If you are preparing for the RBI Grade B exam 2025, there is a lot you can learn from the journey of Tanay Gorav, who secured All India Rank 1 in RBI Grade B 2024. From missing the interview cutoff by just a few days in 2023 to topping the exam in 2024, his journey is full of useful lessons for every serious aspirant.
In this blog, we break down his preparation strategy, how he approached the interview, and his mindset throughout the process. If you are looking for practical tips on RBI Grade B preparation, interview strategies, or how to manage your strengths and weaknesses, this blog is for you.
From Chemical Engineering to Rank 1 in RBI Grade B
Tanay comes from a chemical engineering background. He had also prepared for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, which helped him build a strong base in Indian Economy, General Awareness, and Management. He used this knowledge smartly while preparing forthe RBI Grade B Exam.
In 2023, he missed the RBI Grade B interview cutoff by just eight days. Instead of giving up, he used this as motivation. In 2024, he not only cleared the exam but topped it. This shows the power of perseverance, focus, and structured preparation.
Smart Preparation Strategy for RBI Grade B 2025
Tanay’s approach to RBI Grade B was not about studying everything. It was about studying smart and relevant topics. Here’s how he planned each phase:
Phase 1 Strategy: Focus on Strengths
Tanay focused on Quantitative Aptitude and English, where he was naturally strong. He says that for General Awareness, he limited his preparation to the last 5 months of current affairs with resources like ixamBee’s BeePedia platform.
According to him, he didn’t try to memorize everything but practiced with a lot of RBI Grade B Mock Tests which helped him manage time and improve speed. His advice is simple and, in his words, he says “Don’t try to master every section. Focus on your strengths and prepare enough to clear cutoffs in other areas.”
Phase 2 Strategy: Concept Over Rote Learning
After Phase 1 preparation was cleared, he then moved on to Phase 2 and focused on subjects like the Indian Economy, Management, Ethics, and Corporate Governance. He avoided diving deep into complex finance topics that weren’t his strong area and used flowcharts, mind maps, and short notes to organize information. For descriptive writing, he practiced essays, précis writing, and structured answers using real-world examples.
Interview Preparation: Knowledge + Communication
Tanay says that his interview lasted around 40 minutes. According to him, questions included topics like cryptocurrency, CBDC, monetary policy, inflation, climate change, and even his chemical engineering background. He recalls being focused and calm even when he didn’t know some answers.
His key to success is simple and his formula was also similarly uncomplicated. He advises aspirants to stay confident, connect your knowledge with current affairs, and be honest about what you don’t know.
Key RBI Grade B Preparation Takeaways
Here are some actionable insights from Tanay’s journey that every RBI Grade B 2025 aspirant should know:
- Perseverance Pays Off: Tanay didn’t let his previous failure break his confidence. Instead, he used it as a push to prepare better. If you’re preparing for RBI Grade B 2025 and feeling stuck, remember that every setback is a setup for a comeback.
- Use Your Background to Your Advantage: Tanay used his UPSC background to strengthen his understanding of Economy, Management, and Ethics. If you have experience in any other competitive exam, use that to build a foundation.
- Play to Your Strengths: He focused on areas where he could score high, like Quant and English, and managed his weaker areas just enough to meet the cutoff. This is a smart and energy-saving strategy.
- Use Visual Study Tools: Mind maps and flowcharts helped Tanay retain complex topics and write structured answers. These tools are not just for visual learners—they work for everyone.
- Interview = Knowledge + Clarity: Knowing the answer is not enough. You should also be able to explain it clearly. Tanay’s clear and confident communication impressed the panel, even when he was unsure of some technical questions.
- Time Management is Key: Especially in Phase 1, where time is limited and the pressure is high. Tanay improved his speed and accuracy through regular mock tests.
What Tanay Avoided – A Smart Move
Many aspirants make the mistake of trying to study everything in detail. Tanay didn’t do that. He avoided deep finance topics that were not scoring for him. Along with that, he also didn’t waste time on static GK or old current affairs.
Instead, he focused on scoring areas like Management and Indian Economy.
His advice: “Don’t try to become a master of everything. Just prepare enough to perform well in the exam.”
Real Interview Experience: What You Can Learn
Tanay’s interview wasn’t just question and answer. It was a conversation with follow-ups, especially on topics like:
- Cryptocurrency and RBI’s stand
- Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
- Inflation metrics and monetary policy
- Climate change and economics
- Basics of chemical engineering
He didn’t know all the answers, but he stayed calm, admitted what he didn’t know, and tried to connect the question to what he had studied. This shows that honesty, calmness, and an analytical mindset matter more than memorizing facts.
Essay Writing: A Real Game-Changer
In Phase 2, Tanay wrote an essay on mental health in organizations. He structured it into three levels:
- Individual level
- Group level
- Organizational level
This kind of structured approach makes a strong impression. His answer was practical, clear, and easy to follow. He used real-life examples and concepts from Management to support his points. You can get more insights from the video below where Tanay talks about his preparation.
Practical RBI Grade B Study Plan You Can Follow
We have designed a practical study plan that will help you clear RBI Grade B 2025 nased on Tanay’s plan. Take a look at the table below:
| Section | Focus Area | Time Allocation |
| Quant & English | Practice with mocks | Daily |
| General Awareness | Last 5 months’ CA | 30 mins/day |
| ESI & FM | Indian Economy, Management, Ethics | 2 hours/day |
| Descriptive | Essay, précis, structured writing | Alternate days |
| Interview Prep | Current issues, mock interviews | Last 30 days |
Summing Up
Tanay Gorav’s story is more than just a success tale. It’s a real-world strategy guide for anyone dreaming of cracking the RBI Grade B exam. His balanced approach—focusing on strengths, smart study planning, and interview clarity—is something every aspirant can follow. If you’re preparing for RBI Grade B 2025, take inspiration from his journey and start building your own smart strategy today.
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