RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025, Prelims & Mains Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme
Aspirants waiting for the 2025 RBI Grade B notification can begin their preparation now. The detailed notification will be released once the current exam cycle ends. After the notification is out, you can apply for the exam. Make sure to apply within the deadline mentioned in the notification.
This important notification will include the RBI Grade B exam pattern and syllabus. You can start your preparation using the expected pattern and syllabus. Once the official details are out, you can make changes to your study plan. This will help you stay updated and prepare in the right direction.
The previous notification brought a few changes to the RBI Grade B Phase 2 syllabus. So, it's important to go through the syllabus and exam pattern carefully. Understanding these details will help you prepare better and track the changes made over the last few years.
We aim to give you a detailed explanation of the RBI Grade B syllabus and exam pattern. We will also share strategies you can use during your preparation. We have covered many important points that will help any serious aspirant prepare well for the RBI Grade B Exam.
You will also find details on the time given for each phase, the number of questions, negative marking, and useful books to study from. This will help you follow a clear and systematic preparation plan. With the right guidance, this exam can lead to a rewarding career with the RBI. The RBI Grade B selection process has three phases, as shown in the table below.
Phases | Exam Type | No. of marks | Duration | Exam Language |
---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 1 (Prelims) | Objective | 200 marks | 2 hours | Bilingual (Except the test for English language.) |
Phase 2 (Mains) | Paper 1 (Objective & Descriptive)- | 100 marks | 30 minutes (Objective) & 90 minutes (Descriptive) | |
Paper 2 (Writing Skills)- | 100 marks | 90 minutes | ||
Paper 3 (Objective & Descriptive)- | 100 marks | 30 minutes (Objective) & 90 minutes (Descriptive) | ||
Phase 3 (Interview) | Interview | 75 marks |
The marks obtained in the Mains and the Interview stage will decide the applicant’s final selection in the merit list.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 DR General (Phase 1)
As mentioned earlier, the RBI has not yet released the Grade B 2025 exam notification, as the current recruitment process is still ongoing. Once the notification is out, the application window will open, and candidates must apply within the deadline given in the notification.
To help you get started early, we have shared key details about the exam. This will allow you to begin your preparation right away. Once the official notification is released, you can fine-tune your strategy based on the latest information.
The RBI Grade B exam has a well-defined structure for its Prelims phase. It consists of four sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness. You’ll have 120 minutes to finish Phase 1. It's important for candidates to note that there's a time limit for each section, so managing your time wisely across all four sections is necessary!
Check out the table below for all the detailed information about the RBI Grade B exam pattern (Prelims).
Sl. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
2. | Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
3. | Reasoning Ability | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
4. | General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 minutes |
Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
RBI Grade B Exam Syllabus Phase 1
As per the RBI Grade B syllabus, the Prelims exam 2025 will include four sections – General Awareness, English Language, Reasoning, and Numerical Ability. You should prepare the complete syllabus for all four subjects in Phase 1. General Awareness is especially important for scoring well in the exam. For this, you can refer to BeePedia, which serves as a one-stop source for all general awareness content needed for regulatory body exams like RBI, NABARD, and SEBI. It removes the need to refer to multiple sources for information.
Take a look at the RBI Grade B syllabus for Phase 1 given below for your reference.
Section | Topics |
---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification and approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equation, Number System / HCF & LCM, Ratio and Proportion, Average, Partnership, Ages, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time, Speed & Distance, Problems on Trains, Boat and Stream, Time & Work / Pipes and Cisterns, Simple and Compound Interest, Mixture & Allegations, Permutation and Combination, Probability, Data Interpretation (DI), Caselet DI and Data Sufficiency |
English | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Passage Making, Error Spotting, Jumble Words, Sentence Framing, Fill in the blanks |
General Awareness | Monetary Policies, Banking and Financial Awareness, Economic Terms, Current Affairs (BeePedia), Static GK, Financial and Economic News, Government Schemes. Agreement & Deals, Banking Terms- rates & processes, National Institutions |
Reasoning | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement- Circular, Square & Linear, Data Sufficiency, Directions and Distance, Coding-Decoding, Blood relations, Inequality, Syllogism, Machine input and output, Verbal Reasoning, Ordering and Ranking, Arrangement and Pattern, Scheduling, Distance and Direction, Ranking |
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 DR General (Phase 2)
If you clear Phase 1, the next major step in your RBI journey is the Mains Exam (Phase 2). Progression from Prelims to Mains is based on the cut-off marks set by the RBI. Only those who score above the cut-off and appear in the result list will move on to Phase 2. This selective process ensures that only the most deserving candidates move forward toward a rewarding career with the RBI.
The Mains Exam includes three key sections – Economics and Social Issues, Descriptive English, and Finance and Management. Each of these papers includes a mix of objective and descriptive questions.
The RBI Grade B Mains (Phase 2) is typically conducted in multiple shifts, with separate call letters issued for each. This approach helps maintain a smooth and organized recruitment process. The three papers together carry a total of 300 marks, and candidates are given 330 minutes to complete the exam. Although this phase can be lengthy and demanding, proper preparation is essential to succeed.
The expected format for the RBI Grade B 2025 Mains exam pattern is shared below.
Paper | Name of Paper | Exam Type | Number of Question | Number of Marks | Time Allotted (Minutes) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1 | Economic and Social Issues | Objective Type (50%) | 30 | 50 | 30 minutes |
Descriptive, answers to be typed with the help of the keyboard (50%) | 6 (required to attempt 4 questions) | 50 | 90 minutes | ||
Total | 34 | 100 | 2 hours | ||
Paper 2 | English (Writing Skills) | Descriptive type, to be typed on the computer with the help of keyboard | 3 | 100 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Paper 3 | Finance and Management | Objective Type (50%) | 30 | 50 | 30 minutes |
Descriptive, answers to be typed with the help of the keyboard (50%) | 6 (required to attempt 4 questions) | 50 | 90 minutes | ||
Total | 34 | 100 | 2 hours |
RBI Grade B Syllabus Phase 2: Paper 1
The topics covered in the RBI Grade B Mains Syllabus for Paper 1 include Economics and Social Issues. A few subjects have been dropped from the Social Structure in India section, including Positive Discrimination in Favor of the Proletariat, Social Movements, the Indian Political System, Human Development, Social Sectors in India, and Health and Education, even though the RBI exam syllabus is anticipated to stay the same. See the table below for further information about the RBI Grade B Phase 2 syllabus Paper-1.
RBI Grade B Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus | |
---|---|
Topics | Sub-Topics |
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. |
RBI Grade B Syllabus Phase 2: Paper 2
Paper 2 in Phase 2 of the RBI Grade B exam tests your skills in Descriptive English. You will be asked to write essays, letters, and précis based on topics from the RBI Grade B syllabus. This paper follows the standard Mains exam pattern.
To score well, practice writing all three types within the time limits. Plan your ideas before you start writing. Use simple language and check your grammar. A clear and well-structured response will help you get a better score in this section. Regular practice will also improve your writing speed and confidence. Reading editorials and quality articles can help you increase your vocabulary and understanding of current topics.
Section | Topics |
---|---|
English (Writing Skills) | The paper on English is designed in a manner to check the writing skills of the candidate including the power of expression and understanding of the topic. |
RBI Grade B Syllabus Phase 2: Paper 3
The RBI Grade B Mains syllabus for Paper 3 covers Finance and Management. This year, RBI has introduced some new topics in this section, including NaBFID, recent developments in the global financial system and their impact on the Indian financial system, the role of IT in banking and finance, the non-banking system, and developments in digital payments. Additionally, under the General Topics, the Basics of Accounting and Financial Statements have been added. The detailed syllabus for Phase 2 Paper 3 is provided below for your reference.
These additions show how the financial industry is changing and how technology and regulatory agencies are becoming more significant in India. To do well on this paper, candidates should keep up with the most recent advancements and trends. Having a solid grasp of these subjects will also benefit you in the interview and in your future RBI positions. Achieving success in this phase will require regular study and revision of the updated syllabus.
RBI Grade B General Finance Syllabus | |
---|---|
Topics | Sub-Topics |
Financial System |
|
Financial Markets | Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions, instruments, recent developments. |
General Topics |
|
RBI Grade B Management Syllabus | |
Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behaviour: |
|
Ethics at the Workplace and Corporate Governance: |
|
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern: Interview Round
Once you clear the Phase 2 exam, you will receive a call letter for the RBI Grade B interview, which is the final stage of the selection process. Unlike other phases, the interview allows you to choose your preferred language — either English or Hindi — to communicate comfortably.
The interview holds significant weight, carrying 75 marks in the overall evaluation. This phase offers you a valuable opportunity to not only demonstrate your knowledge about the RBI and its functions but also to showcase your communication skills. The panel assesses your subject expertise as well as your ability to express ideas clearly, engage the interviewers, and present yourself confidently. Performing well in this stage is crucial to securing your position with the RBI.
RBI Grade B Final Selection Procedure
Your scores in Phase 2 (Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Paper 3) and Interview score constitute the final merit list for RBI Grade B 2025. RBI Grade B exam pattern links to these scores. Maximum combined marks are needed to make the list.
RBI Grade B Marking Scheme
In the RBI Grade B objective question papers, you stand to lose 0.25 mark for each incorrect response. This policy of negative marking is closely associated to the guidelines provided in the RBI Grade B recruitment notification. We suggest that you don’t squander your marks by providing answers unless you are absolutely sure.
RBI Grade B Exam Language
All Phase 1 and Phase 2 questions in the RBI Grade B exam pattern will be provided in both English and Hindi. The exception to this is the English Language paper which is provided only in English. This bilingual model ensures that the questions can easily be read out by all contestants.
RBI Grade B Recommended Study Resources
It takes a lot of dedication to prepare for the RBI Grade B exam. Here are some recommended study resources to help you prepare for the exam:
- Official RBI website: The Reserve Bank of India’s website provides a lot of information regarding the RBI exam. You can also get information on various topics that will help you for the exam.
- Union Budget: Don’t forget that the intricate details in the Union Budget 2025-2026 is extremely important. This is because it has a major impact on the country’s economy, monetary policy and banking system. Your knowledge of this will help you understand and analyze economic policies and trends effectively.
- Economic Survey: The Economic Survey is a document released by the Government of India. It provides a summary of the economic situation in India. Information in this can be a useful resource for the RBI Grade B exam.
- NCERT Books: As underestimated as they are, NCERT books are an excellent resource for building a strong foundation in various subjects. They cover most of the basic topics and give you ample assistance in the tougher topics as well.
- RBI Grade B Officer Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board: This book covers all the sections usually important for the exam. This includes previous year question papers and mock tests.
- The Hindu/Business Standard: The Hindu and Business Standard are popular newspapers that cover current affairs and business news. Reading them will help keep you updated with the latest news and current affairs.
- Manorama Yearbook: The Manorama Yearbook is a detailed reference book that covers all major events in the country and around the globe.. It is an excellent resource for building general knowledge.
- Pratiyogita Darpan: Pratiyogita Darpan is a popular magazine that covers current affairs, general knowledge, and other relevant topics. It can be a useful resource for the RBI Grade B exam.
- Previous Year Question Papers: Solving RBI Grade B previous year question papers is an excellent way to understand the RBI Grade B exam pattern and get familiar with the type of questions asked. This will help you develop an exam-taking strategy and improve your time management skills.
- Mock Tests: Mock tests recreate the exam environment and help you evaluate your preparation. Take regular mock tests with ixamBee and analyze your performance to identify and work on your weak areas.
RBI Grade B Important Books
Books are a highly important part of the RBI Grade B 2025 exam preparation. RBI Grade B study material should include books, study notes, and pdfs. There are several good-quality books for RBI Grade B , which you can refer to boost your exam preparation. Reading these books will give you the conceptual knowledge and the required depth in the topics relevant to the exam and help you to cover the full RBI Grade B syllabus. For detailed RBI Grade B books, please refer to the table below.
Paper | Book | Author/Publisher |
---|---|---|
Economic and Social Issues | Indian Economy (latest edition) | Uma Kapila or S.K. Misra & V.k. Puri |
Growth and Development | Devraj Ray | |
Sociology | C.N. Shankar Rao | |
Public Finance | K K Andley and Sundaram | |
Newspapers including Mint, Business Line, Magazines/Periodicals/ Bulletins including RBI Bulletins, EPW, India Today | - | |
Reports: 1. World Development Report 2. Economic Survey of India 3. RBI Annual Report 4. Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India. 5. IMF: World Economic Outlook | Devraj Ray | |
Finance | Monetary Theory and Public Policy | Kenneth Kurihara |
Economic Growth and Development | Mayer and Baldwin | |
Financial Management | Prasanna Chandra | |
International Business | Hill and Jain | |
Major financial newspapers, RBI Annual Report, Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India, Economic Survey | - | |
Management | Management | Stephen P. Robbins & Mary Coulter |
Organisational Behaviour | Robbins Stephen P and Judge T.A. Vohra | |
Human Resource Management | Dessler Gary, Warkkey Biju | |
Fundamentals of Human Resource Management | Decenzo and Robbins | |
Business Ethics- Concepts and Cases | Velasquez Manuel G | |
Business Ethics – An Indian Perspective | Fernando A.C. | |
Business Ethics | Crane Andrew & Matten Dirk | |
Business Ethics & Corporate Governance | Ghosh B N | |
Quantitative Aptitude | Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Agarwal | |
How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma | |
Reasoning Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-verbal Reasoning | R.S. Agarwal |
Analytical Reasoning | M.K.Pandey | |
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning | Arun Sharma | |
English Language | High School Grammar and Composition | Wren & Martin |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
Objective English | SP Bakshi | |
General Awareness | Banking Awareness | Arihant Experts |
Banking Awareness for SBI and IBPS Bank Clerk/PO/RBI Exams/RRB | Disha Experts | |
Current Affairs (BeePedia) | - |
RBI Grade B Free Mock Test
If you want to crack the RBI Grade B exam, you need authentic mock tests. IxamBee's RBI Grade B mock tests follow the RBI Grade B exam pattern for Prelims and Mains. These mock tests are made by experts as per the RBI Grade B syllabus. If you take these tests on a regular basis, you understand how to manage time. You also understand which subject areas you excel in and where you need practice. This boosts your confidence and lessens examination anxiety.
RBI Grade B Online Course
If you require further help, take the ixamBee RBI Grade B Online Crash Course. The course includes the full RBI Grade B syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2. You have video lessons, study notes, practice questions, and further mock tests. Each lesson is in line with the RBI Grade B exam pattern. Professionals instruct the course and clarify your doubts. The course will guide you step by step and make you a master of key topics.
RBI Grade B Phase I - Free Mock Tests
RBI Grade B Phase I - Previous Year Question Paper
Blog
- How to Decide Which Government Exam You Should Prepare For?
- How to Prepare for the RBI Grade B 2025 Exam: A Comprehensive Guide
- Effective Ways to Read Newspaper for Banking Exams
- Ace RBI Grade B Interview with Prachi Agarwal – Part 4
- How to Crack the RBI Grade B Exam as a Working Professional on 1st Attempt