Introduction
The comprehension section of the IFSCA Grade A 2024 Descriptive Paper (Phase II – Paper 1) carries 35 marks and is one of the most scoring yet tricky areas of the exam. Candidates are expected to read a long passage and answer 5 descriptive questions, testing not just reading ability but analytical skills, articulation, and clarity.
Unlike objective RCs in prelims/mains, this section requires written responses—well-structured, grammatically sound, and to the point. In this post, we provide:
- Sample comprehension passages
- Model questions
- Suggested answers
- Preparation and writing tips to help you crack this section confidently.
IFSCA Grade A 2024 Comprehension Pattern Overview
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Section Name | Comprehension |
| Total Marks | 35 |
| No. of Questions | 5 (typically) |
| Answer Type | Descriptive (typed by the candidate) |
| Ideal Word Limit | 3–5 lines per question |
| Time Allocation | 15–20 minutes (of the 60-minute paper) |
What Is Tested in the Comprehension Section?
- Understanding of the passage’s main idea
- Ability to identify facts and opinions
- Drawing inferences and logical conclusions
- Paraphrasing skills (no copy-paste from passage)
- Written expression (clarity, grammar, brevity)
Tips to Excel in the Comprehension Section
- Read questions before the passage
- This saves time and helps focus on relevant sections while reading.
- Don’t copy sentences
- Answers must be in your own words; paraphrasing is key.
- Underline while reading
- Highlight data, transitions, and keywords to refer back quickly.
- Avoid personal opinions
- Your response should be based on the author’s perspective.
- Stick to word limits
- Overwriting wastes time and can lead to lower clarity.
Sample Comprehension Passage (IFSCA-Themed)
Passage:
In recent years, India has made significant progress in positioning itself as a global financial hub. The launch of the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in GIFT City is a step towards bringing offshore financial services onshore. IFSC offers a robust regulatory environment, tax incentives, and access to global financial markets. The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) regulates the IFSC and has been instrumental in attracting global players across banking, insurance, fintech, and capital markets. A unified regulator, IFSCA enables cross-sector innovation while maintaining systemic stability. With global financial centers like Singapore and Dubai already established, India’s success depends on regulatory clarity, ease of doing business, and world-class infrastructure. The integration of emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and tokenization into the regulatory framework will define India’s competitive edge. However, the journey is not without challenges—legal harmonization, skilled manpower, and global investor confidence are crucial for IFSC’s long-term viability.
Sample Questions & Model Answers
Q1. What is the main objective behind establishing GIFT City as an IFSC in India?
Answer:
The main objective of establishing GIFT City as an IFSC is to bring offshore financial services onshore by creating a global financial hub within India, offering tax incentives, access to global markets, and a robust regulatory framework.
Q2. How does IFSCA support innovation while ensuring stability in the financial ecosystem?
Answer:
IFSCA supports innovation by acting as a unified regulator across sectors like banking, insurance, and capital markets. This enables cross-sector innovation while maintaining systemic stability through regulatory oversight and integration of advanced technologies.
Q3. Mention two key challenges mentioned in the passage regarding the success of India’s IFSC.
Answer:
Two key challenges are the need for legal harmonization across jurisdictions and ensuring global investor confidence in the Indian financial system.
Q4. According to the passage, how can India gain a competitive edge over other global financial centers?
Answer:
India can gain a competitive edge by integrating emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and tokenization into its regulatory framework, alongside improving infrastructure and business ease.
Q5. What roles do global investor confidence and skilled manpower play in the success of IFSC?
Answer:
Global investor confidence ensures capital inflow and long-term participation, while skilled manpower is essential for managing complex financial operations and fostering innovation, both of which are vital for the success of IFSC.
How to Write Better Answers
- Use clear sentence structures
- Begin with direct responses (don’t beat around the bush)
- Include keywords from the question (helps structure your thoughts)
- Avoid repetition of ideas
- Proofread answers before moving on
Practice Passage 2: Economy & Regulation
Passage:
In the wake of the pandemic, economies worldwide have emphasized resilience, sustainability, and inclusion in their financial policies. Regulators are rethinking frameworks to better absorb shocks from climate events, technological disruption, and global conflicts. The concept of sustainable finance has grown, leading to increased issuance of green bonds and ESG-linked investments. India has taken proactive steps by encouraging financial institutions to adopt climate risk management systems. IFSCA’s vision includes becoming a hub for green finance by aligning policies with global climate goals. However, challenges such as greenwashing, lack of transparency in ESG metrics, and absence of a unified taxonomy hinder progress. Coordinated efforts among regulators, policymakers, and institutions are needed to build a credible, impact-driven sustainable financial system.
Sample Questions & Model Answers
Q1. What is the new focus of financial policy post-pandemic, as per the passage?
Answer:
Post-pandemic financial policies now focus on resilience, sustainability, and inclusion to better withstand shocks and support long-term growth.
Q2. How is India promoting green finance, according to the passage?
Answer:
India promotes green finance by encouraging climate risk management in financial institutions and aligning regulatory policies with global sustainability goals.
Q3. Define ‘greenwashing’ in the context of sustainable finance.
Answer:
Greenwashing refers to the misleading practice of portraying financial products or investments as environmentally friendly without credible or measurable impact.
Q4. What are some challenges faced in the growth of ESG-linked investments?
Answer:
Challenges include lack of transparency in ESG metrics, no unified classification system, and risks of greenwashing, which undermine credibility.
Q5. What role does IFSCA envision in sustainable finance?
Answer:
IFSCA aims to become a global hub for green finance by creating a robust and credible regulatory environment that supports sustainability-focused financial products.
How to Prepare for Comprehension Effectively
- Read editorials and financial articles daily
– Focus on The Hindu Business Line, Mint, and EPW - Practice at least 3 comprehension sets per week
– Use themes like fintech, banking, ESG, and global economy - Summarize each passage in your own words
– Improves retention and articulation - Keep a Vocabulary Journal
– Note technical terms like “tokenization”, “regulatory sandbox”, “green bonds”, etc. - Attempt Mock Comprehension Tests on Bank Whizz
– Get model answers and personalized feedback
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing too long answers – Stick to 3–5 lines per question
- Copying phrases from the passage – Always paraphrase
- Ignoring grammar and punctuation – It affects clarity
- Giving opinions instead of facts – Stay within the scope of the passage
- Not reading the entire passage carefully – Leads to incomplete answers
Conclusion
The Comprehension section in IFSCA Grade A 2024 Descriptive Paper is not just about reading—it tests how well you understand, analyze, and express information.
With consistent practice, smart reading, and well-structured answers, you can easily score 25+ out of 35 in this section.
Make comprehension a scoring area, not a gamble—Bank Whizz’s descriptive mocks and practice modules are designed to help you achieve exactly that.