentences – prefer clarity over ornamental language.
- Watch out for subject–verb agreement and article usage (the, a, an).
- Ensure proper punctuation – misplacing commas can change meaning.
- Revise basic rules: tenses, prepositions, active vs passive voice.
📌 Example:
❌ “The problems in financial sector has increased.”
✅ “The problems in the financial sector have increased.”
5. Time Management & Presentation
You’ll have limited time (usually 60 minutes) to attempt all three sections. Effective time allocation is critical:
- Essay – 25 minutes
- Precis – 20 minutes
- Comprehension – 15 minutes
🔑 Smart Presentation:
- Use short paragraphs (4–5 sentences each).
- Highlight key points through logical sequencing.
- Leave 2–3 minutes at the end for revision and error check.
Final Words
The Descriptive English paper is not about literary flair; it is about clarity, logic, and presentation. A well-structured essay, a concise precis, and accurate comprehension can easily put you ahead of thousands of aspirants.
✅ Golden Rule: Write to express, not to impress.
✅ Examiner’s Mindset: They have limited time to read – make your answers easy to understand.
Go with calmness, clarity, and confidence tomorrow. All the best for your PFRDA Grade A 2025 Mains Exam! 🚀