The IRDAI Grade A notification has not been released yet. However, once released, you’ll get a limited time for your preparation. So, you must start your preparation today.
But, how to prepare for the IRDAI Grade A exam once the notification is out?
Don’t worry!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare after the release of the official IRDAI Grade A notification.
Step 1: Understand the IRDAI Grade A Exam Pattern
The very first step in the exam preparation is to know the detailed exam pattern thoroughly. Here is a quick overview of the IRDAI Grade A exam pattern:
1. Phase 1 (Prelims)
- Objective test with multiple-choice questions.
- Subjects include:
- Reasoning
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness
- Questions: 160
- Marks: 160
- Duration: 90
2. Phase 2 (Mains)
- 3 Descriptive papers
- Paper 1: Descriptive English
- Paper 2: Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
- Paper 3: Insurance and Management
- Marks: 100 (each paper)
- Duration: 60 minutes (each paper)
3. Interview
- In person
- Choose from Hindi or English
- Weightage: 15% of your final score.
Step 2: Analyse the Syllabus Thoroughly
Knowing the complete syllabus helps you plan better.
Key Subjects to Focus On
- Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude: Practice daily. Focus on speed and accuracy.
- English Language: Work on comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
- General Awareness: Cover the last 6 months of current affairs.
- ESI (Economic & Social Issues): Study topics like growth, inflation, poverty, and government schemes.
- Insurance & Management: Learn the basics of insurance, IRDAI functions, and management principles.
Step 3: Make a Realistic Study Plan
Do not create a showpiece study plan that’ll only look good on paper. You need to create a practical study plan based on your strengths, weaknesses, available time, etc., that you can actually follow:
Simple Steps to Create Your IRDAI Grade A Study Plan
- Divide your week into subject slots.
- Keep daily targets small and achievable.
- Add revision sessions every Sunday.
- Practice mock tests weekly to track progress.
Example weekly division:
- 2 days for Insurance (2 Chapters) + Management (3 Chapters)
- 2 days for ESI (2 Chapters) + Current Affairs
- 2 days for Quant (2 Chapters), Reasoning (2 Chapters), and English (3 Chapters)
- 1 day for Revision and Tests
Step 4: Collect the Right Study Material
Having the right study material is crucial as it helps you cover the exam-specific topics and focus on what truly matters for the IRDAI Grade A exam.
Here are the best resources to prepare for the IRDAI Grade A
- Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Reasoning: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- English: Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- General Awareness: Newspapers, PIB, The Hindu, and Current Affairs Magazine Compilations.
- Management: Principles and Practice of Management by LM. Prasad
- Insurance: IRDAI Ebooks for Insurance by IRDAI
- Economic and Social Issues Impacting Insurance: IRDAI Annual Report.
- Descriptive English: No books required, just practice writing answers.
Step 5: Cover Basic Concepts
To build a strong foundation, you must first cover the basic concepts and then move on to more complex ones.
Start With:
- Learn definitions and basic formulas.
- Understand key terms like premium, policy, and risk management.
- ESI concepts — GDP, inflation, fiscal policy, and poverty alleviation.
Once confident, move to:
- Latest IRDAI circulars, insurance updates, and economic data.
Step 6: Practice Topic-Wise Questions
Practice helps you retain what you’ve learned and identify your strong and weak areas. It also allows you to focus more on topics that need improvement and build confidence in the ones you’ve already mastered.
How to Practice Effectively
- Solve topic-wise quizzes daily.
- Analyze your mistake and understand why you went wrong.
- Revisit the concepts of your weak topics.
- Keep a “Separate Notebook” to note down tricky questions or confusing concepts.
Step 7: Focus on Current Affairs
Here is how to cover current affairs:
- Last 6–8 months of current affairs.
- Government schemes, economic data, and financial updates.
- IRDAI news: Recent circulars, initiatives, and appointments.
- Insurance sector reports: Premium growth, FDI limits, digital insurance trends.
Step 8: Practice Mock Tests
Mock tests are a crucial part of your IRDAI Grade A preparation strategy. Practice mock tests helps you:
- Understand the actual exam pattern.
- Identify your weak areas.
- measure improvement and build confidence.
- Improve speed and accuracy.
- Optimize time management
Step 9: Prepare for the Descriptive Paper Early
Start your descriptive writing practice simultaneously with the Phase 1 preparation.
Descriptive Preparation Tips
- Practice writing essays, précis, and comprehension.
- Focus on clarity, structure, and grammar.
- Keep updated data handy — it helps in writing factual, impressive essays.
- Read sample essays on topics like:
- Role of IRDAI in insurance regulation
- Financial inclusion
- Digital insurance and customer protection
Step 10: Stay Motivated
- Take short breaks to avoid burnout.
- Celebrate small wins, such as finishing a topic or improving mock scores.
- Avoid comparing your progress with others and focus on your own growth.
- Stay positive and consistent.
Final Words
The IRDAI Grade A exam may seem challenging at first, but with the right plan and consistent effort, it’s completely achievable. Here is how you can implement the above-mentioned strategy:
- Start now and don’t wait for the perfect moment.
- Keep your plan simple and practical.
- Revise regularly and stay confident.
