RBI Grade B Books: If you're preparing for the RBI Grade B exam, having the right books by your side is a must. This exam is tough, and the syllabus is wide. So, you need study materials that are simple to understand and cover the complete syllabus. In this post, I've shared the best RBI Grade B books for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 along with preparation tips and topper-suggested booklists.
What are the best books for the RBI Grade B 2026 exam?
For RBI Grade B 2026, the best books for Phase 1 focus on concept clarity and daily practice. For Quantitative Aptitude, refer to Fast Track Objective Arithmetic (Rajesh Verma), Magical Book on Quicker Maths (M. Tyra), and R.S. Aggarwal. For English, use Wren & Martin Grammar, Objective General English (S.P. Bakshi), and Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis). For Reasoning, rely on Magical Book on Puzzles (K. Kundan), Analytical Reasoning (M.K. Pandey), and R.S. Aggarwal's reasoning book. For General Awareness, follow Banking Awareness by Arihant or Disha Experts along with newspapers, current affairs magazines, and RBI updates.
For Phase 2, focus on ESI with Indian Economy (Kapila/Mishra & Puri), Growth and Development (Devraj Ray), and C.N. Shankar Rao's Sociology, plus Economic Survey and RBI reports. For Finance & Management, read Financial Management (Chandra), Management (Robbins & Coulter), and RBI bulletins. For English Descriptive, practice essays and precis from editorials and previous year questions.
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What is the RBI Grade B exam pattern?
The RBI Grade B exam pattern consists of three phases. Phase 1 is the preliminary exam and includes Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and English. It has 200 questions for 200 marks, lasts 120 minutes, and has sectional timing. A penalty of 1/4th mark is applied for each wrong answer.
Phase 2 is the mains exam with three papers. Paper I and Paper III have both objective and descriptive questions, while Paper II is fully descriptive. Marks from Phase 2 are considered for the final merit list.
Phase 3 is the interview, which carries 75 marks. The final selection is based on the marks obtained in Phase 2 and the interview.
What is the RBI Grade B 2026 syllabus?
The RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 includes General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning in Phase I. Phase II has three papers: Economic & Social Issues, English (Writing Skills), and Finance & Management. Candidates who clear Phase II appear for the interview. As per toppers and experts, aspirants must start preparing for Phase 2 as well along with Phase 1 and aspirants should not wait for the RBI Grade B Notification to be released in order to start their preparation. Since Phase 2 carries significant weight in the final selection, early preparation would help in reducing last-minute stress.
| Stage | Syllabus / Components |
|---|
| Phase I | - General Awareness - English Language - Quantitative Aptitude - Reasoning |
| Phase II | - Economic & Social Issues - English (Writing Skills) - Finance & Management |
| Interview | Prepare concurrently with Phase II; focus on communication, confidence, and subject knowledge |
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What are the good books for the RBI Grade B 2026 phase 1 exam?
This phase is mostly objective and needs quick thinking and accuracy. You should focus on concept clarity and daily practice. Combine these books with reliable RBI Grade B Study Material to maximize your preparation.
| Subject | Focus Area | Recommended Books |
|---|
| 1. Quantitative Aptitude | Basic to advanced math skills | - Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma - Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M. Tyra - Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal - How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma |
| 2. English Language | Vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension | - High School Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin - Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi - Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis |
| 3. Reasoning Ability | Logical thinking through puzzles and mock tests | - Magical Book on Puzzles by K. Kundan - Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey - Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal |
| 4. General Awareness | Daily current affairs and static banking knowledge | - Banking Awareness by Arihant Experts - Banking Awareness for SBI, IBPS, RBI & RRB Exams by Disha Experts Other Resources: - The Hindu or Economic Times (daily) - Monthly current affairs magazines and RBI updates |
To boost your daily prep for General Awareness, pair this with our guide on How to Crack RBI Grade B Exam in First Attempt where we cover key tips.
What are the good books for the RBI Grade B 2026 phase 2 exam?
This is the most crucial stage. Phase 2 papers are more theoretical and application-based, especially ESI and FM. So, deeper reading is necessary, and referring to the right RBI Grade B Books can make a significant difference in understanding core concepts.
| Subject | Focus Area | Recommended Books | Extra Reading |
|---|
| 1. Economic and Social Issues (ESI) | Economy, policies, and social development | - Indian Economy by Uma Kapila - Indian Economy by Mishra & Puri - Growth and Development by Devraj Ray - Sociology by C.N. Shankar Rao - Public Finance by K.K. Andley & Sundaram | - Economic Survey of India - RBI Annual Report - Union Budget Highlights - Reports from World Bank, IMF, NITI Aayog |
| 2. Finance and Management (FM) | Theoretical finance and management concepts | Finance Books:- Financial Management by Prasanna Chandra - Public Finance by K.K. Andley & Sundaram - Monetary Theory and Public Policy by Kenneth Kurihara - International Business by Hill and Jain Management Books:- Management by Stephen P. Robbins & Mary Coulter - Organisational Behaviour by Robbins, Judge & Vohra- Human Resource Management by Gary Dessler - Business Ethics – Concepts and Cases by Manuel G. Velasquez - Business Ethics – An Indian Perspective by A.C. Fernando | - RBI Monetary Policy Reports - RBI Banking Trend Reports - Economic and Social Bulletins |
| 3. English Writing Skills (Descriptive) | Essay writing, precis, and reading comprehension | - Read editorials from The Hindu and Indian Express daily - Practice previous year questions - Watch descriptive writing videos on YouTube for tips |
Download RBI Grade B 2024 AIR 1 Handwritten Notes
For a complete strategy, check out our detailed guide on RBI Grade B Preparation, where you'll find smart methods to cover the syllabus effectively.
RBI Grade B Booklist Recommended by Toppers
To help you prepare effectively for the RBI Grade B exam, here's a carefully curated list of RBI Grade B Books recommended by previous toppers. These books cover all essential topics and concepts, ensuring a strong foundation for your preparation.
| Subject | Toppers' Recommended Books |
|---|
| Quant | Arun Sharma, R.S. Aggarwal |
| Reasoning | M.K. Pandey, R.S. Aggarwal |
| English | S.P. Bakshi, Norman Lewis |
| General Awareness | Disha/Arihant Books, Newspapers |
| ESI | Uma Kapila, Economic Survey |
| FM | Prasanna Chandra, Robbins |
| English Writing | Editorial reading + regular practice |
How to prepare effectively for RBI Grade B exam?
The RBI Grade B exam is conducted in three stages: Phase 1, Phase 2, and the Interview. Effective preparation requires books that cover the entire syllabus, explain concepts clearly, and provide practice questions and previous year papers. Along with the right study material, following a structured RBI Grade B study plan helps you manage time efficiently, track your progress, and focus on weaker areas to maximize your chances of success.
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What should you consider before buying RBI Grade B books?
Choosing the right RBI Grade B preparation books is very important for doing well in both Phase 1 and Phase 2. With so many books available, candidates should check a few key things before buying:
- Complete syllabus coverage: Make sure the book covers the entire syllabus for both phases. This helps you study in a structured way.
- Author credibility: Books by experts, economists, or banking professionals give clear explanations and useful insights for the exam.
- Latest edition: Always choose the newest edition. Updated books include the latest exam trends and previous year questions.
- Practice questions and mock tests: Books with practice exercises, solved examples, and mock tests help you understand concepts and improve speed.
- Affordable: Pick books that are good value for money without losing quality.
- Reviews and ratings: Check online reviews to see if the book is helpful and easy to understand.
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