NICL AO Exam Pattern 2025: The NICL AO Exam Pattern 2025 is a crucial aspect for candidates preparing for the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) Administrative Officer (AO) Exam. Understanding the latest exam structure for both Prelims and Mains ensures strategic preparation and maximizes scoring potential. In this article, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the NICL AO Prelims and Mains Exam Pattern 2025, including section-wise weightage, marking scheme, time duration, and other key aspects.
NICL AO Exam Pattern Overview
Candidates preparing for the NICL AO Exam 2025 must be well-versed with the latest exam pattern. The NICL AO selection process consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview, each designed to assess candidates on various parameters. Below is a comprehensive overview NICL AO exam 2025.
| Aspects | Details |
|---|
| Conducting Body | National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) |
| Post Name | Administrative Officer (AO) Scale-I |
| Categories | Generalists & Specialists |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains & Interview |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Official Website | www.nationalinsurance.nic.co.in |
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NICL AO Exam Pattern 2025
The NICL AO Exam Pattern 2025 is designed to assess candidates applying for the Administrative Officer (AO) Scale-I position at National Insurance Company Limited (NICL). Below is a detailed breakdown of the NICL AO Exam Pattern 2025, including section-wise marks, duration, and selection criteria.
NICL AO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The NICL AO Prelims Exam 2025 is the first stage of the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) Administrative Officer (AO). It is a qualifying exam as its marks are not counted in the final selection.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 mins |
Key Highlights of NICL AO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The NICL AO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 is a qualifying online test and here it is key highlights:
- The NICL AO Prelims Exam consists of three sections.
- Each section has a separate time limit of 20 minutes.
- Total time duration: 1 hour (60 minutes).
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted per incorrect answer.
- Candidates must qualify in each section by securing the minimum sectional cut off.
- Prelims is qualifying in nature, meaning its marks are not counted in the final merit list.
NICL AO Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The NICL AO Mains Exam 2025 is the second stage of the recruitment process. It consists of both Objective & Descriptive Tests, with marks from this stage considered for the final merit list.
NICL AO Mains Generalist Officers Exam Pattern
The Mains exam for NICL AO Generalist has the following pattern:
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
| English Language | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 30 mins |
| Computer Knowledge | 50 | 50 | 30 mins |
| Total | 250 | 250 | 180 mins |
NICL AO Specialist Officers Mains Exam Pattern
NICL AO Specialist Officer Mains exam consists of objective tests (200 marks) covering domain knowledge, reasoning, English, quantitative aptitude, and general awareness.
| Name of Test/Section | Type of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|
| Test of Reasoning | Objective | 40 | 40 | Eng / Hindi | 35 min |
| Test of English Language | Objective | 40 | 40 | Eng | 30 min |
| Test of General Awareness | Objective | 40 | 40 | Eng / Hindi | 20 min |
| Test of Computer Knowledge | Objective | 40 | 40 | Eng / Hindi | 25 min |
| Test of Quantitative Aptitude | Objective | 40 | 40 | Eng / Hindi | 35 min |
| Technical & Professional Knowledge (Specialist) | Objective | 50 | 50 | Eng / Hindi | 35 min |
| Total | - | 250 | 250 | - | 180 min |
NICL AO Descriptive Exam 2025
The NICL AO Descriptive Test is conducted to evaluate candidates' English writing and comprehension skills. It is a 30-mark test with a 30-minute duration and is conducted online.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Medium of Exam |
|---|
| Essay Writing | 1 | 10 | 30 minutes | English |
| Précis Writing | 1 | 10 | English |
| Comprehension | 1 | 10 | English |
| Total | 3 | 30 | English |
NICL AO Interview Process 2025
The NICL AO Interview 2025 is the final selection stage for candidates who qualify the Mains Exam (Phase II). Conducted at designated centers, the interview assesses professional knowledge, communication skills, and overall suitability for the Administrative Officer role. Shortlisted candidates will receive an Interview Call Letter with venue details, which must be downloaded from the NICL official website. No requests for date, time, or center changes will be entertained. However, NICL reserves the right to modify interview schedules if necessary. The final selection will be based on a merit list prepared with 75:25 weightage for Mains and Interview.
Check NICL AO Syllabus 2025
NICL AO Marking Scheme 2025
The marking scheme for the NICL Administrative Officer (AO) Exam 2025 varies across Prelims, Mains, and Descriptive Tests. Below is a detailed breakdown of the NICL AO Marking Scheme for both Generalist and Specialist Officers.
| Exam Stage | Total Marks | Correct Answer | Wrong Answer Penalty | Unattempted Questions |
|---|
| Prelims (Objective Test) | 100 Marks | +1 Marks | -0.25 (1/4th Negative Marking) | No Penalty |
| Mains (Objective Test - Generalist & Specialist) | 200 Marks | +1 Marks | -0.25 (1/4th Negative Marking) | No Penalty |
| Mains (Descriptive Test - English Language) | 30 Marks | Subjective Evaluation | NA | NA |
| Interview | 20% Weightage (Final Merit) | Based on Performance | NA | NA |
NICL AO Selection Process 2025
The NICL Administrative Officer (AO) 2025 selection process consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Candidates must clear each stage to secure a position as NICL AO (Generalist/Specialist).
NICL AO Phase 1 (Prelims)
The NICL AO Prelims exam is the first stage of selection process and has the following features:
- Mode: Online
- Type: MCQs (Multiple-Choice Questions)
- Subjects: English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer
- Purpose: Shortlisting for Mains (marks won't be counted in final merit).
NICL AO Phase 2 (Mains)
The Mains exam is the second stage of the NICL AO selection process with the following features:
- Mode: Online
- Type: Objective + Descriptive
- Objective Exam: 200 Marks (Reasoning, English, Quant, General Awareness, and Specialist Subject for Specialist Officers)
- Descriptive Exam: 30 Marks (Essay, Précis, and Comprehension in English)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer (Objective test)
- Purpose: High scores in Mains ensure shortlisting for the Interview.
NICL AO Interview 2025
Interview is the final round of the NICL AO exam and its feature are as follows:
- Mode: Face-to-Face
- Weightage in Final Selection: 20%
- Location: Conducted at select centers
- Purpose: Performance in the interview, combined with Mains marks, determines final selection.
NICL AO Final Merit List & Selection
The final merit list is calculated as follows:
- Mains Score – 80% weightage
- Interview Score – 20% weightage
Candidates securing the highest rank in the merit list will be appointed as NICL AO 2025 (Generalist/Specialist).
