The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager) recruitment is a highly sought-after opportunity for candidates aiming to build a career in India’s pension sector.
The PFRDA Grade A 2026 selection process is a three-stage procedure consisting of Phase 1 (Online Screening Examination), Phase 2 (Online Examination), and Phase 3 (Interview). Phase 1 is conducted for shortlisting candidates for Phase 2, while the marks obtained in Phase 2 and Phase 3 are considered for final selection.
What is the selection process for PFRDA Grade A officers?
The PFRDA Grade A selection process consists of three stages Phase 1 (Online Screening Examination), Phase 2 (Online Examination), and Phase 3 (Interview). Phase 1 and Phase 2 are conducted online, while Phase III is the interview stage.
The Phase 1 consists of two papers of 100 marks each and is used only for shortlisting candidates for Phase 2. Phase 2 also consists of two papers of 100 marks each and carries 85% weightage in the final selection. The Phase 3 Interview carries the remaining 15% weightage. The final selection is based on the combined marks obtained in Phase II and Phase 3.
| Phase | Purpose | Key Points |
| Phase 1 | Screening Examination | Two objective papers of 100 marks each; used only for shortlisting; 1/4th negative marking in both papers |
| Phase 2 | Online Examination | Two papers of 100 marks each; Paper 1 is descriptive English and Paper 2 is stream-specific; carries 85% weightage |
| Phase 3 | Interview | Interview for candidates shortlisted after Phase II; carries 15% weightage in final selection |
What is the PFRDA Grade A exam pattern?
The PFRDA Grade A exam pattern consists of a three-stage selection process: Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 (Interview). Phase 1 is a screening examination consisting of two objective papers of 100 marks each. Phase 2 also consists of two papers of 100 marks each, including a descriptive English paper and a stream-specific objective paper. The final stage is the Interview.
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 covers General Stream subjects or the specialised subject for other streams. Phase I is scheduled to be held on October 15, 2026.
| Phase & Paper | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase I – Paper 1 | Subjects: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Test of Reasoning, General Awareness including Financial Sector Marks: 100 Questions: 90 Duration: 60 minutes Type: MCQs Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question |
| Phase I – Paper 2 | General Stream: Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector, AI, Media, Marketing & Communication Other Streams: Specialised subject related to the stream Marks: 100 Questions: 50 Duration: 40 minutes Type: MCQs Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question |
PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam pattern
Phase 2 is an online examination consisting of two papers of 100 marks each. Paper 1 is a descriptive English test, while Paper 2 consists of objective questions based on the General Stream or the relevant specialised stream. Phase II is scheduled for November 20, 2026.
| Phase & Paper | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase II – Paper 1 | Subject: English (Descriptive Test) to test drafting skills Marks: 100 Questions: 3 Duration: 60 minutes Type: Descriptive Weightage: 1/3rd of Phase II |
| Phase II – Paper 2 | General Stream: Commerce, Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics, Pension Sector, AI, Media, Marketing & Communication Other Streams: Specialised subject related to the stream Marks: 100 Questions: 50 Duration: 40 minutes Type: MCQs Weightage: 2/3rd of Phase II Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question |
Paper 1 will be evaluated only for candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in Paper 2. Candidates up to five times the number of vacancies will be shortlisted for Phase III, in order of merit.
PFRDA Grade A Phase 3 Interview
Candidates shortlisted after Phase 2 will be called for the Interview, which is the final stage of the selection process. Candidates can opt to appear for the interview in Hindi or English.
For final selection, Phase 2 carries 85% weightage, while the Phase 3 Interview carries 15% weightage. The final merit is prepared based on the combined marks obtained in Phase II and the Interview.
What is the selection criterion for the PFRDA Grade A phase 1 exam?
The PFRDA Grade A Phase 1 exam is the first stage of the selection process and is conducted to shortlist candidates for Phase 2. It is an online screening examination consisting of two papers of 100 marks each. Paper 1 covers English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Test of Reasoning, and General Awareness, including questions related to the financial sector. Paper 2 covers General Stream subjects or the specialised subject related to the respective stream. Marks obtained in Phase 1 are used only for shortlisting and are not counted towards the final selection.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Shortlisting candidates for Phase 2 |
| Papers | Paper 1: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Test of Reasoning, General Awareness including Financial Sector Paper 2: General Stream subjects or specialised subject related to the respective stream |
| Marks | 100 marks each |
| Questions | Paper 1 – 90 questions; Paper 2 – 50 questions |
| Duration | Paper 1 – 60 minutes; Paper 2 – 40 minutes |
| Cut-offs | Separate cut-off for each paper + aggregate cut-off |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question for each wrong answer |
| Weightage for Final Selection | None; Phase 1 marks are used only for shortlisting and are not counted in the final merit |
What is the selection criterion for the PFRDA Grade A phase 2 exam?
The PFRDA Grade A Phase 2 exam is the second stage of the selection process and plays a major role in the final selection. It consists of two papers of 100 marks each. Paper 1 is a descriptive English test to assess drafting skills, while Paper 2 consists of objective questions based on the General Stream or the specialised subject related to the respective stream. Candidates must obtain the minimum qualifying marks in Paper 2 for Paper 1 to be evaluated. Candidates who qualify Phase 2 are shortlisted for the interview, and Phase 2 carries 85% weightage in the final selection.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Shortlisting candidates for Phase 3 and contributing to final merit |
| Papers | Paper 1: English Descriptive Test Paper 2: General Stream subjects or specialised subject related to the respective stream |
| Marks | 100 marks each |
| Questions | Paper 1 – 3 questions; Paper 2 – 50 questions |
| Duration | Paper 1 – 60 minutes; Paper 2 – 40 minutes |
| Cut-offs | Separate cut-off in each paper + aggregate cut-off |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question for each wrong answer in Paper 2 only |
| Weightage for Final Selection | Phase 2 – 85%; Phase 3 Interview – 15% |
| Evaluation Rule | Paper 1 will be evaluated only for candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in Paper 2 |
| Shortlisting for Interview | Candidates up to 5 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted for the interview, in order of merit |
PFRDA Assistant Manager Previous Year Paper
What is the selection criterion for the PFRDA Grade A Phase 3 exam?
The PFRDA Grade A Phase 3 is the interview stage, conducted for candidates who qualify in Phase 2. This stage checks your personality, communication skills, and suitability for the role. You can choose to give the interview in Hindi or English. The interview carries 15% weight in the final selection, while Phase 2 has 85% weight. Final selection is based on the combined marks of Phase II and the interview.
| Component | Details |
| Purpose | Assess personality, communication skills, and suitability for the role |
| Eligibility | Only candidates shortlisted after Phase II |
| Type | Personal Interview |
| Language | Hindi or English |
| Marks | NA |
| Weightage for Final Selection | 15% of total score |
| Final Merit | Combined with Phase II marks (85%) to determine final selection |
Free practice quiz for PFRDA Grade A exam exam
PFRDA Grade A preparation becomes easier with regular quizzes and downloadable PDFs. These resources help in revising pension regulation, MSME finance, and important banking concepts in a structured manner.
| Exam | Practice Quiz Link |
| PFRDA Grade A Practice Quiz | Download Now |
FAQs
Yes, the last stage of the selection process consists of an Interview round. The marks of the interview will be counted for final selection.
Well, there is no limit on the number of attempts. You can appear till you meet the eligibility criteria.
Yes, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as negative markings in both papers of Phase I & in Paper 2 of Phase II.
The weightage of Phase II in the final selection is 85%.
Yes, the prelims will be qualifying in nature.
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