Candidates preparing for Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams are advised to review the RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025 and the exam pattern thoroughly so as to understand the topics covered, marking scheme and other essential details. In this article, we have provided the RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025 and the exam pattern in detail for Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams to help the candidates perform well.
To crack the RBI Grade B exam, candidates first need to understand the RBI Grade B syllabus and exam pattern. Reserve Bank of India prepares syllabus to assess professional and banking knowledge of RBI Grade B aspirants. As you know, there are 3 stages of the exam: Stage 1, Stage 2 and Interview. The RBI Grade B syllabus has six major topics which are (compiling all 3 stages):
- General Awareness
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning Ability.
- Finance & Management
- Economic & Social Issues
Let’s know more about subject wise syllabus and subjects for upcoming RBI Grade B Exam 2025.
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025
The RBI Grade B Syllabus of 2025 functions to measure candidate aptitude through different subjects which are important for Reserve Bank Grade B Officer responsibilities. The course is divided into three phases: Phase 1, Phase 2 and Interview. Stage 1 covers subjects such as General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, which focus on basic concepts and quick decision-making skills. Stage 2 is more specialized, covering Economic and Social Issues (ESI), Finance and Management (FM) and English (Descriptive Writing), with an emphasis on analytical and writing skills. Candidates taking the course are required to maintain knowledge of modern developments and economic developments along with banking industry practices. Candidates are required to follow a strategic study plan along with regular mock test practice so that they can understand the key concepts to succeed in the RBI Grade B exam.
RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The official notification will be released soon on the official website and till then, The syllabus is the initial point at which a candidate starts to prepare for any exam. For the candidates who have been preparing for the Exam, this article could be beneficial as here we have shared an updated syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and other important information. Also, candidates should note that there is negative marking of -0.25 marks for wrong answers and +1 marks for correct answers. The table below discusses the highlights of RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 details along with the recruitment process.
| RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025: Highlights | |
| Exam Name | RBI Grade B |
| Name of Authority | Reserve Bank of India |
| Post | Grade B |
| Vacancy | To Be Released |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Detailed Notification | To Be Released |
| RBI Grade B Selection Process |
|
| Application Mode | Online |
| Examination Language | English |
| Job Location | PAN Indian |
| Official Website | rbi.org.in |
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2025
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2025 consists of several stages, each stage assesses different aspects of the candidate’s knowledge and skills. The selection process for each post is given below:
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025
For RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam the questions will be asked on objective only (MCQ type) whereas in Phase 2 Exam there are both descriptive and objective type. Both the exams are computer-based exam (online) i.e. candidates will have to type the answer on their assigned computer screen. Get detailed information on RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for Phase 1 and Phase 2.
| RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 | |
| RBI Grade B Syllabus | Phase 1 & 2 |
| RBI Grade B Phase 1 Questions Type | MCQs |
| RBI Grade B Phase 2 Questions Type | Both MCQ & Descriptive Type |
| RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Mode | Online |
| RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern | 200 Marks (GA, Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude) |
| RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern | 3 Papers (Subject as per the Post) (300 Marks) |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th mark |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2025 for General (DR)
The major sections in the Phase I syllabus are Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, General Awareness, Economics, Statistics and English Language. Check RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 below for Phase 1.
- The first phase exam will be a computer-based exam and will have 4 sections as mentioned above.
- The total number of questions is 200 and each question carries 1 mark.
- The exam has one section time and the total duration is 2 hours.
- To clear the exam, candidates need to secure the section cut-off along with the overall cut-off.
- Also, there is 1/4th mark negative marking for every wrong answer marked by the candidate.
- The questions will be of MCQ type and the examination mode will be online computer-based.
- To clear the Phase 1 exam, candidates need to secure the section cut-off.
| RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2025 | |||
| 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 (DR)
Information about RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern for General Subject is given below. It covers subjects like Economics and Social Issues, English Writing and General Finance, Management and Ethics.
- Candidates who qualify the Phase 1 exam will appear for the Phase 2 exam.
- In Paper 1 and 3, the paper is divided into 2 sections of equal marks. One section contains MCQ type questions and the other section contains descriptive type questions. The descriptive questions will be typed through the keyboard.
- In the objective section, there will be 30 questions for 50 marks.
- In the descriptive section, there will be 6 questions, out of which candidates will have to attempt 4 questions for 15 marks each.
- The descriptive questions asked are generally easy.
| RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern for General Post | |||
| Paper | Format | Duration | Marks |
| Paper-I: Economic & Social Issues | Objective (50%) | 30 Minutes | 50 |
| Descriptive (50%) | 90 Minutes | 50 | |
| Paper-II: English (Writing Skills) 3 Questions | Descriptive | 90 Minutes | 100 |
| Paper III: Finance, Management, and Ethics | Objective (50%) | 30 Minutes | 50 |
| Descriptive (50%) | 90 Minutes | 50 | |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Syllabus for General (DR)
The four sections of General (DR) Phase 1 for RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025 are given in the table below. The four sections are:
- Reasoning
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness
- English Language
| RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025 General (DR) Phase 1 | |
| Subject | Topics |
| Reasoning |
|
| Quantitative Aptitude |
|
| English Language |
|
| General Awareness |
|
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Syllabus for General (DR)
The RBI Grade B syllabus for General (DR) Phase 2 is given in three sections in the table below. The three sections are:
- Economic and Social Issues (Paper 1)
- English Descriptive (Paper 2)
- Finance and Management (Paper 3)
| RBI Grade B Syllabus for General (DR) Phase 2 | ||
| Paper | Topics | Sub-topics |
| Paper 1: Economic and Social Issues (ESI) | Growth and Development | Measurement of growth: National Income and per capita income, Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India, Sustainable Development, Environmental issues. |
| Indian Economy | Economic History of India, Changes in Industrial and Labour Policy, Monetary and Fiscal Policy since reforms of 1991, Priorities and Recommendations of Economic Survey and Union Budget, Indian Money and Financial Markets: Linkages with the Economy, Role of Indian Banks and RBI in development, Public Finance, Political Economy, Industrial Developments in India, Indian Agriculture, Services sector. | |
| Globalization | Opening up of the Indian Economy, Balance of Payments, Export-Import Policy, International Economic Institutions: IMF, World Bank, WTO, Regional Economic Co-operation, International Economic Issues. | |
| Social Structure in India | Multiculturalism, Demographic Trends, Urbanization and Migration, Gender Issues, Social Justice. | |
| Paper 2: English Writing Skills | Writing Skills | English paper to assess writing skills, expression, and understanding of the topic. |
| Paper 3: Finance and Management | Financial System | 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. |
| Financial Markets | Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity), Functions, Instruments, and recent developments. | |
| General Topics | 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. | |
| Fundamentals of Management and Organizational Behaviour | Introduction to Management, Evolution of Management Thought (Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations), Systems Approach to Management, Managerial Roles, Nudge Theory, Personality (Big Five model), Reinforcement, Perception, Motivation (Maslow, Alderfer, McClleland, Herzberg), Leadership (Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional, Transformational), Emotional Intelligence, Interpersonal Relationship (Transactional Analysis, Johari Window), Conflict Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Development, Ethics at the Workplace. | |
| Corporate Governance | Meaning of ethics, Ethical problems in business, Theories of ethics (Utilitarianism, Rights and duties, Justice and 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. | |
RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern 2025
Students aspiring for the post of Department of Economics and Policy Research (DEPR) will have to appear for this stage. However, Finance and Management subjects are excluded. Candidates who have secured minimum marks in the first section can check their answers in the second section. The combined marks of Paper 1 & 2 and Interview will determine the selection of the candidate.
| RBI Grade B DEPR Exam Pattern 2025 | |||
| Phase | Paper | Duration | Marks |
| Paper 1 (Objective) | Paper-I Economics | 120 Min | 100 |
| Paper 2 (Descriptive) | Paper-II Economics | 180 Min | 100 |
| Paper-III English | 90 Min | 100 | |
RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2025
As per the RBI notification, the standard of Economics subject papers will be based on the Master’s Degree Examination in Economics of any Central University. RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2025 is divided into three papers, Paper 1 is Economics Objective, Paper 2 is Descriptive Economics and Paper 3 is English Descriptive.
| RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025 for DEPR | |
| Paper I: Economics (Objective) | Based on the Master’s Degree examination in Economics |
| Paper-II: Economics (Descriptive) | Based on the Master’s Degree examination in Economics |
| Paper III: English (Descriptive) | The English paper will be framed to assess the candidates’ writing skills, expression, and understanding of the topic |
RBI Grade B Phase 2 DSIM Post Exam Pattern
As per DEPR, candidates need to score minimum marks in Paper 1, after which they will be shortlisted for Paper 2. Details of RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for DSIM post are mentioned in the table below.
| RBI Grade B Phase 2 DSIM Exam Pattern | |||
| Phase | Paper | Duration | Marks |
| Paper 1 (Objective) | Paper-I Statistics | 120 Min | 100 |
| Paper 2 (Descriptive) | Paper-II Statistics | 180 Min | 100 |
| Paper-III English | 90 Min | 100 | |
RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2025
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025 for Phase 1 or Phase 2 for the DSIM post has been discussed here for the candidates.
DSIM Phase II Paper 1: Statistics (Objective)
Probability
- Definition of Probability
- Standard distribution
- Large and small sample theory
- Analysis of Variance
- Estimation
- Testing of Hypotheses
- Multivariate analysis
- Stochastic Processes
DSIM Phase II Paper 2: Statistics (Descriptive)
- Probability and Sampling
- Linear Models and Economic Statistics
- Statistical Inference: Estimation, Testing of hypothesis and Non-parametric Test
- Stochastic Processes
- Multivariate analysis
- Numerical Analysis and Basic Computer Techniques
DSIM Phase II Paper 3: English (Descriptive)
An English paper will be prepared to assess the candidates’ writing skills, expression, and understanding of the subject.
RBI Grade B Interview 2025
The last stage of the selection process for RBI Grade B 2025 exam is the interview. The interview is a round of personality testing in which behavioral aptitude, on-the-spot decision-making, handling questions in a calm and composed manner, etc. are assessed.
- The total marks for the interview round are 75 marks.
- This round carries 20% weightage in the final merit list.
- In the interview round, candidates will be asked questions on their professional and educational background to make them available.
RBI Grade B 2025 Exam Language
All the question papers of the first and second stages of the RBI Grade B examination will be available in both Hindi and English, except for the English language test. This bilingual format ensures that candidates can choose their preferred language for most sections of the exam. It is important to note that the English language test will be available only in English, requiring candidates to demonstrate their language proficiency.
RBI Grade B Marking Scheme
RBI Grade B Marking Scheme for DEPR, DSIM and General Posts is discussed in the table below.
| RBI Grade B Marking Scheme 2025 | |
| Post | Marking Scheme |
| General (DR) | In the Phase 1 exam, 1/4 of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates receive one mark for each correct answer. The total score is determined by the number of correct and incorrect answers. |
| DEPR |
|
| DSIM |
|
RBI Grade B 2025 Preparation Tips
Candidates appearing for the exam can check out the RBI Grade B 2025 preparation tips. To prepare effectively for the RBI Grade B exam, candidates should focus on the following strategies:
- Practice multiple mock tests and review previous year question papers to gauge the difficulty level of the exam.
- Take advantage of the free RBI Grade B mock test series available online through Adda247.
- Given the negative marks and extensive syllabus of the exam, candidates should avoid guessing answers they are not sure about.
- Efficient time management is very important for the RBI Grade B exam; hence, practice to increase speed while maintaining accuracy.
- Create a structured study schedule that allocates equal time for each section of the bank exam.
- Study the RBI Grade B syllabus thoroughly to identify your personal strengths and weaknesses, and prepare accordingly.
- Revise regularly and practice diligently to increase your chances of clearing the RBI Grade B exam in the first attempt.
