Introduction
In the SEBI Grade A Phase 2 Descriptive English Paper, vocabulary can be a game-changer. You may know the content, but how you express it determines how examiners perceive your answer.
A well-placed word or an impactful expression can:
- Make your essay more professional
- Show your command over financial language
- Impress the evaluator with clarity and conciseness
- Increase your score by 3-5 marks
This post gives you a ready-to-use vocabulary toolkit — categorized topic-wise and section-wise — so you can plug these words and phrases directly into your essay, precis, and RC answers.
Why Vocabulary Matters in SEBI Grade A
Unlike objective exams, descriptive papers evaluate:
- Expression: Can you convey complex ideas simply?
- Precision: Are you using the most accurate term instead of a long sentence?
- Professional Tone: Does your answer sound like a regulator’s perspective?
Example:
❌ The markets fell because investors were worried.
✅ The markets witnessed a broad-based sell-off amid risk-off sentiment triggered by global uncertainty.
Notice how the second sentence uses professional vocabulary (broad-based sell-off, risk-off sentiment) — this is the difference you should aim for.
High-Impact Vocabulary for SEBI Grade A
1. Economy & Growth
| Simple Word | High-Impact Alternative |
|---|---|
| Growth | Economic Expansion, Upswing, Acceleration |
| Slowdown | Contraction, Deceleration, Recessionary Trend |
| Development | Structural Transformation, Industrialisation, Inclusive Growth |
| Spending | Capital Expenditure (Capex), Fiscal Outlay |
| Job Creation | Employment Generation, Labour Market Expansion |
Key Expressions:
- “Macro-economic stability is a prerequisite for sustained growth.”
- “India’s growth trajectory remains resilient despite global headwinds.”
- “Counter-cyclical fiscal measures supported aggregate demand.”
2. SEBI & Capital Markets
| Simple Word | Professional Alternative |
|---|---|
| Rules | Regulatory Framework, Compliance Norms |
| Check | Surveillance Mechanism, Monitoring Framework |
| Stop | Curb, Restrict, Impose Circuit Breakers |
| Transparency | Disclosure Norms, Market Integrity |
| Investor | Market Participant, Stakeholder, Retail Investor |
Key Expressions:
- “SEBI has been proactive in strengthening corporate governance standards.”
- “Deepening of capital markets fosters efficient price discovery.”
- “The regulator has adopted a risk-based supervision approach.”
3. Finance & Banking
| Simple Word | Professional Alternative |
|---|---|
| Money | Liquidity, Capital, Financial Resources |
| Profit | Earnings, Net Income, Bottom Line |
| Loss | Negative Cash Flow, Write-off, Impairment |
| Loan | Credit Facility, Working Capital Assistance |
| Payment Delay | Default, Delinquency, NPA (Non-Performing Asset) |
Key Expressions:
- “Financial inclusion is the cornerstone of equitable development.”
- “Liquidity infusion by the central bank eased systemic stress.”
- “Strengthening of the balance sheet improved creditworthiness.”
4. Technology & Innovation
| Simple Word | Professional Alternative |
|---|---|
| New Tech | Emerging Technology, Disruptive Innovation |
| Online Payment | Digital Transactions, UPI-Driven Payment Infrastructure |
| Security | Cyber Resilience, Data Protection Framework |
| Record | Distributed Ledger, Immutable Transaction History |
Key Expressions:
- “Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize clearing and settlement.”
- “FinTech innovation is bridging the last-mile gap in financial services.”
- “AI-driven analytics enhance market surveillance and fraud detection.”
5. Social & Environmental
| Simple Word | Professional Alternative |
|---|---|
| Pollution | Environmental Degradation, Emission Footprint |
| Help | Empower, Facilitate, Promote |
| Change | Transition, Paradigm Shift, Transformation |
| Future | Sustainable Outlook, Long-Term Horizon |
Key Expressions:
- “Climate finance is pivotal for achieving India’s net-zero targets.”
- “Women’s participation in capital markets can catalyze household savings.”
- “ESG investing is gaining traction among institutional investors.”
Power Connectors & Linking Words
Using connectors helps your essay flow logically. Here’s a list you can memorize:
- Addition: Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Alongside this
- Contrast: However, On the other hand, Nevertheless, In contrast
- Cause & Effect: Consequently, Therefore, As a result, Owing to
- Examples: For instance, Such as, Namely, In particular
- Conclusion: Hence, In conclusion, To sum up, It can be inferred
Key Phrases for Introduction & Conclusion
Introduction Starters
- “In the wake of recent reforms…”
- “The Indian capital market has witnessed a paradigm shift…”
- “Financial stability remains at the heart of policy formulation…”
Conclusion Starters
- “In conclusion, sustained regulatory vigilance is imperative…”
- “Way forward lies in a collaborative approach between stakeholders…”
- “To ensure inclusive growth, policy measures must be holistic…”
Practice Plan for Vocabulary Mastery
- Daily Word Bank: Learn 5 new financial terms daily, write their meaning & use them in a sentence.
- Reverse Engineering: Pick editorial articles from The Hindu / Business Standard, note professional phrases and re-use them in your mock essays.
- Flashcards & Spaced Repetition: Use tools like Anki or Quizlet to retain high-impact vocabulary.
- Timed Writing: Incorporate at least 10 new words in every mock essay and check readability.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overusing Jargon: Keep language professional but simple — don’t turn your essay into a technical paper.
- Copy-Pasting from Passage: In precis or RC, paraphrase.
- Using Slang or Informal Words: Avoid casual words like “cool,” “huge problem,” “awesome.”
Sample Essay Snippet Using Vocabulary
India’s capital market has emerged as a key driver of economic growth, with record IPO mobilization and robust FPI inflows. SEBI’s risk-based supervision and tighter disclosure norms have strengthened market integrity. However, challenges persist in curbing insider trading and deepening bond markets. The way forward lies in leveraging technology for surveillance and enhancing investor education to ensure a resilient financial ecosystem.
This 4-line snippet uses 9 professional terms — IPO mobilization, FPI inflows, risk-based supervision, disclosure norms, market integrity, insider trading, deepening bond markets, surveillance, financial ecosystem — exactly the type of writing examiners expect.
Conclusion
Strong vocabulary is not about showing off complex words — it is about choosing the right word at the right place. The SEBI Grade A Descriptive Paper rewards clarity, precision, and a professional tone.
By mastering these topic-wise word lists, connectors, and expressions — and using them naturally in your essay, precis, and RC answers — you can easily boost your descriptive score by 4–5 marks.
Start small: learn 5 words daily, practice them in mocks, and soon you will write like a policymaker — crisp, impactful, and examiner-friendly.