The OICL AO 2026 Descriptive Marks section often causes confusion among Mains exam candidates. Many are uncertain about the marks allotted, whether the section is qualifying or merit-based, and if these marks count toward final selection. This blog provides a clear overview of the descriptive paper’s marks, duration, exam pattern, question types, and its role in the selection process. If you are preparing for the OICL AO Mains exam, this guide offers straightforward, exam-focused answers to your key questions.

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What is the OICL AO Descriptive Paper?

The OICL AO Descriptive Paper is a qualifying part of the OICL AO Mains exam that evaluates candidates’ written English skills. It requires writing tasks such as an essay and a precis within a set time limit.

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OICL AO 2026 Descriptive Marks and Time Duration

The OICL AO 2026 Descriptive Paper is part of the Mains examination and evaluates candidates’ written English skills. According to the Oriental Insurance Company Limited exam pattern, the test is worth 30 marks and lasts 30 minutes. It is conducted online, and candidates must type their answers. This section is qualifying only; candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks to advance, but scores from this paper are not included in the final merit list or selection ranking.

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Descriptive Paper Exam Pattern

Here we have tabulated the detailed descriptive paper exam pattern, and details are given below:

Types of Questions Asked

The OICL AO Descriptive Paper assesses a candidate's ability to effectively understand, organise, and present ideas in written English, a skill essential for an Assistant Officer role.

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1) Essay Writing

Essay questions test a candidate’s thought clarity, logical flow, and awareness of current issues. The emphasis is on structured writing, not decorative language.

Common Essay Topic Areas

• Insurance & Financial Awareness

  • Importance of insurance in economic development

  • Role of insurance in risk management

  • Health insurance and financial security

• Current Affairs & Economy

  • Digital transformation in India

  • Financial inclusion and its impact

  • Inflation and its effect on common people

• Social & Governance Issues

  • Women's empowerment in India

  • Education and employment challenges

  • Role of youth in nation-building

• Technology & Society

  • Impact of artificial intelligence on jobs

  • Cybersecurity and data privacy

  • Digital payments and a cashless economy

• Environment & Sustainability

  • Climate change and sustainable development

  • Renewable energy in India

  • Environmental responsibility of citizens

2) Precis Writing

Precis writing tests a candidate’s ability to understand a passage and present its core message concisely without changing the meaning.

Common Precis Topics Areas

• Insurance awareness and risk protection

• Banking and financial literacy

• Economic growth and reforms

• Social responsibility and ethics

• Technology adoption in public services

• Workplace professionalism and ethics

Is OICL AO Descriptive Paper Qualifying or Merit-Based?

The OICL AO Descriptive Paper is qualifying only. Candidates must achieve the minimum marks set by Oriental Insurance Company Limited to continue in the selection process. Marks from this paper are not included in the final merit list. However, failure to qualify results in immediate disqualification, regardless of performance in the objective Mains exam.

Role of Descriptive Marks in Final Selection

Descriptive marks in the OICL AO Mains exam do not affect the final merit ranking. The descriptive paper is qualifying only; candidates must meet the minimum cutoff to advance, but these marks are not included in the final selection process.

Important Instructions for Candidates

As per the official guidelines issued by Oriental Insurance Company Limited, candidates must carefully follow these instructions to avoid rejection or disqualification at any stage:

• Apply online only: Applications are accepted only through online mode within the notified dates. No offline applications are allowed.

• One discipline only: Apply for only one discipline. If multiple applications are submitted, only the latest valid application will be considered, and the fees for the others will not be refunded.

• The descriptive paper is qualifying: The Descriptive Paper is mandatory to clear, but the marks scored do not count towards the final merit list.

• Evaluation rule: Descriptive answers are evaluated only if you qualify for the objective Mains exam and meet the descriptive cutoff.

• Language and mode: The Descriptive Test is conducted online, and answers must be typed in English only (for Generalist posts).

• Minimum qualifying marks: You must score the minimum qualifying marks fixed by the Company in the descriptive paper.

• Document verification: Carry a valid call letter, original photo ID, and required certificates for the exam and interview. Any mismatch can lead to rejection.

• No corrections allowed: Once the online application is submitted, no changes to the details are permitted.

• PwBD and scribe rules: Candidates using a scribe or compensatory time must strictly follow PwBD guidelines. Any violation will cancel the candidature.

• Unfair practices: Use of unfair means, impersonation, or banned items in the exam hall will result in immediate disqualification and debarment.

• The company’s decision is final: The Company can change exam patterns, dates, centres, or cutoffs, and its decision will be final and binding.

Candidates should carefully read the official notification and follow all instructions to ensure a smooth participation in the OICL AO recruitment process.

FAQs on OICL AO Descriptive Paper

Q: Is the OICL AO descriptive paper compulsory?

Yes, it is a mandatory part of the Mains (Phase II) examination for all candidates. It is conducted online immediately after the objective test.

Q: What if I fail the descriptive paper?

If you fail to meet the qualifying marks in the descriptive paper, you will not be shortlisted for the interview, regardless of your objective test score.

Q: Is there a sectional cutoff in the descriptive paper?

No, there are generally no separate sectional cutoffs for essay and précis. You only need to clear the overall qualifying marks for the entire paper.

Q: Is the descriptive paper evaluated before the interview?

Yes. It is only evaluated for candidates who clear the objective test cutoffs. Qualifying in this paper is a prerequisite for receiving an interview call letter.

Q: Can descriptive marks improve final rank?

No. The descriptive paper is qualifying in nature. Marks obtained are not added to the final merit list, which is based only on the Mains objective and interview scores.