The RBI Grade B 2026 syllabus and exam pattern form the foundation of preparation for one of the most prestigious exams in the banking sector. As the notification tender has already been released and detailed notification has been released soon, aspirants should now focus on gaining a clear understanding of the complete syllabus for both Phase I and Phase II.
The exam evaluates not just aptitude but also a candidate’s knowledge of finance, economics, and management. A well-structured preparation strategy, aligned with the latest exam pattern, is essential to succeed in this highly competitive exam.
RBI Grade B Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
The recruitment process is conducted in three phases Phase I (objective test), Phase II (a mix of objective and descriptive papers), followed by the Interview. In Phase I, candidates are tested on subjects such as Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, and General Awareness. Phase II shifts the focus to core areas like Economic & Social Issues, Finance & Management, along with a descriptive English paper.
Also Read, RBI Grade B Tender Notification 2026 Out
| RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Reserve Bank of India |
| Exam Name | RBI Grade B 2026 |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Selection Process | Phase 1 (Objective), Phase 2 (Descriptive) & Phase 3 (Interview) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks (in objective type) |
| Language of Paper | English and Hindi |
| Official Website | rbi.org.in |
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026
It requires a balanced focus on areas like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, and General Awareness, along with consistent practice. Additionally, candidates must recognize that the exam structure differs based on the stream General (DR), DEPR, or DSIM so tailoring your preparation according to the specific post is essential for better results.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern for General (DR)
Here, the candidates can check the detailed RBI Grade B Exam Pattern for all the stages of the examination. As mentioned above, the RBI Grade B Exam has three stages for General (DR). Here is the detailed RBI Grade B Exam Pattern.
RBI Grade B Phase 1
| RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2026 |
|||
| Name Of The Section | No. Of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 Minutes |
Note- The marks scored by candidates in the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam will not be considered in the final merit list. The merit list will be based on the marks scored by candidates in the Phase 2 exam and the interview round.
RBI Grade B Phase 2
The exam pattern for Phase II includes papers on Economic & Social Issues, English (descriptive), and General Finance & Management, as detailed in the table below.
| RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern 2026 | ||||
| Name Of Paper | Type Of Paper | Time | No. Of Qs | Marks |
| Paper-I: Economic and Social Issues |
50% Objective | 30 Minutes | 30 Objective Questions | 50 |
| 50% Descriptive | 90 Minutes | 4 Descriptive Questions | 50 | |
| Paper-II: English (Writing Skills) |
Descriptive | 90 Minutes | 3 | 100 |
| Paper-III: General Finance & Management |
50% Objective | 120 Minutes | 30 Objective Questions | 50 |
| 50% Descriptive | 4 Descriptive Questions | 50 | ||
RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern 2026
The RBI Grade B (DR) – DEPR selection process includes an Online/Written Examination followed by an Interview. Below are the key details of the exam pattern:
Interview Round
- The Interview carries 75 marks and plays a crucial role in the final selection.
- The final merit list is prepared based on candidates’ performance in Phase I, Phase II, and the Interview.
| RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern 2026 | |||
| Phase | Name Of Paper | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Phase I |
Paper – I Objective Type (on Economics) | 120 Minutes | 100 |
| Paper – II English – Descriptive (To be typed with the help of a keyboard) |
120 Minutes | 100 | |
| Phase II |
Paper – I Descriptive Type (on Economics) (Question paper displayed on computer, answers to be written on paper) | 120 Minutes | 100 |
| Paper – II Descriptive Type (on Economics) (Question paper displayed on the computer, answers to be written on paper) | 120 Minutes | 100 | |
| Interview | – | – | 75 |
| Total | 475 | ||
RBI Grade B DSIM Exam Pattern 2026
The selection process for RBI Grade B (DR) – DSIM comprises an Online/Written Examination followed by an Interview. Below are the detailed exam pattern highlights:
Important Details
- Candidates must secure the minimum aggregate marks in Paper I to be eligible for shortlisting in Paper II and Paper III.
- The Interview round carries 75 marks and is a key component of the final selection process.
- The final merit list is prepared based on candidates’ performance in Paper I, Paper II, Paper III, and the Interview.
| RBI Grade B DSIM Exam Pattern 2026 | |||
| Paper | Duration | Marks | |
| Phase I | Paper-I Statistics (Objective Type) | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Phase II | Paper-II Statistics (Descriptive Type)
(Question paper displayed on a computer, answers to be written on paper) Paper-III English (Descriptive) |
180 minutes | 100 |
| 90 minutes | 100 | ||
| Interview | – | – | 75 |
| Total | 375 | ||
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026
To prepare for the RBI Grade B exam, candidates need to focus on basic subjects such as Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness. At the same time, it is important to know that the exam pattern is different for each post General (DR), DEPR, and DSIM. So, preparation should be done according to the post you are applying for.
- The RBI Grade B 2026 exam evaluates candidates across key areas such as General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning in Phase I.
- Phase II emphasizes specialized subjects like Economic & Social Issues, Finance & Management, and Descriptive English, with the structure varying by post General (DR), DEPR, or DSIM.
- For the General (DR) stream, the primary focus remains on Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness.
RBI Grade B General (DR) Syllabus 2026
RBI Grade B Syllabus for Phase 1 has four subjects. You can access the section-wise syllabus for RBI Grade B.
Phase I
Below is a complete breakdown of the topics covered in each section for the Phase 1 examination.
| RBI Grade B Syllabus For Phase I General (DR) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | Reasoning Ability | Quantitative Aptitude | General Awareness |
| Reading Comprehension | Puzzles | Data Interpretation | Indian Banking Systems |
| Cloze Test | Seating Arrangements | Inequalities (Quadratic Equations) | Indian Financial Systems |
| Fillers | Direction Sense | Number Series | Govt. Schemes and Policies |
| Error Detection | Blood Relation | Approximation or Simplification | Current Affairs |
| Vocabulary-based questions | Syllogism | Data Sufficiency | Static Awareness |
| Sentence Improvement | Order and Ranking | Miscellaneous Arithmetic Problems | Monetary Plans |
| Jumbled Paragraph | Coding-Decoding | Quantity Comparison (Q1 & Q2) | National Institutions |
| Phrase Replacement/ Phrase Correction | Machine Input-Output | Banking Terms | |
| Match The Column | Inequalities | ||
| Word Swap | Alpha-Numeric-Symbol Series | ||
| Word Rearrangement | Data Sufficiency | ||
| Idioms | Logical Reasoning (Passage Inference, Statement, Assumption, Conclusion, Argument) |
||
| Paragraph /Sentences Restatement | |||
| Paragraph-Based Questions | |||
| Paragraph Fillers | |||
Phase II
In the Phase 2 exam of the RBI Grade B officer, there are 3 Papers, viz.
- Paper I (Economic and Social Issues)
- Paper II (English Writing Skills)
- Paper III (General Finance and Management)
Paper 1: Economic and Social Issues
The detailed topic-wise syllabus for RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper I for Economic and Social Issues is provided below:
|
Syllabus For Economic and Social Issues |
|
| Category | Important Topics |
| Growth & Development | National Income & Per Capita Income |
| Poverty Alleviation & Employment | |
| Sustainable Development & Environment | |
| Economic Landscape | Economic History |
| Industrial & Labour Policy Changes | |
| Monetary & Fiscal Policy (Post-1991 Reforms) | |
| Economic Survey & Union Budget Priorities | |
| Financial System | Money & Financial Markets |
| Role of Banks & Reserve Bank of India | |
| Public Finance | |
| Political Economy’s Influence | |
| Economic Sectors | Industrial Developments |
| Importance of Agriculture | |
| Services Sector Growth | |
| Globalization | Opening Up of the Indian Economy |
| Balance of Payments Explained | |
| Export-Import Policy | |
| International Economic Institutions (IMF, World Bank, WTO) | |
| Regional Economic Cooperation & International Issues | |
| Social Structure | India’s Multiculturalism |
| Demographic Trends & Analysis | |
| Urbanisation & Migration Impact | |
| Gender Issues & Social Justice | |
Paper 2: English Writing Skills
- Assess writing and comprehension skills
- Descriptive writing on topics like essay, précis, or letter writing
Paper 3: General Finance and Management
The RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 for Phase 2 and Paper III includes General Finance and Management. We have shared the detailed topic-wise syllabus for the convenience of the aspirants:
|
General Finance and Management |
|
|---|---|
| Category | Topics |
| Financial System | Structure and Functions Of Financial Institutions |
| Functions Of the Reserve Bank of India | |
| Banking System in India – Structure and Developments, Financial Institutions – SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, NaBFID, etc. | |
| Recent Developments in the Global Financial System and Its Impact on the Indian Financial System | |
| Role Of Information Technology in Banking and Finance | |
| Non-Banking System | |
| Developments in Digital Payments | |
| Financial Markets | Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), function, instruments, and recent developments. |
| General Topics | Financial Risk Management |
| Basics of Derivatives | |
| Global financial markets and International Banking-broad trends and latest developments | |
| Financial Inclusion | |
| Alternate source of finance, private and social cost-benefit, Public-Private Partnership | |
| Corporate Governance in the Banking Sector | |
| The Union Budget – Concepts, approach and broad trends | |
| Basics of Accounting and Financial Statements- Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss, Cash Flow Statements, Ratio Analysis | |
| Inflation: Definition, trends, estimates, consequences, and remedies (control): WPI, CPI -components and trends; striking a balance between inflation and growth through monetary and fiscal policies. | |
| Management | Fundamentals of Management & Organisational Behaviour |
| Introduction to management: Evolution of management thought | |
| Management functions and Managerial roles | |
| Meaning & concept of organisational behaviour; Personality: meaning, factors affecting personality, Big Five model of personality | |
| Perception: concept, perceptual errors. Motivation: Concept, importance, Content theories and process theories | |
| Leadership: Concept, Theories | |
| Emotional Intelligence: Concept, Importance, Dimensions | |
| Analysis of Interpersonal Relationships | |
| Conflict: Concepts, Sources, Types, and Management of Conflict | |
| Organisational Development (OD) | |
| Ethics At The Workplace and Corporate Governance | |
| Meaning of ethics, why ethical problems occur in business | |
| Theories of ethics | |
| Ethical Principles in Business | |
| Corporate Governance | |
| Communication | |
RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2026
The syllabus for RBI Grade B (DR) DEPR is as per the specialisation. The syllabus pertains to core economics and is generally similar to the syllabus for a Master’s Degree in economics.
Phase 1:
The syllabus pertains to core economics and is generally similar to the syllabus for a Master’s Degree in economics.
- Paper 1: Objective Type (Economics)
- Paper 2: Descriptive Type (English)
Paper 1 Objective Type (Economics)
|
Economics |
|
| Module | Topics |
| Microeconomics | Theories of consumer demand, Production, Market Structures and Pricing, Distribution, and Welfare Economics |
| Macroeconomics | Theories of Employment, Output and Inflation; Monetary Economics; ISLM Model; Schools of Economic Thought |
| International Economics | Theories of International Trade; Balance of Payments; Exchange Rate Models |
| Theories of Economic Growth | Classical neo-classical approaches to economic growth and major theories of economic development |
| Public Finance | Theories of taxation and public expenditure, and Public Debt Management |
| Environmental Economics | Green GDP, Environmental Valuation, Environmental Policy Instruments |
| Quantitative Methods in Economics | Mathematical and Statistical Methods for Economics, Ordinary Least Squares Regression |
| Current Developments in the Indian Economy | Growth, inflation, poverty, unemployment, financial sector developments, external sector developments, fiscal developments, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and services |
Paper 2 Descriptive Type (English)
The English paper will evaluate the candidate’s writing abilities, including their expression and comprehension of the given topic.
Phase 2
The Economics syllabus for RBI Grade B (DEPR) is designed to assess a candidate’s understanding of both theoretical concepts and their practical application. It covers key areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative methods, and the Indian economy, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of economic knowledge and analytical skills.
Paper 1 Descriptive Type (Economics)
Microeconomic Module
|
Microeconomic Module |
|
| Topic | Description |
| Consumer Theory | Cardinal and Marginal Utility Analysis, Consumer Surplus, Indifference Curve Analysis, Price, Income and Substitution Effects, Game Theory |
| Production Theory | Forms of Production Function; Laws of Returns to Scale; Partial Equilibrium Vs General Equilibrium Analysis |
| Market Theory | Pricing under different market structures |
| Distribution Theories | Ricardo, Marx, Kalecki, and Kaldor |
| Welfare Economics | Pareto Optimality, Schools of Welfare Thought including Arrow, Coase, and Sen |
Macroeconomic Module
|
Macroeconomic Module |
|
| Topic | Description |
| National Income Accounting | Various methods for the measurement of National Income |
| Theory of Employment and Output | Classical and Neo-classical approaches, Keynesian theory of Employment and output, Post-Keynesian developments, Business Cycles |
| Inflation | Types of Inflation, Philip’s curve, Taylor’s Rule, Lucas Critique |
| Money and Banking | Quantity theory of Money, Neutrality of money, IS-LM Model and AD-AS Models, Money Multiplier, Monetary Policy |
| Theories of Economic Growth | Theories of growth, Classical and neoclassical approaches, Theories of Economic Development |
| International trade and Balance of Payments | Theories of international trade, Determination of exchange rates, Impossible Trinity |
| Public Finance | Theories of taxation, Theories of public expenditure, Theories of public debt management |
Paper 2 Descriptive Type (Economics)
Module on Quantitative Methods in Economics
|
Module on Quantitative Methods in Economics |
|
|
Topic |
Description |
|
Mathematical Methods in Economics |
Differentiation and Integration, Optimisation, Sets, Matrices, Linear algebra and Linear programming |
| Statistical Methods in Economics | Measures of central tendency and dispersion, Probability, Time series, and Index numbers. |
| Econometrics and Advanced Applications | Regression analysis, Panel data econometrics, Time Series econometrics, Basics of Bayesian Econometrics, Basic application of Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning |
The module on Indian Economy – Policy and Trends
|
The module on Indian Economy – Policy and Trends |
|
|
Topic |
Description |
| Fiscal policy in India | Evolution, scope and limitations, current trends |
| Monetary Policy in India | Evolution, Functions of the Reserve Bank of India, Monetary-Fiscal coordination, Inflation targeting, Operating framework of Monetary Policy, Current trends |
| Banking and financial sector development in India | Banks and other constituents of Indian financial markets and related developments, Current trends |
| Inflation in India | Trends and drivers |
| External sector developments in India | Exchange rate management, external debt, Balance of payments, Current trends |
RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2026
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 for DSIM comprises three papers: Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. Candidates aspiring for the RBI Grade B 2026 DSIM Posts must be familiar with the topics to be covered in each of the papers.
Phase I — Paper I: Statistics (Objective)
|
Paper 1 |
|
| Module | Topics |
| Probability and Sampling | Definition of Probability, Standard distribution, Large and small sample theory, Analysis of Variance, Estimation, Testing of Hypotheses, Multivariate analysis, and Stochastic Processes |
Phase II — Paper II: Statistics (Descriptive)
Candidates will have ample options to answer the mandatory number of questions from a minimum of three out of the eight groups mentioned above. Here is the detailed syllabus for the RBI Grade B Syllabus for DSIM.
|
Paper 2 |
|
| Module | Topics |
| Probability and Sampling | Theory of Probability and Probability Distributions, Sampling Theory |
| Linear Models and Economic Statistics | Simple linear regression, Multiple regression, Measurement of economic inequality |
| Statistical Inference | Estimation, Testing of Hypothesis and Non-Parametric Test |
| Stochastic Processes | Poisson Processes, Markov Chains, Brownian Motion |
| Multivariate Analysis | Multivariate normal distribution, Canonical correlation analysis, Principal components analysis, Factor analysis and cluster analysis |
| Econometrics and Time Series | General linear model, Autocorrelation, Simultaneous linear equations model, Box-Jenkins models, ARCH/GARCH models |
| Statistical computing | Simulation techniques, Resampling methods, Robust linear regression, Neural Networks, Association Rules, Markov Chain Monte Carlo |
| Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques | Supervised and unsupervised pattern classification, Regression and Classification algorithms, Neural Networks, and Natural Language Processing |
Phase II — Paper III: English (Descriptive)
The English paper will be designed to evaluate the candidate’s writing abilities, including their expression and comprehension of the given topic.
RBI Grade B Interview Round
The final hurdle in the RBI Grade B selection process is the interview, which is reserved for candidates who clear both Phase I and Phase II with the required marks.
- This assessment of 75 marks gives candidates an opportunity to present their case in Hindi or English in front of a panel of five senior officers.
- The discussion usually revolves around the candidate’s academic background, professional experience and awareness of current affairs.
- After passing the interview, there is a mandatory medical examination to confirm the physical fitness of the candidate for his responsibilities as an RBI Grade B officer.
RBI Grade B Marking Scheme
The RBI Grade B 2026 Exam follows a structured marking scheme across both phases, designed to assess candidates’ accuracy, conceptual understanding, and analytical ability. Here’s a quick breakdown of the pattern and scoring system:
Phase 1 (Prelims):
- 200 questions, 200 marks, 120 minutes
- +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect answers
- Sections: Reasoning (60), English (30), Quantitative Aptitude (30), General Awareness (80)
- Qualifying only; not counted in final merit
Phase 2 (Mains):
- 3 papers: ESI, English (Writing), Finance & Management
- Each paper: 100 marks
- Papers I & III: 50% objective + 50% descriptive | Paper II: Descriptive only
- -0.25 for wrong answers in objective parts | No penalty in descriptive
Final Merit:
- Based on Phase 2 scores + Interview (75 marks)
What is the Psychometric Test in RBI Grade B?
The Psychometric Test in RBI Grade B is a personality assessment conducted by the Reserve Bank of India before the interview stage. It is used to understand a candidate’s behaviour, attitude, decision-making skills, and suitability for a managerial role. This test helps the interview panel know the candidate better.
- The psychometric test is conducted online, and candidates can take it from home.
- It includes questions related to personality, work style, and real-life situations.
- No marks are given for this test, and it does not directly affect the final merit list.
- The test report may be used by the interview panel to ask questions during the interview.
- Candidates are advised to answer honestly and avoid guessing or giving fake responses.
| Related Posts | |
| RBI Grade B Salary | RBI Grade B Selection Process |
| RBI Grade B Preparation Strategy | RBI Grade B Mock Test |
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