The PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam is scheduled to be held on 15th October 2026, followed by Phase 2 on 20th November 2026. Conducted by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), the exam recruits Assistant Managers in streams such as General, Research, Actuary, and Rajbhasha.
For the PFRDA Grade A 2026 exam, solving previous year papers helps candidates understand the exam pattern, question trends, important topics, and difficulty level. Regular practice also improves speed, accuracy, and overall exam preparation.
Download PFRDA Grade A Previous Year Question Papers PDF
Candidates can download the PFRDA Grade A Previous Year Papers PDFs through the direct link provided below:
| Year | Question Paper | Download Link |
| 2021 to 2025 | PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 & Phase 2 Memory Based Paper | Download PDF |
| 2025 | PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 & Phase 2 Memory Based Paper | Download PDF |
| 2022 | PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 & Phase 2 Memory Based Paper | Download PDF |
| 2021 | PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 & Phase 2 Memory Based Paper | Download PDF |
Download PFRDA Grade A Paper 2 Section Wise PYPs
Candidates can download the PFRDA Grade A Previous Year Papers PDFs through the direct link provided below:
| Year | Question Paper | Download Link |
| 2021 to 2025 | Commerce and Accountancy | Download PDF |
| 2021 to 2025 | Companies Act | Download PDF |
| 2021 to 2025 | Pension Sector | Download PDF |
What topics were asked in PFRDA Grade A 2025?
The PFRDA Grade A 2025 paper had a clear section-wise question pattern. Phase 1 included set-based questions from Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Puzzles, and Seating Arrangement, while Paper 2 and Phase 2 focused more on Commerce & Accountancy and the Pension Sector, including NPS architecture and application-based concepts.
| Phase | Major Areas | Key Topics Asked |
| Phase 1 Paper 1 | English, Quant, Reasoning, GA | RC, error detection, quadratic equations, DI, floor puzzle, circular seating, PFRDA, NPS, RBI and SEBI |
| Phase 1 Paper 2 | Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing | Accounting, depreciation, Fayol, MBO, money market, derivatives, break-even, standard costing and ABC |
| Phase 1 Paper 2 | Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector | Directors, AGM, CSR, inflation, GDP, fiscal deficit, NPS asset classes, CRA, PRAN, APY and annuity |
| Phase 2 | Descriptive English + Paper 2 | AI, financial literacy, digital payments, gig economy, EPS, CAPM, WACC, CSR, unemployment and PFRDA Act |
What topics were asked in PFRDA Grade A 2022?
The PFRDA Grade A 2022 paper continued the four-section Phase 1 Paper 1 structure, with 20 questions each from English, Quant, Reasoning, and GA/Financial Awareness. PFRDA, NPS, and APY received strong attention in GA, while Phase 2 included more application-based questions across Finance, Accountancy, Costing, and the Pension Sector.
| Phase | Major Areas | Key Topics Asked |
| Phase 1 Paper 1 | English, Quant, Reasoning, GA | Error detection, fillers, vocabulary, arithmetic, quadratic equations, coding, seating, PFRDA, NPS, RBI and financial inclusion |
| Phase 1 Paper 2 | Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing | Partnership, depreciation, Fayol, Maslow, working capital, NPV, marginal costing, break-even and variance |
| Phase 1 Paper 2 | Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector | Companies Act, CSR, directors, inflation, GDP, fiscal policy, CRA, POP, NPS exit and Tier-I |
| Phase 2 | Descriptive English + Paper 2 | Financial technology, financial literacy, retirement planning, CAPM, rights issue, forex accounting, NPS choices and cost variances |
What topics were asked in PFRDA Grade A 2021?
PFRDA Grade A 2021 memory-based paper covered both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 included English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness, while Paper 2 covered Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics, and Pension Sector. Phase 2 included Descriptive English along with the same seven core subjects.
| Phase | Major Areas | Key Topics Asked |
| Phase 1 Paper 1 | English, Quant, Reasoning, GA | Grammar, vocabulary, arithmetic, series, puzzles, PFRDA, NPS, RBI, banking, SEBI and IRDAI |
| Phase 1 Paper 2 | Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing | Accounting concepts, ratios, depreciation, Maslow, WACC, NPV, break-even, costing and working capital |
| Phase 1 Paper 2 | Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector | AGM, CSR, directors, GDP, inflation, fiscal deficit, NPS, APY, CRA and Tier-I |
| Phase 2 | Descriptive English + Paper 2 | Essays, précis, RC, financial ratios, Finance, Companies Act, Economics and NPS-related topics |
How do PFRDA Grade A Previous Year Question Papers help in preparation?
Previous year papers help candidates evaluate their current preparation level and understand the areas that require more focus. They also provide practical exposure to real exam questions, helping candidates improve their problem-solving ability and exam temperament.
| Preparation Area | How Previous Year Papers Help |
| Exam Pattern | Understand the structure of Phase 1 and Phase 2 |
| Question Trends | Identify important and repeated topics |
| Time Management | Learn to solve questions within the allotted time |
| Accuracy | Reduce mistakes through regular practice |
| Self-Assessment | Evaluate strengths and weaknesses |
| Revision | Revise important concepts effectively |
| Confidence Building | Improve exam readiness and performance |
What is the PFRDA Grade A Officer Syllabus 2026?
The PFRDA Grade A syllabus 2026 covers aptitude, general awareness, descriptive English and stream-specific professional knowledge. Phase 1 includes Paper 1 with English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness, while Paper 2 tests Professional Knowledge.
Phase 2 consists of Descriptive English in Paper 1 and Professional Knowledge in Paper 2, with the General Stream syllabus revised to include areas such as AI/ML, Media, and Marketing & Communication.
| Phase | Paper | Subjects / Topics | Stream |
| Phase 1 | Paper 1 | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning and General Awareness, including Finance Sector-related topics | All Streams |
| Phase 1 | Paper 2 | Professional Knowledge based on the respective stream. The General Stream includes Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector, AI/ML, Media, Marketing & Communication and other prescribed areas. | General, Research, Actuarial and Official Language |
| Phase 2 | Paper 1 | Descriptive English: Précis, Essay and Comprehension | All Streams |
| Phase 2 | Paper 2 | Professional Knowledge MCQs based on the respective stream | General, Research, Actuarial and Official Language |
What are the major changes in the PFRDA Grade A Paper 2 syllabus of General Stream?
The PFRDA Grade A General Stream Paper 2 syllabus has been expanded for 2026. Along with the existing seven subjects, it now includes PFRDA Act, Union Budget & Economic Survey, AI/ML, Media, and Marketing & Communication. Candidates can continue their existing preparation while adding these five new areas.
What is the PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam pattern?
Phase 1 is an online Screening Examination consisting of two papers. Paper 1 is common to all streams, while Paper 2 tests the stream-specific syllabus. Both papers carry 100 marks.
What is the PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 Paper 1 pattern?
Phase 1 Paper 1 is common to all PFRDA Grade A streams and covers English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and General Awareness. In 2026, the total questions increased from 80 to 90, while the duration remains 60 minutes. Reasoning now has 30 questions instead of 20, giving it higher weightage.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 20 | 25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 25 |
| Test of Reasoning | 30 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 25 |
| Total | 90 | 100 |
The paper carries0.25 negative marking for every incorrect answer. Candidates have to meet both the paper-wise and aggregate cutoffs. The aggregate cutoff is decided by PFRDA based on the number of vacancies and candidate performance.
What is the PFRDA Grade A phase 1 paper 2 exam pattern?
Paper 2 is stream-specific and focuses on professional knowledge in your chosen stream. This paper evaluates your understanding of specialized subjects related to your career domain.
| Streams / Subject | Maximum Marks | No. of Questions |
| General Stream: MCQs on PFRDA Act, Union Budget & Economic Survey, Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector, Artificial Intelligence/ML, Media, and Marketing & Communication | 100 | 50 |
| Specialized Streams: MCQs on subjects related to Research, Actuary, and Official Language (Rajbhasha) | 100 | 50 |
What is the PFRDA Grade A phase 2 exam pattern?
In the PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam, negative marking of 1/4th marks applies only to Paper 2 for wrong answers. Paper 1 (descriptive English) is evaluated only for candidates who qualify in Paper 2. This ensures that only those with good stream knowledge are assessed for their writing skills.
| Paper | Streams / Subject | Maximum Marks | No. of Questions | Duration |
| Paper 1 | All Streams: English (Descriptive Test) to test drafting skills, including Precis, Essay and Comprehension | 100 | 3 | 60 minutes |
| Paper 2 | General Stream: MCQs on PFRDA Act, Union Budget & Economic Survey, Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector, Artificial Intelligence/ML, Media, and Marketing & Communication | 100 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Paper 2 | Specialized Streams: MCQs on subjects related to Research, Actuary and Official Language (Rajbhasha) | 100 | 50 | 40 minutes |
How should candidates use PFRDA Grade A Previous Year Papers effectively?
Candidates should first complete the syllabus and then begin solving previous year papers in a timed environment. Analysing mistakes and revising weak areas regularly can significantly improve performance.
- Complete the Syllabus: Finish all topics before starting regular PYQ practice.
- Follow the Time Limit: Solve each paper within the official exam duration.
- Create Exam Conditions: Attempt papers without breaks or external help.
- Analyse Mistakes: Check every incorrect answer and understand the reason for the error.
- Revise Weak Areas: Focus more on topics where mistakes occur frequently.
- Maintain an Error Notebook: Note important mistakes, concepts, and questions for quick revision.
- Practise Multiple Papers: Solve previous year papers from different exam cycles to understand question trends.
- Use Mock Tests: Combine PYQ practice with mock tests for better exam preparation.
- Track Progress: Record your scores and compare performance over time.
FAQs
Yes, previous year papers help candidates prepare for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams.
Exact questions may not repeat, but concepts, topics, and question patterns are often similar.
Yes, solving papers within the actual exam duration helps improve speed and time management.
No, candidates should use previous year papers along with the latest syllabus, mock tests, current affairs preparation, and revision.
Memory-based papers help candidates understand recent question trends and exam difficulty levels.
- PFRDA Grade A Cut Off 2026, Previous Year Cut Off Score
- PFRDA Grade A Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026, Check Revised Details
- PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 Admit Card 2026, Download Hall Ticket PDF
- PFRDA Grade A Result 2026, Download Grade A Scorecard PDF
- PFRDA Grade A Study Material, Preparation Resources for Phase 1 & 2
- Attempt PFRDA Act 2013 Quiz for Grade A Exam & Download PDF
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