Securing a position as an Officer in Grade ‘B’ at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is a dream for many, but the journey requires a precise understanding of the vast syllabus. The RBI selection process is designed to test not just your memory, but your analytical ability regarding the Indian economy and financial systems.
In this guide, we break down the RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 for Phase 1 and Phase 2, including specialized sections for DEPR and DSIM.
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026
The recruitment follows a three-stage process:
- Phase 1: Online Objective Examination (Screening Round)
- Phase 2: Online Mixed Examination (Objective + Descriptive)
- Phase 3: Personal Interview & Psychometric Test
Phase 1 Exam Pattern (Objective Type)
Phase 1 is common for all candidates. It is a qualifying round, meaning marks are not added to the final merit list, but you must clear the sectional and overall cut-offs.
| Section | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 Minutes |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 15 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 60 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 Minutes |
Note: There is a negative marking of 1/4th (0.25) for every wrong answer.
Phase 2 Syllabus (General Post)
Candidates who clear the Phase 1 cut-off move to Phase 2. This stage consists of three papers, conducted on the same day in shifts.
| Paper | Subject | Type of Test | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Economic & Social Issues (ESI) | 50% Obj + 50% Desc | 100 | 120 Mins |
| Paper II | English (Writing Skills) | Descriptive (Typing) | 100 | 90 Mins |
| Paper III | Finance & Management | 50% Obj + 50% Desc | 100 | 120 Mins |
Detailed Topics:
Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
- Growth and Development: Measurement of growth (National Income, Per Capita Income), Poverty Alleviation, and Employment Generation in India.
- Indian Economy: Economic Reforms (1991), Privatization, Globalization, and the role of Public Sector Banks.
- Social Structure in India: Multiculturalism, Demographic Trends, Urbanization, Gender Issues, and Social Justice.
- Global Issues: International Financial Institutions (IMF, World Bank, WTO), and Regional Economic Cooperation.
Paper II: English (Writing Skills)
This paper is strictly descriptive and must be typed using a keyboard. It assesses your expression and understanding of the topic.
- Essay Writing: Usually based on current financial or social topics.
- Précis Writing: Summarizing a long passage.
- Comprehension: Answering questions based on a provided text.
Paper III: Finance & Management
- Finance: Financial System (RBI, SEBI, EXIM), Financial Markets (Money, Debt, Equity, Forex), Risk Management in the Banking Sector, and Fintech.
- Management: Leadership, Motivation, Communication, Corporate Governance, and Ethics in Business.
Syllabus for DEPR & DSIM (Specialized Posts)
If you are applying for DEPR (Dept. of Economic and Policy Research) or DSIM (Dept. of Statistics and Information Management), the syllabus differs:
For DEPR:
- Phase 1: Objective questions on Economics (Micro, Macro, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics, and Indian Economy).
- Phase 2: Descriptive papers on Economics and English.
For DSIM:
- Phase 1: Objective questions on Statistics, Probability, and Numerical Analysis.
- Phase 2: Descriptive papers on Statistics and English.
5. Phase 3: Personal Interview
- Weightage: 75 Marks.
- Psychometric Test: RBI conducts a psychometric test before the interview (no marks, but helps the panel understand your personality).
- Final Merit: The final selection list is prepared by combining marks from Phase 2 (300 marks) and Interview (75 marks) for a total of 375 marks.
Preparation Strategy for RBI Grade B
- Newspapers are Mandatory: Read The Hindu or Livemint daily for General Awareness and ESI topics.
- RBI Website: Regularly check the RBI Annual Reports and Monetary Policy Reviews.
- Descriptive Practice: Since Phase 2 requires typing, practice writing essays and summaries on a computer to improve speed and accuracy.
Important Links
| Download Syllabus PDF | Click Here |
| Free Mock Test for Phase 1 | Start Now |
| Official Website | rbi.org.in |
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