Every year, the Reserve Bank of India releases the RBI Grade B recruitment notice to hire officers for the General, DEPR, and DSIM cadres. Candidates preparing for the upcoming 2026 exam must start their preparation now, as once the notification is released, they will have only 60 days to prepare for the Phase 1 exam. In this blog, we have provided the RBI Grade B Phase 1 memory-based papers for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, along with details of the types of questions asked in the previous year question papers.
RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers, Download PDF
Below, we have provided the RBI Grade B memory-based papers along with a direct link to download the PDF to help aspirants prepare for the upcoming 2026 RBI Grade B exam.
RBI Grade B Previous Year Paper 2024, Download PDF
The direct link to download the RBI Grade B previous year paper 2024 is provided below. Aspirants can download the PDF through the link.
| Paper Name | Link |
| RBI Grade B 2024 PYP PDF | Download Now |
1. A train travels from station P to station Q at a speed of X km/hr and a truck travels at three-fourth of the train’s speed. The train departs at 9 am and reaches Q at 15 pm, while the truck covers (480 + 3X) km in 4 hours. If the train’s speed is reduced by 20%, find how much additional time the train will take to reach Q (The train halts three times for 10 minutes each)?
2. The speed of a boat in still water and the speed of the river current are in the ratio 5 : 2. The difference in time taken to cover a distance D km downstream and upstream is 12 hours. (Speed of the current is 4 km/hr)
Quantity I: Time taken to cover (D – 60) km downstream
Quantity II: Time taken to cover (D + 40) km upstream
Directions (3-7): Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below:
Eight persons – A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H – were born in eight different years: 1968, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1990, 1995, and 2002, but not necessarily in the same order. Each person has purchased a different item: Pen, Diary, Watch, Ring, Wallet, Necklace, Bag, and Frame. Their ages are counted as in the year 2026.
- The one who was born in a leap year purchased Diary.
- One person was born between the one who was born in a leap year and E.
- The number of persons born before the one who purchased Bag is two more than the number of persons born after the one who purchased Ring.
- More than two persons were born between E and H, who was born two persons before C.
- The one whose age is a prime number purchased Necklace, but that person is not the youngest or the oldest.
- More than two persons were born between the one who purchased Diary and the one who purchased Frame.
- B is 6 years elder than D.
- As many persons were born before B as after F.
- C doesn’t purchase Frame.
- Wallet was purchased by the person who was born five persons before G.
- The one whose age is an odd number doesn’t purchase Pen.
- The person who purchased Watch was born immediately before the person who purchased Bag.
- H was born in an even year and does not purchase Diary or Necklace.
3. Who among the following purchased Watch and what was the age of that person?
4. In which year was the person who purchased Necklace born and what did they purchase?
5. How many persons were born between H and the person who purchased Ring?
6. What is the difference between the ages of the one who purchased Frame and C?
7. Four of the following five are similar in a certain way and related to a group. Which among the following does not belong to that group?
8. The Ayutthaya Exercise 2024, involving India and another Asian nation, marked the first edition of this bilateral military drill focusing on joint tactical exercises, command post integration, and cross-training of armed forces. Which country partnered India in this exercise?
9. During 2024, India participated in the Sea Defenders Exercise with the United States, enhancing maritime domain awareness, combined naval operations, and amphibious capabilities. Such military exercises typically strengthen what key aspect of bilateral relations?
10. The book “Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War” (2024) outlines how the US Defense Innovation Unit overcame bureaucratic hurdles to integrate cutting-edge technologies such as AI-powered drones and autonomous UAVs into military systems, challenging conventional defence procurement models. Which sector does this book focus on?
11. A book published in 2024 discussed how game theory concepts apply to high-speed, competitive environments like Formula 1 racing, analysing energy management, aerodynamic strategies, and overtaking positions. Which academic framework best describes this multidisciplinary analysis?
12. Graphene research in India received a boost in 2024 with the establishment of a national centre focused on graphene and IIoT sensors. Graphene is particularly promising in technology because it offers which key property that makes it valuable for next-generation electronics?
Quiz Summary
RBI Grade B Previous Year Paper 2023, Download PDF
The direct link to download the RBI Grade B previous year paper 2023 is provided below. Aspirants can download the PDF through the link.
| Paper Name | Link |
| RBI Grade B 2023 PYP PDF | Download Now |
1. How many years had the Basic Statistical Returns (BSR) system completed by October 2022?
2. During 2022-23, what was the range of maturity periods for securities issued to meet investor demand in different maturity buckets?
3. Which country achieved full gender parity in the 17th edition of the Global Gender Gap Index?
4. Which South American nation awarded its highest civilian honor, the Grand Order of the Chain of Yellow Star, to President Droupadi Murmu?
5. Directions: Identify the expression that simultaneously satisfies the semantic requirement and syntactic structure of the given sentences.
(I) The negotiations descended into __________, rendering consensus virtually unattainable.
(II) Escalating deficits appeared to be __________, unsettling global investors.
6. Directions: Identify the expression that simultaneously satisfies the semantic requirement and syntactic structure of the given sentences.
(I) Market optimism began to __________ once regulatory ambiguities resurfaced.
(II) The reform agenda threatened to __________ amid bureaucratic inertia.
7. Directions: Identify the expression that simultaneously satisfies the semantic requirement and syntactic structure of the given sentences.
(I) The empirical evidence __________ prevailing orthodoxies within monetary theory.
(II) The unexpected fiscal announcement __________ entrenched market expectations.
8. AB is a two-digit number where A is tens and B is units. Product of A and B = 0. Unit digits of A³, A², and A are same. Possible values of AB are:
9. The volume of a cube is 3375 cm³. A circle of diameter equal to the side of the cube is drawn on each face. Cost of painting the circular part Rs. x/m² and remaining part Rs. (x – 4)/m²; total cost = Rs. 8100. Value of x is:
10. To find the total profit at year-end, which statements are required?
Statement 1: A & B invested Rs. (X+2000) and (Y+2000); C joined after 4 months with Z.
Statement 2: Profit share of C = Rs. 15000.
Statement 3: Difference between profit of A & B = Rs. 2000.
11. The roots of x² − (13m)x + 180 = 0 are natural numbers, and the sum of their squares is 544. Which of the following is/are true?
(i) m = 2
(ii) Roots are 20 and 9
(iii) Difference of roots is 11
Quiz Summary
RBI Grade B Previous Year Question Paper 2022, Download PDF
The direct link to download the RBI Grade B previous year paper 2022 is provided below. Aspirants can download the PDF through the link.
| Paper Name | Link |
| RBI Grade B 2022 PYP PDF | Download Now |
RBI Grade B Past Year Paper 2021, Download PDF
The direct link to download the RBI Grade B memory-based paper for the year 2021 is provided below. Aspirants can download the PDF through the link.
| Paper Name | Link |
| RBI Grade B 2021 PYP PDF | Download Now |
RBI Grade B PYP 2020, Download PDF
The direct link to download the RBI Grade B memory-based paper for the year 2020 is provided below. Aspirants can download the PDF through the link.
| Paper Name | Link |
| RBI Grade B 2020 PYP PDF | Download Now |
RBI Grade B Previous Year Paper 2019, Free PDF
The direct link to download the RBI Grade B memory-based paper for the year 2019 is provided below. Aspirants can download the PDF through the link.
| Paper Name | Link |
| RBI Grade B 2019 PYP PDF | Download Now |
RBI Grade B Previous Year Paper 2018, Free PDF
The direct link to download the RBI Grade B memory-based paper for the year 2018 is provided below. Aspirants can download the PDF through the link.
| Paper Name | Link |
| RBI Grade B 2018 PYP PDF | Download Now |
RBI Grade B previous year exam trends

Preparing for the RBI Grade B exam becomes more strategic when you study trends from the past five years. Analysis of previous papers shows that Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning are consistently challenging, while English remains moderate and General Awareness is mostly current-affairs based. Understanding which topics appear frequently and the number of questions from each section helps candidates prioritize their preparation and focus on high-scoring areas.
Also Check: RBI Grade B Syllabus
What is the difficulty level of the RBI Grade B phase 1 paper?
The overall difficulty level of the Phase 1 exam is usually between moderate and difficult. Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning are often more challenging, while English and General Awareness are relatively easier for candidates who practice regularly. A good strategy is to focus on important topics with higher weightage and attempt difficult questions only if time permits.
| Year | Section-wise Difficulty | Overall Difficulty |
| 2025 | Quant: Moderate to Hard, Reasoning: Moderate to Hard, English: Moderate, GA: Moderate to Hard | Moderate to Hard |
| 2024 | Quant: Hard, Reasoning: Moderate, English: Moderate, GA: Moderate | Moderate |
| 2023 | Quant: Hard, Reasoning: Hard, English: Moderate, GA: Moderate to Hard | Hard |
| 2022 | Quant: Hard, Reasoning: Hard, English: Moderate, GA: Moderate | Hard |
| 2021 | Quant: Moderate, Reasoning: Moderate, English: Hard, GA: Moderate | Moderate |
Also Download RBI Grade B PYQs of 7 years
What are the common Quant topics in RBI Grade B previous year papers?

Quant questions mainly come from Data Interpretation, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, and other arithmetic topics. Data Interpretation is always important and has a high number of questions. Some topics, like Mensuration, HCF–LCM, and Boat & Stream, appear rarely, so they can be lower priority.
| Topic | Avg Questions per Year | Notes |
| Data Interpretation | 11-13 | Appears every year; high weightage |
| Number Series | 3–4 | Regularly asked; accuracy matters |
| Quadratic Equations | 2–4 | Needs basic understanding |
| Data Sufficiency | 2–3 | Irregular but scoring |
| Profit & Loss | 1–2 | Rare; focus only if confident |
| Time & Work / Distance | 1–2 | Occasional; moderate priority |
| Miscellaneous Arithmetic | 1–2 | Low priority |
What are the common Reasoning topics in RBI Grade B previous year question papers?

Reasoning questions in RBI Grade B mainly come from Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Critical Reasoning, and Input-Output. Based on the last 5 years’ exams, the approximate number of questions from each topic is as follows:
| Topic | Approx. Questions (per year) | Notes |
| Puzzles | 15–20 | Appears every year; most important |
| Seating Arrangement | 9–14 | Consistently high; crucial for scoring |
| Critical Reasoning | 8–12 | Regularly asked; scoring with practice |
| Input-Output | 5 | Appears every year; relatively easy |
| Syllogism & Inequalities | 4–5 | Basic practice needed |
| Direction Sense | 1–3 | Occasionally asked |
| Miscellaneous (Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Alphanumeric Series) | 1–5 | Appears irregularly; practice selectively |
Download RBI Grade B 2024 AIR 1 Handwritten Notes
From which English topics are questions mostly asked?

English questions usually cover Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Idioms & Phrases, and Sentence Rearrangement. Reading Comprehension always carries the highest weight, while other topics vary each year.
| Topic | Avg Questions | Notes |
| Reading Comprehension | 6–8 | Most important; practice daily |
| Cloze Test | 1–6 | Appears occasionally |
| Error Detection | 3–4 | Regular; basic grammar needed |
| Idioms & Phrases | 2–4 | Regular; high scoring |
| Sentence Rearrangement / Connector | 1–5 | Irregular; practice selectively |
Which are the common General Awareness topics from which questions were asked in RBI Grade B papers?
GA is mostly current-affairs based, including defense, sports, science & technology, space, awards, finance, RBI notifications, and reports. Static GA appears every year as a supporting section, but current affairs are the key scoring area.
| Topic | Avg Questions | Notes |
| Current Affairs (defense, sports, awards, science) | 15–20 | Most important; daily revision required |
| RBI Notifications & Reports | 7–12 | Important for scoring |
| Finance & Schemes | 5–8 | Must be revised regularly |
| Static GA | 6–12 | Supportive; don’t ignore |
FAQs
Expected to be released soon; candidates should stay updated on the official RBI website.
PDFs for 2018–2024 are available through direct download links in the article.
Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning are usually the toughest sections.
Data Interpretation, Number Series, and Quadratic Equations appear most often.
Mostly current affairs, RBI notifications, finance, awards, and science & technology.
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