SIDBI Grade A 2025 Descriptive English – Precis Writing Guide with One-Third Rule

Introduction

The Descriptive English paper of the SIDBI Grade A 2025 examination is a decisive part of the selection process. While many aspirants prepare intensely for objective tests, the descriptive paper often becomes a neglected area. Yet, it is here that candidates can truly showcase their clarity of thought, command over language, and ability to communicate effectively. Among the three major sections—Essay, Precis, and Reading Comprehension—precis writing demands both linguistic skill and disciplined thinking.

This guide provides you with an in-depth approach to mastering Precis Writing for SIDBI Grade A 2025, with a sharp focus on the One-Third Rule, strategies, practice techniques, common mistakes, and evaluation parameters.

What is Precis Writing?

Precis writing is the art of summarizing a given passage in fewer words while retaining its essence, core ideas, and logical flow. The word “precis” (pronounced pray-see) comes from French, meaning “precise” or “exact.”

In competitive exams like SIDBI Grade A, precis writing is designed to test:

  • Comprehension: How well you grasp the meaning of a passage.
  • Brevity: Whether you can condense without omitting vital information.
  • Clarity: If your summary is coherent, concise, and free of ambiguity.
  • Language Skill: Your grammar, vocabulary, and sentence formation.

Exam Relevance in SIDBI Grade A 2025

  • Marks Weightage: Precis usually carries 30 marks.
  • Word Limit: Candidates must condense the passage into roughly one-third of the original length.
  • Time Factor: With only 60 minutes for the entire descriptive paper (essay, precis, and RC), precis writing demands sharp time management.

A well-written precis can make the difference between an average and a top score.

The One-Third Rule

The One-Third Rule is the golden guideline in precis writing. It requires you to reduce the original passage into exactly one-third of its length (give or take 5%).

Example:

  • Original passage: 300 words
  • Required precis length: ~100 words

This rule ensures conciseness while maintaining the proportion of important details. Writing more than one-third defeats the purpose of condensation, and writing less may cause omission of vital points.

Step-by-Step Approach to Writing a Good Precis

1. Read the Passage Carefully

  • Read the passage twice: first for general understanding, then for detailed note-taking.
  • Identify the central theme and supporting points.

2. Identify the Main Idea

  • Every passage revolves around a single core thought.
  • Frame it in one sentence in your own words.

3. Highlight Key Points

  • Mark or jot down keywords, arguments, examples, and conclusions.
  • Ignore decorative language, anecdotes, and redundant details.

4. Prepare a Rough Draft

  • Rearrange key ideas logically.
  • Ensure the flow mirrors the original passage but in a compressed way.

5. Apply the One-Third Rule

  • Count the words of the passage.
  • Fix the target word count at one-third.
  • Draft accordingly, revising to stay within the limit.

6. Use Your Own Language

  • Paraphrase—don’t copy.
  • Avoid repeating phrases directly from the passage unless technical.

7. Write the Final Draft

  • Be concise, clear, and coherent.
  • Avoid personal opinions or interpretations.

Language and Style Tips

  • Use short, crisp sentences.
  • Prefer active voice.
  • Avoid ornamental or flowery language.
  • Replace long phrases with single words (e.g., “at this point of time” → “now”).
  • Ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Example of Precis Writing with One-Third Rule

Original Passage (150 words):
India’s banking sector has undergone a massive transformation in the last three decades. The liberalization of the 1990s allowed private banks to emerge, leading to improved efficiency and customer service. Digital banking, internet facilities, and mobile apps further changed the landscape by bringing banking to the fingertips of customers. However, challenges remain. Non-performing assets (NPAs) have stressed balance sheets, rural penetration is still inadequate, and cybersecurity concerns are growing. Despite these hurdles, the sector has shown resilience, with regulatory support from the Reserve Bank of India and proactive measures by banks themselves. Going forward, financial inclusion, fintech integration, and sustainable lending practices will define the future of Indian banking.

Precis (50 words):
India’s banking sector transformed post-liberalization with private banks and digitalization improving efficiency and service. Yet, NPAs, poor rural reach, and cyber risks persist. Supported by RBI, banks show resilience. The future will be shaped by financial inclusion, fintech adoption, and sustainable lending.

Word Count: 50 (exactly one-third).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Exceeding or Missing the Word Limit
    • Writing half or two-thirds of the passage shows poor control. Stick to one-third.
  2. Copy-Pasting Sentences
    • Direct lifting of lines from the passage results in low scores. Use your own words.
  3. Adding Personal Opinions
    • Precis must reflect the author’s idea, not yours.
  4. Missing the Central Idea
    • Sometimes aspirants include examples but miss the main theme. That lowers marks drastically.
  5. Poor Grammar and Structure
    • Even if the summary is correct, bad grammar ruins impression.

How to Practice Precis Writing

  • Daily Reading: Read editorials from The Hindu, Business Standard, or Indian Express. Summarize into one-third.
  • Word Reduction Exercises: Take a 300-word article and reduce to 100 words, without losing meaning.
  • Peer Review: Exchange practice precis with peers for feedback.
  • Timer Practice: Simulate exam conditions by finishing a precis in 20 minutes.

Evaluation Parameters in SIDBI Descriptive Paper

Examiners assess precis on the following criteria:

  1. Adherence to One-Third Rule (5 marks)
  2. Coverage of Core Ideas (10 marks)
  3. Clarity and Coherence (5 marks)
  4. Grammar and Language Quality (5 marks)
  5. Logical Flow (5 marks)

A candidate who balances accuracy, brevity, and language can secure 25+ marks out of 30.

Time Management Tips

  • Allocate 20 minutes for precis.
  • First 5 minutes: Reading and noting points.
  • Next 10 minutes: Drafting.
  • Last 5 minutes: Word count, grammar, and final check.

Advanced Strategies for High Scorers

  1. Keyword Condensation: Replace bulky phrases with precise words.
  2. Theme Sentencing: Begin with a strong thematic sentence that captures the essence.
  3. Avoid Examples: Unless crucial, skip illustrations and focus on main ideas.
  4. Use Connectors: Words like therefore, however, thus, although ensure logical flow.
  5. Build Vocabulary: Wider word choice helps compress effectively.

Practice Prompts

  1. Climate change poses severe risks to agriculture, economy, and human health… (Summarize in one-third).
  2. Digital transformation in banking has enhanced efficiency but widened cyber vulnerabilities…
  3. India’s demographic dividend will be realized only through skill development and quality education…

By attempting 20–25 such passages, aspirants can gain mastery.

Conclusion

Precis writing is not just a test of summary skills—it reflects an aspirant’s ability to analyze, condense, and communicate clearly under pressure. In SIDBI Grade A 2025, mastering the One-Third Rule and practicing regularly can secure a commanding lead in the descriptive paper.

Approach every passage with discipline: read, identify, condense, paraphrase, and refine. With focused practice, clarity of thought, and precise language, you can turn precis writing into your strongest scoring weapon.