EXAM SYLLABUS

Below is the complete and detailed syllabus for RBI Grade B (General Stream) and RBI Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager – General pattern).

RBI Grade B Officer – Detailed Syllabus

Phase I (Prelims) Syllabus

1. General Awareness

Focus is mainly on Banking, Finance and Current Affairs.

Topics include:

Current Affairs (last 6–8 months)

Banking and Financial Awareness

RBI Policies and Functions

Monetary Policy and Repo Rate updates

Budget and Economic Survey

Government Schemes

International Financial Institutions (IMF, World Bank, ADB, etc.)

Static GK (Important Days, Reports, Indices, Awards)

Indian Economy basics

Financial Markets

Currency and Capital Market news

This section carries highest weightage.

2. Reasoning Ability

Puzzles (Floor, Circular, Box based)

Seating Arrangement

Syllogism

Inequality

Blood Relations

Direction Sense

Coding-Decoding

Input-Output

Data Sufficiency

Logical Reasoning

Statement and Conclusion

Cause and Effect

3. English Language

Reading Comprehension

Cloze Test

Error Detection

Sentence Improvement

Para Jumbles

Fill in the Blanks

Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms)

4. Quantitative Aptitude

Data Interpretation (Table, Pie, Line, Caselet)

Simplification and Approximation

Number Series

Quadratic Equations

Percentage

Ratio and Proportion

Profit and Loss

Time and Work

Time, Speed and Distance

Average

Partnership

Simple and Compound Interest

Probability and Permutation basics

Important Preparation Insight

For both Grade B and Grade A:

Current Affairs + RBI updates are crucial.

Phase II preparation should start along with Phase I.

Descriptive writing practice is essential.

Concept clarity in Economics and Finance is mandatory.

EXAM PATTERN

The RBI Grade B 2026 selection process is conducted separately for the General, DEPR and DSIM cadres. The selection process generally consists of Phase I, Phase II and Interview, wherever applicable.

General Cadre Exam Pattern

The selection process for Grade B (DR) – General consists of three stages:

Phase I – Online Examination

Phase II – Online Examination

Interview

Phase I Exam Pattern

Phase I is an objective-type online examination consisting of four sections:

General Awareness – 80 questions for 80 marks

English Language – 30 questions for 30 marks

Quantitative Aptitude – 30 questions for 30 marks

Reasoning – 60 questions for 60 marks

The examination consists of 200 questions carrying 200 marks and is conducted for a total duration of 120 minutes.

There is sectional timing in Phase I. Candidates are required to complete each section within the time allotted to that section.

The Phase I examination is conducted in online mode.

Phase I Marking Scheme

Negative marking is applicable in the objective examination. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every incorrect answer.

No marks are deducted for questions that are left unanswered.

Candidates are required to secure the prescribed sectional and aggregate cut-off marks to qualify for Phase II.

DEPR Cadre Exam Pattern

For Grade B (DR) – DEPR, the examination is conducted in two phases.

Phase I

Phase I consists of two papers:

Paper I – Economics

Paper II – English

The Economics paper is an objective-type paper carrying 100 marks with a duration of 120 minutes.

The English paper is a descriptive paper carrying 100 marks with a duration of 120 minutes.

Thus, Phase I carries a total of 200 marks.

Candidates who meet the prescribed qualifying criteria in Phase I are shortlisted for Phase II.

DSIM Cadre Exam Pattern

For Grade B (DR) – DSIM, the examination is conducted in two phases.

Phase I

Phase I consists of one paper:

Paper I – Statistics

The Statistics paper is an objective-type online examination carrying 100 marks and is conducted for 120 minutes.

Candidates who meet the prescribed qualifying criteria are shortlisted for Phase II.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates applying for RBI Grade B 2026 must fulfil the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board under Advt. No. RBISB/DA/01/2026-27. The eligibility conditions, including nationality, age, educational qualification and number of attempts, are determined as on April 1, 2026.

Nationality

A candidate must be one of the following:

A citizen of India; or

A subject of Nepal; or

A subject of Bhutan; or

A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India; or

A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Candidates belonging to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugee or person of Indian origin categories must possess a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India. Such candidates may be admitted to the examination, but appointment can be offered only after the required eligibility certificate has been issued.

Age Limit

The candidate must have:

attained 21 years of age, and

must not have attained 30 years of age

as on April 1, 2026.

Therefore, the candidate must have been born:

Not earlier than April 2, 1996, and

Not later than April 1, 2005.

Age Relaxation

The RBI Grade B 2026 notification provides relaxation in the upper age limit for eligible categories as follows:

SC/ST: Up to 5 years, if the post is reserved for the respective category.

OBC: Up to 3 years, if the candidate is eligible for OBC reservation and the post is reserved for OBC candidates.

Ex-employees of banking institutions: Up to 5 years, where their services were terminated because of economic reasons or liquidation of the bank.

Personnel retrenched from Government Offices: Up to 5 years, provided they had rendered at least one year of service and are currently registered with an Employment Exchange.

Ex-servicemen: Up to 5 years, subject to the conditions prescribed in the notification.

ECOs/SSCOs: Up to 5 years, subject to the prescribed military-service and release conditions.

PwBD candidates: Up to 10 years for General/EWS PwBD candidates, up to 15 years for SC/ST PwBD candidates and up to 13 years for OBC PwBD candidates, subject to the applicable reservation and identification of the post as suitable for the relevant disability.

M.Phil. holders: Upper age limit of 32 years.

Ph.D. holders: Upper age limit of 34 years.

Candidates with relevant officer-level experience: Candidates with experience as an officer in Scheduled Commercial Banks, Public Sector Insurance Companies, All India Financial Institutions or prior experience in RBI may receive age relaxation to the extent of completed years of such experience, subject to a maximum of 3 years. The upper age limit, including such experience, cannot exceed 33 years.

For DEPR and DSIM, additional age-relaxation provisions apply to candidates possessing M.Phil./Ph.D. qualifications and candidates having relevant research or teaching experience.

Important Rule on Cumulative Age Relaxation

Age relaxations are generally not cumulative. However, the notification specifically provides that candidates covered under both the Ex-servicemen and PwBD categories may receive cumulative relaxation under those two categories.

For DEPR/DSIM, the special relaxation for M.Phil., Ph.D. or research/teaching experience is also subject to the non-cumulative conditions specified in the notification.

Education Qualification

Officers in Grade 'B' (DR) - General

Graduation in any discipline /Equivalent technical or professional qualification with minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD applicants, if the posts are reserved for them) or Post-Graduation in any discipline / Equivalent technical or professional qualification with minimum 55% marks (pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD applicants, if the posts are reserved for them) in aggregate of all semesters / years.

Note: Graduation Level Any such course from a recognised University / Institute that is taken after Class XII and is at least of 3 years’ duration/ candidates possessing professional or technical qualifications which are recognised by the Government as equivalent to professional or technical graduation will be eligible for admission to the examination, subject to obtaining minimum marks prescribed above.

Post-Graduation Level

Any such course from a recognised University / Institute that is taken after Graduation and is at least of 2 years’ duration / recognised by the Government as equivalent to professional or technical Post-graduation will be eligible for admission to the examination, subject to obtaining minimum marks prescribed above.

Officers in Grade 'B' (DR) - DEPR

a) MA/ MSc in Economics or MA/ MSc in courses such as Quantitative Economics, Mathematical Economics, Applied Economics, Econometrics, Financial Economics, Business Economics, Agricultural Economics, Industrial Economics, Development Economics and International Economics (where "Economics" is the principal constituent* of the curriculum/ syllabus) OR

b) MA/ MSc in Finance or MA/ MSc in courses such as Quantitative Finance, Mathematical Finance, Quantitative Techniques, International Finance, Business Finance, Banking and Trade Finance, International and Trade Finance, Corporate Finance, Project and Infrastructure Finance, Agri Business Finance (where "Finance" is the principal constituent* of the curriculum / syllabus).

c) For a) and b) above, minimum 55 per cent marks or an equivalent grade is required in aggregate of all semesters / years from a recognized Indian or Foreign University / Institute.

* "Principal constituent" with respect to syllabus / curriculum means half or more of the total courses including electives must be in Economics or Finance."

Note-I

For SC, ST and PwBD candidates, the minimum marks required in MA/MSc as in items (a) and (b) above is 50% marks or an equivalent grade in aggregate of all semesters/ years, if the posts are reserved for them.

Desirable

A Doctorate Degree in Economics, or research or teaching experience in economics, or publication in the field/ area of Economics in standard journals.

Note-II

(i) Candidates having M. PhiI. Degree and Doctorate Degree from a recognized Indian / Foreign University / Institute in economics will be eligible for relaxation in the upper age limit by 2 years and 4 years respectively.

(ii) Candidates having Master's Degree with research / teaching experience at a recognized Indian / Foreign University / Institute in Economics will be eligible for relaxation in upper age limit to the extent of number of years of such experience subject to a maximum of three years. For experience, probationary period will not be reckoned.

(iii) The above age relaxations

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates applying for RBI Grade B 2026 must fulfil the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board under Advt. No. RBISB/DA/01/2026-27. The eligibility conditions, including nationality, age, educational qualification and number of attempts, are determined as on April 1, 2026.

Nationality

A candidate must be one of the following:

A citizen of India; or

A subject of Nepal; or

A subject of Bhutan; or

A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India; or

A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Candidates belonging to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugee or person of Indian origin categories must possess a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India. Such candidates may be admitted to the examination, but appointment can be offered only after the required eligibility certificate has been issued.

Age Limit

The candidate must have:

attained 21 years of age, and

must not have attained 30 years of age

as on April 1, 2026.

Therefore, the candidate must have been born:

Not earlier than April 2, 1996, and

Not later than April 1, 2005.

Age Relaxation

The RBI Grade B 2026 notification provides relaxation in the upper age limit for eligible categories as follows:

SC/ST: Up to 5 years, if the post is reserved for the respective category.

OBC: Up to 3 years, if the candidate is eligible for OBC reservation and the post is reserved for OBC candidates.

Ex-employees of banking institutions: Up to 5 years, where their services were terminated because of economic reasons or liquidation of the bank.

Personnel retrenched from Government Offices: Up to 5 years, provided they had rendered at least one year of service and are currently registered with an Employment Exchange.

Ex-servicemen: Up to 5 years, subject to the conditions prescribed in the notification.

ECOs/SSCOs: Up to 5 years, subject to the prescribed military-service and release conditions.

PwBD candidates: Up to 10 years for General/EWS PwBD candidates, up to 15 years for SC/ST PwBD candidates and up to 13 years for OBC PwBD candidates, subject to the applicable reservation and identification of the post as suitable for the relevant disability.

M.Phil. holders: Upper age limit of 32 years.

Ph.D. holders: Upper age limit of 34 years.

Candidates with relevant officer-level experience: Candidates with experience as an officer in Scheduled Commercial Banks, Public Sector Insurance Companies, All India Financial Institutions or prior experience in RBI may receive age relaxation to the extent of completed years of such experience, subject to a maximum of 3 years. The upper age limit, including such experience, cannot exceed 33 years.

For DEPR and DSIM, additional age-relaxation provisions apply to candidates possessing M.Phil./Ph.D. qualifications and candidates having relevant research or teaching experience.

Important Rule on Cumulative Age Relaxation

Age relaxations are generally not cumulative. However, the notification specifically provides that candidates covered under both the Ex-servicemen and PwBD categories may receive cumulative relaxation under those two categories.

For DEPR/DSIM, the special relaxation for M.Phil., Ph.D. or research/teaching experience is also subject to the non-cumulative conditions specified in the notification.

Education Qualification

Officers in Grade 'B' (DR) - General

Graduation in any discipline /Equivalent technical or professional qualification with minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD applicants, if the posts are reserved for them) or Post-Graduation in any discipline / Equivalent technical or professional qualification with minimum 55% marks (pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD applicants, if the posts are reserved for them) in aggregate of all semesters / years.

Note: Graduation Level Any such course from a recognised University / Institute that is taken after Class XII and is at least of 3 years’ duration/ candidates possessing professional or technical qualifications which are recognised by the Government as equivalent to professional or technical graduation will be eligible for admission to the examination, subject to obtaining minimum marks prescribed above.

Post-Graduation Level

Any such course from a recognised University / Institute that is taken after Graduation and is at least of 2 years’ duration / recognised by the Government as equivalent to professional or technical Post-graduation will be eligible for admission to the examination, subject to obtaining minimum marks prescribed above.

Officers in Grade 'B' (DR) - DEPR

a) MA/ MSc in Economics or MA/ MSc in courses such as Quantitative Economics, Mathematical Economics, Applied Economics, Econometrics, Financial Economics, Business Economics, Agricultural Economics, Industrial Economics, Development Economics and International Economics (where "Economics" is the principal constituent* of the curriculum/ syllabus) OR

b) MA/ MSc in Finance or MA/ MSc in courses such as Quantitative Finance, Mathematical Finance, Quantitative Techniques, International Finance, Business Finance, Banking and Trade Finance, International and Trade Finance, Corporate Finance, Project and Infrastructure Finance, Agri Business Finance (where "Finance" is the principal constituent* of the curriculum / syllabus).

c) For a) and b) above, minimum 55 per cent marks or an equivalent grade is required in aggregate of all semesters / years from a recognized Indian or Foreign University / Institute.

* "Principal constituent" with respect to syllabus / curriculum means half or more of the total courses including electives must be in Economics or Finance."

Note-I

For SC, ST and PwBD candidates, the minimum marks required in MA/MSc as in items (a) and (b) above is 50% marks or an equivalent grade in aggregate of all semesters/ years, if the posts are reserved for them.

Desirable

A Doctorate Degree in Economics, or research or teaching experience in economics, or publication in the field/ area of Economics in standard journals.

Note-II

(i) Candidates having M. PhiI. Degree and Doctorate Degree from a recognized Indian / Foreign University / Institute in economics will be eligible for relaxation in the upper age limit by 2 years and 4 years respectively.

(ii) Candidates having Master's Degree with research / teaching experience at a recognized Indian / Foreign University / Institute in Economics will be eligible for relaxation in upper age limit to the extent of number of years of such experience subject to a maximum of three years. For experience, probationary period will not be reckoned.

(iii) The above age relaxations will not be cumulatively available with age relaxations available to various categories as mentioned in Para 4 (b) above.

Officers in Grade 'B' (DR) - DSIM

a. Master's Degree with a minimum 55% marks in aggregate of all semesters/ years or an equivalent grade/ CGPA in Statistics / Mathematics/ Mathematical Statistics/ Applied Statistics/ Quantitative Economics/ Econometrics/ Informatics or any other related branches of these areas from a recognized Indian/ Foreign University/ Institute approved/ recognized by Government/ UGC/ AICTE; OR

b. Master's Degree with a minimum 55% marks in aggregate of all semesters/ years or an equivalent grade/ CGPA in Data Science / Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning/ Big Data Analytics or any other related branches of these areas from a recognized Indian/ Foreign University/ Institute approved/ recognized by Government/ UGC/ AICTE;

OR

c. Four-year Bachelor's Degree with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate of all semesters/ years or an equivalent grade/ CGPA in Statistics / Mathematical Statistics/ Applied Statistics/ Quantitative Economics/ Econometrics/ Informatics/ Data Science/ Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning/ Big Data Analytics or any other related branches of these areas from a recognized Indian/ Foreign University/ Institute approved/ recognized by Government/ UGC/ AICTE.

Note-I

For SC, ST and PwBD candidates, the minimum marks required in items (a), (b) and (c) above is 50% in aggregate of all semesters/ years or an equivalent grade/ CGPA, if the posts are reserved for them.

Desirable

(i) Candidates with a Doctorate in topics related to above subjects will be given preference.

(ii) Research or teaching experience and publication in standard journals will be considered as an additional qualification.

Note-II

(i) Candidates possessing M.Phil. and Ph.D qualification in the specified subjects will be eligible for relaxation in upper age limit by 2 years and 4 years respectively.

(ii) Candidates with research / teaching experience at a recognized Indian / Foreign University/Institute will be eligible for relaxation in upper age limit to the extent of number of years of such experience subject to a maximum of three years. For experience, probationary period will not be reckoned.

(iii) The above age relaxations will not be cumulatively available with age relaxations available to various categories as mentioned in Para 4 (b) above.

Note-I

The candidate must hold a degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be Deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification from a Foreign University recognized by the Association of Indian Universities.

Note-II

Some Universities/Institutes/Boards do not award Class or percentage of marks and allot Aggregate Grade Points (e.g., CGPA/OGPA/CPI, etc.). In case University/Institute/Board defines criteria for conversion of Aggregate Grade Point into percentage of marks, the same will be accepted. However, where the University/Institute/ Board does not define criteria for conversion of Aggregate Grade Point into percentage of marks, in the degree/passing certificates, the undefined parameter(s) would be worked out as under:

Note-III

Aggregate Grade Point or percentage of marks wherever awarded would mean aggregate over the entire duration of the course.

Note-IV

Where the Aggregate Grade Point (CGPA/OGPA/CPI, etc.) is awarded out of a number other than 10, it will be normalized out of 10 and computed as per Note II above.

Note-V

The relaxation in minimum educational qualifications for SC/ST/PwBD candidates mentioned above is subject to reservation of vacancies under the respective post and category and identification of posts for PwBD as notified above.

Note-VI

The date of passing eligibility will be the date appearing on the marksheet or provisional certificate issued by the University/ Institute. In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University/ Institute, a certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the University/ Institute indicating the date on which the result was posted on the website will be taken as the date of passing.

Number of Attempts

Candidates belonging to General Category/EWS, who have already appeared Six times for Phase-I Examination for this post/s in the past, are not eligible to apply. No such restriction applies to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwBD, if the posts are reserved for them.

Note : For Grade ‘B’ (DR) - General, the Bank encourages candidates with no prior experience to apply.

IMPORTANT DATES

The RBI Grade B (DR) 2026 online application process started on April 29, 2026, and candidates could submit the application form and pay the application fee online until May 20, 2026. The RBI Grade B Phase I exam for the General stream was conducted on June 13, 2026, while the DEPR and DSIM Phase I exams were held on June 14, 2026. The Phase II exam for General was conducted on July 25, 2026, whereas the DEPR and DSIM Phase II exams were held on July 26, 2026.

The RBI Grade B Phase II Result 2026 for the General stream was released on August 22, 2026, while the DEPR Phase II result was released on August 25, 2026 and the DSIM Phase II result was released on August 31, 2026.

EXAM ANALYSIS

The RBI Grade B 2026 examination was conducted by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board (RBISB) for recruitment to Officers in Grade ‘B’ under the General, DEPR, and DSIM cadres. The examination process consisted of Phase I, Phase II, and Interview, with the examination pattern and dates varying for the different cadres.

RBI Grade B Phase I Exam Date 2026

For Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General, the Phase I examination was scheduled for 13 June 2026. The official notification stated that the examination could be conducted in multiple shifts depending on the number of candidates and administrative requirements, with the exact date, time, and venue mentioned on the candidate's admit card.

For the DEPR and DSIM cadres, Phase I was conducted on 14 June 2026.

Phase I Shift and Exam Timing

For the General cadre, Phase I was conducted in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with candidates required to report by 1:00 PM. The gate closing time was 1:45 PM. The examination had a total duration of 120 minutes.

The Phase I General paper consisted of:

General Awareness – 80 questions

English Language – 30 questions

Quantitative Aptitude – 30 questions

Reasoning – 60 questions

The total paper carried 200 marks and had a duration of 120 minutes, with separate time allotted to each test.

Phase I Overall Difficulty

The overall difficulty level of the General Phase I examination was moderate. The difficulty varied across sections. General Awareness was highly dependent on current-affairs preparation, Reasoning was relatively time-consuming because of puzzles and arrangements, English tested comprehension and language skills, while Quantitative Aptitude was comparatively manageable.

General Awareness Analysis

The General Awareness section was one of the most important sections because it carried 80 marks.

Questions covered areas such as:

Current Affairs

RBI-related developments

Banking Awareness

Financial Awareness

Economic developments

Government schemes

National and international events

Important reports

Important organisations

Static GK linked with current affairs

Candidates who had regularly followed RBI updates, banking and financial news, economic developments, government schemes, and recent current affairs had an advantage.

Reasoning Ability Analysis

The Reasoning section was moderate and comparatively time-consuming.

Major topics included:

Puzzles

Seating Arrangement

Circular Arrangement

Linear Arrangement

Floor-based puzzles

Box-based puzzles

Critical Reasoning

Syllogism

Inequality

Coding-Decoding

Direction Sense

Data Sufficiency

Puzzles and seating arrangements required considerable time. Therefore, effective question selection was important.

English Language Analysis

The English section was approximately easy to moderate to moderate.

Important areas included:

Reading Comprehension

Error Spotting

Sentence Rearrangement

Vocabulary

Phrasal Verbs

Idioms and Phrases

Word Swapping

Grammar

Verbal Ability

Reading comprehension played an important role, making reading speed and comprehension ability useful for managing the section within the allotted time.

Quantitative Aptitude Analysis

The Quantitative Aptitude section was considered comparatively manageable, although some questions required calculation.

Important topics included:

Data Interpretation

Simplification

Number Series

Arithmetic

Ratio and Proportion

Percentage

Profit and Loss

Calculation-based questions

Data Interpretation and arithmetic required candidates to balance speed with accuracy.

RBI Grade B Phase II Exam Date 2026

For the General cadre, the official notification scheduled the Phase II examination for 25 July 2026. The examination was conducted in two shifts, and shortlisted candidates were required to appear for all the papers in the prescribed shifts.

For DEPR and DSIM, Phase II was scheduled for 26 July 2026.

Phase II Shift Details – General

The General cadre Phase II examination was conducted in two shifts on 25 July 2026. Candidates had to appear for all three papers according to the schedule mentioned on their admit card.

The three Phase II papers for the General cadre were:

Paper I – Economic and Social Issues (ESI)

Paper II – English (Writing Skills)

Paper III – Finance and Management (FM)

The exact reporting time and paper-wise schedule were provided through the Phase II admit card.

Phase II Analysis – Economic and Social Issues

The ESI paper tested both conceptual understanding and awareness of current economic and social developments.

Important areas included:

Indian Economy

Economic Growth and Development

Inflation

Poverty and Unemployment

Sustainable Development

Government Schemes

Social Issues

EXAM ANALYSIS

The RBI Grade B 2026 examination was conducted by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board (RBISB) for recruitment to Officers in Grade ‘B’ under the General, DEPR, and DSIM cadres. The examination process consisted of Phase I, Phase II, and Interview, with the examination pattern and dates varying for the different cadres.

RBI Grade B Phase I Exam Date 2026

For Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General, the Phase I examination was scheduled for 13 June 2026. The official notification stated that the examination could be conducted in multiple shifts depending on the number of candidates and administrative requirements, with the exact date, time, and venue mentioned on the candidate's admit card.

For the DEPR and DSIM cadres, Phase I was conducted on 14 June 2026.

Phase I Shift and Exam Timing

For the General cadre, Phase I was conducted in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with candidates required to report by 1:00 PM. The gate closing time was 1:45 PM. The examination had a total duration of 120 minutes.

The Phase I General paper consisted of:

General Awareness – 80 questions

English Language – 30 questions

Quantitative Aptitude – 30 questions

Reasoning – 60 questions

The total paper carried 200 marks and had a duration of 120 minutes, with separate time allotted to each test.

Phase I Overall Difficulty

The overall difficulty level of the General Phase I examination was moderate. The difficulty varied across sections. General Awareness was highly dependent on current-affairs preparation, Reasoning was relatively time-consuming because of puzzles and arrangements, English tested comprehension and language skills, while Quantitative Aptitude was comparatively manageable.

General Awareness Analysis

The General Awareness section was one of the most important sections because it carried 80 marks.

Questions covered areas such as:

Current Affairs

RBI-related developments

Banking Awareness

Financial Awareness

Economic developments

Government schemes

National and international events

Important reports

Important organisations

Static GK linked with current affairs

Candidates who had regularly followed RBI updates, banking and financial news, economic developments, government schemes, and recent current affairs had an advantage.

Reasoning Ability Analysis

The Reasoning section was moderate and comparatively time-consuming.

Major topics included:

Puzzles

Seating Arrangement

Circular Arrangement

Linear Arrangement

Floor-based puzzles

Box-based puzzles

Critical Reasoning

Syllogism

Inequality

Coding-Decoding

Direction Sense

Data Sufficiency

Puzzles and seating arrangements required considerable time. Therefore, effective question selection was important.

English Language Analysis

The English section was approximately easy to moderate to moderate.

Important areas included:

Reading Comprehension

Error Spotting

Sentence Rearrangement

Vocabulary

Phrasal Verbs

Idioms and Phrases

Word Swapping

Grammar

Verbal Ability

Reading comprehension played an important role, making reading speed and comprehension ability useful for managing the section within the allotted time.

Quantitative Aptitude Analysis

The Quantitative Aptitude section was considered comparatively manageable, although some questions required calculation.

Important topics included:

Data Interpretation

Simplification

Number Series

Arithmetic

Ratio and Proportion

Percentage

Profit and Loss

Calculation-based questions

Data Interpretation and arithmetic required candidates to balance speed with accuracy.

RBI Grade B Phase II Exam Date 2026

For the General cadre, the official notification scheduled the Phase II examination for 25 July 2026. The examination was conducted in two shifts, and shortlisted candidates were required to appear for all the papers in the prescribed shifts.

For DEPR and DSIM, Phase II was scheduled for 26 July 2026.

Phase II Shift Details – General

The General cadre Phase II examination was conducted in two shifts on 25 July 2026. Candidates had to appear for all three papers according to the schedule mentioned on their admit card.

The three Phase II papers for the General cadre were:

Paper I – Economic and Social Issues (ESI)

Paper II – English (Writing Skills)

Paper III – Finance and Management (FM)

The exact reporting time and paper-wise schedule were provided through the Phase II admit card.

Phase II Analysis – Economic and Social Issues

The ESI paper tested both conceptual understanding and awareness of current economic and social developments.

Important areas included:

Indian Economy

Economic Growth and Development

Inflation

Poverty and Unemployment

Sustainable Development

Government Schemes

Social Issues

Demographics

Globalisation

International Economic Institutions

Monetary Policy

Fiscal Policy

Current Economic Developments

Candidates needed to connect static economic concepts with recent developments.

Phase II Analysis – English Writing Skills

The English paper focused on writing, comprehension, analysis, and expression.

Candidates should be prepared for areas such as:

Essay Writing

Precis Writing

Reading Comprehension

Analytical Writing

Grammar

Vocabulary

Contemporary Issues

The ability to organise arguments logically and express them clearly was important.

Phase II Analysis – Finance and Management

Finance and Management required a good understanding of both financial concepts and management principles.

Important areas included:

Financial System

Banking System

Financial Markets

Risk Management

Corporate Governance

Financial Inclusion

RBI and its Functions

Monetary Policy

Management Concepts

Leadership

Motivation

Communication

Organisational Behaviour

Human Resource Management

The paper required conceptual clarity rather than simple memorisation.

DEPR and DSIM Examination Analysis

The DEPR and DSIM cadres follow a specialised examination structure, so their analysis should not be combined with the General cadre.

For DEPR, Phase I consisted of an objective Economics paper and a descriptive English paper, while Phase II consisted of two descriptive Economics papers. Phase I was scheduled for 14 June 2026, and Phase II for 26 July 2026.

For DSIM, the examination similarly focuses on specialised statistical and analytical knowledge, with separate examination arrangements from the General cadre.

RBI Grade B Phase II 2026 Overall Difficulty Level

The overall difficulty level of the RBI Grade B Phase II 2026 examination was moderate to difficult. The level varied across the three papers, with Economic and Social Issues (ESI) and Finance and Management (FM) requiring strong conceptual understanding along with current-affairs knowledge. The English (Writing Skills) paper mainly tested candidates' ability to understand, analyse, and express ideas clearly.

Economic and Social Issues (ESI): Moderate to Difficult

English (Writing Skills): Moderate

Finance and Management (FM): Moderate to Difficult

Overall Phase II: Moderate to Difficult

Key Trends in RBI Grade B 2026

The 2026 examination highlighted the following trends:

Current Affairs and RBI Awareness were highly important.

Banking and financial awareness remained relevant.

Economic developments were important for both Phase I and Phase II.

Reasoning continued to contain lengthy analytical questions.

Puzzles and seating arrangements were important time-consuming areas.

Quantitative Aptitude was comparatively manageable.

English tested both comprehension and language ability.

Phase II required considerably greater conceptual and analytical depth.

ESI and FM required candidates to connect static concepts with current developments.

Descriptive writing remained an important component of Phase II.

STUDY TIPS

A well-planned preparation strategy is important for clearing the RBI Grade B Examination because the exam tests both conceptual understanding and awareness of current economic and financial developments.

Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Start by thoroughly understanding the RBI Grade B exam pattern and syllabus. Identify the subjects, marking scheme, time limit, and weightage of each section.

Create a Realistic Study Plan
Prepare a daily and weekly timetable according to your available study hours. Divide your time between concept building, practice, current affairs, revision, and mock tests.

Build Strong Fundamentals
Focus on the basic concepts of Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, Economics, Finance, and other relevant subjects. A strong conceptual foundation will help improve accuracy.

Give Special Attention to Phase II
Devote sufficient time to Economic and Social Issues (ESI) and Finance and Management (FM). Focus on economic concepts, financial systems, banking, monetary policy, RBI functions, government schemes, and current economic developments.

Follow Current Affairs Regularly
Read current affairs every day, especially topics related to banking, finance, the economy, monetary policy, government schemes, RBI updates, and national and international economic developments.

Use Authentic Sources
Give priority to RBI publications, reports, notifications, government releases, and important economic reports for reliable information.

Practise Previous Years’ Questions
Solve previous years’ RBI Grade B question papers to understand the question pattern, difficulty level, and frequently tested topics.

Take Mock Tests Regularly
Take sectional and full-length mock tests regularly. After every test, analyse your mistakes, accuracy, speed, and weak areas.

Improve Descriptive Writing
For Phase II, practise essays and descriptive answers regularly. Present answers in a clear and structured manner and support them with relevant facts, examples, and recent developments.

Revise Multiple Times
Prepare short notes for important concepts, formulas, current affairs, economic terms, government schemes, RBI updates, and important reports and revise them regularly.

Improve Speed and Accuracy
Practise questions within a fixed time limit. Focus on both speed and accuracy and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Follow a Consistent Daily Routine
A balanced study routine can include:

2–3 hours: ESI and Current Affairs

1.5–2 hours: Finance and Management

1–2 hours: Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning

1 hour: English/Descriptive Practice

1 hour: Revision or Mock-Test Analysis

Focus on Quality Study Material
Avoid using too many books, courses, PDFs, and study materials. Choose reliable and limited resources and revise them thoroughly.

Prepare for the Interview
Develop a strong understanding of RBI, monetary policy, banking, financial developments, economic issues, and current affairs. Practise answering questions clearly and confidently.

Study Plan

6-Month Study Plan

Month 1: Build the Foundation

Understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern.

Start with the basic concepts of Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, ESI, and Finance & Management.

Begin reading daily current affairs, especially banking, economy, finance, and RBI-related news.

Start maintaining short notes for important concepts and current affairs.

Solve basic questions after completing each topic.

Month 2: Strengthen Concepts

Complete the major topics of Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.

Continue preparation for ESI and Finance & Management.

Study important topics such as Indian Economy, inflation, monetary policy, banking system, financial markets, RBI functions, and government schemes.

Start solving previous years’ questions.

Take 2–3 sectional tests per week.

Month 3: Complete the Syllabus

Try to complete the remaining syllabus.

Increase your focus on Phase II subjects.

Start practising descriptive English and answer writing.

Revise current affairs from the previous months.

Solve previous years’ questions topic-wise.

Start taking one full-length mock test every week.

Month 4: Practice and Revision

Complete your first full revision of the syllabus.

Focus more on weak topics.

Practise numerical and reasoning questions regularly.

Revise ESI, Finance & Management, RBI-related topics, and current affairs.

Increase mock-test frequency to 2–3 tests per week.

Analyse every mock test carefully.

Month 5: Intensive Practice

Focus primarily on revision, mock tests, previous years’ questions, and current affairs.

Practise descriptive answers and essays regularly.

Revise important reports, government schemes, economic data, RBI updates, and financial terms.

Take 3–4 full-length tests per week.

Work specifically on speed and accuracy.

Month 6: Final Revision

Avoid starting too many new topics.

Revise your short notes and important concepts repeatedly.

Complete the latest current affairs revision.

Take regular full-length mocks under exam-like conditions.

Analyse mistakes and revise weak areas.

Give special attention to Phase II preparation and descriptive writing.

3-Month Study Plan

Month 1: Syllabus + Concepts

Cover the important topics of ESI and Finance & Management.

Strengthen Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English.

Study current affairs daily.

Solve previous years’ questions alongside your preparation.

Begin descriptive answer writing.

Take 1–2 mock tests per week.

Month 2: Practice + Revision

Complete the remaining important topics.

Start intensive revision of ESI and Finance & Management.

STUDY TIPS

A well-planned preparation strategy is important for clearing the RBI Grade B Examination because the exam tests both conceptual understanding and awareness of current economic and financial developments.

Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Start by thoroughly understanding the RBI Grade B exam pattern and syllabus. Identify the subjects, marking scheme, time limit, and weightage of each section.

Create a Realistic Study Plan
Prepare a daily and weekly timetable according to your available study hours. Divide your time between concept building, practice, current affairs, revision, and mock tests.

Build Strong Fundamentals
Focus on the basic concepts of Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, Economics, Finance, and other relevant subjects. A strong conceptual foundation will help improve accuracy.

Give Special Attention to Phase II
Devote sufficient time to Economic and Social Issues (ESI) and Finance and Management (FM). Focus on economic concepts, financial systems, banking, monetary policy, RBI functions, government schemes, and current economic developments.

Follow Current Affairs Regularly
Read current affairs every day, especially topics related to banking, finance, the economy, monetary policy, government schemes, RBI updates, and national and international economic developments.

Use Authentic Sources
Give priority to RBI publications, reports, notifications, government releases, and important economic reports for reliable information.

Practise Previous Years’ Questions
Solve previous years’ RBI Grade B question papers to understand the question pattern, difficulty level, and frequently tested topics.

Take Mock Tests Regularly
Take sectional and full-length mock tests regularly. After every test, analyse your mistakes, accuracy, speed, and weak areas.

Improve Descriptive Writing
For Phase II, practise essays and descriptive answers regularly. Present answers in a clear and structured manner and support them with relevant facts, examples, and recent developments.

Revise Multiple Times
Prepare short notes for important concepts, formulas, current affairs, economic terms, government schemes, RBI updates, and important reports and revise them regularly.

Improve Speed and Accuracy
Practise questions within a fixed time limit. Focus on both speed and accuracy and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Follow a Consistent Daily Routine
A balanced study routine can include:

2–3 hours: ESI and Current Affairs

1.5–2 hours: Finance and Management

1–2 hours: Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning

1 hour: English/Descriptive Practice

1 hour: Revision or Mock-Test Analysis

Focus on Quality Study Material
Avoid using too many books, courses, PDFs, and study materials. Choose reliable and limited resources and revise them thoroughly.

Prepare for the Interview
Develop a strong understanding of RBI, monetary policy, banking, financial developments, economic issues, and current affairs. Practise answering questions clearly and confidently.

Study Plan

6-Month Study Plan

Month 1: Build the Foundation

Understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern.

Start with the basic concepts of Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, ESI, and Finance & Management.

Begin reading daily current affairs, especially banking, economy, finance, and RBI-related news.

Start maintaining short notes for important concepts and current affairs.

Solve basic questions after completing each topic.

Month 2: Strengthen Concepts

Complete the major topics of Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.

Continue preparation for ESI and Finance & Management.

Study important topics such as Indian Economy, inflation, monetary policy, banking system, financial markets, RBI functions, and government schemes.

Start solving previous years’ questions.

Take 2–3 sectional tests per week.

Month 3: Complete the Syllabus

Try to complete the remaining syllabus.

Increase your focus on Phase II subjects.

Start practising descriptive English and answer writing.

Revise current affairs from the previous months.

Solve previous years’ questions topic-wise.

Start taking one full-length mock test every week.

Month 4: Practice and Revision

Complete your first full revision of the syllabus.

Focus more on weak topics.

Practise numerical and reasoning questions regularly.

Revise ESI, Finance & Management, RBI-related topics, and current affairs.

Increase mock-test frequency to 2–3 tests per week.

Analyse every mock test carefully.

Month 5: Intensive Practice

Focus primarily on revision, mock tests, previous years’ questions, and current affairs.

Practise descriptive answers and essays regularly.

Revise important reports, government schemes, economic data, RBI updates, and financial terms.

Take 3–4 full-length tests per week.

Work specifically on speed and accuracy.

Month 6: Final Revision

Avoid starting too many new topics.

Revise your short notes and important concepts repeatedly.

Complete the latest current affairs revision.

Take regular full-length mocks under exam-like conditions.

Analyse mistakes and revise weak areas.

Give special attention to Phase II preparation and descriptive writing.

3-Month Study Plan

Month 1: Syllabus + Concepts

Cover the important topics of ESI and Finance & Management.

Strengthen Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English.

Study current affairs daily.

Solve previous years’ questions alongside your preparation.

Begin descriptive answer writing.

Take 1–2 mock tests per week.

Month 2: Practice + Revision

Complete the remaining important topics.

Start intensive revision of ESI and Finance & Management.

Focus on RBI, banking, monetary policy, financial markets, government schemes, and economic developments.

Practise sectional and full-length tests.

Revise current affairs regularly.

Take 2–3 full-length mocks per week.

Analyse your performance after every test.

Month 3: Final Preparation

Focus on revision and mock tests rather than learning large amounts of new material.

Revise all important current affairs.

Practise previous years’ questions.

Practise descriptive essays and answers regularly.

Take 3–4 full-length mocks per week.

Maintain a mistake notebook and revise it frequently.

Focus on improving accuracy, speed, and time management.

1-Month Study Plan

If you have only one month, you should follow a highly focused revision and practice strategy.

Week 1: High-Weightage Topics

Cover the most important topics of ESI and Finance & Management.

Revise important concepts of Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English.

Cover important current affairs of recent months.

Solve previous years’ questions.

Take 2–3 sectional tests.

Week 2: Intensive Practice

Revise ESI and Finance & Management.

Focus on RBI, banking, monetary policy, financial system, government schemes, and economic issues.

Practise Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning daily.

Practise descriptive writing.

Take 3–4 mock tests.

Week 3: Mock Tests + Revision

Take full-length mock tests regularly.

Analyse every mistake.

Revise weak topics immediately.

Revise current affairs and important economic/financial developments.

Practise previous years’ questions.

Focus on improving speed and accuracy.

Week 4: Final Revision

Do not start major new topics.

Revise short notes, formulas, current affairs, important reports, schemes, and RBI-related information.

Practise descriptive answers and essays.

Take 3–4 final mock tests.

Revise your mistakes and weak areas.

Keep the final few days for light revision and maintaining confidence.

OVERVIEW

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts the RBI Grade B Officer Examination every year to recruit eligible candidates for Officer posts in Grade ‘B’ under various streams, including General, DEPR, and DSIM. For RBI Grade B Recruitment 2026, the official notification has been released along with the online application form, announcing a total of 60 vacancies. The application process has now been completed, with around 62,000 candidates reportedly submitting their applications this year.

The RBI Grade B Examination is one of the most prestigious competitive examinations in India, offering candidates an opportunity to build a career with the country’s central bank. The examination is conducted at the national level by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The selection process consists of three stages: Phase I (Preliminary Examination), Phase II (Main Examination), and the Interview. The Grade B Officer post offers an attractive salary, career growth opportunities, and a prestigious job profile, making it a highly competitive examination among banking and government job aspirants.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process for RBI Grade B officer 2026 consists of three stages. First, you will take the Phase 1 (Prelims) exam. If you score well enough, you move on to Phase 2 (Mains), which is more challenging and includes both objective and descriptive questions. If you perform well in the Mains, you'll be called for an Interview. Your final selection is based on your performance in both Phase 2 and the Interview.

Phase I (Preliminary Examination): Candidates first appear for the Phase I online examination. Candidates who qualify as per the prescribed cutoff are shortlisted for Phase II.

Phase II (Main Examination): Candidates shortlisted from Phase I appear for the Phase II examination. The papers and examination structure vary according to the General, DEPR and DSIM streams.

Interview: Candidates who qualify Phase II are shortlisted for the Interview stage as per the vacancies and criteria prescribed by RBI.

Final Selection: The final selection is made on the basis of performance in the Phase II examination and Interview, subject to fulfilling all eligibility and other conditions prescribed by RBI.

???????Document Verification and Medical Examination: Selected candidates are required to satisfy RBI's document verification and medical/other joining requirements before appointment.