RBI Grade B- Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
India's most prestigious central-banking officer post - shape monetary policy, regulation and financial stability.
RBI Grade B is a premier officer-level recruitment by the Reserve Bank of India for entry-grade Class-I officers who work on monetary policy, banking regulation, supervision, currency management and financial markets. Selection runs across three streams - General (DR), DEPR (economic research) and DSIM (statistics). With lakhs of aspirants competing for around a hundred posts each cycle, it is widely regarded as the toughest and most rewarding regulatory exam in India.
120 (2025 cycle); 94 (2024)
Vacancies / Year
General (DR), DEPR, DSIM
Streams
3 (Prelims + Mains, 3 papers + Interview)
Exam Phases
Basic ₹55,200; gross ~₹1.16–1.55 lakh/month
Starting Salary
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Eligibility Criteria
Education
General: Bachelor's degree with min 60% (50% SC/ST/PwBD), or PG with 55%. DEPR: Master's in Economics/related (55%). DSIM: Master's in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Econometrics (55%).
Age Limit
21–30 years. Relaxations: SC/ST +5, OBC +3, PwBD +10. General/EWS limited to 6 Phase I attempts; no cap for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD.
Nationality
Indian citizen (or Nepal/Bhutan subject, Tibetan refugee pre-1962, PIO from specified countries).
Exam Pattern
Three stages. Phase I is a 200-mark objective screening test (120 min, ¼ negative marking, qualifying only). Phase II has three 100-mark papers - Economic & Social Issues and Finance & Management are half objective / half descriptive, while English is fully descriptive. Final selection = Phase II (300) + Interview (75); Phase I is only qualifying.
Phase I - Preliminary (objective)
Online objective (MCQ)120 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 |
| Reasoning Ability | 60 | 60 |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
Phase II - Paper I: Economic & Social Issues
Online (50% objective + 50% descriptive)120 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Objective (on-screen MCQ) | 30 | 50 |
| Descriptive (typed answers) | 6 | 50 |
Phase II - Paper II: English (Writing Skills)
Online descriptive (typed)90 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay, précis, comprehension, business correspondence | 3 | 100 |
Phase II - Paper III: Finance & Management
Online (50% objective + 50% descriptive)120 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Objective (on-screen MCQ) | 30 | 50 |
| Descriptive (typed answers) | 6 | 50 |
Interview
Personal interview30 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Interview | - | 75 |
Key Topics & Syllabus
Reasoning Ability
- check_circlePuzzles & seating arrangement
- check_circleSyllogism
- check_circleCoding-decoding
- check_circleBlood relations & directions
- check_circleInput-output
- check_circleInequality
- check_circleData sufficiency
- check_circleCritical & analytical reasoning
English Language
- check_circleReading comprehension
- check_circleCloze test
- check_circleError spotting & grammar
- check_circlePara jumbles
- check_circleSentence improvement
- check_circleVocabulary
Quantitative Aptitude
- check_circleData interpretation
- check_circleNumber series
- check_circleSimplification & approximation
- check_circleArithmetic (percentage, ratio, TSD, P&L, SI/CI)
- check_circleQuadratic equations
- check_circleProbability & PnC
General Awareness
- check_circleCurrent affairs (economy, banking, finance)
- check_circleRBI & monetary policy
- check_circleGovernment schemes
- check_circleBanking & financial awareness
- check_circleStatic GK, awards, appointments
Economic & Social Issues (Phase II)
- check_circleGrowth & development, poverty & unemployment
- check_circleIndian economy & reforms (LPG)
- check_circleGlobalisation, WTO, international institutions
- check_circleSocial structure, education, health, urbanisation
- check_circleInclusive & sustainable development
Finance & Management (Phase II)
- check_circleFinancial system - regulators, markets, instruments
- check_circleSEBI, RBI, banks, NBFCs
- check_circleRisk management & Basel norms
- check_circleDerivatives & FEMA basics
- check_circleCorporate governance & financial inclusion
- check_circleManagement - motivation, leadership, communication, ethics, HRD
Career Roles & Salary
Manager (Grade B Officer - entry)
Basic ₹55,200; gross ~₹1.16–1.55 lakh/month
Entry Class-I officer posted across departments (regulation, supervision, market operations, research), handling policy and analysis.
Assistant General Manager (AGM)
Gross ~₹2.0–2.4 lakh/month
First major promotion (~6 years); heads sections and leads regulatory/supervisory teams.
Deputy General Manager / General Manager
Gross ~₹2.5–3.5 lakh/month
Senior management steering department strategy, bank examinations and policy formulation.
Chief General Manager / Executive Director path
₹4 lakh+/month plus perks
Top-tier leadership; a Grade B DR officer can rise to CGM/ED and, exceptionally, Deputy Governor.
Full mock tests for RBI Grade B
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How to Prepare
Apply online
Register on the RBI opportunities portal during the application window, upload documents and pay the fee (₹850 General/OBC/EWS; ₹100 SC/ST/PwBD).
Clear Phase I (Prelims)
Sit the 200-mark objective screening test; score above sectional and overall cut-offs (¼ negative marking) to qualify. Build speed and accuracy with regular full-length mock tests - you can practice free RBI Grade B mocks on PrepClever.
Clear Phase II (Mains)
Appear for the three 100-mark papers (ESI, English writing, Finance & Management). Aggregate performance decides interview shortlisting.
Attend the Interview
Shortlisted candidates face a 75-mark personal interview; an optional psychometric test may be administered.
Final merit & selection
Merit is Phase II (300) + Interview (75) combined. Phase I marks are not counted in the final list.
Document verification & joining
Complete document verification and medical fitness, then join as Officer in Grade B across RBI offices.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | Typically July–September (10 September in the 2025 cycle) |
| Online application window | ~3 weeks from notification (10–30 September 2025 cycle) |
| Phase I exam | Typically September–October (18 October in the 2025 cycle) |
| Phase II exam | Typically 6–8 weeks after Phase I (6 December in the 2025 cycle) |
| Interview | Usually 2–3 months after Phase II results |
| Final result | Varies by year; generally within the same financial year |
* Dates are indicative based on historical patterns. Check the official website for confirmed dates.
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RBI Grade B FAQ
Who is eligible for RBI Grade B General?
A graduate with at least 60% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) or a postgraduate with 55%, aged 21–30 with category relaxations.
What is the salary of an RBI Grade B officer?
Starting basic is ₹55,200; gross emoluments are roughly ₹1.16–1.55 lakh/month with DA, HRA and allowances, plus benefits like bank accommodation, medical and LFC.
How many vacancies does RBI Grade B have?
It varies by cycle - the 2025 notification announced 120 vacancies across streams, up from 94 in 2024. The General (DR) stream always carries the bulk of posts.
How difficult is RBI Grade B?
It is among the toughest regulatory exams in India - lakhs of applicants compete for roughly 100–120 posts, and the descriptive Phase II on ESI and Finance & Management demands genuine conceptual depth, not just MCQ practice.
RBI Grade B vs SEBI Grade A - which is better?
Both are elite. RBI Grade B offers central-banking prestige and a nationwide role; SEBI Grade A offers higher gross pay and a capital-markets focus with Mumbai-centric postings. Syllabi overlap heavily in finance, economics and aptitude, so many aspirants prepare for both together.
What are the three streams?
General (DR) - the largest - plus DEPR (economic research) and DSIM (statistics); each has separate eligibility and papers.
How much does the interview count?
The interview carries 75 marks added to Phase II's 300 for the final merit; Phase I is only a qualifying screen.
Is there an attempt limit?
General/EWS candidates get a maximum of 6 attempts at Phase I; SC/ST/OBC/PwBD have no attempt restriction (within the age limit).
When is the RBI Grade B 2026 notification expected?
RBI typically notifies between July and September each year - the 2025 notification came on 10 September. Watch opportunities.rbi.org.in and start preparing 6–9 months ahead rather than waiting for the notification.
How long does it take to prepare for RBI Grade B?
Most successful candidates prepare for 6–12 months: build aptitude and current-affairs consistency for Phase I, then go deep on ESI and Finance & Management for Phase II. Start with a diagnostic mock, track sectional accuracy, and practice free RBI Grade B mock tests on PrepClever.
Is Phase I qualifying or counted in merit?
Phase I is purely qualifying - its marks are not added to the final merit. Final selection uses Phase II (300 marks) plus the Interview (75 marks) only.
What is the RBI Grade B exam fee?
₹850 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹100 for SC/ST/PwBD (plus applicable charges), paid online during application.
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