The Precis Writing section of the RBI Grade B 2025 Descriptive English paper is a true test of clarity, conciseness, and comprehension. Unlike essay writing, which allows you to expand and elaborate, precis writing requires you to compress a lengthy passage into one-third of its size while retaining its core meaning. This demands sharp focus, strong vocabulary, and disciplined expression—skills highly valued in an RBI officer’s day-to-day work.
This article provides a step-by-step master guide to Precis Writing for RBI Grade B 2025, including its syllabus, rules, strategies, examples, common mistakes, and practice tips.
Importance of Precis Writing in RBI Grade B
- Weightage: Approximately 30 marks out of 100 in the Descriptive English paper.
- Skill Tested: Ability to extract essentials, remove redundancy, and write with brevity.
- Professional Relevance: RBI officers often prepare briefs for policymakers—precis writing directly mirrors this responsibility.
- Scoring Potential: With practice, candidates can master this section and secure marks quickly compared to essays or RC.
Precis Writing – Exam Pattern Overview
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | Precis Writing |
| Word Limit | About one-third of the given passage |
| Marks | ~30 marks |
| Skills Tested | Comprehension, condensation, clarity |
What Is Precis Writing?
A precis is a concise summary of a passage, written in your own words, without changing its meaning. It must capture the main idea and eliminate all unnecessary details like examples, analogies, or repetitions.
Example:
- Original Passage: 300 words
- Precis: ~100 words (one-third rule)
Golden Rules of Precis Writing
- One-Third Rule – Reduce to about one-third of the original passage.
- Own Words – Never copy long sentences from the passage.
- Clarity – Avoid ambiguous expressions; be direct.
- Main Idea – Focus only on central arguments, not illustrations.
- Logical Flow – Ensure smooth reading, even after cutting down.
- Title – Give a short, meaningful title to the precis.
Step-by-Step Strategy
Step 1: Read Carefully
- Read the passage twice—first for understanding, second for underlining key points.
- Identify the central idea.
Step 2: Identify Essentials
- Highlight key points, arguments, and conclusions.
- Strike out examples, metaphors, and descriptive details.
Step 3: Prepare an Outline
- Arrange points logically (cause → effect → conclusion).
- Draft a rough outline before writing.
Step 4: Write in Your Own Words
- Use simple, formal English.
- Replace long sentences with crisp alternatives.
Step 5: Draft the Precis
- Maintain one-third length.
- Ensure grammar and tense consistency.
Step 6: Title
- Give a short title that captures the theme (e.g., “AI in Leadership”).
Sample Precis (Model)
Passage (Excerpt – 300 words):
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has entered almost every sector, including leadership positions. While AI can process vast data and offer insights faster than humans, leadership is not merely about data—it involves empathy, ethics, and judgment. A CEO is not just a decision-maker but also a motivator and visionary. Machines lack these human qualities. Although AI can support leaders by providing analytics, replacing CEOs entirely with AI raises concerns about accountability and ethics. The future may see collaboration between AI and human leaders rather than replacement.
Precis (100 words):
AI has transformed industries by offering rapid data-driven insights, but it cannot replace human leadership. A CEO’s role extends beyond decision-making to vision, empathy, and motivation—qualities machines lack. While AI can assist in analytics, ethical and accountability issues prevent full substitution. The future lies in human-AI collaboration, ensuring balanced leadership that combines efficiency with emotional intelligence.
Title: AI and the Future of Leadership
Vocabulary & Sentence Tips for Precis
- Replace long phrases with single words:
- “In the event that” → “If”
- “Due to the fact that” → “Because”
- “At the present time” → “Now”
- Use formal connectors:
- Therefore, However, Moreover, Thus.
- Prefer active voice over passive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Copying entire lines from the passage.
❌ Missing the main idea while focusing on details.
❌ Writing shorter than required (too sketchy).
❌ Adding personal opinions or examples not in the passage.
❌ Ignoring grammar and tense consistency.
Practice Sources for RBI Grade B Precis
- Editorials in The Hindu and Indian Express.
- RBI publications (Annual Report, Monetary Policy Statements).
- Yojana and Kurukshetra magazines.
- Past-year Descriptive Papers of RBI Grade B.
Time Management in Exam
- Reading Passage: 5 minutes
- Marking Key Points: 5 minutes
- Draft Outline: 5 minutes
- Writing Precis: 15 minutes
- Proofreading: 2–3 minutes
Advanced Tips to Score High
- Practice typing precis on computer to simulate exam.
- Train yourself to identify redundancies quickly.
- Maintain a notebook of sample precis for revision.
- Read good summaries in RBI reports—they are natural models of precis writing.
Expected Precis Topics for RBI Grade B 2025
- AI in governance and financial services.
- Role of RBI in inflation management.
- Climate change and its economic impact.
- Customer relations in digital banking.
- Future of cryptocurrency and regulation.
- Importance of workplace well-being.
Conclusion
The Precis Writing section in RBI Grade B 2025 Descriptive English is a golden scoring opportunity for those who practice diligently. It is not about writing less—it is about writing better, sharper, and more effectively. A good precis demonstrates your ability to think clearly and communicate with precision, which is exactly what RBI expects from its officers.
By practicing regularly, focusing on clarity, and following the one-third rule, aspirants can make precis writing their strongest section and secure a competitive edge in the exam.