📘 Introduction
The Reading Comprehension (RC) section in PFRDA Grade A 2025 Descriptive English Paper is often underestimated, yet it carries the highest weight—40 marks. It evaluates your ability to read, interpret, and respond to questions based on a given passage.
Many aspirants either overspend time on it or miss out on marks due to vague or inaccurate answers. In this guide, we provide a detailed strategy to master the RC section, understand the type of questions, and build the skills needed to score 35+ out of 40 consistently.
🧾 Exam Pattern Overview – RC in PFRDA Descriptive
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | Reading Comprehension |
| Marks | 40 |
| No. of Questions | 5 (based on a passage of ~250–300 words) |
| Time Recommendation | 12–15 minutes |
| Answer Type | Subjective (typed in full sentences) |
🧐 Why RC Is High-Scoring (if done right)
- No word limit constraints like essays or précis
- Based on given data — no guesswork
- You only need reading + comprehension + framing ability
- Minimal chances of blunders if you follow structure
📂 Types of Questions You Can Expect
Understanding the question types is key to accurate answering.
1. Main Idea or Gist
- Q: What is the central theme of the passage?
2. Inference-Based
- Q: What can be inferred from the passage?
3. Tone or Attitude
- Q: What is the author’s tone in the passage? (e.g., analytical, critical, optimistic)
4. Vocabulary in Context
- Q: What is the meaning of the word “X” as used in the passage?
5. Factual Recall
- Q: According to the passage, what are the two main reasons for low financial literacy?
6. Author’s Viewpoint
- Q: What does the author suggest as a solution to the issue?
🛠️ Step-by-Step Strategy to Tackle RC
✅ Step 1: Skim the Passage Quickly
- Get the overall structure and main argument
- Focus on opening and closing sentences of each paragraph
✅ Step 2: Read the Questions
- Read all 5 questions before diving deep
- This gives you a purpose for reading
✅ Step 3: Scan & Locate
- For each question, return to the relevant part in the passage
- Underline or highlight keywords
✅ Step 4: Frame Your Answers Carefully
- Answer in complete, grammatically correct sentences
- Use the passage’s language structure, but do not copy
- Be precise and clear—avoid writing more than required
✅ Step 5: Proofread
- Look for spelling errors, missing words, and awkward phrasing
⏱️ Time Management Tips
| Task | Ideal Time |
|---|---|
| Initial Skimming | 2 minutes |
| Question Reading | 1 minute |
| Passage Re-reading + Answering | 10–12 minutes |
| Review & Edit | 1–2 minutes |
Total: ~15 minutes
This ensures you still have 45 minutes for Essay + Precis.
📈 How to Improve Accuracy in RC
🧠 1. Build a Reading Habit
- Read editorials from The Hindu, Mint, Business Line
- Read reports from SEBI, PFRDA, RBI, NITI Aayog
✍️ 2. Practice Answer Framing
- Don’t answer in bullet points
- Write concise answers: 60–80 words max
🎯 3. Keep a Vocabulary Journal
- Note down 5–10 new words daily
- Learn usage in context, not just dictionary meaning
📊 4. Practice Variety
- Practice with passages from:
- Finance & economy
- Technology
- Environment & sustainability
- Public policy
🧪 Sample RC Practice Questions
📝 Sample Passage (Excerpt):
Topic: Role of NPS in Retirement Security
The National Pension System (NPS) has gained popularity among salaried employees and the self-employed for its tax benefits and retirement security. However, awareness about NPS is still low among informal sector workers. The PFRDA has taken steps to improve outreach, but challenges remain in digital onboarding, documentation, and sustained contributions from lower-income groups. Integrating NPS awareness into financial literacy programs is seen as a potential solution.
📌 Sample Questions:
- What is the main idea of the passage?
- What are the challenges in NPS adoption among informal sector workers?
- What role has PFRDA played in expanding NPS?
- Suggest one solution mentioned by the author to improve NPS outreach.
- What is the meaning of “sustained contributions” in this context?
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overwriting answers with unnecessary details
- Copy-pasting phrases from the passage
- Leaving spelling/grammar errors uncorrected
- Guessing tone/inference without textual support
- Skipping RC due to time pressure
✅ Final Words
The Reading Comprehension section in PFRDA Grade A 2025 is a scoring segment—if approached with reading discipline, answer framing skills, and speed. With the right habits and consistent practice, scoring 30–35+ marks is very much within reach.
At Bank Whizz, we offer RC practice sets, evaluation-based mocks, and live review sessions to help you gain an edge over your competition.