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The Reserve Bank of India announces the Grade B Syllabus in an official notification that is published on their website. The first and most important aspect of RBI Grade B preparation is a thorough understanding of the RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern. As a result, students must be well-versed in the subject.
For the convenience of applicants, we have provided the exam pattern as well as a detailed list of topics as well as a booklist in this article. The RBI Grade B Exam Pattern has recently changed slightly. As a result, it’s critical to keep up with the latest changes in the exam pattern and RBI Grade B syllabus.
Table of Contents
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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern (Revised)
Here is the detailed exam pattern for each stage of the DR – General Phase I, II, and interview:
- Phase-I – consists of four sections
- General Awareness
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning.
- Phase-II:- consists of following papers –
- Paper-IÂ – 50 % Objective (30 minutes , 50 marks) + 50% descriptive ( 90 minutes , 50 marks ) (descriptive answers is to be typed using keyboard) – total 120 minutes and 100 marks
- Paper-II – descriptive( 90 minutes, 100 marks )
- Paper-IIIÂ – 50 % Objective (30 minutes,50 marks) + 50% descriptive ( 90 minutes , 50 marks )(descriptive answers is to be typed using keyboard) – total 120 minutes and 100 marks
- The interview will be conducted for 75 marks.
- In Phase-I, Multiple choice questions are asked from General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning subjects.
- RBI Grade B Main exam has three separate papers on Economic and Social Issues, English Language and Finance and Management.
- Candidates qualifying for Phase I and Phase II will have to face an interview round carrying 75 marks.
- The final Merit List will be formulated based on the marks of the Main exam and interview.
- Duration will vary for both exams. Negative marking is applicable for both the papers of RBI Grade B.
We will go over the RBI Grade B exam pattern in detail in this article, including the number of questions, mode of examination, total marks, number of sections, marking scheme, and syllabus.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2021: Highlights
The table below highlights some of the key features of the RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2021:
| Name of Exam | RBI Grade B |
| Conducting Body | Reserve Bank of India |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Name of the Posts | Officers in Grade B (DR)- General- PY 2021 Officers in Grade B (DR)- DEPR PY 2021 Officers in Grade B (DR)- DSIM PY 2021 |
| Selection Process | Phase I Phase II Interview |
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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2021
- RBI Grade B is a computer-based test that is administered online.
- The papers will be set bilingually in English and Hindi, with the exception of the English language section.
- The exam pattern and difficulty level for RBI Grade B Prelims and Mains differ as follows:
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern (General) for Phase-I 2021
The score will not be added to the RBI Grade B Selection process because Phase I is the primary screening process. Applicants must answer objective type questions in the phase I exam. The exam will take place entirely online.
- Time duration of phase I exam is 120 minutes
- Total marks: 200
| Sections | Number of questions | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Important Points to Note
- The number of applicants who apply for the RBI Grade B exam determines how many shifts the exam is held in.
- In the RBI Grade B admit card, applicants will find detailed information about the exam date, time, location, and centre.
- To determine the RBI Grade B Cutoff, the obtained scores will be normalised using the equipercentile method.
- The exam conducting authority will determine the minimum RBI Grade B cutoff score based on the number of vacancies, the total number of applicants who took the exam, and the difficulty level of the questions.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern (General) for Phase-II 2021
The Phase-II exam is a type of online exam that is both objective and descriptive. For the RBI Grade B Final selection process, the obtained score from this phase will be added. The final merit list will be compiled using the results of Phase II and the interview score. Check out the Phase-II (General) exam pattern below:
| Name of Paper | Type of the Paper | Number of Questions | Time Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper–I Economic & Social Issues | 50% objective type 50% Descriptive type and the answers will need to be typed with the help of keyboard |
30 Objective Questions & 6 Descriptive Questions of which 4 have to be answered | 30 minutes 90 minutes Total: 120 minutes |
50 50 Total: 100 |
| Paper-II: English – Writing Skills | Descriptive Typing and the answers will need to be typed with the help of keyboard | 3 (Descriptive) | 90 minutes | 100 |
| Paper -III Finance and Management | 50% objective type 50% Descriptive type and the answers will need to be typed with the help of keyboard |
30 Objective Questions & 6 Descriptive Questions of which 4 have to be answered | 30 minutes 90 minutes Total: 120 minutes |
50 50 Total: 100 |
Important Points to Note
- All Phase-II questions will be set in both Hindi and English, with the exception of the English language. The Phase-II exam will also be held in multiple shifts.
- In the RBI Grade B admit card, the exam schedule will be highlighted.
- Candidates must select only one subject from a list of three based on their preferences and eligibility.
- Applicants who choose Hindi as their exam language can type in either English or Hindi. Paper I and Paper II keyboard layouts are (i)Â inscript or (ii) Remington (GAIL).
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern: Interview (Phase-III)
- Applicants are invited to the interview round based on their overall score in the Main exam (Paper I +Paper II +Paper III).
- The RBI will determine the minimum cutoff that candidates must meet in order to be considered for the interview round.
- The RBI will release the results in PDF format, which will include the list of applicants who have been shortlisted for an interview.
- Call letters for interviews will be sent to candidates’ registered email addresses.
- The RBI Grade B Interview will be worth 75 points.
- Applicants can choose between Hindi and English as their interview medium.
- The candidate’s performance in the Phase-II examination and interview will determine their final selection. For RBI Grade b Exam, candidates should follow a proper preparation strategy and relevant subject-wise books.
- Before appearing for the interview, candidates will be subjected to a Psychometric Test conducted by the Bank. There will be no points awarded for this, and it will not be included in the final selection criteria.
Pre-Examination Training
Applicants from specific categories, such as SC/ST/OBC/PwBD, will receive pre-examination training. For Phase I and Phase II examinations, the Bank will provide free online pre-examination training. Aspirants to participate in the training programme should indicate their interest on the online application form. Please keep in mind that completing the training does not guarantee that the applicant will be called for the Examination or hired into the Bank’s service.
Note:Â Pre Examination Training is only conducted for candidates of Gr B (DR)- General
RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern 2021
An online/written test and an interview will be used to select candidates for the RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern. The interview will be a 75 marks exam.
There are three papers in the examination:
- Paper-I (Objective type on Economics)
- Paper-II (Descriptive type on Economics)
- Paper-III (Descriptive type on English)
| Phase of the exam/ Name of Paper | Duration (minutes) | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I Objective Type (Economics) | 120 | 100 |
| Paper-II Descriptive Type (Economics) (Question paper displayed on computer, answers to be written on paper) | 180 | 100 |
| Paper-III English – Descriptive Type (To be typed with help of keyboard) | 90 | 100 |
| Total | – | 300 |
Important Points to Note
- Aspirants who achieve the required minimum scores in Paper I will advance to Papers II and III.
- The shortlisted candidates’ roll numbers for Papers II and III will be published on the official website.
- The exam conducting authority will determine the minimum cutoff marks for Papers II and III based on the number of vacancies available.
- Exams for Papers II and III will be held in multiple shifts.
- The exam will be conducted in both Hindi and English.
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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2021- DSIM Exam
An online/written test and an interview will be used to select candidates for the RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern. The interview will be a 75-point assessment.
There are three papers in DSIM exam:
- Phase-I (Objective type on Statistics)
- Paper-II (Descriptive type of Statistics)
- Phase-III (Descriptive type on English)
| Phase of the exam/ Name of Paper | Time Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I Objective Type (on Statistics) | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Paper-II Descriptive Type (on Statistics) (Question paper displayed on computer, answers to be written on paper) | 180 minutes | 100 |
| Paper-III English – Descriptive Type (To be typed with help of keyboard) | 90 minutes | 100 |
| Total | – | 300 |
Important Points to Note
- Aspirants who achieve the required minimum scores in Paper I will advance to Papers II and III.
- The shortlisted candidates’ roll numbers for Papers II and III will be published on the official website.
- The exam will determine the minimum cutoff marks for Papers II and III.
- Exams for Phases II and III will be held in multiple shifts.
- Except for Paper III on English, all questions will be set in both Hindi and English.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern: Interview (DSIM and DEPR)
The Board will determine the number of applicants who will be called for an interview. The final decision will be made based on the results of Papers I, II, and III, as well as the interview. The interview will be worth a total of 75 marks. Applicants can choose to have their interview in Hindi or English. Before appearing for the interview, candidates will be subjected to a Psychometric Test conducted by the Bank. Though no points will be given for it, it will not be included in the final selection criteria.Â
RBI Grade B Marking Scheme
| Marking scheme | Marks Given |
|---|---|
| For correct answers | 1 mark |
| For wrong answers | -1/4 marks |
| For not attempted | 0 (no marks) |
Total Scores= (1*Number of correct answers)- (0.25* Number of wrong answers)
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RBI Grade B Syllabus For Phase-I (Prelims)
The RBI Grade B Prelims consists of 200 questions with a total of 200 marks, which are divided into four sections. Math, logical reasoning, English, and general awareness are among them. Prelims have a total time limit of 120 minutes or 2 hours, during which applicants must move through each section in order to complete the exam in the allotted time.
To be eligible for Phase II, or the RBI Grade B Mains, candidates must meet both a sectional and an overall cutoff. As a result, a thorough understanding of each topic in the RBI Grade B Syllabus is critical. It will greatly assist you in passing the RBI Grade B Phase I exam!
It’s important to remember that RBI Grade B Prelims is a qualifying exam, which means that the Prelims score will not be added to the final merit. However, you must perform well in the Prelims Exam in order to advance to the next round.
RBI Grade B Syllabus (Prelims)
In the table below, you’ll find the RBI Grade B Syllabus for each of the Prelims sections:
| Subject | Syllabus |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Ratio & Proportion, Mensuration, Percentage, Average, Speed, Time and Distance, Time and Work, Permutation and Combination, Mixture and Alligation, Data Interpretation, Probability, Stocks and Shares, Simplification and Approximation, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Number Series, Upstream and Downstream, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest |
| Logical Reasoning | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Inequalities, Direction Test, Blood Relation, Syllogism, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Reasoning, Analogy Coding-Decoding, Ranking, Alphanumeric series |
| English | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting, Paragraph Completion |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs, Indian Financial Systems, Indian Banking Systems, Monetary Plans, National Institutions, Banking Terms |
RBI Grade B Books For Prelims
For RBI Grade B Syllabus preparation, you can use the following books:
| Logical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey |
| English Language | Word Power Made Simple by Norman Lewis Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M. Tyra How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT written by Arun Sharma Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations written by R.S. Agarwal |
| General Awareness | Banking Awareness by Arihant Experts Banking Awareness for SBI and IBPS Bank Clerk/PO/RBI Exams/RRB by Disha Experts |
RBI Grade B Syllabus For Phase II (Mains)
The RBI Grade B Phase II (Mains) is held 15 days after the Prelims. As a result, it is recommended that applicants start preparing for both the prelims and the mains at the same time. Economic & Social Issues, English (Writing Skills), and Finance & Management are the three sections for RBI Grade B (Mains). While ESI and FM have a mix of objective and descriptive questions, the English Writing Skills paper is entirely descriptive.
To ensure that you can perform well in the exam, you must have a thorough understanding of each topic in the RBI Grade B Syllabus for Mains. For your convenience, we’ve briefly introduced most of the topics covered in the RBI Grade B Syllabus for Mains. You can read more about each topic by clicking on it.
| Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Economic & Social Issues | Growth and Development Economic Reforms in India Globalization Social Structure in India |
| Finance | Financial System Financial Markets Risk Management Basics of Derivatives Development in Financial Sector Union Budget Inflation |
| Managemnet | Role of Manager Human Resource Development Motivation, Morale and Incentives Communication Corporate Governance |
RBI Grade B Books for Mains
RBI has provided a suggested booklist for RBI Grade B Phase II (Mains). The books listed below should be used to prepare for the RBI Grade B Syllabus for Mains:
| Subject | Books | Additional Resources |
| Economic & Social Issues | Indian Economy: Uma Kapila (Series of Books) Indian Economy: Mishra Puri. (Latest Edition) Growth And Development: Devraj Ray Sociology: C.N. Shankar Rao | Magazines: Economic and Political Weekly, Southern Economist, Yojana, Business India, RBI Bulletins Newspapers: Economic Times, The Hindu, Business Standard Reports: World Development Report, Economic Survey of India |
| Finance & Management | An introduction to Economics – A W Stonier and DC Hauge Monetary Theory and Public Policy – Kenneth Kurihara Indian Economy – Mishra and Puri Indian Economy – R. Dutt and KPM Sundaram Economic Growth and Development – Mayer and Baldwin | Major economic newspapers and Economic and Political Weekly Public Finance – K K Andley and Sundaram Financial Management – Prasanna Chandra |
| English Writing Skills | Hindu Editorials PIB News Summary | Economic Survey & Budget |
RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern FAQ’S
No, working for the Reserve Bank of India is not a state or federal government job. Banks are public-sector institutions, and RBI officers are not appointed on a gazetted basis.
To take the RBI Grade B Officer exam in 2021, you must meet the following requirements:
The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
Applicant must be at least 21 years old and no older than 30 years old.
For the generalist cadre, candidates must have a graduate degree in any discipline, while for the specialist cadre, candidates must have the desired degree from their specific specialisations.
Yes, the RBI Grade B Officer exam has a different syllabus than the SBI PO exam. The RBI Grade B prelims and SBI PO mains have the same syllabus. Quantitative aptitude, reasoning ability, and English language are all tested in the SBI PO preliminary exam. The RBI Grade B exam, however, includes an additional section on general awareness.