PFRDA Grade A Exam Analysis 2025 Phase 1 & 2: Difficulty Level

The PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam was conducted on 6 October 2025. Reviewing the PFRDA Grade A exam analysis helps you understand the difficulty level, question trends, and topic-wise weightage.

In this article, you’ll find the latest PFRDA Grade A 2025 Phase 1 and 2 exam analysis with key takeaways to refine your preparation strategy according to the actual demand of the exam.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 Analysis of Phase 1: Paper 1 & 2

The PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam for 2025 was conducted on 6 September 2025. 

• The overall difficulty level of PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 was moderate.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 Reasoning Topic-Wise Weightage

Here’s the PFRDA Grade A 2025 Reasoning Topic-Wise Weightage from Phase 1 Paper 1, based on memory-based analysis:

Reasoning Key Observations:

• Puzzles made up 50% of the section (10 Questions).
  • Set 1 was month & date-based
  • Set 2 was lengthy and based on floors
• No questions from blood relations, coding-decoding, and directions.
• The overall reasoning section was lengthy.
• 9+ questions were a good attempt.

Quick Takeaways for PFRDA Grade A Aspirants

• Practice different puzzle types daily, especially month-date, floor, and seating arrangement puzzles. Focus on speed and accuracy.
• Solve MCQs based on critical reasoning & input-output regularly to enhance logical thinking and consistency.
• Revise the basics of topics not asked this year; they may reappear in the next cycle.
• Practice solving reasoning sets under timed conditions to handle lengthy questions effectively.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Topic-Wise Weightage

Here’s the PFRDA Grade A 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Topic-Wise Weightage from Phase 1 Paper 1, based on memory-based analysis:

Quant Key Observations:  

• Overall, the Quant section was moderate and manageable.
• Questions from quadratic equations were easy to solve. 
• A simple DI was based on profit and loss questions.
• A complex DI was based on defective and non-defective manufacturing products. 
• It was easy to do 7 to 8 questions. 
• 10+ questions were a good attempt. 

Quick Takeaways for PFRDA Grade A Aspirants: 

• Practice both simple and complex Data Interpretation (DI) sets, especially on profit & loss, percentages, and ratios.
• Revise arithmetic basics and memorize formulas for topics like SI & CI, Averages, and Time & Work.
• Solve quadratic equations regularly using factorization and comparison methods for speed.
• Use a timer while solving questions to improve speed and maintain accuracy.
• Take quantitative aptitude mock tests frequently to track progress and identify weak areas.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 English Topic-Wise Weightage

Here’s the PFRDA Grade A 2025 English Topic-Wise Weightage from Phase 1 Paper 1, based on memory-based analysis:

English Key Observations: 

• The English section was easy to moderate in difficulty.
• Reading Comprehension (RC) was based on the topic of intermittent fasting and was easy to understand.
• No vocabulary-based questions were asked.
• Grammar-based topics like Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, and Reshuffling dominated the section.
• With basic grammar, you could have easily attempted 8–9 questions confidently.

Quick Takeaways for PFRDA Grade A Aspirants: 

• Read articles and editorials daily to build comprehension and improve reading speed.
• Revise grammar rules, including tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, and articles.
• Solve rearrangement and sentence improvement exercises to enhance logical flow and structure.
• Avoid focusing too much on vocabulary; instead, strengthen grammar and comprehension.
• Attempt English sectional mock tests regularly to boost accuracy and confidence.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 General Awareness Topic-Wise Weightage

Here’s the PFRDA Grade A 2025 general awareness Topic-Wise Weightage from Phase 1 Paper 1, based on memory-based analysis:

General Awareness Key Observations: 

• The General Awareness section focused heavily on current affairs, with 12 out of 25 questions from this area.
• The second-highest number of questions came from Static GK and Banking & Financial Awareness. 
• 1 question each was asked from Reports, Sports, and Defence.
• Most questions were fact-based and covered recent government schemes, budget updates, and important appointments.
• 8–9 questions were considered a good attempt in this section.

Quick Takeaways for PFRDA Grade A Aspirants: 

• Cover the last 3–6 months of current affairs, focusing on government schemes, economic updates, and appointments.
• Revise Static GK topics linked to current events for better context and recall.
• Study key RBI updates, financial terms, and regulatory developments in Banking Awareness.
• Memorize important reports and indices, including the publishing body, India’s rank, and the theme.
• Review daily news and revisit your notes weekly to retain key facts.
• Attempt GA quizzes and analyze mock test performance to build accuracy and confidence.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 Subject-Wise Weightage: Paper 2

• The overall difficulty level of the PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 Paper 2 was moderate.

Here’s the PFRDA Grade A 2025 Subject-Wise Weightage for Paper 2 (Phase 1), based on memory-based analysis:

Paper 2 Key Observations:

• Finance
  • Finance carried the highest weightage.
  • Out of 12 questions, 7 were factual and 5 were direct.
  • Questions were asked from Treasury bills, the RBI’s total capital, stable coins, who regulates RRB, and mutual funds. 
• Costing
  • 1 difficult numerical question was based on the calculation of abnormal loss.
  • 1 easy question was based on the Lean system and innovation. 
• Companies Act
  • The maximum questions were based on data. 
  • Questions were asked from CAG, Section 125, and Section 32. 
• Pension Sector
  • Easy questions were based on schemes.
  • Some direct questions were asked based on numbers.
• Economics
  • Most questions were one-liners.
  • Direct questions were asked on the most common topics, such as the Law of Demand.
  • You could easily solve Economics questions based on options.
  • No technical questions were asked.
• Commerce & Accounts
  • Numericals were asked from the current ratio and net profit. 
  • Questions were doable with basic knowledge of commerce and accounts. 
  • Some questions were asked from operating profit & operating cash flow. 
• Management
  • Direct one-line questions were asked from management topics.
  • No questions from HRD and general management.

Quick Takeaways for PFRDA Grade A Aspirants: 

• Finance
  • Study key financial instruments like Treasury Bills, Bonds, and Mutual Funds.
  • Revise regulators and their roles (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, etc.).
  • Memorize important definitions and factual data related to monetary policy, RBI capital, and digital currencies.
• Costing
  • Practice numerical problems, especially from abnormal loss, overhead absorption, and cost allocation.
  • Revise theoretical topics like the Lean System and Innovation Management.
• Companies Act
  • Focus on data-driven sections, such as Section 32, Section 125, and the roles of CAG.
  • Create short notes summarizing key sections relevant to corporate governance and financial reporting.

• Pension Sector
  • Understand the basic structure and schemes of the Indian pension system.
  • Revise important schemes like NPS, Atal Pension Yojana, and EPS.
  • Note down numeric details such as contribution ratios and eligibility criteria.
• Economics
  • Revise fundamental concepts like Law of Demand, Inflation, and National Income.
  • Focus on conceptual clarity rather than technical depth; questions are mostly direct and one-liners.
  • Practice previous year one-liner questions to improve recall speed.

• Commerce & Accounts
  • Strengthen basic accounting formulas, such as current ratio, net profit, and operating profit.
  • Revise concepts of cash flow, balance sheet, and financial statements.
  • Practice easy numericals to improve calculation speed and accuracy.
• Management
  • Prepare one-liner questions from classical management theories and functions (planning, organizing, directing).
  • Do not skip topics that were not asked this year and cover at least their basics.

Important Note: Prioritize Finance topics, as they carry higher marks.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 Analysis of Phase 2: Paper 1 & 2

The PFRDA Grade A 2025 Phase 2 exam was conducted on 6 October 2025.  

• The overall PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 difficulty level was moderate. 

PFRDA Grade A 2025 Topic-Wise Weightage: Paper 1 (Descriptive English)

The number of questions remained the same, but each section carried different marks.

Below, I have shared the topic-wise weightage of the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 Paper 1:

Descriptive English Key Observations: 

• Essay
  • 4 essay options were given, out of which you need to choose 1. 
  • The essay topics were as follows:
    • Benefits of mandatory internships in universities for students- Education 
    • “The most unhappy customer is the best source of learning in business development.” Discuss in the Indian context. 
    • Improvement and Advancement in Indian Railways after 2026. Discuss
    • Role of virtual reality in modernisation around us.
• Precis
  • A passage based on Japan’s demographic curve and the problem Japan is facing today. 
• Reading Comprehension
  • This year, PFRDA asked 5 RC-based questions instead of the usual 4 questions. 
  • The RC was based on “a mismatch of humans with modern society.” 
  • Here are the questions based on the above paragraph.
    • Discuss the concept of evolutionary mismatch. 
    • How is modern dating impacting relationships and mental health?
    • Analyse how food and movement environments exploit ancestral preferences.
    • Examine the role of social media in activating threat-detection and status systems.
    • Why do humans struggle with long-term, abstract risks?

Quick Takeaways for PFRDA Grade A Aspirants: 

• Essay Writing
  • Practice writing 1 essay daily from diverse topics such as education, technology, business, and infrastructure.
  • Focus on structure, i.e., introduction, body, and conclusion.   
  • Stay updated on current affairs and government initiatives to add relevant examples and data to your essays.
• Precis Writing
  • Practice summarizing long passages in fewer words while retaining key ideas.
  • Aim for clarity and avoid rephrasing the entire passage word-for-word.
  • Count words to stay within the limit (usually one-third of the original passage).
  • Focus on accuracy; do not add personal opinions.
• Reading Comprehension (RC)
  • Read editorials or reports daily to strengthen comprehension and analytical skills.
  • Practice answering RC-based questions in 80–100 words.
  • Focus on understanding the author’s tone, core message, and key arguments.
  • Avoid copying phrases directly from the passage; paraphrase in your own words.

Time Management & Writing Skills

• Set a 60-minute timer while practicing full-length descriptive papers to improve speed and structure.
• Practice typing instead of writing this helps with typing speed and formatting.
• Proofread quickly before submission to correct minor spelling or grammar errors.

PFRDA Grade A 2025 Topic-Wise Weightage: Paper 2

• The overall difficulty level of the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 Paper 2 2025 was moderate to difficult.
• Multiple numericals were asked in the Phase 2 Paper 2.
• Good Attempts: 30-35

Here’s the PFRDA Grade A 2025 Subject-Wise Weightage for Phase 2 Paper 2, based on memory-based analysis:

Phase 2 Paper 2 Key Observations:

• Costing
  • Costing had the highest weightage with 10 questions.
  • The paper included both theoretical and numerical-based questions.
  • Topics Asked:
    • Type of costing used in the Sugar Industry
    • Primary objective of Cost Accounting
    • Number of defects in Six Sigma
    • Numerical based on ROI
    • Deming’s 14 Points
    • Classification of costs
    • Opportunity cost
    • Numerical questions on:
      • Value of Right
      • ROI
      • Activity-Based Costing (ABC)
      • Factory Cost
• Management
  • Questions were mostly direct and concept-based.
  • Topics Asked:
    • Maslow Hierarchy
    • Function of management
    • Role of HRD
    • Goleman Theory
    • Meaning of E, S, L in PESTEL
    • Pygmalion effect
• Pension Sector
  • Questions were similar to Phase 1 and mostly straightforward.
  • The majority were based on NPS (National Pension System).
  • Topics Asked:
    • Pension scheme for unorganised sector workers
    • PFRDA (Redressal of Subscriber Grievance) Regulation 2015.
    • Eligibility to Join NPS
    • NPS contribution reflection timeline (working days)
    • Atal Pension Yojana
    • Numerical: Calculate lump sum + annuity purchase amount
• Economics
  • Most questions were one-liners and could be solved with basic conceptual clarity.
  • Topics Asked:
    • GDP Deflator Formula
    • GDP Deflator, WPI, and CPI
    • Inflation
    • Money Multiplier
    • National Income
    • CPI Inflation
    • Fisher’s Transaction
• Companies Act
  • Questions were data-based and conceptual.
  • Topics Asked:
    • Section 125 (IEPF)
    • Section 44
    • Public Issue (Section 40)
    • Auditor resignation
    • Grievances of shareholders
    • Small Shareholder definition
    • Standard definition of a “Startup”
• Finance
  • Finance had only 5 questions, mainly conceptual and factual.
  • Topics Asked:
    • Subsidiary of RBI
    • Component of GST
    • Non-Schedule Bank
    • Private Equity
    • Numerical: Future hedging
• Commerce and Accounts
  • Commerce and Accounts had the least weightage (4 questions).
  • Topics Asked:
    • Accounting Standard (AS) 2 – Valuation of Inventories?
    • Bonus Shares
    • Accounting Standard (AS) 11
    • Source & Application of Funds

Quick Takeaways for PFRDA Grade A Aspirants: 

• Costing
  • Practice numericals, as 4 out of 10 questions were numerical-based. 
  • Revise basic concepts: cost classification, objectives of cost accounting, and industry-wise costing.
  • Create a one-page summary of key costing concepts for quick revision.
  • Note down important costing formulas on a page.
  • Solve past-year costing questions for pattern familiarity.
• Management
  • Cover the basics of all management theories.
  • Make short notes for definitions and revise frequently.
  • Focus on understanding the concepts rather than memorising them.
• Pension Sector
  • Master NPS in detail: eligibility, contribution rules, withdrawal process, annuity, lump-sum calculations.
  • Revise PFRDA grievance redressal regulations.
  • Cover Atal Pension Yojana.
  • Practice basic numerical questions related to NPS.
• Economics
  • Focus on basics: inflation, CPI vs WPI, GDP deflator, money multiplier, national income.
  • Learn formulas and apply them through MCQs.
  • Revise core concepts instead of mugging up facts.
• Companies Act
  • Keep a section-wise summary list handy.
  • Revise important definitions and limits.
  • Learn basic definitions.  
  • Solve MCQs from each topic.
• Finance
  • Revise banking and finance basics (RBI structure, functions, etc.)
  • Understand derivative concepts with simple examples.
  • Memorize GST components and tax slabs.
  • Solve numericals to gain confidence.
• Commerce & Accounts
  • Create short notes on accounting standards in simple language.
  • Practice simple numericals and theory questions.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 PFRDA Grade A exam analysis shows that this exam rewards strong fundamentals, conceptual clarity, and smart preparation.

If you focus on high-weightage topics, build solid basics, and practice both conceptual and numerical questions regularly, you can easily stay ahead of the competition.

Use these insights to refine your preparation strategy for the upcoming cycle. With the right strategy and consistent revision, you can crack the PFRDA Grade A exam.

All the Best!