EXAM SYLLABUS

The syllabus for IRDA AM Examination is given below:

EXAM PATTERN

Phases of IRDAI AM Exam

There are a total of three Phases in the recruitment of IRDAI Assistant Manager recruitment. 

Paper-II ( Descriptive ) Examination

The paper-2 examination will be the second stage of the recruitment process. The paper-2 examination is also known as descriptive examination. It consists of three papers for the examination such as English, economics, and social issues affecting insurance, insurance and management. The duration of each paper is 60 minutes or 1 hour. The marks awarded for each paper is 100 marks.

Phase III – Interview

This is the last stage of the recruitment process. Candidates with high scores will advance to this phase, and the specialisation and general positions will have a different intake than in the previous examination. 

The final selection of candidates for the vacancies will be based on the candidate's performance in Phase II of the descriptive examination and the interview scores taken together in the order of merit, with a weightage of 85:15 for the descriptive examination and interview.

Mode of Examination

IRDAI Examination shall be held as a Computer Based Test. Questions shall be based on Multiple Choice Objective Type. 

Marking Scheme

1/4th mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Important Facts:

1. Paper Language: Hindi & English (English Language Test Shall Only be available in English)     

2. Tests will be provided in English and Hindi (except test of English Language which will be provided only in English)    

3. There will be negative marks for wrong answers in the Objective Tests. 1/4th mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

4. Number of questions answered correctly by a candidate in each Objective Test is considered for arriving at the Corrected Score after applying penalty for wrong answers. 

5. The Corrected Scores so obtained by a candidate are made equivalent to take care of the minor difference in difficulty level, if any, in each of the Objective Tests held in different sessions to arrive at the Equated Scores *.

6. Scores obtained by candidates in any test are equated to the base form by considering the distribution of scores obtained in all examinations, if the examination is conducted in more than one session.

7. Test-wise scores and scores on total is computed with decimal points up to two digits.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for IRDAI AM Examination are required to fulfil certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification, etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities. The candidate’s eligibility for IRDA AM Exam is based on the fulfilment of the following conditions:-

1. Nationality
2. IRDAIAM: Age Limit & Relaxations
3. IRDAI AM: Educational Qualifications

Nationality

The candidate must be a citizen of India.

Age-Limit

Not below 21 years and not above 30 years.

Age relaxations are granted to applicants who belong to special groups such as other backward castes, SC, ST, and so on.

The following is a list of age relaxations for several types of categories:

Education Qualification

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in any field from a recognised university, or an equivalent certification recognised by the Central Government. English must have been one of the candidate's SSC, HSC, Intermediate, or Graduation subjects. The candidate must have a certificate stating that he or she has passed the qualifying examination as of the date of application registration.

Note:

1. Candidates should possess knowledge of computer operations.

2. All the educational qualifications mentioned should be from a University/Institution/ Board recognized by Govt. of India/approved by Govt. Regulatory Bodies.

3. Candidates may opt to apply either of Actuarial/ Accounts/ Legal/ IT/ Research as per the respective streams and/or Generalist as per their educational qualifications. Separate on-line application for each stream will have to be submitted and requisite fee is to be paid for each application. In case a candidate applies more than once in a Single Specialization and/or applies for more than 2 Specializations (apart from Generalist Stream), only the latest applications shall be considered valid and the other applications shall be rejected and fee/ intimation charges against them will be forfeited. Selection will be on the basis of option exercised and performance as per cut-off marks.

4. In case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories, relaxation in educational standards to the extent of 5% marks is allowed at Bachelor’s Degree.

5. Where Universities/Institutes have not awarded Class or percentage of marks and allotted Aggregate Grade Points (e.g. CGPA/OGPA/CPI, etc.),

a. But defined criteria for conversion of Aggregate Grade Point into Class and/or percentage of marks, the same will be accepted;

b. But has not defined criteria for conversion of Aggregate Grade Point into Class and/or percentage of marks, or not stating class in the degree certificate, the undefined parameter(s) will be worked out as under:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for IRDAI AM Examination are required to fulfil certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification, etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities. The candidate’s eligibility for IRDA AM Exam is based on the fulfilment of the following conditions:-

1. Nationality
2. IRDAIAM: Age Limit & Relaxations
3. IRDAI AM: Educational Qualifications

Nationality

The candidate must be a citizen of India.

Age-Limit

Not below 21 years and not above 30 years.

Age relaxations are granted to applicants who belong to special groups such as other backward castes, SC, ST, and so on.

The following is a list of age relaxations for several types of categories:

Education Qualification

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in any field from a recognised university, or an equivalent certification recognised by the Central Government. English must have been one of the candidate's SSC, HSC, Intermediate, or Graduation subjects. The candidate must have a certificate stating that he or she has passed the qualifying examination as of the date of application registration.

Note:

1. Candidates should possess knowledge of computer operations.

2. All the educational qualifications mentioned should be from a University/Institution/ Board recognized by Govt. of India/approved by Govt. Regulatory Bodies.

3. Candidates may opt to apply either of Actuarial/ Accounts/ Legal/ IT/ Research as per the respective streams and/or Generalist as per their educational qualifications. Separate on-line application for each stream will have to be submitted and requisite fee is to be paid for each application. In case a candidate applies more than once in a Single Specialization and/or applies for more than 2 Specializations (apart from Generalist Stream), only the latest applications shall be considered valid and the other applications shall be rejected and fee/ intimation charges against them will be forfeited. Selection will be on the basis of option exercised and performance as per cut-off marks.

4. In case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories, relaxation in educational standards to the extent of 5% marks is allowed at Bachelor’s Degree.

5. Where Universities/Institutes have not awarded Class or percentage of marks and allotted Aggregate Grade Points (e.g. CGPA/OGPA/CPI, etc.),

a. But defined criteria for conversion of Aggregate Grade Point into Class and/or percentage of marks, the same will be accepted;

b. But has not defined criteria for conversion of Aggregate Grade Point into Class and/or percentage of marks, or not stating class in the degree certificate, the undefined parameter(s) will be worked out as under:

IMPORTANT DATES

EXAM ANALYSIS

IRDA AM Phase I Exam Analysis (Preliminary CBT)

The Phase I exam for 2024 was held on 6th November. It was an online computer-based test of 2 hours, with approximately 200 questions.

Reasoning and Intelligence: This section had around 35–40 questions and was of moderate to difficult level. It included puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, blood relations, and inequalities. Puzzles were time-consuming, so speed and practice were key to attempting all questions.

Quantitative Aptitude: Also around 35–40 questions, this section was moderate in difficulty. Topics included arithmetic, percentages, ratios, profit and loss, work and time, and averages. Basic concepts were enough, but time management was important to score well.

English Language: Around 25–30 questions, mostly easy to moderate. It included reading comprehension, grammar, para jumbles, and vocabulary. Reading comprehension passages were long, but scoring was possible with careful reading.

General Awareness: About 30–35 questions on banking, finance, insurance, current affairs, and IRDAI regulations. Candidates who stayed updated with current insurance policies and major economic news found this section manageable.

Overall, the exam was of moderate difficulty. Time management, especially in reasoning, was the biggest challenge. Expected cut-off for general category candidates was around 120–130 out of 200.

IRDA AM Phase II Exam Analysis (Main CBT)

The Phase II exam was held on 21st December. It was a computer-based test with both objective and descriptive sections, lasting 2 to 2.5 hours.

General Insurance & Regulations: 40–50 questions covering IRDAI regulations, life and non-life insurance, risk management, policy types, and solvency norms. This was moderately difficult and required focused preparation.

Finance and Accounting: 30–40 questions on accounting principles, financial statements, ratios, budgeting, and cost analysis. This section was moderate in difficulty, especially for candidates with some finance background.

Business and Management Awareness: 20–30 questions on corporate governance, management principles, insurance company operations, and business policies. Moderate difficulty, testing general awareness of business practices.

Descriptive / Essay Writing: Candidates had to write one or two essays or letters on insurance, finance, or related topics. Scoring depended on clarity, structured writing, and correct grammar.

Overall, Phase II was slightly tougher than Phase I due to insurance-specific and finance-related questions. Time management was critical, especially for the descriptive section. Expected cut-off was around 50–55% depending on category and number of vacancies.

Key Takeaways for Candidates

Reasoning and aptitude require daily practice to improve speed and accuracy.

English should focus on comprehension and precise writing, especially for the descriptive section.

General Awareness should include IRDAI updates, insurance schemes, and current affairs.

Phase II requires in-depth knowledge of life and non-life insurance, accounting principles, and IRDAI regulations.

Descriptive writing should be structured, clear, and concise—clarity is more important than fancy words.

STUDY TIPS

During exam preparation, candidates should follow certain tips, and some of the useful tips used by experts are listed below:

1. Learn about the IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam Pattern and Syllabus.

Before beginning full-fledged preparation, it is critical to have a thorough understanding of the IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam Pattern and Syllabus. The examination is divided into three sections:

IRDAI Assistant Manager Phase I or Prelims

IRDAI Assistant Manager Phase II or Mains

Interview

The first phase of this exam is the prelims elimination round. Despite the fact that it is a qualifying round, it is critical to prepare thoroughly in order to advance to the Mains round.

2. IRDAI Assistant Manager Prelims Section-by-Section Study

The IRDAI Assistant Manager exam is divided into four sections, each of which requires equal attention during the preparation process.

3. Mock Test-Based Learning Methodology

Mock exams should be given equal weight when studying for the IRDAI Assistant Manager exam. Previous year's top scorers advocate a mock-test-centric learning strategy, particularly during the final two months before prelims.

Candidates must prepare for the key topics concurrently with the prelims because there is only a two-week break between the prelims and the Mains.

4. Exam Preparation necessitates a substantial amount of revision.

Along with preparation, candidates should revise it on a regular basis. Keep your weekends free to go over what you've learned throughout the week. This will help you remember the concepts you study so that you can perform well on the exam.

5. Examine Previous Year Cut-Offs

Analyzing previous year papers will allow you to analyse the type of questions asked in the paper and determine the depth of each subject.

STUDY PLAN

Here’s a structured IRDA Assistant Manager (AM) study plan for both 3 months and 6 months, designed to cover all sections systematically:

IRDA AM Exam Pattern Overview

Phase I (Preliminary) CBT – Objective

Reasoning & Intelligence

English Language

Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability

General Awareness (Insurance + Current Affairs + Economy + Finance)

Phase II (Main) CBT – Objective + Descriptive

General Insurance & Insurance Regulatory Knowledge

Finance & Accounting

Business & Management Awareness

Descriptive/Essay Writing

3-Month Study Plan (Intense)

Month 1: Foundation & Basics

Reasoning & Intelligence: Daily 1–1.5 hours

Puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, inequalities

Quantitative Aptitude: Daily 1–1.5 hours

Percentages, profit & loss, time & work, averages, ratios

English Language: Daily 1 hour

Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, para jumbles

General Awareness: 30 min daily

Insurance basics, current affairs, IRDAI updates, banking & finance

Month 2: Advanced Practice & Insurance Focus

Reasoning & Quant: Daily 1–2 hours

Practice mock tests, previous year questions

English: Daily 1 hour

Mock tests, essay/letter writing practice

Insurance & Finance: 1–1.5 hours

IRDAI regulations, life & non-life insurance, risk management, accounting principles

Current Affairs & Economy: 30–45 min

Monthly GA updates, business newspapers, economic surveys

Month 3: Revision & Mock Tests

Full Syllabus Mock Tests: 3–4 per week

Phase I Focus:

Strengthen weak areas in reasoning, aptitude, English

Phase II Focus:

Subject-wise mock tests for insurance & finance

Descriptive writing practice: essay/letter/email

Daily Revision: 2–3 hours

Flashcards for insurance terms, formulae, important dates

6-Month Study Plan (Moderate Pace)

Month 1–2: Basics

Focus on understanding concepts in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English.

Start General Awareness & Insurance Basics (IRDAI, life & non-life insurance).

Daily study: 2–3 hours

Month 3–4: Intermediate & Practice

Daily practice of previous year questions and sectional quizzes.

Start Finance & Accounting basics, business and management concepts.

Begin insurance regulations deep dive (IRDAI, risk management, policies).

Mock tests once a week.

Month 5: Advanced & Mock Tests

Increase daily study to 4–5 hours.

Practice full-length Phase I mock tests and time management.

Start Phase II topics: finance, accounting, insurance regulation in detail.

Descriptive writing: 3–4 essays per week.

Month 6: Final Revision & Exam Strategy

Daily 5 hours: 2 hours Phase I revision + 3 hours Phase II focus.

Take alternate day full-length mocks (both Phase I & II).

Revise key formulas, insurance terms, current affairs, and IRDAI updates.

Focus on weak areas, speed, and accuracy.

OVERVIEW

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is a statutory body established by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. Its mission is to protect policyholder interests while also regulating and developing the insurance industry. IRDAI invites applications from eligible Indian citizens to fill the position of Assistant Manager in its various offices through open competition on an all-India basis. IRDAI Assistant Manager recruitment occurs for a variety of specializations including Actuarial, Accounting, Legal, and General.

SELECTION PROCESS

The candidates will undergo 3 stages of the selection process as part of the IRDAI Assistant Manager Recruitment. Details of the same are explained below:

Phase I - On-line Preliminary Examination (Objective Type). This is a qualifying examination to be eligible for Phase II - Descriptive Examination. Through this, candidates for Actuarial, Finance, Law, IT, Research streams and Generalist stream shall be shortlisted for Phase II - Descriptive Examination as per standards to be decided by IRDAI (approximately 20 times the number of vacancies subject to availability). Marks secured in the Phase I - On-line Preliminary Examination will not count for interview or final selection.

Phase II - Descriptive Examination comprising 3 Papers (Paper I, II and III).

Phase III - Interview

1. Candidates for Actuarial, Finance, Law, IT, Research and Generalist stream shall be shortlisted for Phase III - Interview based on the aggregate marks obtained in Papers I, II and III of Phase II - Descriptive Examination only.

2. The minimum cut-off marks for being shortlisted for Phase III - Interview shall be decided for each stream by IRDAI. The cut-off marks for each of the streams may be same or different.

3. Final selection shall be based on the performance and merit of the candidates in Phase II - Descriptive Examination and Phase III – Interview, taken together.