Access the latest RBI Grade B 2026 syllabus and exam pattern for both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Master key subjects, including Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, ESI, Finance & Management, and English Descriptive writing.
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has released the official syllabus and exam pattern for the Grade B examination across General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Aspiring candidates must thoroughly review these guidelines to align their preparation with the latest requirements.
The Phase 1 examination evaluates candidates on General Awareness, Reasoning, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. The Phase 2 examination transitions to more specialized areas, covering Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (FM), and English (Descriptive), along with technical papers for the DEPR and DSIM streams.
The recruitment process comprises three tiers: Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and a final Interview. While Phase 1 serves as a qualifying stage, your performance in Phase 2 and the Interview determines your final merit ranking.
RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern – Highlights
Success in the RBI Grade B Exam requires deep proficiency in numerical aptitude, current affairs, economic theory, finance, and professional writing. Refer to the table below for a structured breakdown of the assessment criteria.
| 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 2026 (General Stream)
The Prelims stage consists exclusively of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), whereas the Mains stage integrates both MCQs and descriptive components. Both stages are conducted online, requiring candidates to type their descriptive responses via a computer interface.
While Phase 1 is fully objective, Phase 2 demands a mix of objective and descriptive skills. Note that each correct answer earns +1 mark, and a penalty of -0.25 marks is applied for every incorrect response.
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern for General (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 for General (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
|
Maximum Marks
|
Duration
|
|
Paper I
|
Economics and Social Issues
|
Objective: 30
Descriptive: 6 (Attempt any 4) |
Objective: 50
Descriptive: 50 Total: 100 |
Objective: 30 minutes
Descriptive: 90 minutes 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 minutes
Descriptive: 90 minutes Total: 120 minutes |
RBI Grade B Prelims Syllabus 2026 (General Stream)
Though the Prelims syllabus appears straightforward, the difficulty level is comparable to Bank PO Mains exams. Candidates often find the Quantitative Aptitude section particularly challenging, while the English section rewards those with strong foundational skills. Ensure you prioritize at least 4-6 months of current affairs for the Phase 1 segment.
|
Subject
|
Topics
|
|
Reasoning
|
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude
|
|
|
English Language
|
|
|
General Awareness
|
|
Let’s examine the detailed Mains syllabus for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams.
RBI Grade B Mains Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus
The following curriculum must be mastered in depth for the ESI Paper:
| 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 Writing Skills Syllabus
- Precis
- Essay
- Reading Comprehension
Topics To Cover for English Descriptive
- 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 20262
While the DEPR stream also follows a two-phase structure, the exam pattern is distinct from the General stream. Review the specific RBI Grade B DEPR exam structure here.
| 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 2026
As outlined in the official notification, the Economics papers are set at the level of a master’s degree from a Central University. The DEPR syllabus is structured into three papers: Economics (Objective), Economics (Descriptive), and English (Descriptive).
| Phase/Paper Name | Subjects | Topics Covered |
| Phase 1 Paper 1 (Objective) | Microeconomics |
Theories of consumer demand, Production, Market structures & pricing, Distribution, Welfare economics
|
| Macroeconomics |
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 2026 | ||
| Name of Paper | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper II: Descriptive Type (Statistics)- Question paper on computer, answers to be written on paper | 180 minutes | 100 |
| Paper III: English – Descriptive (to be typed using keyboard) | 90 minutes | 100 |
| Total | – | 200 |
RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus
The RBI Grade B 2026 syllabus for both phases of the DSIM stream has been detailed here for your reference.
| 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 |
RBI Grade B Official Syllabus 2026 PDF
Candidates are encouraged to download and print the official 2026 syllabus. This serves as a vital tool for organizing your study plan and identifying which topics require the most focus.
Download RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF
RBI Grade B Interview Details
The final stage, the Interview, acts as a personality assessment. It evaluates your behavioral intelligence, spontaneous decision-making capabilities, and your ability to remain calm and composed under questioning.
- 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 Exam Language
All question papers for the RBI Grade B exam, except for the English Language test, are provided in both Hindi and English. This bilingual format allows you to select your preferred language for most sections. Note that the English language paper is exclusively in English to test your linguistic proficiency.
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026
Time Management Strategies to Cover RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026
The 2026 syllabus is extensive, making a full-year preparation strategy highly advisable. Effective time management is key to covering all subject areas thoroughly. Here is how you can optimize your preparation schedule.
Develop a Comprehensive Study Plan: Start by crafting a roadmap that encompasses all key topics. Balance your study time according to your individual strengths and weaknesses to ensure all syllabus areas are addressed systematically.
Prioritize High-Yield Topics: Identify the most critical syllabus areas based on their weightage in previous years and dedicate extra focus to mastering those essential concepts.
Set Realistic Goals: Break down the vast syllabus into manageable daily, weekly, and monthly targets. Achieving smaller, specific goals will keep you consistent and motivated.
Schedule Regular Breaks: Integrate frequent short breaks into your study sessions to sustain high levels of focus and mental clarity during long periods of preparation.
RBI Grade B Preparation Tips 2026
Keep these strategic preparation tips in mind as you embark on your journey toward cracking the RBI Grade B 2026 examination.
- 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.