RBI Grade B 2025 Syllabus & Exam Pattern (Phase 1, Phase 2 & Interview Round)

The RBI is one of the most prestigious organisation in the country. It regulates India’s financial system, contributing to the nation’s economic stability and growth.

With a rich legacy of excellence and influence, a career with the RBI brings immense opportunities for personal and professional growth, allowing individuals to make a lasting impact on the country’s economy. 

A logical understanding of the basics of an exam is essential, especially for an extensive syllabus like RBI Grade B. If you’re determined to clear this exam, proper preparation is basic. 

Start by familiarizing yourself with the syllabus and exam pattern. Without this, you might be surprised by questions from unexpected topics. A solid grasp of the syllabus will help you identify these areas and prepare effectively. 
 
Let me share a personal experience. When I first began preparing for competitive exams, I was eager but didn’t pay much attention to the syllabus or exam pattern. I went straight into studying without understanding the structure of the exam. 

As a result, I found myself spending too much time on less important topics and failed to look after the areas that had more weight in the exam.

It wasn’t until I gone through the syllabus and exam pattern in detail that I realized how to focus my efforts on what truly mattered. That shift in approach made all the difference in my preparation.

It is important to understand the exam pattern because it will help you gain insights into the exam structure, marking scheme, question types, time limits, and topic weightage. This knowledge will help you manage your time and approach each section confidently. 

Always remember to go through the syllabus before you begin studying. This will not only highlight important topics but also help you plan your preparation strategically. 
 
To help you understand, I am going to discuss everything you need to know RBI Grade B syllabus and exam pattern in the section below. Now, let’s dive into the details and the exam pattern! 

RBI Grade B 2025 Exam Pattern (Phase-Wise) 

While the official RBI Grade B 2025 Notification is released. So, if you’re gearing up for the exam, understanding the pattern is key to your preparation strategy.

Going through the exam pattern during your RBI Grade B exam preparation can give you a realistic idea of what to expect on the actual day. 

I have attached here link to the latest RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 PDF. 

Understanding the structure of the exam such as the number of questions, time limits, and the marking scheme will not only give you clarity but also help you plan your preparation in a more focused and efficient manner. 

The exam is divided into three distinct phases which are mentioned below: 

Phase 1 :

• Objective in nature: – The Phase 1 exam contains 4 sections and objective – based questions are asked in the exam.  
• No. of questions: – It consists of a total of 200 questions for 200 marks.  
• Time duration: – A total of 120 minutes (2 hours) is given to complete the exam along with sectional cutoff.  

 Phase 2 :

• • Objective & Descriptive in nature: – The Phase 2 exam consists of 3 papers, and it contains both objective and descriptive based questions.  
  • Total Marks: – All the 3 papers constitute a total of 300 marks in the exam.  
  • Time duration: – A total of 330 minutes (5 hours and 30 minutes) is allotted to attempt all questions.

Interview :

• Nature of questions: – The Interview is the final stage and consists of questions related to candidate’s personal details, educational background, RBI, current affairs, etc. 
• Total marks: – The Interview consists of total 75 marks.  
• Weightage: – This last stage comprises 20% weightage in the final selection.   

Before moving forward, I would like to tell that studying hard is important but there is one thing even more important than that is studying smart.

To know other important details related to the exam, you must also check the detailed RBI Grade B notification 2025.  

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern Phase 1 (Subjects, Questions & Marks)

The RBI Grade B Exam Phase 1 is the first stage of the selection process for the RBI Grade B Officer job profile. However, passing it is essential to progress to the next stage.

This phase tests your skills across 4 subjects which are: English Language, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and General Awareness. 

Here’s a detailed overview that you must know before appearing for the exam: 

• No. Of Questions: The paper consists of 200 questions. 
• Total Marks: The total marks allotted for the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam is 200 marks. 
• Time Duration: The time allocated to complete the exam is 120 minutes. 
• Exam Mode: The exam is conducted online in a computer-based format. 
• Marking Scheme: 
• Candidates will receive 1 marks for each correct answer. 
• A penalty of 0.25 marks is deducted as negative marking for each incorrect answer. 
• Cut-off Criteria: Candidates must achieve minimum sectional cut-offs and an overall cut-off to qualify for Phase 2.

Make sure you meet the sectional cutoff as well as the overall cutoff to move forward.

If you still do not know what the RBI is, what it does, or its history. Also, about the exams it conducts and how they’re commenced, so you can click on the link given here to get more information about it.

To ensure you are suitable to appear for exam, you must carefully go through the RBI Grade B eligibility 2025, which I have provided in a simplified manner. 

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern Phase 2 (Subjects, Questions & Marks)

The Phase 2 exam is the secondary stage and the scores from RBI Grade B Phase 2 examination play an effective role in determining whether you make it to the final interview.

It includes three papers: Economic and Social Issues (ESI), Finance and Management (FM), and English. These are a mix of objective and subjective questions, whereas the third is a completely descriptive English paper that evaluates your writing skills. 

Here’s a complete guide to help you understand what can appear in Phase 2 and how to prepare effectively: 

• Number of Questions: The RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam consists of a total of 60 objective-type questions and 15 subjective-type questions. 
• Total Marks: The total marks for the exam are 300 marks, with each paper carrying 100 marks. 
• Time Duration: The total duration allocated to complete the exam is 270 minutes. 
• Exam Mode: RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam mode is as follows:
• The objective papers are conducted online in a computer-based format. 
• The descriptive paper is conducted online, where you will have to write your answers on a computer. 
• Negative Marking: In Phase 2, there is negative marking of 1/4th marks in the objective papers but there is no negative marking for the descriptive paper. 
• Cut-off Criteria: To qualify for the interview, candidates must qualify the minimum sectional cut-offs for each paper (ESI, FM, and English). In addition to this, there is an overall cut-off that must be achieved across all three papers to progress to the interview stage. 

Note: The cut-off keeps on changing every year on the basis of the highest marks scored. 

• For both Economic & Social Issues and Finance & Management, the RBI Grade B exam pattern states that there will be 30 questions and 50 marks for Objective questions (some questions carrying 2 marks each and some carrying 1 mark each).  
• For descriptive answers, candidates will be required to attempt only 4 questions (2 of 15 marks each and 2 of 10 marks each).  
• In case, candidate answers more than 4 questions in descriptive, the first 4 shall be evaluated. 

RBI Grade B Exam Sectional Timing 

The RBI Grade B exam provides a sectional timing to complete each section within a fixed time limit. However, if you do not know about the exam structure then it can be a bit challenging for you to attempt the exam. 

This is different from many other exams where candidates can freely switch between sections. When the allotted sectional time of the paper ends, you will be automatically moved to the next section. 

Sectional Timing in Phase 1

In Phase 1 of RBI Grade B exam, you get different time limits to complete each section: 

• General Awareness (GA): 25 minutes 
• Reasoning Ability: 45 minutes 
• English Language: 25 minutes 
• Quantitative Aptitude: 25 minutes 

You can practice time and speed management so that you can complete the sections in the durations. 

Sectional Timing in Phase 2

In RBI Grade B Phase 2 examination, you get different time limits for each section: 

• Descriptive English: The total time allotted for the Descriptive English paper in Phase 2 is 90 minutes, with no sectional timing for this. 
• Finance and Management (FM): 
• Objective section: 30 minutes 
• Descriptive section: 90 minutes 
• Economic and Social Issues (ESI):
• Objective section: 30 minutes 
• Descriptive section: 90 minutes 

In Phase 2, only ESI and FM papers have sectional timing, but the Descriptive English paper does not.

RBI Grade B Exam Negative Marking 

The RBI Grade B exam follows a structured marking scheme for incorrect answers in its objective papers.

When you are answering questions, it is very important to pick the right option carefully to avoid any deduction of marks, it enhances your performance in both Phase 1 and Phase 2. 

Below is a detailed explanation of the negative marking scheme applicable across different stages of the exam: 

Phase 1 (Prelims) –

• The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam consists of 1 mark each question. 
• There is 0.25 marks (or 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question) deduction for every wrong answer. 
• No marks are deducted for unattempted questions. 

Phase 2 (Mains) –

• Objective Papers (ESI & FM): 
• For 1-mark questions, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. 
• For 2-mark questions, 0.50 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. 
• Descriptive Papers (English, ESI & FM): 
• There is no negative marking in the descriptive sections. You are evaluated purely based on the written answer, how you frame it and how effectively you present your ideas. 

To ensure the successful submission of your registration form, you can refer to RBI Grade B steps to apply online and learn about the application process in detail.  

RBI Grade B Exam Language Options for Phase 1 & 2

For the RBI Grade B exam, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 papers are bilingual which means that they are available in both English and Hindi (except the English Language section). 

Candidates have the option to choose their preferred language at the beginning of the paper and can switch between the two languages during the exam. 

Phase 1 (Prelims) 

• General Awareness, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude are bilingual exams which includes Hindi and English languages. 
• The English Language section can only be attempted in English. 

Phase 2 (Mains) 

• Paper II English (Writing Skills) can be attempted only in English while the Paper I (ESI) and Paper III (F&M) are both bilingual papers. 
• In the descriptive papers, candidates can choose to type their answers in Hindi using either the Inscript or Remington (GAIL) keyboard layout. 

RBI Grade B Interview

RBI Grade B Interview is the third and final stage of the exam process. The interview round will be held after you subsequently clear the Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams.  

• Minimum Cut-offs: The applicants who will clear the minimum sectional cut off and the overall cut off will be called for the interview round.  
• Total Marks for Interview: The RBI Grade B Interview constitutes a total of 75 marks and carries the weightage of 20% in the final selection.  
• Language Choice: The candidates have an option to choose the interview language, i.e., either Hindi or English as per their convenience.   
• Interview Panel: The Interview consists of a 5 – member panel of senior officers who will ask questions related to applicant’s personal details, educational background, RBI, news of national and international importance, etc. 

Psychometric Test for RBI Grade B

Candidate shall be required to undergo a Personality Assessment conducted by the Bank before appearing for the Interview. No marks will be allotted for the same and it will not form part of the final selection criteria. 

• Mode: The psychometric assessment is conducted online, allowing you to complete it from home. 
• Options of Language: The test can be taken in English or any of the 9 other Indian languages that you prefer. 
• Number of Questions: There will be around 100-120 questions designed to evaluate your personality and behaviour. 
• Marks: No points are allotted for the psychometric test. 
• Time Limit: The test usually takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete. While there’s no strict time limit, the system tracks your time, which will be included in the final report. 

If the candidate manages to clear the Interview and the Group discussion, then they must show up for the medical test, which is done to assess their fitness.   

To appear for RBI Grade B Interview, the candidates need to download the call letter which will be sent on the individual email of the applicants who have cleared the Phase 2 Exam.  

If you wish to know which documents you must carry to the exam hall, you can go through the RBI Grade B admit card  and read important instructions.   

Toppers’ Interview Round Strategy

To help with your RBI Grade B Interview preparation, I’ve brought together interviews from past successful candidates who were once my students. These are those who not only passed but also succeeded in the examination. 

You can watch their interviews to get useful tips and hear about their experiences. We’ve also shared videos of their RBI interview preparation strategies below to help you plan your own approach. 

• The first one on the list is Tanay Gaurav who secured All India Rank 1, he received the RBI Grade B Phase 1 & 2 Complete Course with E-books under a full scholarship in 2024 to ace in his exam.

Preparation Strategy & Interview 

• The second one is RBI Grade B All India Rank 6, Jaya Thakur who completely dedicated herself to prepare for RBI after her post-graduation and managed to clear the ‘Grade B’ Exam with impressive rank. 

Preparation Strategy & Interview 

• Balancing a full-time work while preparing for RBI exam is not an easy task but Aman Raj proved it’s possible by clearing the RBI Grade B 2024 exam with the right mindset and strategy. He worked as an IT Engineer in Pune while preparing for this exam. 

Preparation Strategy & Interview 

• Joining the list, we have Adarsh Tabhane who cleared the RBI Grade B 2024 exam on his third attempt while also preparing for UPSC exam along with this. 

Preparation Strategy & Interview 

• The last but definitely not the least is Karnima Arora who managed to clear RBI Grade B 2023 exam in her second attempt while teaching as a mentor in AJC Edutech. 

Preparation Strategy & Interview  

Along with this, you can go through the RBI Grade B day wise study plan & prep tips which I have curated.

RBI Grade B 2025 Final Selection

The final selection for RBI Grade B 2025 is determined by combining the scores from Phase 2 and the Interview, along with current rules. 

To increase your chances of being selected as an RBI Grade B officer, it’s essential to perform well in both Phase 2 and the Interview. 

The official list of selected candidates will be released on the RBI website, typically within 3-4 weeks after the completion of the interview process. 

How Final Selection is Calculated

• The final merit is calculated from a total of 375 marks: 

• Phase 2 (3 papers) is conducted for a total of 300 marks. 
• Interview round consists of 75 marks. 

• The scores from the objective and descriptive parts of Phase 2 papers are combined and then added to the Interview marks. 
• Marks obtained in Phase 1 are not counted in the final selection. The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam is qualifying in nature. 

Example: 

Suppose if a candidate scores 90 marks in ESI (Paper I), 75 marks in English (Paper II), 85 marks in F&M (Paper III) and 65 marks in the Interview then the total becomes:

Marks calculation: 90 + 75 + 85 + 65 = 315 out of 375 

This final score which includes the combined marks from Phase 2 and the Interview is used to prepare the merit list and decide the final selection of candidates. 

1. If two candidates secure the same final score, then the one with higher Phase 2 marks is ranked higher. And if, their Phase 2 marks are also the same then the candidate with the higher educational qualification is given preference. 
2. If qualification is also same, then candidate with the highest graduation degree is prioritizes. Lastly, if they both have the same level of graduation degree then the older candidate (by age) is given preference. 

RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025

If you are planning to prepare for RBI Grade B 2025, the notification of RBI has been out, you can stay updated to the latest syllabus provided as per the notification.   

You can download RBI Grade B 2025 Syllabus PDF attached here.  

The RBI Grade B Exam is conducted in three phases – Phase 1, Phase 2 and the Interview. The Phase 1 syllabus consists of 4 sections. Whereas the Phase 2 syllabus comprises 3 papers.  

There are three streams made available by the RBI for candidates to choose any one from these. These streams are as follows: 

• General Stream 
• DEPR or “Department of Economic & Policy Research” stream  
• DSIM or “Department of Statistics and Information Management” stream. 

Now the majority of the aspirants opt for the General stream. As for the DEPR and DSIM streams, they are opted for by the candidates specializing in Economics and Statistics, respectively. 

To know what functions an RBI officer performs, you can read more about the same by clicking on RBI Grade B job profile.

In the sections below, I have mentioned in detail the latest syllabus of RBI Grade B exams of all the 3 streams.  

RBI Grade B Officer Syllabus Phase 1 (Prelims)

The Phase 1 Syllabus for RBI Grade B 2025 includes 4 sections: General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.

Each of these sections holds equal importance in clearing your examination. 

Let’s break down each section individually. Here are the key topics covered in each: 

RBI Grade B Officer Syllabus Phase 2 (Mains)

The Phase 2 Syllabus for RBI Grade B 2025 is structured into 3 papers: Economic & Social Issues (ESI), English Descriptive and Finance & Management (FM). 

Each of these papers is equally important, as there are sectional cut-offs in addition to the overall cut-off. Below, I’ve provided the updated syllabus for RBI Grade B 2025: 

Paper-I: Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus

• Growth and Development –
• Measurement of growth: National Income and per capita income
• Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India
• Sustainable Development and Environmental issues
• Indian Economy –
• Economic History of India
• Changes in Industrial and Labour Policy, Monetary
  and Fiscal Policy since reforms of 1991
• Priorities and recommendations of Economic Survey and
  Union Budget
• Indian Money and Financial Markets: Linkages with the economy
• Role of Indian
  banks and Reserve Bank in the development process
• Public Finance – Political Economy
• Industrial Developments in India
• Indian Agriculture
• Services sector in India.
• Globalization –
• Opening up of the Indian Economy
• Balance of Payments, Export-Import Policy
• International Economic Institutions
• IMF and World Bank – WTO
• Regional Economic Cooperation; International Economic Issues.
• Social Structure in India –
• Multiculturalism
• Demographic Trends
• Urbanisation and Migration
• Gender Issues – Social Justice

Paper-II: English Descriptive (Writing Skills) Syllabus

The English Descriptive paper will be designed to test the writing skills of candidates including expression and understanding of the topic.

You are asked to write an Essay and Precis in this paper and also solve a few questions based on a given comprehension.

To provide some examples of the kind of essays that are asked in the English paper, here are some of the topics that were asked in the 2025 RBI Grade B phase 2 English paper:

• Future of BPO industries in India
• Importance of Creative thinking in business.
• An ounce of prevention is a pound worth of cure.
• Pros & Cons of teaching Computer Language/Coding to school Students.

Paper-III: Finance Syllabus

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 3 is the Finance & Management (FM) paper. To simplify, I have provided the Finance and Management Details separately. The key topics from the Finance syllabus are listed below:

(a) Financial System

• • Structure and Functions of Financial Institutions  
  • Functions of Reserve Bank of India  
    • Banking System in India – Structure and Developments, Financial Institutions – SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, NaBFID etc.  
  • Recent Developments in Global Financial System and its impact on Indian Financial System  
  • Role of Information Technology in Banking and Finance  
  • Non-Banking System  
  • Developments in Digital Payment 

(b) Financial Markets

Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.)- functions, instruments, recent developments, Equity Markets.

(c) General Topics Syllabus

• Risk Management in Banking Sector
• Basics of Derivatives
• Global financial markets and International Banking – broad trends and latest developments.
• Financial Inclusion
• Alternate source of finance, private and social cost-benefit, Public-Private Partnership
• Corporate Governance in Banking Sector, the role of e-governance in addressing issues of corruption and inefficiency in the government sector.
• The Union Budget – Concepts, approach, and broad trends
• Basics of Accounting and Financial Statements – Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss, Cash Flow Statements, Ratio Analysis (such as Debt to Equity, Debtor Days, Creditor Days, Inventory Turnover, Return on Assets, Return on Equity, etc.) 
• Inflation: Definition, trends, estimates, consequences, and remedies (control): WPI, CPI – components and trends; striking a balance between inflation and growth through monetary and fiscal policies.

Paper-III: Management Syllabus

(a) Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behaviour

1. Introduction to Management:

• Evolution of management thought: Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations and Systems approach to management;  
• Management functions and Managerial roles;  
• Nudge theory
  

2. Meaning & concept of organizational behaviour:

• Personality: meaning, factors affecting personality, Big five model of personality; concept of reinforcement;  
• Perception: concept, perceptual errors.  
• Motivation: Concept, importance, Content theories (Maslow’s need theory, Alderfers’ ERG theory, McCllelands’ theory of needs, Herzberg’s two factor theory) & Process theories (Adams equity theory, Vrooms expectancy theory). 

3. Leadership: 

• Concept, Theories (Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional and Transformational Leadership); 
• Emotional Intelligence: Concept, Importance, Dimensions.  
• Analysis of Interpersonal Relationship: Transactional Analysis, Johari Window;  
• Conflict: Concept, Sources, Types, Management of Conflict; 
• Organizational Change: Concept, Kurt Lewin Theory of Change; 
• Organizational Development (OD): Organizational Change, Strategies for Change, Theories of Planned Change (Lewin’s change model, Action research model, Positive model). 

(b) Ethics at the Workplace & Corporate Governance 

1. Ethics: 

• Meaning of ethics, why ethical problems occur in business. 
• Theories of ethics: Utilitarianism: weighing social cost and benefits, Rights and duties, Justice and fairness, ethics of care, integrating utility, rights, justice and caring,  
• An alternative to moral principles: virtue ethics, teleological theories, egoism theory, relativism theory,  
• Moral issues in business: Ethics in Compliance, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, etc.  
• Ethical Principles in Business: introduction, Organization Structure and Ethics, Role of Board of Directors, Best Practices in Ethics Programme, Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, etc.
  

2. Corporate Governance:

• Factors affecting Corporate Governance;  
• Mechanisms of Corporate Governance
  

3. Communication:

• Steps in the Communication Process;  
• Communication Channels;  
• Oral versus Written Communication;  
• Verbal versus non-verbal Communication;  
• upward, downward and lateral communication;  
• Barriers to Communication,  
• Role of Information Technology.

You can go through the RBI Grade B previous year papers to know what type of questions are generally asked in the exam.  

RBI Grade B Officer DEPR Syllabus:

The syllabus for the DEPR stream is set according to the role of the DEPR Cadre officers of RBI, which is to take care of the economic policies and analysis aspect of the RBI.

The RBI Grade B officer DEPR syllabus is as follows:

1. Papers on Economics would be of the standard that is concurrent with those of Master’s Degree examination in Economics of any Central University in India.
2. The English paper shall be set in a way so as to assess your writing skills including expression and understanding of a topic.

Let me also include the list of suggested study material for the same:

RBI publications like:

• Annual Reports
• Monetary Policy Report.
• Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India.
• Financial Stability Report.
• Economic Survey published by the Government of India of the past 2 years.

RBI Grade B Officer DSIM Syllabus:

The syllabus for the DSIM stream is set according to the role of the DSIM Cadre officers of RBI, which is to take care of the collection, compilation, and Statistical analysis & interpretation of all data related to banking, corporates, and the external sector among a host of other things.

The Paper 1 is conducted online and comprises multiple-choice questions.

Whereas the Paper 2 and Paper 3 are descriptive based exams where the candidates are required to type in the answers using the keyboard. 

The RBI Grade B officer DSIM syllabus is as follows

• Paper 1: Questions covering Probability: Probability Definition, Large and small sample theory, Analysis of Variance, Estimation, Standard distribution, Testing of Hypotheses, Estimation, Multivariate analysis, Stochastic Processes.
• Paper 2: Questions covering (i) Statistical Inference: Estimation, Testing of hypothesis and Non-parametric Test, (ii) Linear Models and Economic Statistics, (iii) Probability and Sampling, (iv) Stochastic Processes, (v) Multivariate analysis and (vi) Numerical Analysis and Basic Computer Techniques. Sufficient choices will be given for candidates to attempt the required number of questions from any three or more of the above six groups.
• Paper 3: The English paper shall be set in a way so as to assess your writing skills including expression and understanding of a topic.

With that, we come to the end of the section of the RBI Grade B syllabus.

Conclusion

Now that you’re familiar with the RBI Grade B Exam Pattern and syllabus, you’re in better level to plan your preparation wisely as well as focus on the topics like weightage, time limit, and total marks of all phases.

Stay consistent with your efforts, and keep a positive mindset. Remember, success comes with dedication and a well-structured approach. 

I believe in your potential! 

Stay motivated, keep pushing forward, and good things will follow.