Do’s and Don’ts: Common Mistakes to Avoid in PFRDA Grade A English (Descriptive) 

What the Descriptive Paper Typically Tests

The paper usually contains Essay, Précis, and Reading Comprehension. Exact word limits and marks are announced in the paper. The evaluator looks for: clarity of thought, structure, accuracy, coverage of the prompt, grammar & vocabulary control, and adherence to word/time limits.

Section A: ESSAY — Do’s & Don’ts (with examples)

DO’s

  1. Decode the prompt fully. Identify the theme, scope, and task (explain/argue/recommend).
    • Prompt type cues: “Discuss/Examine” (balanced view), “Argue/Justify” (take a position), “Recommend/Way forward” (solutions).
  2. Open with a one-sentence thesis that previews your 2–3 core points.
    • Template: “This essay argues that X, because A, B, and C, and proposes Y as the way forward.”
  3. Use a clean 4-paragraph structure:
    • P1: Hook + Context + Thesis
    • P2: Point 1 (evidence/example)
    • P3: Point 2 (evidence/example)
    • P4: Counterpoint + Way Forward + Closure
  4. Anchor to financial/regulatory context where relevant: pensions, NPS, PFRDA’s role, financial inclusion, risk management, governance, digital public infrastructure.
  5. Write within ±5–7% of word limit. Trim adjectives, keep sentences 15–22 words on average.
  6. Demonstrate balance: acknowledge trade-offs, then conclude firmly.
  7. Use signposting: “First… Next… However… Therefore…”

DON’Ts

  1. Don’t mis-scope. If asked about “pension inclusion for unorganised workers”, don’t drift into generic financial literacy for students.
  2. Don’t data-dump without context or source type (“official estimates suggest…” is safer than random numbers).
  3. Don’t write chatty or colloquial English. No emojis, slang, or bullet-only essays.
  4. Don’t end abruptly. Always tie back to the thesis with a forward-looking close.
  5. Don’t contradict the prompt. If it asks for policy options, give them—don’t only diagnose problems.

Mini Example (Bad vs Better)

Prompt (illustrative): “Strengthening old-age income security in India: challenges and solutions.”

  • Weak Opening:
    “Old age is tough. India is a developing country with many problems. This essay discusses some issues and gives ideas.”
    Problems: Vague, no thesis, no scope.
  • Strong Opening:
    “India’s old-age income security faces coverage gaps in the unorganised sector, low contribution density, and longevity risks; the essay argues for targeted incentives, portable, low-friction digital enrolment, and annuity design improvements to build resilient retirement incomes.”
    Why it works: Clear thesis, 3 concrete challenges, 3 solution pillars.

Section B: PRÉCIS — Do’s & Don’ts (with examples)

DO’s

  1. Target length asked in the paper (often ~⅓ of the passage).
  2. Capture the central idea + main arguments only. Omit anecdotes, examples, and decorative phrases unless crucial.
  3. Use your own words (indirect speech, neutral tone), preserve the author’s intent.
  4. Maintain logical order of the original passage.
  5. Create a brief, accurate title after you finish.

DON’Ts

  1. Don’t insert opinions/evaluations or new facts.
  2. Don’t copy sentences verbatim—paraphrase concisely.
  3. Don’t distort the tone. If the source is analytical, your précis must also be analytical.
  4. Don’t under- or overshoot the length by more than ~5–7%.

Illustrative Précis Example (compressed)

Source idea (hypothetical, regulatory-style): Passage explains why portable, low-cost pension products with digital KYC and auto-debit can raise participation among gig workers, but warns about volatility in contributions and behavioural inertia, proposing nudges and matching incentives.

Possible Title: Portable Micro-Pensions for the Gig Economy
Précis (sample):
“The passage argues that portable, low-fee pensions integrated with digital KYC and auto-debits can expand retirement savings among gig workers. However, irregular incomes and behavioural frictions depress contribution regularity. To sustain participation, the author suggests well-timed nudges, simple defaults, and modest matching incentives.”

Section C: READING COMPREHENSION — Do’s & Don’ts (with examples)

DO’s

  1. Skim first (30–45 sec) for structure (intro, argument blocks, conclusion).
  2. Underline/mentally tag keywords tied to each question stem (names, years, cause-effect terms).
  3. Answer in your words—concise, to the point, aligned with the passage.
  4. Quote only if the question says “as per the passage” and the phrase is pivotal.
  5. Use the passage’s logic. If it’s not in the passage, don’t assume it.

DON’Ts

  1. Don’t lift long lines as your answer—evaluators penalise verbatim copying.
  2. Don’t over-infer. RC is an evidence game—stick to what’s stated/implied.
  3. Don’t ignore directive words: “explain,” “list,” “contrast,” “why/how.”
  4. Don’t write essays for 1–2 mark sub-questions. Brevity wins.

Micro Example (stylised)

Q: Why does the author favour default auto-debit for small savers?
Good: “Because automatic, low-friction deductions raise contribution regularity by bypassing procrastination.”
Weak: “Auto-debit is modern and helpful.” (Vague, no link to behaviour.)

Grammar & Usage: High-Yield Fixes for the Final Day

  1. Subject–Verb Agreement:
    • Wrong: “Policies aims at inclusion.”
    • Right: “Policies aim at inclusion.”
  2. Articles (a/an/the):
    • Prefer “the PFRDA”, “the NPS” when referring to the institution/program.
  3. Modifiers near the noun:
    • Wrong: “Designed for gig workers, regulators must ensure portability.”
    • Right: “Regulators must ensure portability for products designed for gig workers.”
  4. Parallelism:
    • Wrong: “The scheme seeks to enrol, awareness, and to retain.”
    • Right: “The scheme seeks to enrol, to raise awareness, and to retain contributors.”
  5. Concise prepositions:
    • Replace “in order to” → “to”; “due to the fact that” → “because.”
  6. Active voice where possible:
    • “The Authority introduced guidelines” (clearer than “guidelines were introduced”).
  7. Comma splices:
    • Wrong: “Coverage is low, incentives can help.”
    • Right: “Coverage is low, and incentives can help.” / “Coverage is low; incentives can help.”
  8. Tense consistency:
    • Keep analysis in present; history/past decisions in past.
  9. Precise verbs over adjectives:
    • Use “incentivise, calibrate, diversify, hedge, monitor” instead of “good/bad/very useful.”
  10. Avoid clichés & inflated diction:
  • Cut “paradigm shift,” “game-changer,” unless you justify them.

What Examiners Penalise (From Real Evaluation Patterns Across Regulator Exams)

  • Missing the task word (e.g., giving pros/cons when asked for recommendations).
  • Word-limit breaches and rambling conclusions.
  • Verbatim lifting in RC answers.
  • Précis that adds opinions or omits the central thesis.
  • Grammar slips that obscure meaning.
  • Overuse of bullets in essays without narrative flow.

(Note: Specific PFRDA prompts vary year to year; examples above are exam-style and reflect what evaluators commonly reward/penalise in comparable regulatory descriptive papers.)

Fast Templates You Can Use Tomorrow

1) Essay Opening (choose one)

  • Problem–Solution: “India’s [problem] persists due to [cause1/cause2]; this essay proposes [solution1/solution2] anchored in [principle/regulatory goal].”
  • Balanced View: “While [X] promises [benefit], concerns around [risk] remain; a calibrated approach—[A/B/C]—is essential.”

2) Paragraph Core (PEEL)

  • Point → Evidence/Example → Explanation → Link back to the thesis.

3) Conclusion Formula

  • Synthesis: “Therefore, [restate stance]; with [2–3 crisp measures], India can [measurable outcome] in [domain].”

4) Précis Steps (1-minute recall)

  • Read → Mark main idea & pillars → Draft in your words → Count & trim → Add title last.

5) RC Answer Frame

  • Stem term + passage idea → direct, short sentence (10–16 words).

Presentation & Time Management

Suggested split (adapt to actual paper):

  • Essay: ~40–45% time (planning 3–4 min, writing, 2–3 min edit)
  • Précis: ~30–35% time (mapping 2 min, drafting, 1–2 min count/trim)
  • RC: ~20–25% time (skim, answer to the point)

Formatting tips

  • Paragraphs of 5–7 lines; leave a one-line gap between paragraphs.
  • Underline sparingly (if allowed) for headings like Way Forward, not every key term.
  • Keep a 2–3 minute final proofread for grammar and word-limit.

Quick “Do–Don’t” Tables

Essay

  • Do: Thesis first line | 2–3 pillars | Balanced & evidence-led | Tight close
  • Don’t: Vague openings | Wandering mid-sections | Data dumps | No conclusion

Précis

  • Do: ⅓ length | Neutral tone | Own words | Title at end
  • Don’t: Opinions | Quotes | Re-ordering logic | Length violations

RC

  • Do: Use passage logic | Key words | Crisp answers
  • Don’t: Copy-paste | Over-inference | Long, unfocused responses

Last-Minute Checklist (Print/Save)

  • ☐ Read every prompt twice; ring the task word.
  • ☐ Write a one-line thesis before paragraphing the essay.
  • ☐ Keep sentences clear; average 15–22 words.
  • ☐ Watch subject–verb agreement & articles.
  • ☐ Précis = central idea + pillars, your words, right length, title last.
  • ☐ RC = answer only what is asked, from the passage.
  • ☐ Leave 2–3 minutes to proofread and trim to limit.
  • ☐ Stay calm; structure beats ornamentation.

Final Note

If you follow the task-first, structure-always, grammar-clean approach above, you’ll avoid the most common traps and present exactly what evaluators want to reward. All the best for PFRDA Grade A 2025 – Mains!