RBI Grade B Preparation 2025: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of the country, and securing a job here is a dream for many. Whether you are aiming for the Grade B General post, DEPR, or any other role, having a well-structured RBI Grade B 2025 Preparation plan is essential—especially if you are attempting the exam for the first time. A smart strategy helps you focus on important topics, manage your time better, and strengthen key concepts. With the right approach, cracking the exam in the first attempt becomes achievable. Read on to explore an effective RBI Grade B Preparation 2025 strategy that can guide your exam journey.
RBI Grade B Preparation Strategy for 2025
RBI Grade B is among the most competitive exams in the country. Some even find Phase 1 tougher than the civil services prelims. But don't let that hold you back. With the right approach and consistency, cracking both Phase 1 and Phase 2 is definitely possible.
So, how should you plan your RBI Grade B Preparation 2025? A strong RBI Grade B 2025 Preparation strategy should include:
- A clear understanding of the RBI Grade B exam pattern and syllabus.
- Strengthening your basics with standard books and online study resources.
- Identifying your strong and weak areas, and focusing more on the weaker sections to boost performance.
- Building a solid section-wise plan for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Make sure you choose the Best Source for RBI Grade B Preparation to stay on track and ahead of the competition.
Explore RBI Grade B Online Courses
How To Start Preparation For RBI Grade B
If you're starting your RBI Grade B 2025 Preparation from scratch, don't worry — a solid step-by-step strategy can take you a long way. Now that you know the key steps in the RBI Grade B Preparation 2025 strategy, let's explore each of them in detail.
Know the Syllabus & Exam Pattern First
Before you start preparing, it's important to understand the detailed exam pattern and syllabus.
Phase 1 includes a single paper of 200 marks with a 120-minute duration.
Phase 2 is divided into three papers, each for 100 marks — including both objective and descriptive sections.
Phase 3 is the interview round for shortlisted candidates.
The official notification will give you the full RBI Grade B syllabus and structure, so go through it carefully.
Work on Your Basics
For those who are starting RBI Grade B preparation from scratch, they should devote more time to strengthen their basic concepts and know the weightage given to them. Many common questions come from Current Affairs, banking, economics, and other sections. When you know the core concepts you will gain the confidence to solve advanced questions. Also, revise basic concepts regularly.
- To boost your basic conceptual understanding, use books and online study material. Check this complete list of the best RBI Grade B books.
- Use free RBI Grade B study material for different sections. The topic-wise curation of study materials gives you comprehensive knowledge and clarity over different concepts.
Solve RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers
Find Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Candidates must identify their strengths and weaknesses in various areas of RBI Grade B preparation.
To do so, take free mock tests and analyze previous year's questions (PYQs). You will understand the nature of the questions and how fast you can solve a set of questions.
As a result, you can create a tailored monthly or weekly study plan for yourself. Such a plan will allow you to mend your weaknesses and improve your score.
Work on Your Basics
If you're new to the exam, focus on building a strong foundation. Many questions come from topics like Current Affairs, Banking, and Economics. Start by understanding core concepts and revise them regularly to boost your confidence in advanced questions.
Use the Best Source for RBI Grade B Preparation like RBI Grade B Mock Test 2025 to strengthen your basics.
Identify Your Strengths & Weaknesses
Take mock tests and analyze previous year papers to figure out which sections you're strong in and where you need improvement. Based on that, build a weekly or monthly study plan tailored to your needs. This will help you stay focused and improve your overall performance.
Download RBI Grade B 2024 AIR 1 Handwritten Notes
Create a Section Wise RBI Grade B Preparation Strategy
Let's break down each section of Phase 1 and how to prepare for it:
RBI Grade B Phase 1 General Awareness
This is often the most challenging section due to its wide syllabus. Focus on 6 months of current affairs, especially from Banking, Finance, and RBI updates.
Tips:
Read PIB, government schemes, reports, and RBI circulars.
Stay updated with finance-related news and RBI notifications.
Target Score: 30–35 marks
Time to Spend: 25 minutes max (divided smartly between easy and tough questions)
RBI Grade B Phase 1 English Language
Regular newspaper reading will improve your comprehension and vocabulary. Strengthen grammar concepts and practice through mock tests.
Tips:
Watch editorial analysis (e.g. The Hindu).
Practice reading comprehension, cloze tests, and sentence rearrangement.
Target Score: 20–25 marks
Time to Spend: 20–25 minutes based on difficulty level
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Reasoning Ability
This section is scoring if you're consistent with practice. Puzzles and seating arrangements need more attention, so try solving 3–5 puzzles daily with a timer.
Topics to Focus On:
Alphanumeric series, coding-decoding, syllogism, input-output
Blood relations, direction sense, ranking, puzzles
Target Score: 20–25 marks
Time to Spend: 40–45 minutes
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Quantitative Aptitude
Accuracy and speed matter here. Learn multiplication tables, squares, cubes, and basic arithmetic tricks.
Tips:
Focus on DI (bar graphs, line charts, pie charts).
Practice number series, simplification, approximation, and arithmetic.
Target Score: 10–15 marks
Time to Spend: Around 25 minutes
RBI Grade B Phase 2 General Awareness
General Awareness is one of the toughest sections in all competitive exams, including RBI. Here are some ways to cover it effectively.
- Create a plan to cover month-wise news specific to a state daily.
- Focus on government schemes related to different ministries, ESI current affairs and finance current affairs topics.
- Solve a lot of MCQ questions on current affairs.
- Attempt RBI Grade B live tests to assess your knowledge in GA.
- Review budget and economic summary documents as many questions are asked from these areas.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 ESI
- Study topics like national and per capita income, poverty alleviation, monetary and fiscal policy, sustainable development, and the economic history of India. These are the most important sections to prepare for RBI Grade B ESI.
- Some good RBI Grade B preparation sources for ESI are Vikaspedia for Government schemes, official ministry websites for Government policies, and PIB.
- You can also check out our RBI Grade B ESI MCQ video series.
- Questions from Indian agriculture, Indian industrial developments, Indian services sector, and social and gender issues are rarely asked. So, do not spend much time on them.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Finance
- Key areas to study for Finance objective and descriptive papers include the Indian Financial System. functions of RBI, financial risk management, corporate governance, Union Budget, and inflation.
- Don't focus much on numerical because, in the absence of calculators, the risk of making calculation mistakes increases.
- Strengthen your basic concepts in Finance through books like An Introduction to Economics: A. W. Stonier and D. C. Hauge, Monetary Theory and Public Policy: Kenneth Kurihara, Indian Economy: Mishra and Puri, and Indian Economy: R. Dutt and K. P. M. Sundaram.
- Practice questions related to the Finance section in previous year's question papers and take mock tests.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Management
- Study Management from different sources like books, previous year question papers, and free study material.
- Do not read the entire books to cover management. Instead only go through the Management topics related to the RBI Grade B phase 2 exam.
- Motivation, Communication, Leadership, General Management, and Ethics are the most important Management topics.
- Take topic-wise tests after completing each topic.
- Attempt sectional mock tests to evaluate your preparation.
Know about personalized guidance from AIR-1
RBI Grade B Interview Preparation Tips
The RBI Grade B Interview is the final and crucial step in the selection process. It carries 75 marks, and your performance here plays a big role in the final selection. The interview panel checks your confidence, subject knowledge, and overall personality. Here are some helpful tips to get ready for the RBI Grade B Interview:
- Fill out the RBI Grade B Interview Bio-Data form carefully with accurate details.
- Prepare for common personal questions like "Tell us about yourself," "Why do you want to join RBI?" and "How will you contribute in this role?"
- Be well-informed about the RBI Grade B exam, RBI as an organization, and your expected job role.
- Brush up on important topics like NABARD, Cooperative Banks, WTO, World Bank, NPAs, Stock Market, and tools of Monetary Policy.
- Read newspapers daily to stay updated on current affairs, both national and international, as questions related to ongoing issues may be asked in the interview.
Our RBI Grade B Toppers' Preparation Strategy
In this section, you'll find detailed blogs sharing how our toppers cracked the exam. These strategies reflect what truly worked for them. Some common steps they followed while using the Best Source of RBI Grade B Preparation include:
- Regularly attempted Oliveboard's RBI Grade B Mock Tests.
- Analyzed each mock test to identify and improve weak areas.
- Stayed updated with daily news by reading newspapers and following Oliveboard's Editorial sessions.
- Consistently referred to RBI Annual Reports and other important government and regulatory reports.
- Read exam-specific eBooks curated especially for regulatory exams like RBI Grade B.
These habits helped them stay consistent and focused, making Oliveboard one of the Best Sources of RBI Grade B Preparation for many successful candidates.
Attempt RBI Grade B Mock Test 2025
Best Book For RBI Grade B Preparation
Here's a list of some of the best books for RBI Grade B Preparation section-wise, perfect for beginners and repeaters alike:
1. Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania
- NCERT Economics (Class 11 & 12) – for basic understanding
- Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja
- Current Affairs – Monthly magazines & Oliveboard's ESI MCQs
2. Finance & Management (FM)
- Principles & Practices of Banking by Macmillan
- Indian Financial System by Bharti V. Pathak
- Management Principles & Applications by P.C. Tripathi
- Organisational Behaviour by Stephen Robbins
- RBI & Finance Current Affairs – via RBI circulars, PIB, and Oliveboard notes
3. General Awareness (Phase 1 + Phase 2)
- Lucent's General Knowledge (for static GK basics)
- Manorama Yearbook
- Monthly Current Affairs PDFs (Oliveboard, Vision IAS, etc.)
- RBI Annual Reports, Economic Survey, Budget Highlights
4. English Language (Phase 1 + Phase 2 – Descriptive)
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Wren & Martin's High School Grammar
- Editorial reading (The Hindu / Indian Express)
- Practice Mock Tests and Descriptive Answer Writing
5. Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning (Phase 1)
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Puzzle Books by Arun Sharma or Oliveboard mock practice
