Introduction
The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Descriptive English Paper is a crucial component of the final merit list. Unlike objective papers, this test evaluates how well you can think, structure, and express your thoughts on issues related to rural development, agriculture, finance, and social policy.
The 2024 paper confirmed the trend of testing candidates on practical communication skills and conceptual clarity rather than tricky or obscure topics. This is great news for well-prepared aspirants because the topics were familiar, current, and relevant to NABARD’s core mandate.
This post provides an in-depth analysis of the 2024 paper and a preparation roadmap for 2025 aspirants.
NABARD Grade A 2024 Descriptive English – Structure & Marking
| Section | Marks | Word Limit | Weightage in Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter Writing | 30 | ~220 words | High |
| Essay Writing | 40 | ~520 words | Highest |
| Precis Writing | 30 | ~120 words | Moderate |
Total: 100 Marks | Duration: 90 Minutes | Mode: Online Typing
Section-Wise Analysis
1. Letter Writing (30 Marks | 220 Words)
Letter writing topics were formal and practical, focusing on real-life communication scenarios.
2024 Topics:
- Write a letter to the Municipal Office to inform them about the damage in the roads and request necessary actions.
- Complain to an organization regarding a faulty electronic device.
- Write a request letter related to article completion as a writer.
Analysis:
- NABARD kept letter writing focused on public issue communication, complaint drafting, and professional request writing.
- These are straightforward but test your ability to be concise, polite, and formal.
- Word limit (200–230 words) was adequate, so time pressure was minimal.
Takeaway for 2025:
Practice writing formal letters in a crisp, structured format:
Sender’s Address
Date
Receiver’s Address
Subject: One-line Purpose
Salutation (Sir/Madam)
Body – 3 Paragraphs (Introduction, Details, Conclusion/Request)
Thanking You,
Yours faithfully/sincerely,
(Signature)
Scoring Tip: Using correct format alone fetches 2–3 marks. The rest depends on clarity, tone, and grammar.
2. Essay Writing (40 Marks | 520 Words)
Essay is the most important and high-scoring section.
2024 Topics:
- Credit Facilities for Sustainable Agriculture
- Rural Youth Education & Empowerment
- Fisheries and its role in GDP
- Forestry-related
Analysis:
- Essay topics were in line with NABARD’s focus areas: rural economy, financial inclusion, and sustainability.
- Word limit (500–520 words) allowed candidates to explore causes, impacts, government schemes, and solutions in depth.
- Those who had prepared data points like share of fisheries in GDP, key government schemes (PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, PMFME, etc.), and recent budget allocations could easily write a structured essay.
Takeaway for 2025:
Prepare essays on agriculture, rural economy, climate change, and financial inclusion. Use the following structure:
- Introduction (50–70 words): Define topic + add fact/quote
- Body (350–380 words):
- Para 1: Current status, importance
- Para 2: Issues/Challenges
- Para 3: Government initiatives + suggestions
- Conclusion (40–50 words): Forward-looking, optimistic
Scoring Tip: Essays with data points, sub-headings, and logical flow score 28–30+ marks.
3. Precis Writing (30 Marks | 120 Words)
Precis writing passage was based on Ethiopian Water Harvesting, Crisis & Management — a topic with global as well as Indian relevance.
Analysis:
- Passage length was moderate.
- Central theme: Importance of water harvesting and crisis management strategies.
- Challenge: Maintaining one-third length while keeping main ideas intact.
Takeaway for 2025:
Practice summarizing passages from The Hindu, Indian Express, Down To Earth magazine. Always:
- Read passage twice
- Identify theme + key points
- Write rough draft
- Rewrite in crisp, formal language
Scoring Tip: Give a suitable title — many aspirants lose 1 mark for missing this.
Time Management Plan (90 Minutes)
| Section | Ideal Time Allocation |
|---|---|
| Letter Writing | 20 minutes |
| Precis Writing | 25 minutes |
| Essay Writing | 40 minutes |
| Review & Proofreading | 5 minutes |
Attempt letter and precis first (quick marks) and keep essay for last to ensure a calm, structured approach.
Key Learnings from 2024 Paper
- Predictable Themes: NABARD stuck to agriculture, rural economy, and social empowerment.
- Moderate Difficulty: No abstract topics; all were answerable with basic preparation.
- Typing Speed Important: Candidates with <25 WPM struggled to complete the paper.
- Content Bank is Crucial: Examples, schemes, and data make essays stand out.
Preparation Roadmap for NABARD Grade A 2025
- Build Topic Bank:
- Agriculture & Rural Economy
- Climate Change & Sustainable Finance
- Financial Inclusion & Digital Payments
- Rural Youth, Women Empowerment
- Practice Weekly Mocks:
Write one full paper every week under 90-minute timer. - Enhance Vocabulary:
Use professional terms like credit flow, fiscal outlay, supply chain resilience, agri-tech, ESG financing. - Improve Typing Speed:
Target 30–35 WPM to finish comfortably. - Self-Evaluate:
Check word count, grammar, logical flow, and spelling after every practice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Exceeding word limit — leads to penalty.
- Missing salutation or subject line in letter.
- Writing essay as one big paragraph — always break into sub-sections.
- Copy-pasting lines in precis — must rephrase.
Conclusion
NABARD Grade A 2024 Descriptive English Paper was balanced, predictable, and fair. Candidates who had prepared standard topics, practiced typing, and managed time effectively scored high.
For 2025 aspirants, the mantra is simple:
- Prepare a data-backed content bank
- Practice under timed conditions
- Focus on grammar and structure
With consistent preparation and weekly mocks, scoring 70+ marks is absolutely achievable, giving you a decisive edge in the final merit list.