Introduction
The RBI Grade B 2025 Descriptive English Paper is a decisive component of the Phase II examination. It carries substantial weightage and is often the separator between aspirants who only clear the cut-off and those who secure top ranks. Unlike objective sections, Descriptive English tests your clarity of thought, articulation, analytical reasoning, and professional writing skills.
The challenge lies not just in writing well, but in writing within 90 minutes. Candidates must balance three demanding tasks—Essay, Precis, and Reading Comprehension (RC)—in limited time. A brilliant essay loses value if you fail to complete the précis, while a rushed RC may cost precious marks.
This guide provides a minute-by-minute strategy, proven techniques, and practice insights to help you maximize your score in the 90-minute window.
Paper Structure at a Glance
The Descriptive English paper consists of three parts:
- Essay Writing – 600 words (marks: ~40)
- Precis Writing – one-third of the passage (marks: ~30)
- Reading Comprehension – answer-based questions (marks: ~30)
Total Duration: 90 minutes
Total Marks: 100
Since essay carries the maximum marks, followed by précis and RC, candidates need a balanced allocation of time without compromising accuracy.
Why Time Management is Critical
- Equal Weight, Unequal Time Demand
- Essay needs structured thinking + drafting.
- Precis requires condensing with accuracy.
- RC demands quick comprehension and precise answers.
- Cognitive Fatigue
Writing for 90 minutes continuously can drain focus. A poor sequence may cause mental blocks. - Risk of Leaving Questions Unanswered
Many aspirants spend 50–60 minutes on the essay and rush through other tasks, losing 20+ marks. - Evaluator’s Perspective
Examiners value balanced performance—well-written but incomplete scripts rarely score high.
Ideal Time Allocation (90 Minutes)
| Section | Time Suggested | Marks | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (600 words) | 40 minutes | ~40 | Needs brainstorming, structuring, writing, revising |
| Precis | 25 minutes | ~30 | Requires accuracy, conciseness, and practice |
| Reading Comprehension | 25 minutes | ~30 | Demands quick reading and analytical answering |
👉 Flexibility is key: If topics are familiar, finish faster and save time for weaker sections.
Step-by-Step Strategy
1. First 5 Minutes – Smart Planning
- Read all questions carefully. Don’t dive into writing immediately.
- Scan essay topics. Pick the one where you can generate 4–5 strong points quickly.
- Glance at précis and RC passages. Gauge complexity.
- Fix time slots in your mind. For example:
- Essay: 0–40 min
- Precis: 40–65 min
- RC: 65–90 min
This mental roadmap ensures you don’t get lost midway.
2. Essay Writing – 40 Minutes (0–40 min)
a) First 7–8 Minutes: Brainstorm & Outline
- Quickly jot down: Introduction – 3 body points – Conclusion.
- Use a flow structure:
- Intro: Define issue + contextualize.
- Body: Causes, implications, solutions.
- Conclusion: Way forward.
- Draft 2–3 data/statistic points (from Economic Survey, RBI reports, or news).
b) Next 25–28 Minutes: Write the Essay
- Maintain formal tone.
- Use connectors (Moreover, However, On the other hand, To conclude).
- Avoid jargon without relevance.
c) Last 4–5 Minutes: Revise
- Check for spelling, grammar, and word count (~280–320 words).
- Ensure each paragraph flows logically.
Pro-Tip: Don’t spend more than 40 minutes. Even a strong essay won’t compensate for missed précis or RC.
3. Precis Writing – 25 Minutes (40–65 min)
a) First 3–4 Minutes: Read the Passage
- Skim once for gist, second time for details.
- Underline keywords, central argument, and repeated ideas.
b) Next 15–16 Minutes: Draft Precis
- Condense to one-third length.
- Maintain original meaning—no personal opinions.
- Use neutral tone.
c) Last 4–5 Minutes: Title + Revision
- Title should be short and capture the essence.
- Check word count (write at top of précis).
- Eliminate redundancies.
Common Mistake: Candidates paraphrase line by line. Instead, capture themes, not sentences.
4. Reading Comprehension – 25 Minutes (65–90 min)
a) First 5 Minutes: Read Passage Quickly
- Focus on first and last paragraphs for central idea.
- Skim middle paragraphs for arguments/examples.
b) Next 15 Minutes: Answer Questions
- Direct questions: Use exact words from passage where possible.
- Inference questions: Base on text logic, not assumptions.
- Vocabulary questions: Infer meaning from context.
c) Last 5 Minutes: Review Answers
- Ensure you’ve attempted every question.
- Avoid copy-pasting entire sentences—be concise.
Section-Wise Time-Saving Tips
Essay
- Use templates: Intro – Analysis – Solutions – Conclusion.
- Memorize 15–20 versatile phrases (e.g., “The issue must be viewed through a holistic lens…”).
- Keep handwriting legible (if offline mode).
Precis
- Practice condensing editorials from newspapers.
- Master synonyms to reduce wordiness.
- Ensure no grammar or tense errors.
RC
- Practice reading 300–400 word passages daily.
- Avoid overthinking—answers lie within passage.
- Train to scan, not reread multiple times.
Practice Plan Before Exam
- Daily Routine
- 30 mins essay practice (1 essay).
- 20 mins précis practice (shorten editorials).
- 20 mins RC (solve 1 passage).
- Weekly Full Test
- Attempt 90-minute mocks.
- Analyze time spent in each section.
- Track Word Counts
- Essay: 280–320 words.
- Precis: one-third length.
- RC: 3–5 sentences per answer.
Sample 90-Minute Breakdown in Action
- 0–5 min: Read paper + decide sequence.
- 5–12 min: Essay outline.
- 12–37 min: Write essay.
- 37–40 min: Revise essay.
- 40–43 min: Read précis passage.
- 43–59 min: Write précis.
- 59–65 min: Add title + revise.
- 65–70 min: Read RC passage.
- 70–85 min: Answer RC questions.
- 85–90 min: Review + polish.
This sequence ensures you finish all sections without rushing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overwriting Essay
Spending 60 minutes on essay leaves no time for précis/RC. - Ignoring Revision
Small grammar errors cost marks—always reserve 3–5 minutes. - Not Monitoring Word Count
Essays below 250 or above 350 words lose marks. Precis beyond one-third length is penalized. - Casual Language in RC Answers
Use complete sentences, not bullet points unless specified.
Advanced Techniques to Boost Scores
- Pre-designed Frameworks: Have skeleton formats for Digital Banking, Financial Inclusion, Climate Change & Economy. This reduces brainstorming time.
- Use RBI Reports: Quoting “Financial Stability Report 2024” or “Economic Survey 2025” adds credibility.
- Mind Mapping: Quickly map essay points before writing to maintain flow.
- Pomodoro Training: Practice in 25-minute bursts to simulate exam discipline.
Conclusion
Cracking the RBI Grade B 2025 Descriptive English is not about writing flowery language—it is about delivering structured, relevant, and precise content within 90 minutes. The right strategy ensures that you not only write an impactful essay but also complete the précis and RC with accuracy.
Adopt the 40-25-25 formula, practice under timed conditions, and refine your vocabulary and expression. With consistent effort, you will convert the 90-minute challenge into an opportunity to maximize your score and secure your place in the final merit list.