Introduction
The RBI Grade B 2025 Descriptive English Paper is a crucial component of Phase II and often the decider in final selection. It tests your ability to express views clearly, summarize content effectively, and comprehend critical information — essential skills for an RBI officer.
With 100 marks, a 90-minute duration, and three sections — Essay (40 marks), Precis (30 marks), and Reading Comprehension (30 marks) — success in this paper demands smart strategy and consistent practice.
Let’s dive into a structured plan to crack each component based on the official pattern.
📘 RBI Grade B 2025 Descriptive English: Latest Exam Pattern
| Section | Marks | Word Limit | Number of Questions | Time Allocation (Suggested) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 40 | ~600 words | 1 out of 4 choices | 40 minutes |
| Precis Writing | 30 | ~140 words | 1 | 25 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 30 | 5 questions total | 1 passage | 25 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 90 minutes |
✍️ Essay Writing – 40 Marks
✅ What You’ll Face:
- 4 topics to choose from
- Write a well-structured 600-word essay
- Topics usually revolve around economy, banking, social issues, technology, governance, etc.
🔑 Preparation Strategy:
1. Master the Essay Structure:
- Introduction (60–80 words): Define the topic + show its relevance
- Body (400–450 words): Break into 3–4 subheadings with arguments, data, and examples
- Conclusion (60–80 words): Summarize and suggest the way forward
2. Develop a Topic Bank:
Stay updated with recent events. Prepare notes on:
- Digital Currency and RBI’s Role
- Climate Change and Sustainable Banking
- Financial Inclusion
- Start-up Ecosystem in India
- AI in Banking
3. Use These Writing Rules:
- Formal tone, objective view
- Avoid extreme opinions
- Use statistics and facts (RBI Reports, Budget, Economic Survey)
- Transition words: However, Moreover, Consequently, Therefore
4. Practice Plan:
- Write 1 essay every 3 days
- Get feedback on structure, grammar, argument clarity
- Time yourself for 40 mins per essay
✂️ Precis Writing – 30 Marks
✅ What You’ll Face:
- A 400–450 word passage
- You must summarize it in around 140 words
- Your summary must retain key ideas but in your own words
🔑 Preparation Strategy:
1. Follow the 1/3 Rule:
- Target length should be one-third of the original
- Maintain the core message, omit examples, quotes, redundant ideas
2. Steps to Follow:
- Read the passage twice
- Identify the central theme
- Note key arguments and transitions
- Write a rough draft
- Polish into a concise, logical paragraph
3. What to Avoid:
- Don’t copy-paste lines
- Don’t add your opinion
- Don’t change the tone
- Avoid vague expressions
4. Key Skills to Build:
- Paraphrasing ability
- Logical sequencing
- Clarity and coherence
5. Practice Plan:
- Do 2 precis per week
- Start with longer articles/editorials
- Shrink them into 140-word summaries
- Compare with ideal solutions
📖 Reading Comprehension – 30 Marks
✅ What You’ll Face:
- A moderately long passage (400–500 words)
- 5 questions testing your understanding, vocabulary, tone, and inference skills
🔑 Preparation Strategy:
1. Types of Questions Asked:
- Direct (factual)
- Inference-based
- Vocabulary meaning
- Author’s opinion
- Tone or theme
2. Approach to Reading:
- Skim the passage first for the gist
- Underline key points while reading
- Then go to the questions and reread relevant parts
3. Focus Areas:
- Understanding arguments
- Identifying cause-effect relationships
- Summarizing long ideas
4. Improve with Practice:
- Read editorials daily (The Hindu, Mint, Indian Express)
- Highlight main points
- Practice answering “what is the author trying to say?” in 2 lines
5. Practice Plan:
- 2 RCs every week
- Use RBI-level passages (economic, social, philosophical)
- Time: 25 minutes per RC practice
🗓️ 4-Week Preparation Plan
| Week | Essay | Precis | RC | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1 Essay | 2 Precis | 1 RC | Build basics |
| Week 2 | 2 Essays | 2 Precis | 2 RCs | Improve structure |
| Week 3 | 2 Essays (Timed) | 3 Precis | 2 RCs | Focus on accuracy |
| Week 4 | 2 Full Mocks | 3 Precis | 3 RCs | Final polish |
💡 Bonus Tips for Success
📌 Tip 1: Create a Resource Folder
Save facts, quotes, and data on banking, economy, and governance. Use these to enrich essays.
📌 Tip 2: Vocabulary Journal
Write down 5 new words daily with meanings and example usage. This boosts both essay and RC.
📌 Tip 3: Templates Help
Prepare essay introduction/conclusion templates. Similarly, keep a precis format template ready.
📌 Tip 4: Self-Evaluation
Use rubrics to assess your writing:
- Content Relevance
- Language Clarity
- Grammar and Structure
- Flow and Connectivity
📌 Tip 5: Take Mock Tests
Simulate real exam conditions:
- 90 minutes total
- No distractions
- Check time spent on each section
🚀 Final Words
Descriptive English is not just about writing—it’s about thinking clearly, organizing logically, and expressing concisely. With a paper worth 100 marks, the Descriptive English section in RBI Grade B 2025 can be the difference between selection and rejection.
By following this comprehensive preparation strategy for Essay, Precis, and Reading Comprehension, you’ll build both the confidence and competence to excel. Let Bank Whizz be your trusted companion in this journey—your preparation, our mission.