Access the official RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2027 for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Master core topics in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, ESI, Finance & Management, and English Descriptive skills to excel in your exam.
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2027 Overview
The Reserve Bank of India has unveiled the official RBI Grade B syllabus and exam pattern for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Understanding this updated structure is crucial for a strategic and effective preparation approach.
Phase 1 assesses candidates on General Awareness, Reasoning, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. The Phase 2 examination comprises Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (FM), and English Descriptive Writing, along with specialized papers for DEPR and DSIM candidates.
The comprehensive selection process consists of Phase 1, Phase 2, and an Interview. While Phase 1 is purely qualifying, the final merit list is determined by the combined scores from Phase 2 and the personal interview.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern Highlights 2027
Succeeding in the RBI Grade B exam requires a high level of proficiency in aptitude, current events, macroeconomic theory, and formal writing. Please refer to the summarized patterns below for a detailed breakdown.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Post Name | Officer Grade B (DR) General |
| Selection Process | Phase 1, Phase 2, Interview |
| Phase 1 Marks | 200 |
| Phase 2 Marks | 300 |
| Interview Marks | 75 |
| Final Merit | Phase 2 + Interview |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks |
| Official Website | www.rbi.org.in |
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2027 (General Stream)
The Prelims exam utilizes objective-type questions (MCQs), whereas the Mains stage incorporates a blend of objective and descriptive assessments. Both stages are computer-based. Note that each correct answer awards +1 mark, with a penalty of -0.25 for each incorrect response.
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern (Prelims)
- Exam Mode – Online computer-based test (CBT)
- Total Questions – 200 MCQs, 1 mark each
- Total duration – 2 hours with sectional timing
- Must clear sectional as well as overall cut-off
- Negative marking: 0.25 mark for each wrong answer
| Prelims Exam Pattern (General) | |||
|
Subject
|
Questions
|
Marks
|
Duration
|
|
General Awareness
|
80
|
80
|
25 Mins
|
|
Reasoning
|
60
|
60
|
45 Mins
|
|
English
|
30
|
30
|
25 Mins
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude
|
30
|
30
|
25 Mins
|
|
Total
|
200
|
200
|
2 Hours
|
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern (Mains)
- Phase 2 (Mains) for General stream includes: Economics & Social Issues, English Writing, and Finance, Management & Ethics
- Only candidates who clear Phase 1 can appear for Phase 2
- Papers I & III have two sections of equal marks: Objective (MCQ) and Descriptive
- Descriptive answers must be typed on the keyboard
- Objective section: 30 questions for 50 marks
- Descriptive section: 6 questions, attempt 4 questions (15 marks each)
- Descriptive questions are generally simple and direct
| Mains Exam Pattern (General) | ||||
| Paper | Sections / Subjects | No. of Questions | Maxi Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Economics and Social Issues | Objective: 30 Descriptive: 6 (Attempt any 4) |
Objective: 50 Descriptive: 50 Total: 100 |
Objective: 30 min
Descriptive: 90 min Total: 120 minutes |
| Paper II | English (Writing Skills) | Descriptive: 3 (Precis, RCs & Essay) | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Paper III | Finance and Management | Objective: 30 Descriptive: 6 (Attempt any 4) |
Objective: 50 Descriptive: 50 Total: 100 |
Objective: 30 min
Descriptive: 90 min Total: 120 minutes |
RBI Grade B Prelims Syllabus 2027 (General Stream)
While the Prelims syllabus covers foundational topics, the difficulty level is comparable to Bank PO Mains. Candidates often find the Quantitative Aptitude section challenging, requiring consistent practice. A strong focus on the last 4–6 months of current affairs is essential for Phase 1 success.
|
Subject
|
Topics
|
|
Reasoning
|
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude
|
|
|
English Language
|
|
|
General Awareness
|
|
Below is the comprehensive Mains syllabus for General, DEPR, and DSIM streams.
RBI Grade B Mains: Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus
The ESI paper requires a thorough understanding of the following macroeconomic and social development topics:
| Section | Topics Covered |
| 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 the 1991 reforms
|
|
|
Priorities and Recommendations of Economic Survey and Union Budget
|
|
|
Indian Money and Financial Markets and their linkages with the Economy
|
|
|
Role of Indian Banks and RBI in Development
|
|
| Public Finance | |
|
Political Economy
|
|
|
Industrial Developments in India
|
|
|
Indian Agriculture
|
|
| Services Sector |
RBI Grade B Mains: English Descriptive Writing Syllabus
- Precis
- Essay
- Reading Comprehension
Key Topics for English Descriptive Paper
- Structure and Functions of Financial Institutions,
- Functions of RBI,
- Banking System in India,
- Financial Institutions (SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, NABFID),
- Global Financial System and its impact on India,
- Information Technology in Banking,
- Non-Banking System,
- Digital Payments.
- Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity),
- Functions, Instruments, and Recent Developments.
- Financial Risk Management,
- Basics of Derivatives,
- Global financial markets and International
- Banking,
- Financial Inclusion,
- Alternative finance,
- Public-Private Partnership,
- Corporate Governance in Banking,
- Union Budget,
- Accounting Basics,
- Inflation and its management,
- Monetary and Fiscal policies.
RBI Grade B Mains: Finance and Management Syllabus
| Section | Topics Covered |
| Fundamentals of Management & OB |
Introduction to Management
|
|
Evolution of Management Thought (Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations)
|
|
|
Systems Approach to Management
|
|
|
Managerial Roles
|
|
| Nudge Theory | |
|
Personality – Big Five Model
|
|
|
Reinforcement and Perception
|
|
|
Motivation – Maslow, Alderfer, McClelland, Herzberg
|
|
|
Leadership – Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional, Transformational
|
|
|
Emotional Intelligence
|
|
|
Interpersonal Relationship – Transactional Analysis, Johari Window
|
|
|
Conflict Management
|
|
|
Organisational Change
|
|
|
Organisational Development
|
|
|
Ethics at the Workplace
|
|
| Corporate Governance |
Meaning of Ethics
|
|
Ethical Problems in Business
|
|
|
Theories of Ethics – Utilitarianism, Rights & Duties, Justice & Fairness, Ethics of Care
|
|
|
Moral Issues – Ethics in Compliance, Finance, HR, Marketing
|
|
|
Ethical Principles in Business
|
|
|
Role of Board of Directors
|
|
| Best Practices | |
|
Code of Ethics and Conduct
|
|
|
Corporate Governance Mechanisms
|
|
| Communication |
Communication Process
|
|
Communication Channels – Oral vs Written, Verbal vs Non-verbal
|
|
|
Communication Barriers, Upward, Downward, Lateral Communication
|
|
|
Role of Information Technology in Communication
|
RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern 2027
The DEPR stream follows a distinct exam pattern compared to the General stream. Explore the specific structure for Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments below.
| RBI Grade B DEPR Phase 1 Exam Pattern | |||
| Name of Paper | Type | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper I: Economics | Objective | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Paper II: English (to be typed using keyboard) | Descriptive | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Total | – | – | 200 |
| RBI Grade B DEPR Phase 1 Exam Pattern | |||
| Name of Paper | Type | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper I: Economics (Question paper on computer, answers on paper) | Descriptive | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Paper II: Economics (Question paper on computer, answers on paper) | Descriptive | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Total | – | – | 200 |
RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2027
The economics papers are set to a Master's degree standard from a Central University. The syllabus is categorized into Paper 1 (Objective Economics), Paper 2 (Descriptive Economics), and Paper 3 (Descriptive English).
| Phase/Paper Name | Subjects | Topics Covered |
| Phase 1 Paper 1 (Objective) | Microeconomics |
Theories of consumer demand, Production, Market structures & pricing, Distribution, Welfare economics
|
|
Theories of employment, Output & inflation, Monetary economics, IS–LM model, Schools of economic thought
|
||
| International Economics |
Theories of international trade, Balance of payments, Exchange rate models
|
|
| Economic Growth & Development |
Classical and neo-classical approaches to economic growth, Major development theories
|
|
| Public Finance |
Theories of taxation, Public expenditure, Public debt management
|
|
| Environmental Economics |
Green GDP, Environmental valuation, Environmental policy instruments
|
|
| Quantitative Methods in Economics |
Mathematical & statistical methods for economics, OLS regression
|
|
| Current Developments in the Indian Economy |
Growth, inflation, poverty, unemployment, financial sector, external sector, fiscal developments, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, services
|
|
| Phase 1 Paper 2 (Descriptive) | English Language |
The paper on English shall be framed in a manner to assess the writing skills including expression and understanding of the topic.
|
| Phase 2 Paper 1 Microeconomics (Descriptive) | Consumer Theory |
Utility analysis, Consumer surplus, Indifference curves, Price/Income/Substitution effects, Game theory
|
| Production Theory |
Production functions, Returns to scale, Partial vs General equilibrium
|
|
| Market Theory | Pricing under different market structures | |
| Distribution Theories | Ricardo, Marx, Kalecki, Kaldor | |
| Welfare Economics | Pareto optimality, Arrow, Coase, Sen | |
| Phase 2 Paper 1 Macroeconomics (Descriptive) | National Income | Methods of measuring national income |
| Employment & Output |
Classical, Neo-classical, Keynesian, Post-Keynesian, Business cycles
|
|
| Inflation | Types, Phillips curve, Taylor’s rule, Lucas critique | |
| Money & Banking |
Quantity theory, Neutrality, IS–LM, AD–AS, Money multiplier, Monetary policy, Inflation targeting
|
|
| Growth & Development | Growth theories, Development theories | |
| International Trade & BoP |
Trade theories, Exchange rate determination, Impossible trinity
|
|
| Public Finance | Taxation, Public expenditure, Public debt management |
RBI Grade B DSIM Exam Pattern
| RBI Grade B DSIM Phase 1 Exam Pattern | ||
| Name of Paper | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper I: Objective Type (Statistics) | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Total | – | 100 |
| RBI Grade B DSIM Phase 2 Exam Pattern 2027 | ||
| Name of Paper | Duration | Max Marks |
| Paper II: Descriptive Type (Statistics)- Question paper on computer, answers to be written on paper | 180 min | 100 |
| Paper III: English – Descriptive (to be typed using keyboard) | 90 min | 100 |
| Total | – | 200 |
RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2027
We have detailed the essential syllabus requirements for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 for the DSIM stream here.
| Paper | Type | Topics Covered |
| DSIM Papers 1 and 2 |
Objective + Descriptive |
Theory of Probability, Probability Distributions and Sampling Theory
|
|
Linear Models and Economic Statistics
|
||
|
Statistical Inference: Estimation, Testing of Hypotheses, and Non-Parametric Test
|
||
|
Stochastic Processes
|
||
|
Multivariate Analysis
|
||
|
Econometrics and Time Series
|
||
|
Optimisation and Statistical Computing
|
||
|
Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques
|
||
| Database and Data Warehouse Management | ||
| DSIM Paper 3: English | Descriptive | Writing skills, expression, and understanding of the topic |
Download Official RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF
Download and print the official syllabus PDF to streamline your study process, track completed topics, and identify high-priority areas for your exam preparation.
RBI Grade B Interview Details
The interview serves as the final, critical stage of the selection process. It functions as a personality assessment, focusing on your behavioral aptitude, decision-making skills under pressure, and overall professionalism.
- The total marks for the Interview round are 75.
- This round carries 20% weightage in the final merit list.
- In the interview round, the candidates will be asked professional and educational background questions to assess them.
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2027
| Stage | Examination/Process | Key Details |
| 1. Phase I- Preliminary Exam | Objective Test (Online) | Screening Test |
| 2. Phase II- Main Exam | Paper I – Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Paper II – English (Writing Skills) Paper III – Finance & Management |
Descriptive/subject-specific test |
| 3. Interview | Personal Interview | Assesses personality, knowledge, communication, and suitability |
| 4. Medical Examination | Medical Test | Candidates must meet the medical standards prescribed by RBI |
| 5. Final Merit List | Final Selection | Based on Phase II (Main Exam) and Interview performance |
Time Management Strategies for RBI Grade B Preparation
Given the extensive syllabus, a structured study timeline is vital for success. Candidates are advised to begin preparation well in advance to cover all subject-wise topics thoroughly.
Build a Comprehensive Study Plan: Allocate dedicated time slots for each subject based on your proficiency level, ensuring a balanced and methodical coverage of all syllabus areas.
Prioritize High-Weightage Topics: Focus your efforts on core syllabus areas that carry more weight in the examination to maximize your scoring potential.
Set Achievable Milestones: Divide your preparation into realistic daily, weekly, and monthly targets. Breaking large subjects into manageable modules will keep you on track.
Practice Balanced Study Cycles: Incorporate regular, short breaks into your study sessions to sustain focus and prevent burnout throughout your preparation journey.
Expert RBI Grade B Preparation Tips 2027
Follow these expert-recommended preparation strategies to enhance your performance and significantly increase your chances of selection for the RBI Grade B 2027 cycle:
- Complete the Phase 1 syllabus at least two months before the exam.
- Read newspapers and RBI publications daily.
- Prepare current affairs for the last 6-8 months.
- Practice descriptive writing regularly.
- Focus extensively on ESI and Finance & Management.
- Attempt full-length mock tests weekly.
- Analyze previous years’ memory-based papers.
- Revise important economic reports and banking terms.
- Work on interview communication skills from the beginning.
FAQs
What is the comprehensive RBI Grade B Syllabus?
The RBI Grade B 2027 syllabus covers Phase 1 (General Awareness, Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude) and Phase 2 (ESI, English Descriptive, and Finance & Management).
Is Phase 1 of the RBI Grade B exam qualifying?
Yes, Phase 1 is strictly qualifying. The final selection merit list is based exclusively on performance in Phase 2 and the Interview.
How many months of current affairs are required for Phase 1?
For competitive readiness, it is recommended to cover at least 4–6 months of current affairs, though experts suggest a 6–8 month window for a safer margin.
Does the Phase 2 exam include a descriptive section?
Yes, Phase 2 features both objective and descriptive components. Papers I and III include objective and descriptive parts, while Paper II is entirely descriptive.
Is there negative marking in the RBI Grade B exam?
Yes, there is a deduction of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer marked in the objective examination.
What is included in the RBI Grade B Phase 2 syllabus for the General stream?
The General stream Phase 2 syllabus includes:
Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
Paper II: English (Writing Skills)
Paper III: Finance & Management
Where can I download the official RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF?
You can download the official RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF using the link provided in this article to keep your study material organized and accessible.