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    PFRDA Grade A Assistant Manager Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme 2025

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    PFRDA Grade Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025

    Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus is crucial for effective preparation in any competitive examination. It provides insights into the structure, marking scheme, and topics to focus on. Familiarity with the exam pattern enables candidates to strategize their study approach, allocate time efficiently, and practice effectively. As soon as the PFRDA Grade A notification for the 2025 recruitment cycle gets released, screening the syllabus and exam pattern should be one of your initial steps, alongside focusing on the PFRDA Grade A eligibility criteria, exam dates, salary details and other information. Therefore, to make your work easier and faster we are providing you with the complete PFRDA Grade A syllabus and pattern for the exam, here in this article. Please note, the syllabus varies according to the stream you are applying for. For the time being we can go through the last notification syllabus and exam pattern details, which was notified in September 2022.

    PFRDA Grade A Exam Pattern 2025

    After going through the PFRDA Assistant Manager exam notification, you will get important information regarding PFRDA Grade A exam pattern. The PFRDA Assistant Manager exam pattern comprises the following three phases.

    • Phase 1 (Online screening consisting of two papers of 100 marks each)
    • Phase 2 (Online examination consisting of two papers of 100 marks each)
    • Phase 3 (Interview)

    PFRDA Grade A What’s New?

    Notification20202021
    Stages of the exam There were two stages in the exam
    • Phase 1 (Online test)
    • Phase 2 (Group Discussion and Interview)
    		 The exam pattern comprises three stages
    • Phase 1 (Online screening-qualifying in nature)
    • Phase 2 (Online examination) (MCQ+Descriptive)
    • Phase 3 (Interview)
    Written: Interview Ratio 80:20 85:15

    PFRDA Grade A 2025 Phase 1 Exam Pattern

    FRDA Grade A exam pattern for Phase 1 is a multiple-choice question-based exam. It will consist of two papers - Paper 1 and Paper 2. The PFRDA Grade A (Assistant Manager) Paper 1 exam is common for every stream. It carries 100 marks. Paper 2 is however different for different streams. Further details on the PFRDA Assistant Manager exam pattern can be obtained from the table below.

    PaperStream / SubjectMaximum MarksNumber of QuestionsTime Duration
    Paper 1
    All Stream: Multiple choice questions on the subjects    		 English Language 25 20 60 minutes
    Quantitative Aptitude 25 20
    Test of Reasoning 25 20
    General Awareness (including some questions related to financial sector) 25 20
    Total 100 80  
    Paper 2 General Stream: Multiple choice questions on subjects Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics and Pension Sector. 100 50 40 minutes
    Information Technology, Finance and Accounts, Research Economics), Legal and Official Language (Rajbhasha) Streams: Multiple choice questions on Specialised subject related to stream. 100 50 40 minutes

    Note: You have to secure separate cut-offs in each paper as well as overall cut-off marks in Phase 1.

    The minimum overall cut-off marks for being shortlisted for Phase 2 will be decided by the Authority in relation to the number of vacancies.

    Marks obtained in Phase 1 shall be used only for shortlisting candidates for Phase 2 and will not be counted for the final selection of the candidates.

    PFRDA Grade A 2025 Phase 2 Exam Pattern

    PFRDA Grade A Exam Pattern for Phase 2 consists of two papers as well, i.e., Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is of the English language (common for all streams) and Paper 2 is subject-related. Paper 1 will be descriptive in nature whereas, in Paper 2, multiple-choice questions will be asked. The time limit varies for each paper. Further details on the PFRDA Grade A Mains exam pattern as given in the table below.

    PaperStream / SubjectMaximum MarksNumber of QuestionsTime Duration
    Paper 1 All Stream: English (Descriptive Test) to test the drafting skills 100 3 60 minutes
    Paper 2 General Stream: Multiple choice questions on subjects Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics and Pension Sector 100 50 40 minutes
    Information Technology, Official Language (Rajbhasha), Finance & Accounts, Research (Economics) Streams: Multiple choice questions on Specialised subject related to stream. 100 50 40 minutes

    Note: A separate call letter will be issued to you if you qualify for PFRDA Grade A Phase 3- Interview

    You have to secure separate cut-offs in each paper as well as overall cut-off marks in PFRDA Grade A Phase 2

    Paper 2 will be conducted in several shifts. Hence, if you have applied to multiple streams the same shall be intimated to you in the call letter

    Only if you qualify for the Paper 1 test, your Paper 2 will be evaluated

    Phase 3- Personal Interview

    You will be shortlisted for PFRDA Grade A Phase 3 i.e Interview, based on your performance in the Phase 2 exam. You can opt for an interview in Hindi or English at your convenience. The final merit for PFRDA Grade A Recruitment will be decided on the marks obtained by you in Phases 2 and 3. The final merit consists of a weightage of 85% marks obtained in PFRDA Exam Phase 2 and a weightage of 15% marks obtained in PFRDA Grade A Phase 3 (Interview).

    PFRDA Grade A Marking Scheme

    In the PFRDA Grade A exam, a wrong answer will attract a penalty of 1/4th of the mark assigned to that question. The detailed PFRDA Grade A Marking Scheme is provided in the table below.

    PaperStream / SubjectMaximum MarksNumber of QuestionsTime Duration
    Paper 1 All Stream: English (Descriptive Test) to test the drafting skills 100 3 60 minutes
    Paper 2 General Stream: Multiple choice questions on subjects Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics and Pension Sector 100 50 40 minutes
    Information Technology, Official Language (Rajbhasha), Finance & Accounts, Research (Economics) Streams: Multiple choice questions on Specialised subject related to stream. 100 50 40 minutes

    PFRDA Phase 1 Paper 1 Syllabus (Common for all Streams)

    The PFRDA Grade A syllabus for Phase 1-Paper 1 consists of various subjects - English Language, Reasoning, General Awareness, and Quantitative Aptitude. This paper is common for all the streams. The detailed PFRDA Grade A syllabus for Phase 1 is listed below.

    PFRDA Phase 2 Paper 1 Syllabus (Common for all Streams)

    PFRDA Grade A Paper 1 of Phase 2 is descriptive English Language (common for all streams). The detailed PFRDA Grade A syllabus for Phase 2- Paper 1 for all streams is given below.

    SectionTopics
    English Language Anonyms, Homonyms, Antonyms, Spelling, Word formation, Idioms and phrases, Fill in the suitable words, Grammar, Spotting errors, Sentence correction, Active/ passive voice, Phrases and idioms, Direct and indirect speech, Reading Comprehension, Passage completion, Theme detection, Deriving conclusion, Rearrangement of passage
    Quantitative Aptitude Simplification and approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equation, Number System / HCF & LCM, Ratio and Proportion, Average, Partnership, Ages, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time, Speed & Distance, Problems on Trains, Boat and Stream, Time & Work / Pipes and Cisterns, Simple and Compound Interest, Mixture & Allegations, Permutation and Combination, Probability, Data Interpretation (DI), Caselet DI and Data Sufficiency
    Reasoning Analogy, Classification, Word formation, Statement and conclusions, Syllogism, Statement and assumptions, Statement and arguments, Coding decoding, Blood relations, Passage and conclusions, Alphabet test, Series test, Number, ranking and time sequence, Direction sense test, Decision-making test, Figure series, Input/output, Assertion and reasoning, Sitting arrangement, Odd figure out, Analogy, Series test, Miscellaneous test
    General Awareness Monetary Policies, Banking and Financial Awareness, Economic Terms, Current Affairs, Static GK, Financial and Economic News, Government Schemes. Agreement & Deals, Banking Terms- rates & processes, National Institutions

    PFRDA Paper 2 Syllabus (Common for Both phases)

    The PFRDA Assistant Manager exam syllabus for Phase 2- Paper 2 for General, Actuarial, Finance & Accounts, Information Technology, Official Language (Rajbhasha), Research (Economics) and Research (Statistics) is provided in the table below.

    SectionTopics
    English Writing Skills Precis Writing , Essay Writing , Comprehension

    PFRDA Syllabus Paper 2 for General Stream

    SectionTopics
    Commerce and Accountancy
    • Accounting as a financial information system
    • Accounting standards with specific system ;
      Revenue Recognitions , Fixed Assets , Foreign Exchange Transactions ,Investment
    • Cash Flow Statement, Fund flow statement, Financial statement analysis; Ratio analysis
    • Accounting for Share Capital Transactions including Bonus Shares, Right Shares.
    • Employees Stock Option and Buy-Back of Securities.
    • Preparation and Presentation of Company Final Accounts
    Managment
    • Management: its nature and scope; The Management Processes ; Planning, Organization ,Staffing, Directing and Controlling
    • The Role of a Manager in an Organization. Leadership: The Tasks of a Leader
    • Leadership Styles ; Leadership Theories ; A successful Leader versus an effective Leader
    • Human Resource Development: Concept of HRD ; Goals of HRD
    • Motivation , Morale and Incentives: Theories of Motivation ; How Managers Motivate ; Concept of Morale ; Factors determining morale ; Role &gt ;Incentives in Building up Morale
    • Communication; Verbal versus non-verbal Communication; upward, downward and lateral communication; Barriers to Communication, Role of Information Technology
    Finance Finance System
    • Role and Functions of Regulatory bodies in Financial Sector
    Financial Markets
    • Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions, instruments, recent developments
    General Topics
    • Basics of Derivatives: Forward, Futures and Swap
    • Recent Developments in the Financial Sector
    • Financial Inclusion- use of technology
    • Alternate source of finance, private and social cost-benefit, Public-Private Partnership
    • Direct and Indirect taxes ; Non-tax sources of Revenue , GST, Finance Commission , Fiscal Policy , Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM)
    • Inflation: Definition , trends, estimates , consequences , and remedies (control): WPI, CPI - components and trends
    Costing
    • Overview of Cost and Management Accounting - Introduction to Cost and Management Accounting, Objectives and Scope of Cost and Management Accounting
    • Methods of Costing - Single Output/ Unit Costing, Job Costing, Batch Costing, Contract Costing, Process/ Operation Costing, Costing of Service Sectors
    • Basics of Cost Control and Analysis - (i) Standard Costing, (ii) Marginal Costing, (iii) Budget and Budgetary Control
    Lean System and innovation:-
    • Introduction to Lean System
    • Just-in-Time (JIT)
    • Kaizen Costing
    • 5 Ss
    • Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
    • Cellular Manufacturing/ One-Piece Flow Production Systems
    • Six Sigma (SS)
    • Introduction to Process Innovation and Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)
    Companies Act
    • The Companies Act, 2013 – Specific reference to Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter VIII, Chapter X, Chapter XI,Chapter XII and Chapter XXVII
    Economics
    • Demand and Supply , Market Structures , National Income: Concepts and Measurement,Classical & Keynesian Approach Determination of output and employment , Consumption Function , Investment Function , Multiplier and Accelerator , Demand and Supply for Money , IS LM , Inflation and Phillips Curve,Business Cycles
    • Balance of Payments, Foreign Exchange Markets , Inflation, Monetary and Fiscal Policy , Non-banking Financial Institutions
    Pension Sector
    • Status of pension sector in India
    • Types of retirement schemes in India and their features
    • National Pension Yojana
    • Atal Pension Yojana
    • Annuity Plans
    • Basics of investment

    PFRDA Syllabus Paper 2 for Information Technology Stream

    TopicsDetails
    Database Concept ER‐model. Relational model: relational algebra, tuple calculus, Integrity constraints, normal forms. File organization, indexing (e.g., B and B+ trees), Transactions and concurrency control.
    SQL Queries Select, view, truncate, delete, update, alter, Inner join, different types of outer joins,, use of aggregate functions, Union, intersection, except, in and exist clauses, nested queries.
    Programming Concepts (Java /C C++ ) Program control (iteration, recursion, Functions), Scope of variables, Binding of variables & functions, Parameter passing, Functional and Logic Programming, OOPS Concepts, Inheritance, Class and object, Constructors, Functions, Exception Handling.
    Data Analytics Languages (Python / R) Regex, Slicing, Data reshaping, Dataframes, Dictionaries and Sets, File Management, Classes and Functions, Data Mining, Lists, Importing and exporting data, charts and graphs .
    Algorithms for problem solving Tree and graph traversals, Connected components, Spanning trees, Shortest paths; hashing, Sorting, Searching; Design techniques (Greedy, Dynamic Programming, Divideand-conquer).
    Networking Concepts ISO/OSI stack, LAN Technologies (Ethernet, Token ring), TCP/UDP,IP, Basic concepts of switches, gateways, and routers, Application layer protocols (DNS, SMTP, POP, FTP, HTTP), Firewalls.
    Information & Cyber Security Concepts Cyber Attacks, Software Development Security, Network security, Authentication, CIA - Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability, Network Audit, Systems Audit .
    Data warehousing Data Extraction, Data Cleaning, Data Transformation, Data Loading, Metadata, Data Cube, Data Mart, Data Models.
    Shell Programming Shell Scripting Basics, Shell Variables, Shell Script Arguments, If Statement, Loop, Return, Basic UNIX commands.

    PFRDA Syllabus Paper 2 for Research (Economics) Stream

    SectionTopics
    Economics Demand and Supply, Market Structures, National Income, Determination of output and employment, Investment Function, Multiplier and Accelerator, Demand and Supply for Money, IS – LM, Inflation and Phillips Curve, Business Cycles, Inflation, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Banking Functions, Public Goods, Tax & Non-Tax Revenue, Direct & Indirect Taxes, Fiscal Balance, Public Debt, Public Budget and Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments.
    Statistics and Econometrics Measures of Central tendency & dispersions, Correlation, Sampling methods, Sampling Distribution, Statistical Inferences, Hypothesis testing, Regression Analysis, Panel Data Analysis, Time Series Properties and Analysis.
    Financial Institutions and Markets Asymmetric Information, Market Model, Market Efficiency, Money, Credit and Capital Markets, Primary Market, Secondary Market, Commodity Markets, Mutual Funds, Stock Exchanges, Credit Rating Agencies, Pension And Insurance Markets, Foreign Exchange Markets, Role of International Financial Institutions, IS, IMF & World Bank.

    PFRDA Syllabus Paper 2 for Finance and Accounts Stream

    SectionTopics
    The Basic Financial Statement
    • Trial Balance
    • Balance Sheet,Cash Flow Statement,Income Statement
    • Analysis of Financial Statement Ratio,Break Even Analysis,IND AS,Standard on Auditing
    • Cost accounting concepts (basics)
    • Marginal costing,Cost volume profit analysis,Cost sheet,Forecasting
    • Managment accounting
    • Cost of capital,Capital structure,Capital budgeting,Sources of finance,Corporate accounting
    • Business Law
    • Negotiable instruments,Contract act,Partnership act,Company law (Go through all these laws with amendments)
    • Income Tax Act,GST,Knowledge of IT and Digital Transaction,Compliance of KYC Norms,Financial System : Role and Functions of Regulatory bodies in Financial Sector,Financial Markets: Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions, instruments, recent developments.
    • General Topics
    • Basics of Derivatives: Forward, Futures and Swap,Recent Developments in the Financial Sector,Financial Inclusion- use of technology,Alternate source of finance, private and social cost-benefit, Public-Private Partnership,Direct and Indirect taxes; Non-tax sources of Revenue, Finance Commission, Fiscal Policy, Fiscal ,Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM),Inflation: Definition, trends, estimates, consequences, and remedies (control): WPI, CPI - components and trends,Economics: Capital market, Money market, Micro and macro economics concepts and Updates related to money market and RBI policies

    PFRDA Syllabus Paper 2 for Official Language (Rajbhasa) Stream

    SectionTopics
    Rajbhasa
    • भारत सरकार की राजभाषा नीति (Official Language Policy of the Government of India) से सम्बंधित प्रश्न
    • हिंदी से अंग्रेजी अनुवाद [शब्द / वाक्यांश / वाक्य / Terms /phases /sentences]
    • अंग्रेज़ी से हिंदी अनुवाद [शब्द / वाक्यांश / वाक्य / Terms /phases /sentences]
    • हिंदी से अंग्रेजी - विधिक शब्दावली(Legal Terminology)
    • हिंदी से अंग्रेजी - विधिक शब्दावली(Legal Terminology)
    • हिंदी से अंग्रेजी - पेंशन प्रशासनिक बैंकिंग पुजीबाज़ार और सामाजिक सुरक्षा शब्द वाली (Pension /Administrative / Banking / Capital Market / Economics / Social Security Terminology)
    • अंग्रेज़ी से हिंदी - पेंशन प्रशासनिक बैंकिंग पुजीबाज़ार और सामाजिक सुरक्षा शब्द वाली (Pension /Administrative / Banking / Capital Market / Economics / Social Security Terminology)

    PFRDA Syllabus Paper 2 for Legal Stream

    Topics
    PFRDA Act, 2013
    IRDAI Act, 1999,
    SEBI Act, 1992
    Constitution of India –Preamble, Part I, Part III, Part IV, Part IVA, Part V, Part VI, Part VIII, Part IXA, Part IXB, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIV, Part XIVA, Part XX
    Law of Contracts –Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Chapters I to VI and VIII to X), Indian Partnership Act, 1932, Specific Relief Act, 1963
    Criminal Law –Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Chapters I, II, III, IV, V, VA, VI, IX, XVII, XXI, XXII, XXIII); Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
    Law of Evidence –Indian Evidence Act, 1872
    Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 –Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VII, Schedule-I
    Administrative Law and Principles of Natural Justice
    Jurisprudence and Interpretation of Statutes
    Important Latin terms and maxims
    Law of Torts and Consumer Protection Act, 2019
    Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 –Part I, Part III, Part IV
    Transfer of Property Act, 1882 –Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter V
    Law of Trusts –Parties to a Trust Deed and Duties of Trustees
    Corporate Law –Companies Act, 2013 (Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter V, Chapter VII, Chapter VIII, Chapter IX, Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII, Chapter XIII, Chapter XV, Chapter XVI, Chapter XXVII, Chapter XXVIII, Chapter XXIX); Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008; Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Part I, Part II)
    Taxation –General principles

    PFRDA Exam Language

    The PFRDA Assistant Manager exam is bilingual in nature i.e. Hindi/ English except for the test for English Language and the Descriptive Test. Besides this, you can also opt for an interview in either Hindi or English.

    PFRDA Grade A Important Books 2025

    Any preparation is incomplete without relevant and good study material. Therefore, before starting your preparation, you must know which books to go for so that you do not waste your precious time reading irrelevant books. To assist you with the preparation, some important PFRDA Grade A books are mentioned below which can be useful in your preparation journey. Also for all current affairs-related content, you can refer to ixamBee's BeePedia capsules.

    PaperBooksAuthor/Publisher
    Securities Markets Capital Markets & Securities Laws N.S.Zad
    Economic and Social Issues Indian Economy Uma Kapila or Mishra Puri
    Indian Economy Ramesh Singh
    Sociology CN Shankar Rao
    Finance & Management Financial Management Prasanna Chandra or IM Pandey
    Indian Financial System Bharti Pathak
    Principles & Practise of Management LM Prasad / Sultan Chand & Sons
    Organisational Behaviour SP Robins
    Principles of Management Harold Kootz & Cyril J.O’Donnell / McGraw Hills
    Quantitative Aptitude Quicker Mathematics BSC Publications
    Quantitative Aptitude RS Agarwal
    Class Notes SS Bharti
    Reasoning Ability A modern approach to verbal & Non-verbal reasoning R.S. Agarwal
    Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning S.Chand
    Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning Arihant Publication
    English Language English Grammar Wren & Martin
    Word power made easy Norman Lewis
    Descriptive General English SP Bakshi
    General Awareness Lucent GK Knowledge Lucent Publication
    BeePedia ixamBee
    English Descriptive Descriptive English S.P. BAKSHI
    151 Essays S.C Gupta
    Letter writing S.C Gupta
    Indian Economic Since Independence Uma Kapila Academic Foundation
    Business Law Including Company Law SS Gulshan New Age International Publishers

    PFRDA Grade A 2025 Free Mock Tests

    Make sure that you leave no stone unturned while preparing for PFRDA Grade A 2025. To evaluate your preparation level, the best way is to attempt mock tests as much as possible. It not only increases your speed but also improves your overall score in the exam. Thus, we at ixamBee are providing practice tests for PFRDA Grade A exam absolutely free of cost. You can attempt PFRDA Grade A exam mock tests 2025 by just logging in to the website. You will also find the stream-specific PFRDA Grade A mock tests on our website.

    PFRDA Grade A Online Coaching 2025

    To assist you with the PFRDA Grade A exam 2025, ixamBee has come up with a comprehensive and well-curated PFRDA Grade ‘A’ Online Course 2025 that has all the essential components needed to ace the exam. You will find every important detail that is necessary to excel in the PFRDA Grade A examination. Some features of the Online Course have been provided below.

    • 400+ Video Lessons covering the entire Syllabus for all Papers of PFRDA Grade A Phase 1
    • Study Notes designed by expert faculty covering the PFRDA Grade A syllabus for Phase 1
    • 10 Full-length Mock Tests for PFRDA Grade A Phase 1, adhering to PFRDA Grade A exam pattern
    • Practice questions apart from mock tests covering all the new subjects/topics
    • Daily Live Online Classes for doubt clarification with the subject experts
    • PFRDA Phase 3 (Group Discussion and Interview) guidance

    Pfrda Assistant Manager Exam Pattern FAQs

    The PFRDA Grade A Exam will be conducted in three phases- Phase 1, Phase 2 followed by an interview.
    Yes, 0.25 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer in the PFRDA Assistant Manager exam.
    No, there will be no sectional timing in the PFRDA Grade A exam. For Paper 1, you will be given a composite time of 60 minutes, whereas for Paper 2, you will have a composite time of 40 minutes to solve the paper.
    The PFRDA Grade A 2025 exam will be conducted through online mode.
    Major changes have been announced by PFRDA in its exam pattern for 2025. You will have to undergo three stages instead of two stages earlier.
    No, the marks obtained in Phase 1 shall be used only for shortlisting candidates for Phase 2 and will not be counted for the final selection of the candidates. Phase 1/Prelims is qualifying in nature.
    The final merit will be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 and Interview.
    Yes, the PFRDA Grade A 2024 Exam is bilingual (i.e, Hindi & English). You can choose your preferred language either Hindi or English, except in the English Language section.

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