The RBI Grade B exam is one of the most demanded exams for aspirants aiming for a prestigious career in the financial sector. However, several other exams, such as SEBI Grade A, NABARD Grade A, IRDAI Grade A, IFSCA Grade A, and SIDBI Grade A, offer equally rewarding opportunities. In this article, we will know the details of the 5 Exams Similar to RBI Grade B, discuss the overlapping syllabus, and more factors.
1. SEBI Grade A
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) conducts the SEBI Grade A exam to recruit officers for its various departments.
Key Details:
- Eligibility: Graduate or postgraduate in relevant fields such as finance, law, or engineering.
- Phases: The exam has three phases:
- Phase I: General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and Awareness about the Financial sector.
- Phase II: Specialized papers based on streams (General, Legal, IT, etc.).
- Interview.
- Syllabus Overlap: Around 60-70% of the syllabus overlaps with RBI Grade B.
| Common Subjects in RBI & SEBI |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
| Reasoning |
| English |
| General Awareness |
| Finance & Management |
| Descriptive English |
| Interview |
Why Consider SEBI Grade A?
- The SEBI Grade A exam is conducted approximately every two years, though this is not an official pattern. Notifications were released in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024.
- Unique Subjects: Commerce and Accounts, Company Law, and Costing.
- Posting Location: Predominantly Mumbai, as 90% of SEBI’s workforce is based there.
Who Should Consider SEBI Grade A?
Candidates with a background in Commerce, CA/CS/CMA, or Law have a slight advantage. However, engineers and candidates from diverse educational backgrounds also successfully clear this exam every year.
2. NABARD Grade A
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) conducts the NABARD Grade A exam to recruit officers in Rural Development Banking Service (RDBS).
Key Details:
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agriculture, Economics, or related fields.
- Phases:
- Phase I: Preliminary Exam (8 sections wherein 5 are qualifying in nature).
- Phase II: Mains (English, ESI & ARD).
- Interview.
- Syllabus Overlap: Around 50-60% of the syllabus overlaps with RBI Grade B. Take the reference from the table given below.
| Common Subjects in RBI & NABARD |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
| Reasoning |
| English |
| General Awareness |
| ESI |
| Descriptive English |
| Interview |
Why Consider NABARD Grade A?
- Strong focus on rural development and agriculture.
- For last 8 to 10 years, NABARD Grade A Recruitment is being conducted every year.
- Opportunity to contribute to grassroots level economic growth.
- Promotions are generally faster than RBI as NABARD is a smaller organization as compared to RBI.
- While NABARD is associated with rural development, many postings are in metropolitan cities like Chandigarh, Lucknow, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.
- The additional subject, ARD, can be covered with focused preparation on agriculture-related current affairs and basic concepts of rural development.
3. IRDAI Grade A
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) conducts the IRDAI Grade A exam to recruit Assistant Managers.
Key Details:
- Eligibility: Graduate or postgraduate in relevant disciplines.
- Phases:
- Phase I: General Awareness, Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Aptitude.
- Phase II: Paper 1 is of English, Paper 2 is of Economic and Social Issues impacting Insurance and Paper 3 is of Insurance & Management. (Completely Descriptive)
- Interview.
- Syllabus Overlap: Around 60-70%.
| Common Subjects in RBI & IRDAI |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
| Reasoning |
| English |
| General Awareness |
| Descriptive English |
| Interview |
Why Consider IRDAI Grade A?
- Promotion Prospects: IRDAI has a lean organizational structure, leading to faster promotions compared to RBI.
- Posting Locations: Primarily Hyderabad, with opportunities in Mumbai and Delhi.
- Unique Subjects: Candidates need to focus on insurance-related topics and Economic & Social Issues (ESI) impacting the insurance sector.
- Future Consistency: IRDAI has formalized this exam as an annual event, ensuring stability and regular opportunities for aspirants.
4. IFSCA Grade A
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) conducts the IFSCA Grade A exam to recruit officers for the regulation and development of financial institutions in IFSCs.
Key Details:
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant fields.
- Phases:
- Phase I: General Awareness (Financial sector), Reasoning, Quant, English.
- Phase II: MCQs on General knowledge, Specialized subject related to stream.
- Interview
- Syllabus Overlap: Approximately 60%.
| Common Subjects in RBI & IFSCA |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
| Reasoning |
| English |
| General Awareness |
| Descriptive English |
| Interview |
Why Consider IFSCA Grade A?
- Unique opportunity to work in international financial markets.
- High-growth career with global exposure.
- Competitive salary and benefits.
5. PFRDA Grade A
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Grade A exam recruits officers who manage India’s pension schemes and ensure proper regulation and development.
Exam Pattern:
- Preliminary Exam: Tests General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
- Mains Exam: A specialized paper on pension regulations, financial markets, and economic policies.
- Interview: The final round after Mains.
Syllabus Overlap with RBI Grade B:
- General Awareness: Extensive overlap, especially in economic policies, pension reforms, and financial regulations.
- Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning: Similar sections in both exams.
- Financial Markets and Banking: PFRDA also focuses on financial products and markets, just like RBI Grade B.
How Much Overlap in Syllabus?
For all these exams, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and Reasoning are common. Specific financial knowledge, especially concerning banking regulations, financial markets, and economic policies, overlaps significantly between these exams and RBI Grade B. The preparation for Economic and Social Issues, Financial Markets, and Monetary Policy will be beneficial for aspirants targeting multiple exams in this sector.
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