Introduction
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is one of the most prestigious development financial institutions in India. Its Grade A (Assistant Manager) recruitment exam attracts thousands of aspirants every year. While objective tests assess reasoning and banking aptitude, it is the Descriptive English paper in Phase II that often decides the final selection.
For SIDBI Grade A 2025, the descriptive paper carries 75 marks, with three questions to be attempted in 75 minutes. Unlike multiple-choice tests, here your performance depends entirely on your ability to think critically, write coherently, and express ideas effectively.
This post gives you the complete syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and preparation strategy for SIDBI Grade A 2025 Descriptive English.
Why Descriptive English is Crucial
- Direct impact on merit: With 75 marks at stake, this single paper can make or break your final rank.
- Practical skills tested: Officers in SIDBI frequently draft official notes, correspondences, policy briefs, and reports. The descriptive exam mirrors these real-world requirements.
- Differentiator among serious candidates: Many aspirants score close in objective tests, but it is the descriptive performance that creates a margin.
SIDBI Grade A 2025 Descriptive English – Exam Pattern
Here’s the structure of the descriptive paper, as per the official notification:
| Paper | Name of Test | Type of Paper | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English Language – Essay, Precis Writing, Comprehension & Business/Office Correspondence | Online Descriptive (typed on keyboard) | 3 | 75 | 75 minutes |
Key Highlights
- Mode: Online, typing-based.
- Number of Questions: 3 (compulsory).
- Marks: 75 total.
- Duration: 75 minutes.
- Focus: Writing skills, clarity, grammar, coherence, and relevance.
Detailed Syllabus
The notification specifies four broad areas. Let’s understand each:
1. Essay Writing
- Nature: Write a structured essay of 250–300 words.
- Topics usually cover:
- Banking & finance (Digital lending, financial literacy, MSME credit).
- Economy (sustainable development, startup ecosystem, financial inclusion).
- Social issues (women entrepreneurship, climate finance, youth empowerment).
- General awareness (technology, environment, governance).
Skills tested:
- Content knowledge.
- Logical structuring (Introduction–Body–Conclusion).
- Language proficiency (grammar, vocabulary, flow).
2. Precis Writing
- Nature: Condensing a passage into one-third its length.
- Word limit: 120–150 words (depending on passage length).
- Focus: Summarization ability, clarity, conciseness, and proper title framing.
Key rules:
- Identify core idea; avoid unnecessary details.
- Rewrite in your own words.
- Maintain tense and tone consistency.
- Title should capture the essence.
3. Comprehension (Reading Comprehension)
- Nature: Passage followed by 4–6 questions.
- Question types:
- Direct factual questions.
- Inference-based.
- Vocabulary/meaning of phrases.
- Critical reasoning (tone, assumption).
Preparation tips:
- Read newspapers (The Hindu, Business Standard).
- Practice RCs from RBI/NABARD exams.
- Focus on speed + accuracy.
4. Business/Office Correspondence
- Nature: Formal letter, office note, email draft, or report writing.
- Context: Banking/financial sector situations. Examples:
- Write an official letter to an MSME client about loan documentation.
- Draft a note on “Need for Green Financing.”
- Email to colleagues regarding policy updates.
Skills tested:
- Formal tone.
- Brevity and precision.
- Correct format (salutation, subject, closing).
Marking Scheme – How You Are Evaluated
SIDBI examiners look for clarity, structure, and accuracy. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Essay (Approx. 25 marks)
- Relevance to topic: 10
- Coherence and structure: 10
- Language and grammar: 5
2. Precis (Approx. 25 marks)
- Capturing main idea: 10
- Clarity and conciseness: 10
- Title + grammar: 5
3. RC / Correspondence (Approx. 25 marks)
- Correct answers / appropriate drafting: 15
- Grammar & vocabulary: 5
- Presentation: 5
Note: The distribution is not fixed but typically balanced. Any section ignored can cost heavily.
Time Management Strategy (75 Minutes)
- Essay: 25 minutes
- Precis: 20 minutes
- RC/Correspondence: 25 minutes
- Final 5 minutes: Review & corrections
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Essay
- Writing off-topic or without structure.
- Lack of examples/data.
- Exceeding word limit.
- Precis
- Copying sentences instead of paraphrasing.
- Ignoring one-third rule.
- Missing out title.
- Comprehension
- Guessing answers.
- Not referring back to the passage.
- Correspondence
- Using informal tone.
- Incorrect format.
- Lengthy and irrelevant content.
Preparation Resources
- Books:
- Descriptive English by S.P. Bakshi & Richa Sharma.
- Precis, Essay & Comprehension by Arihant.
- Magazines & Reports:
- Yojana, Kurukshetra.
- RBI Annual Report, SIDBI Annual Report.
- Daily Reading:
- The Hindu editorial.
- Business Standard opinion.
- Practice Platforms:
- Bank Whizz descriptive mocks (typing-based).
- Online typing speed tests (aim for 30–35 wpm).
Sample Questions
- Essay: “Role of SIDBI in Promoting Green Financing for MSMEs.”
- Precis: Passage on India’s startup ecosystem. Reduce to one-third.
- RC: Passage on financial inclusion with 5 questions.
- Correspondence: Draft an email to branch heads on revised lending guidelines.
High-Scoring Strategy
- Essay: Include relevant data (e.g., “MSMEs contribute 30% to India’s GDP”).
- Precis: Title like MSME Growth Drivers instead of generic MSMEs.
- RC: Stick to text; avoid personal interpretation.
- Correspondence: Use professional tone – concise subject line, structured body.
15-Day Crash Plan
| Day | Focus | Task |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | Essay | Write 1 essay daily, get it evaluated. |
| 6–9 | Precis | Practice 2 passages daily. |
| 10–12 | RC | Solve 2–3 passages daily. |
| 13–14 | Correspondence | Draft 5–6 formal letters/emails. |
| 15 | Mock | Attempt full-length test, review mistakes. |
Conclusion
The SIDBI Grade A 2025 Descriptive English paper is a test of both knowledge and presentation. With three compulsory questions, 75 marks, and 75 minutes, you must practice structured writing, improve typing speed, and build confidence.
By focusing on essay, precis, comprehension, and official correspondence, while avoiding common mistakes, you can easily aim for 55+ marks—a score that will give you a clear edge in final selection.
Remember: SIDBI looks for clarity, conciseness, and professionalism—qualities that will also serve you well in your career as a Grade A officer.