Topics Covered: PFRDA Grade A Pattern 2024, PFRDA Grade A Subjects, Number of Questions in PFRDA Grade A, Total Marks, Negative Marking & Duration of PFRDA Grade A exam, PFRDA Grade A Officer Syllabus for Phase 1, PFRDA Grade A Syllabus for Phase 2, PFRDA Grade A Officer Interview and Final Selection.

Whether you’re preparing for the PFRDA Grade A exam or planning to do so, understanding the PFRDA Grade A pattern and syllabus is extremely crucial. 

With the right information regarding the PFRDA Grade A pattern, you can:

  • Shortlist relevant study material
  • Prioritize high weightage topics and
  • Create a preparation strategy that boosts your chances of success

Let’s break down each part of the PFRDA Grade A pattern

PFRDA Grade A Pattern

The PFRDA Grade A exam is divided into 3 parts, including:

  • Phase 1
  • Phase 2
  • Interview

Let’s first understand the PFRDA Grade A 2024 pattern for Phase 1.

PFRDA Grade A Pattern for Phase 1

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the PFRDA Grade A 2024 Phase 1 pattern.

Number of Papers

The PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam has 2 papers:

  • Paper 1
  • Paper 2

The paper 1 of PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 has 4 components:

  1. Reasoning
  2. English Language 
  3. Quantitative Aptitude
  4. General Awareness

The paper 2 of PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 has 8 components:

  1. Commerce
  2. Accountancy
  3. Management
  4. Finance
  5. Costing
  6. Companies Act
  7. Economics
  8. Pension Sector

Number of Questions

Here are the number of questions in each subject of the PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 Paper 1 exam:

  1. Reasoning: 20
  2. English Language: 20
  3. Quantitative Aptitude: 20
  4. General Awareness: 20 

In the PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 Paper 2 exam, a total of 50 questions are asked.

Maximum Marks

Here are the maximum marks for each subject of PFRDA 2024 Phase 1 paper 1:

  1. Reasoning: 25
  2. English Language: 25
  3. Quantitative Aptitude: 25
  4. General Awareness: 25

The maximum marks for the PFRDA 2024 Phase 1 paper 2 are 100.

Time Duration

60 minutes for paper 1 and 40 miutes for paper 2.

PFRDA Grade A Pattern
Phase 1
PaperSubjectMarksQuestionsDuration
Paper 1English Language252060
min
Quantitative Aptitude2520
Test of Reasoning2520
General Awareness (including some questions related to the Financial Sector)
25

20
Total10080
Paper 2Multiple choice questions on subjects Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics, and Pension Sector1005040
min
PFRDA Grade A Phase Pattern for Phase 1

Additional Details of PFRDA Grade A Pattern for Phase 1

Here are some additional facts about the PFRDA Grade A 2024 pattern you must be aware of.

Mode of Exam

The PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam is conducted online via a computer screen and is objective in nature. 

Paper Structure

PFRDA Grade A Prelims exam is qualifying in nature and consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

Paper Language

The PFRDA Grade A exam is available in two languages, Hindi and English. However, the English Language exam can only be taken in English.

Negative Marking

PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam involves negative marking i.e., 1/4th or 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect choice you make.

Cut-Off Marks

The overall and sectional cut-off marks are decided by PFRDA based on the number of available vacancies.

PFRDA Grade A Pattern
Phase 1
Additional Details
ModeOnline
Paper StructureObjective-Type (MCQs)
NatureQualifying
LanguageHindi & English (Except the test of English) 
Total Number of Questions130
Total Marks200
Overall Cut-Off MarksDecided by PFRDA based on the available vacancies 
Sectional Cut-Off MarksDecided by PFRDA based on the available vacancies
Negative Marking0.25 (1/4th for every wrong answer)
Total Duration60 Minutes (Composite timing)
Sectional TimingNo

PFRDA Grade A Pattern for Phase 2

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 pattern:

Number of Components

The PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam comprises 2 papers:

  • Paper 1: Descriptive English
  • Paper 2: MCQs on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics.

Number of Questions

Here are the number of questions in each subject of the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam:

  • Paper 1: General English: 3
  • Paper 2: MCQs on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics: 50

Maximum Marks

Here are the maximum marks for each component:

  • Paper 1: Descriptive English: 100
  • Paper 2: MCQs on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics: 100

Time Duration

The total time allotted for the Phase 2 of the PFRDA Grade A exam is 100 minutes.

  • Paper 1: Descriptive English: 60 Minutes
  • Paper 2: MCQs on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics: 40 Minutes
PFRDA Grade A Pattern
Phase 2
PaperSubjectsMarksQuestionsDuration
Paper 1English (Descriptive Test) to test the drafting skills100360 Min
Paper 2 Multiple choice questions on subjects Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics.1005040 Min
PFRDA Grade A Pattern for Phase 2

Additional Details of PFRDA Grade A Pattern for Phase 2

Here are some additional facts about the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 pattern:

Mode of Exam

The PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 is worth 200 marks and is held online.

Paper Structure

PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 paper 1 includes descriptive questions and paper 2 includes MCQs.

Paper Language

The PFRDA Grade A exam is available in two languages, Hindi and English. However, the English Language exam can only be taken in English.

Total Number of Questions

Here are the total number of questions asked in the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam:

  • Paper 1: General English: 3 Questions
  • Paper 2: MCQs on Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, and Economics: 50 Questions

Cut-Off Marks

The overall and sectional cut-off marks are decided by PFRDA based on the difficulty level among other factors.

Negative Marking

There is no negative marking for the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam.

PFRDA Grade A Pattern
Phase 2
Other Details
ModeOnline
Paper StructureDescriptive and MCQ-based questions
LanguageHindi & English for both objective and descriptive papers
(Except for the test of English) 
Total Marks200
Total Questions53 (3 from paper 1 and 50 from paper 2)
Cut-Off MarksDecided by the PFRDA

PFRDA Grade A Interview Pattern

Candidates are shortlisted for interview based on their Phase 2 marks only. Here is the PFRDA Grade A interview pattern:

  • The interview is conducted in person at various exam centers.
  • You can take the interview in Hindi or English.
  • The interview marks are not mentioned in the official PFRDA Grade A notification.
  • The weightage of marks obtained in Phase 2 is 85%, while marks obtained in the interview are given a weightage of 15%.

PFRDA Grade A Final Selection

The final selection is based on the aggregate marks obtained in Phase 2 and the interview.

PFRDA Grade A Syllabus

Here is the PFRDA Grade A 2024 syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2.

PFRDA Grade A Syllabus for Phase 1 Paper 1

In the absence of an official syllabus for Phase 1, we have analyzed the previous years’ questions (PYQs) to list down the topics of each subject of Phase 1. 

PFRDA Grade A Syllabus
Phase 1 Paper 1 Syllabus
Reasoning QuantEnglish 
Alphabetical, Alphanumeric Series
Coding & Decoding
Syllogism 
Direction Sense
Inequality
Ranking
Blood Relation 
Seating Arrangement
Puzzles
Machine Input Output
Statement –
Assumption
Statement –
Course of Action
Cause and Effect
Statement Argument
Statement Conclusion
Data Sufficiency
Percentage
Profit & Loss
Ratio & Proportion
Simplification
Interest
Time & Work, Pipes
Number Series
Time, Speed &
Distance, 
Trains & Boats
Mixture
Average
Ages & Partnership
Area & Volume
Probability
Data Interpretation
Quadratic Equation
Parts of Speech
Subject – Verb Agreement
Nouns
Pronouns
Tenses
Modals
Conditional
Sentences
Question Tag
Preposition
Complex Preposition
Conjunction
Articles
Advance Verbs
Adjective – Adverb
General Awareness 
Current Affairs 
National News: MoUs, summits, and major events related to India
International: Summits and conferences held abroad
Financial & Economics News
Financial Awareness: RBI and SEBI notification and regulations
Defence: Military exercises, drills, and major updates related to the defence sector of India
Days in News: Major events or days, along with its date and theme
Persons in News: Obituaries, appointments, and retirements
Sports: Major tournaments and its winners
Science, Technology, and Space
Awards and Honours
Environment
Banking and Economy-Related News
Reports and Government Schemes
Books and Authors
Static 
 Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers
National Parks and Sanctuaries
Airport Locations, Stadiums
Organisations’ Headquarters
Banks’ Headquarters and Taglines
Power Plants in India
Indian Dance Forms
Countries Capitals and their Currencies
Important Days

PFRDA Grade A Syllabus for Phase 1 Paper 2

Here’s an overview of the Paper 2 syllabus for the PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam:

PFRDA Grade A Syllabus
Phase 1 Paper 2
Commerce and AccountancyManagement 
Accounting as a Financial Information System
Accounting Standards 
Cash Flow Statement Accounting for Share Capital Transactions 
Employees Stock Option and Buyback of Securities
Preparation and Presentation of Company Final Accounts
Management 
The Role of a Manager in an Organization
Leadership
Leadership Styles
Human Resource Development
Motivation
Communication
Economics Costing
Demand and Supply, Market Structures, National Income 
Balance of Payments, Foreign Exchange Markets, Inflation, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Non-banking Financial Institutions
Overview of Cost and Management Accounting 
Methods of Costing
Basics of Cost Control and Analysis
Lean System and Innovation
Pension SectorFinance
Status of Pension Sector in India 
Types of Retirement Schemes in India and Their Features 
National Pension System 
Atal Pension Yojana
Annuity Plans 
Basics of Investment
Financial System 
Financial Markets 
General Topics
Company Act
The Companies Act, 2013 

PFRDA Grade A Syllabus for Phase 2 Paper 1

Generally, 3 questions are asked from the following topics:

  • Essay
  • Precis Writing
  • Reading Comprehension

PFRDA Grade A Syllabus for Phase 2 Paper 2 

The syllabus of Paper 2 is the same for both Phase 1 and Phase 2. However, it is important to know that the difficulty level of Paper 2 is higher in Phase 2. 

Wrapping Up

Now that you have detailed information about the PFRDA Grade A 2024 exam pattern and a brief overview of the syllabus, you can:

  • Create a strategic study plan:
    • select the right study material
    • focus on high-weightage sections
  • Tweak your existing preparation strategy based on the updates
  • Finally, increase the chances of clearing the PFRDA Grade A exam