NICL AO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 for Phase 1 and Phase 2

The National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) is conducting the NICL AO Recruitment 2025 for 266 vacancies and AO Generalist and Specialist posts.

To crack the examination, candidates need to be thorough with the NICL AO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025, which is designed to test the knowledge and mental aptitude of the candidates. The Phase 1 Exam is 100 marks, whereas the Phase 2 is 280 marks.

To make it to the final merit list, candidates must qualify at each stage of the selection process. For complete details on the section-wise syllabus and exam pattern, scroll down and explore the article below.

NICL AO Syllabus 2025

Studying as per the NICL AO Syllabus 2025 ensures that candidates cover all the important topics required for the exam. The syllabus includes subjects like English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge, and General Awareness.

The Prelims syllabus is the same for both Generalist and Specialist posts. However, the Mains exam has a different pattern and subject list depending on the post. We’ve discussed the detailed syllabus for both posts in the sections below.

Latest Update: NICL AO Phase 1 Exam 2025 has been scheduled on 20th July 2025 and Phase II on 31st August 2025.

NICL AO Syllabus and Exam Pattern- Overview

The NICL AO exam pattern also gives insight into the number of questions, marks distribution, and time allocation for each phase, guiding candidates in their preparation. Check highlights below.

NICL AO Selection Process 2025

NICL is going to conduct the recruitment process for the Administrative Officer (Scale I) post. The selection will be done through the following stages:

NICL AO Exam Pattern 2025

The NICL AO Prelims Exam Pattern for Generalist and Specialist Post is the same, whereas for the Mains, the additional section of Descriptive writing is included in the Specialist post Mains Exam. This year, there is no vacancy for Hindi Rajbhasha Officer. Candidates can check the Exam Pattern for Prelims and Mains as shown below.

NICL AO Phase 1 Exam Pattern (Common for Generalist and Specialist posts)

The exam shall be conducted online,e and it questions are objective/multiple choice based (MCQ) type. The total marks is 100. There are sections in the Preliminary Exam and each section is 20 minutes and the total duration is 60 Minutes.

NICL AO Phase 2 Exam Pattern 2025

The NICL AO Mains Exam Pattern is given here. The NICL AO Mains Exam is of 250 Marks and each section is allotted separate timing. The medium of the exam is both English and Hindi. Check the post-wise exam pattern as given below.

NICL AO Mains Exam Pattern (Generalist Post) (Objective)

NICL AO Mains Exam Pattern 2025 (Specialists Post) (Objective)

The NICL AO Mains Exam for specialist posts will comprise Objective Tests, consisting of Multiple Choice Questions, carrying a total of 250 marks, and a Descriptive Test, which will be worth 30 marks. Both the Objective and Descriptive Tests will be conducted online. Candidates are required to respond to the Descriptive Test by typing on a computer. The Descriptive Test will follow the completion of the Objective Test without delay.

Candidates will be required to obtain a minimum score for each section separately of objective test for short listing for the Descriptive Test evaluation. The test is only qualifying in nature.

NICL AO Mains Descriptive Paper

The Descriptive English Test will be held online. The questions will appear on the computer screen, and candidates must type their answers using the keyboard. Before starting, candidates should check if all the keys on the keyboard are working properly. They will have 30 minutes to complete the test.

NICL Administrative Officer Syllabus 2025 Subject-wise

Candidates can check the NICL AO Syllabus for Prelims and Mains is given below. The subjects included in the NICL AO Exam and their respective syllabus is given below.

NICL AO English Language Syllabus

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Cloze Test
3. Fill in the blanks
4. Spelling Checks
5. Articles
6. Multiple Meaning / Error Spotting
7. Paragraph Complete / Sentence Correction
8. Para jumbles
9. Miscellaneous

NICL AO Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

1. Simplification
2. Ratio & Proportion, Percentage
3. Data Sufficiency
4. Number Systems
5. Profit & Loss
6. Mixtures & Allegations
7. Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices
8. Time & Distance
9. Work & Time
10. Sequence & Series
11. Permutation, Combination & Probability. Data Interpretation
12. Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere

NICL AO Reasoning Ability Syllabus

1. Coded Inequalities
2. Seating Arrangement
3. Puzzle Tabulation
4. Logical Reasoning
5. Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test
6. Data Sufficiency
7. Syllogism
8. Blood Relations
9. Input-Output
10. Coding-Decoding
11. Alphanumeric Series

NICL AO Mains General Awareness Syllabus

1. Current Affairs
2. Summits
3. Books & Authors
4. Awards
5. Sports
6. Defense
7. National
8. Appointment
9. International
10. Obituary etc
11. Banking Awareness
12. Indian Financial System
13. History of Indian Banking Industry
14. Regulatory Bodies Monetary & Credit Policies
15. Budget Basics and Current Union Budget
16. International Organisation / Financial Institutions
17. Government Schemes Abbreviations and Economic terminologies
18. Other important concepts
19. Abbreviations and Economic terminologies
20. Other important Topics

Negative Marking in NICL AO Exam

Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 or 1/4th mark for each wrong answer marked by the candidates. However, there is no penalty for unanswered questions. So, be careful while attempting the questions in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 marks. The marks obtained in Phase 2 will determine your selection for AO posts.

NICL AO Interview 2025 Details

If you’ve been shortlisted based on your online Phase II (Mains) Exam, you’ll be called for an interview by the company. The company will hold interviews at specific locations. The final score of candidates will be calculated based on their marks in the online Main Exam (Objective test) and the Interview. The weightage given will be 80% for the Main Exam and 20% for the Interview.

Tips to Prepare for the NICL Administrative Officer Exam

1. Go through the complete NICL AO Syllabus and Exam Pattern first, and then solve NICL AO Previous Year Papers.
2. Recognise your weaknesses and strengths and work on them.
3. Solve NICL AO Mock Tests 2025 to acquaint yourself with more difficult questions.
4. Analyse questions and answers that you got stuck on while solving mock tests and previous year papers.
5. Talk to your peers or experienced mentors to guide you with your preparation.
6. Take online coaching classes, if its necessary.

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