Introduction
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is the apex regulatory body for the insurance sector in India. It conducts the Assistant Manager (AM) Exam to recruit skilled professionals for various streams such as Generalist, Actuarial, Finance, Law, IT, and Research.
This exam is highly competitive, and aspirants must have a thorough understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, cut-off marks, and preparation strategies to secure a position. In this detailed guide, we will break down every important aspect of the IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam to help you ace it!
IRDAI Assistant Manager Selection Process
The selection process for the IRDAI Assistant Manager consists of three stages:
- Phase I – Online Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Phase II – Descriptive Mains Examination
- Phase III – Interview
Each phase is elimination-based, meaning candidates must clear the cut-off at each stage to move forward in the selection process.
IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam Pattern
Phase I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Mode: Online
- Type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Total Questions: 160
- Total Marks: 160
- Duration: 90 Minutes
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 |
| English Language | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 40 |
| General Awareness (with special focus on Financial and Insurance sector) | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 160 | 160 |
- Candidates must secure sectional and overall cut-off marks to qualify for Phase II.
Phase II: Descriptive Mains Examination
- Mode: Online
- Type: Descriptive (Essay/Short Answers)
- Total Papers: 3
- Total Marks: 300
- Duration: 60 minutes per paper
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | English (Essay, Precis, and Comprehension) | 100 | 60 mins |
| Paper 2 | Economic and Social Issues impacting Insurance | 100 | 60 mins |
| Paper 3 | Insurance and Management | 100 | 60 mins |
| Total | – | 300 | 3 Hours |
- Candidates must achieve the minimum cut-off marks in each paper.
Phase III: Interview
- Candidates who clear Phase II will be shortlisted for the Interview Round.
- The final merit list will be prepared based on Phase II + Interview scores.
- The interview will test candidates on insurance-related topics, regulatory policies, and general awareness.
IRDAI Assistant Manager Syllabus
To excel in the exam, aspirants need a detailed understanding of the syllabus.
Phase I: Prelims Syllabus
1. Reasoning Ability
- Seating Arrangement
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogism
- Direction Sense
- Input-Output
- Statement and Assumption
- Puzzles
- Data Sufficiency
- Decision Making
2. English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Spotting
- Cloze Test
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
- Idioms & Phrases
3. Quantitative Aptitude
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification and Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Ratio & Proportion
- Time & Work
- Probability
- Profit & Loss
- Speed, Time & Distance
4. General Awareness (with special focus on Insurance & Finance)
- Current Affairs (National & International)
- Economic and Financial News
- Indian Insurance Sector Updates
- RBI, SEBI, IRDAI regulations
- Insurance Terms and Policies
- Budget and Economic Survey
Phase II: Mains Syllabus
1. English (Paper 1)
- Essay Writing
- Letter Writing
- Precis Writing
- Reading Comprehension
2. Economic and Social Issues impacting Insurance (Paper 2)
- Indian Economy and Financial System
- Economic Growth and Development
- Social Structure in India
- Role of Government in Economic Growth
- Financial Inclusion
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
3. Insurance and Management (Paper 3)
- Principles of Insurance
- History of Insurance in India
- IRDAI Regulations
- Risk Management in Insurance
- Types of Insurance (Life, Health, General)
- Financial & Marketing Management in Insurance
IRDAI Assistant Manager Cut-Off Trends
The cut-off marks for IRDAI Assistant Manager exams depend on factors such as:
- The number of vacancies
- The difficulty level of the exam
- The number of candidates appearing
Expected Cut-Off (Phase I – Prelims) [General Category]:
| Section | Expected Cut-Off (out of 40) |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | 22-25 |
| English Language | 18-22 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20-23 |
| General Awareness | 21-25 |
| Overall Cut-Off | 110-125 (out of 160) |
Expected Cut-Off (Phase II – Mains):
- Paper 1 (English): 50-55 marks
- Paper 2 (Economic & Social Issues): 55-60 marks
- Paper 3 (Insurance & Management): 60-65 marks
- Overall Cut-Off (Phase II): 180-200 marks out of 300
- Final Selection: The final cut-off will be based on Phase II + Interview performance.
Preparation Strategy for IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam
1. Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus
- Go through the official syllabus and exam pattern to create a structured study plan.
2. Time Management
- Divide your time effectively between Prelims and Mains preparation.
3. Study from Authentic Sources
- Refer to NCERT Books (Economics) for the Economic & Social Issues section.
- Follow IRDAI annual reports and RBI bulletins for updated insurance policies.
4. Practice Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers
- Attempt sectional and full-length mock tests regularly.
- Analyze previous year question papers to understand difficulty trends.
5. Stay Updated with Current Affairs
- Read newspapers like The Hindu, Economic Times, and Business Standard.
- Focus on financial and insurance sector news.
6. Improve Descriptive Answer Writing Skills
- Practice essay writing and precis writing for Phase II.
Conclusion
The IRDAI Assistant Manager Exam is a highly competitive exam that requires strategic preparation, time management, and regular practice. Understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, and previous cut-off trends will help aspirants develop a structured preparation plan.
By following C4S Courses study materials, taking mock tests, and keeping up with current affairs, candidates can significantly improve their chances of clearing the exam and securing a prestigious job in India’s insurance regulatory sector.
