Check the latest RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2027 for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Get the subject-wise syllabus for Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, ESI, Finance & Management, and English Writing Skills.
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2027
The RBI has released the latest Grade B syllabus and exam pattern for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Candidates should thoroughly understand the updated pattern before launching their preparation strategy.
Phase 1 covers General Awareness, Reasoning, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. Phase 2 includes Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (FM), English Descriptive, and stream-specific subjects for DEPR and DSIM.
The selection process consists of Phase 1, Phase 2, and an Interview. While Phase 1 is purely qualifying, the scores from Phase 2 and the Interview determine the final merit list.
RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern – Highlights
The RBI Grade B Exam demands a strong command over quantitative aptitude, current affairs, economic concepts, finance, and descriptive writing skills. Review the table below for complete details:
| 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 consists exclusively of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs), whereas the Mains exam features both objective and descriptive questions. Both phases are administered online via computer-based testing. Note that correct answers earn +1 mark each, while incorrect responses attract a penalty of -0.25 marks.
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) | |||
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Subject
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Questions
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Marks
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Duration
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General Awareness
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80
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80
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25 Mins
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Reasoning
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60
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60
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45 Mins
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English
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30
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30
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25 Mins
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Quantitative Aptitude
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30
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30
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25 Mins
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Total
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200
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200
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2 Hours
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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 | 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)
Although the Prelims syllabus appears straightforward, the question difficulty matches Bank PO Mains standards. The Quantitative Aptitude section generally ranges from moderate to difficult, whereas candidates with strong language proficiency will find the English section manageable. Additionally, aspirants should prepare at least 4–6 months of current affairs for Phase 1.
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Subject
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Topics
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Reasoning
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Quantitative Aptitude
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English Language
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General Awareness
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Let’s dive into the detailed Mains syllabus for the General, DEPR, and DSIM posts:
RBI Grade B Mains Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus
Candidates must study the following subjects and core topics thoroughly for the ESI Paper:
| Section | Topics Covered |
| Growth and Development |
Measurement of growth: National Income and Per Capita Income
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Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India
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Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues
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| Indian Economy |
Economic History of India
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Changes in Industrial and Labour Policy
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Monetary and Fiscal Policy since the 1991 reforms
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Priorities and Recommendations of Economic Survey and Union Budget
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Indian Money and Financial Markets and their linkages with the Economy
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Role of Indian Banks and RBI in Development
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| Public Finance | |
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Political Economy
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Industrial Developments in India
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Indian Agriculture
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| 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
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Evolution of Management Thought (Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations)
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Systems Approach to Management
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Managerial Roles
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| Nudge Theory | |
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Personality – Big Five Model
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Reinforcement and Perception
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Motivation – Maslow, Alderfer, McClelland, Herzberg
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Leadership – Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional, Transformational
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Emotional Intelligence
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Interpersonal Relationship – Transactional Analysis, Johari Window
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Conflict Management
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Organisational Change
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Organisational Development
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Ethics at the Workplace
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| Corporate Governance |
Meaning of Ethics
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Ethical Problems in Business
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Theories of Ethics – Utilitarianism, Rights & Duties, Justice & Fairness, Ethics of Care
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Moral Issues – Ethics in Compliance, Finance, HR, Marketing
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Ethical Principles in Business
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Role of Board of Directors
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| Best Practices | |
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Code of Ethics and Conduct
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Corporate Governance Mechanisms
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| Communication |
Communication Process
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Communication Channels – Oral vs Written, Verbal vs Non-verbal
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Communication Barriers, Upward, Downward, Lateral Communication
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Role of Information Technology in Communication
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RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern 2027
Similar to the General stream, the DEPR exam features Phase 1 and Phase 2, but with a unique exam pattern. Explore the specific RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern for both stages 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 2027
The economics papers match the academic standard of a Master’s degree in Economics from any recognized Central University. The RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus comprises three papers: 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
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Theories of employment, Output & inflation, Monetary economics, IS–LM model, Schools of economic thought
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| International Economics |
Theories of international trade, Balance of payments, Exchange rate models
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| Economic Growth & Development |
Classical and neo-classical approaches to economic growth, Major development theories
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| Public Finance |
Theories of taxation, Public expenditure, Public debt management
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| Environmental Economics |
Green GDP, Environmental valuation, Environmental policy instruments
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| Quantitative Methods in Economics |
Mathematical & statistical methods for economics, OLS regression
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| Current Developments in the Indian Economy |
Growth, inflation, poverty, unemployment, financial sector, external sector, fiscal developments, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, services
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| 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.
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| Phase 2 Paper 1 Microeconomics (Descriptive) | Consumer Theory |
Utility analysis, Consumer surplus, Indifference curves, Price/Income/Substitution effects, Game theory
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| Production Theory |
Production functions, Returns to scale, Partial vs General equilibrium
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| 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
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| Inflation | Types, Phillips curve, Taylor’s rule, Lucas critique | |
| Money & Banking |
Quantity theory, Neutrality, IS–LM, AD–AS, Money multiplier, Monetary policy, Inflation targeting
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| Growth & Development | Growth theories, Development theories | |
| International Trade & BoP |
Trade theories, Exchange rate determination, Impossible trinity
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| 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
The complete RBI Grade B 2027 Syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the DSIM post is outlined below for candidates.
| Paper | Type | Topics Covered |
| DSIM Papers 1 and 2 |
Objective + Descriptive |
Theory of Probability, Probability Distributions and Sampling Theory
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Linear Models and Economic Statistics
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Statistical Inference: Estimation, Testing of Hypotheses, and Non-Parametric Test
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Stochastic Processes
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Multivariate Analysis
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Econometrics and Time Series
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Optimisation and Statistical Computing
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Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques
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| Database and Data Warehouse Management | ||
| DSIM Paper 3: English | Descriptive | Writing skills, expression, and understanding of the topic |
RBI Grade B Official Syllabus PDF
Candidates are advised to download and print the official syllabus PDF. This serves as an effective roadmap to track crucial topics and eliminate unnecessary reading during exam preparation.
Download RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF
RBI Grade B Interview Details
The final phase of the RBI Grade B selection process is the Interview. This personality test evaluates behavioral aptitude, spontaneous decision-making capabilities, and composure under pressure.
- 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 to Cover RBI Grade B Syllabus
Given the vastness of the RBI Grade B 2027 Syllabus, aspirants should ideally begin their preparation a year in advance. Effective time management across all subjects is critical. Here is a proven strategy to manage your preparation schedule:
Make a Comprehensive Study Plan: Build a structured study schedule that covers every core exam topic. Allocate dedicated time slots based on your personal strengths and weaknesses to ensure complete coverage.
Prioritise Important Topics: Identify high-yield areas with greater exam weightage. Dedicate extra study hours to deeply understand and master these crucial sections.
Set Achievable Goals: Establish realistic daily, weekly, and monthly targets to conquer the syllabus seamlessly. Break down extensive subjects into manageable modules to maintain steady progress.
Take Regular Breaks: Incorporate short, refreshing breaks into your study routine to prevent burnout and preserve high cognitive focus. Balancing relaxation with rigorous study is key to peak performance.
RBI Grade B Preparation Tips 2027
Candidates preparing for the RBI Grade B Exam 2027 should keep these expert preparation strategies in mind to maximize their selection prospects:
- 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
The RBI Grade B Syllabus 2027 is structured into two main phases. Phase 1 evaluates General Awareness, Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Aptitude, whereas Phase 2 focuses on ESI, English Writing Skills, and Finance & Management.
Yes. As outlined in this article, Phase 1 serves as a qualifying round, while the final merit list is compiled based exclusively on marks secured in Phase 2 and the Interview.
The article suggests studying at least 4–6 months of current affairs for Phase 1, while general preparation guidelines recommend covering a span of 6–8 months for optimal coverage.
Yes. The RBI Grade B Phase 2 examination combines both objective and descriptive assessment formats. Papers I and III feature both objective and descriptive sections, while Paper II is purely descriptive English.
A negative marking scheme applies to all objective-type questions, resulting in a deduction of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 syllabus for the General stream comprises:
Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
Paper II: English (Writing Skills)
Paper III: Finance & Management
Candidates can easily download the official RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF via the link provided in this article to systematically track their study progress.