The RBI Grade B 2026 Phase 1 (Prelims) examination is scheduled for 13th June 2026. Make sure your application is submitted and admit card is downloaded well in advance.
Last Date to Apply Online & Fee Payment - 20th May 2026 (6 PM)
The last date to submit the online application and complete fee payment is 20th May 2026 by 6:00 PM. Do not wait till the last moment - apply early to avoid technical issues.
Official Notification Released & Online Application Started - 29th April 2026
RBI officially released the detailed Grade B 2026 notification on 29th April 2026. The online application window also opened on the same day on the official RBI portal.
The syllabus of RBI Grade B is slightly different for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams, but all of them require strong concept clarity, current affairs awareness, and analytical skills. In this blog, we have provided the RBI Grade B syllabus, subject-wise topic details, exam pattern, and more.
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026
The RBI Grade B Phase 1 syllabus for General stream includes Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness in an objective format, while Phase 2 consists of three papers: Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (F&M), and English Writing Skills. Candidates who qualify Phase 2 are called for the final Interview round. In this blog, we have provided a detailed RBI Grade B Phase 1 and Phase 2 syllabus along with the sub topics.
What is the syllabus for RBI Grade B exam?
The RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 is divided into three stages: Phase 1, Phase 2, and the Interview. Phase 1 is an objective exam that tests basic subjects like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness. Phase 2 is more detailed and includes both objective and descriptive papers on Economic and Social Issues, Finance and Management, and English writing. The final stage is the Interview, where candidates are assessed on their personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the role.
Stage
Subjects / Components
Phase 1
Reasoning, Quant, English, General Awareness
Phase 2
ESI, Finance & Management, English Writing Skills
Interview
Personality test, communication, and current affairs awareness
When are the RBI Grade B phase 1 and phase 2 exams scheduled?
The Reserve Bank of India has released the RBI Grade B exam dates for Phase 1 and Phase 2 along with the official notification PDF. Phase 1 (Prelims) will be held in June 2026, while Phase 2 (Mains) is scheduled for July 2026. The exact dates vary for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Candidates should note these dates carefully and plan their preparation in advance, as timely preparation is important to perform well in both stages.
Event
General (DR)
DEPR
DSIM
Phase 1 Exam Date
13 June 2026
14 June 2026
14 June 2026
Phase 2 Exam Date
25 July 2026
26 July 2026
26 July 2026
How many subjects are there in RBI Grade B Syllabus?
The RBI Grade B exam syllabus includes 7 main subjects across Phase 1 and Phase 2. These subjects cover aptitude, language skills, current affairs, economics, finance, and writing ability. Together, they form the complete exam structure for the General stream.
Phase
Subjects
Phase 1
Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness
Phase 2
Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (F&M), English Writing Skills
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Syllabus
The RBI Grade B Phase 1 syllabus is an objective screening test that includes 4 sections Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. It checks candidates' aptitude, basic language skills, and current affairs knowledge to shortlist them for Phase 2. This stage is qualifying in nature and plays a key role in selection.
RBI Grade B Reasoning Syllabus for Prelims
The Reasoning section tests your logical thinking and problem-solving ability. It checks how quickly and accurately you can analyze patterns, relationships, and data. This section mainly focuses on puzzles, arrangements, and logical statements.
The Quantitative Aptitude section checks your numerical ability and calculation skills. It tests your understanding of basic mathematics concepts and your ability to solve data-based questions quickly.
The English Language section evaluates your reading ability, grammar knowledge, and vocabulary. It checks how well you understand written content and how accurately you can identify language errors.
Reading Comprehension
Cloze Test
Para Jumbles
Fill in the Blanks
Error Spotting
Multiple Meaning Questions
Paragraph Completion
Word Rearrangement
Idioms and Phrases
Sentence Improvement
Column-Based Questions
New Pattern Questions
RBI Grade B General Awareness Syllabus for Prelims
The General Awareness section tests your knowledge of current events, banking, economy, finance, and static GK. Since the exam is conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, special focus is given to banking and financial awareness.
Section
Topics Covered
Current Affairs
• National news (MoUs, summits, major events)
• International news (conferences, global meetings)
• Financial and economic news
Financial Awareness
• RBI notifications and regulations
• SEBI updates
• Banking and economy news
• Defence updates and military exercises
• Important days in news
• Persons in news (appointments, retirements, awards)
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 syllabus includes 3 papers Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (F&M), and English Writing Skills. It has both objective and descriptive questions that check your concept understanding, analytical thinking, and writing ability. This stage is very important because it carries the highest weight in the final selection.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 ESI Paper Syllabus
The RBI Grade B Syllabus for ESI covers all economic and social issues, including development, globalization, and sustainability. It also addresses social problems and demographic trends. Aspirants must understand these concepts and their impact nationally and internationally. Also attempt RBI Grade B ESI practice quiz.
The General Finance & Management (FM) section in the RBI Grade B syllabus of the Reserve Bank of India Reserve Bank of India focuses on testing candidates' understanding of key financial concepts, markets, and management principles. It includes important topics such as financial institutions, market instruments, financial services, and risk management in a simple and practical way.
Topic
Subtopics Covered
Financial System
• Structure and functions of financial institutions
• Functions of the Reserve Bank of India
• Banking system in India structure and developments
• Financial institutions (SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, NaBFID, etc.)
• Recent developments in the global financial system and its impact on the Indian financial system
• Role of information technology in banking and finance
• Non-banking system
• Developments in digital payments
Financial Markets
• Primary and secondary markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.)
• Functions of financial markets
• Instruments used in financial markets
• Recent developments in financial markets
General Topics
• Financial risk management
• Basics of derivatives
• Global financial markets and international banking (trends and developments)
• Financial inclusion
• Alternate sources of finance
• Private and social cost-benefit
• Public-private partnership (PPP)
• Corporate governance in the banking sector
• Union Budget – concepts, approach, and trends
• Basics of accounting and financial statements (Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss, Cash Flow Statement)
This section tests the writing skills of candidates. To perform well, focus on current news topics and read newspapers regularly to improve understanding and analysis. It includes three parts:
Essay: Choose one topic from given options and write a clear essay to show your ideas and writing ability.
Precis Writing: Read a passage and write a short summary, covering the main points in a clear and concise way.
Reading Comprehension: Read a passage and answer questions in short descriptive answers to show your understanding.
Which topics are common in RBI Grade B Phase 1 and Phase 2?
Many topics in Phase 1 General Awareness are closely linked with Phase 2 Economic & Social Issues (ESI). Subjects like the Indian economy, RBI policies, banking awareness, government schemes, and the Union Budget appear in both stages. The main difference is that Phase 1 focuses on basic facts, while Phase 2 requires deeper understanding and clear explanations.
Topic Area
Phase 1 Focus
Phase 2 Focus
Indian Economy
Basic facts and updates
Detailed understanding of policies and changes
RBI & Banking
Simple awareness and news
Role, functions, and policy impact
Government Schemes
Names and purpose
Implementation and effects
Budget & Economic Survey
Key highlights
Detailed analysis
Current Affairs
Important events
Economic and social impact
What is the RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus?
The DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research) syllabus is meant for candidates with a strong background in Economics. In this stream, the Finance & Management paper is replaced with two advanced Economics papers. It mainly tests how well candidates understand economic concepts and their ability to analyse real-world economic issues.
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Econometrics and Statistical Methods
Public Finance
International Economics
Indian Economic Policy
What is the RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus?
The DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) syllabus is designed for candidates with strong knowledge of Statistics and Mathematics. In this stream, the Finance & Management paper is replaced with advanced statistical subjects. It focuses on data handling, interpretation, and analytical skills.
Is the RBI Grade B Syllabus different for General, DEPR and DSIM?
Yes, the RBI Grade B syllabus is different for each stream. The General stream covers Banking, Economy, Finance, Reasoning, and English. DEPR focuses mainly on Economics, while DSIM is based on Statistics and Mathematics. Even the exam papers in Phase 1 and Phase 2 change depending on the stream.
Feature
General Stream
DEPR Stream
DSIM Stream
Full Form
General (Officer Grade B)
Department of Economic and Policy Research
Department of Statistics and Information Management
Focus Area
Banking, economy, finance, reasoning, English
Economic theory, policy, and analysis
Statistics, data analysis, probability
Phase 1 Subjects
Reasoning, Quant, English, General Awareness
Economics and English
Statistics and English
Phase 2 Papers
ESI, F&M, English Writing Skills
Two Economics papers + English
Statistics paper + English
Skill Tested
Banking and analytical ability
Deep economic understanding
Data and statistical analysis
Interview Focus
Banking, current affairs, economy
Economics and policy topics
Data interpretation and research skills
What is the RBI Grade B Interview syllabus?
The RBI Grade B interview is the final stage of the selection process and is designed to assess a candidate's personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the role. It includes a psychometric test and a personal interview. There is no fixed syllabus, but candidates are evaluated on their awareness, confidence, and understanding of economic and banking concepts.
Stage
Details
Psychometric Test
Personality-based test with statements where candidates respond from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree. It checks attitude, behaviour, and workplace mindset.
Personal Interview
Conducted by a panel to assess education, work experience, current affairs knowledge, and interest in banking and economics. Focus is on clarity of thought and communication skills.
Download the RBI Grade B syllabus PDF to get a complete and easy overview of exam topics. This PDF includes a clear list of subjects and topics for both Phase 1 and Phase 2. It helps candidates access the syllabus anytime without internet and plan preparation in a more organized way. The direct download link is provided below.
To gain a thorough understanding of the specific subjects, time limits, and scoring criteria for each phase, please refer to the phase wise RBI Grade B Exam Pattern provided in detail below:
Phase 1:
RBI Grade B Phase 1 includes 4 subjects, their detailed exam pattern is provided in the below table:
Section
Questions
Marks
Duration
Reasoning Ability
60
60
45 mins
English Language
30
30
25 mins
Quantitative Aptitude
30
30
25 mins
General Awareness
80
80
25 mins
Total
200
200
120 mins
Phase 2:
The Exam Pattern of RBI Grade B Phase 2 consists of three papers: Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. Check out some important highlights below:
Paper & Subject
Exam Pattern
Marks & Duration
Paper I – Economic & Social Issues
• 50% Objective + 50% Descriptive
• Objective: 30 questions
• Descriptive: 6 questions (attempt any 4)
• 100 Marks
• 120 minutes (30 mins Objective + 90 mins Descriptive)
Paper II – English (Writing Skills)
• Descriptive Paper
• 3 questions: Precis, Essay, and Comprehension
• 100 Marks
• 90 minutes
Paper III – Finance & Management
• 50% Objective + 50% Descriptive
• Objective: 30 questions
• Descriptive: 6 questions (attempt any 4)
• 100 Marks
• 120 minutes (30 mins Objective + 90 mins Descriptive)
What is the best way to cover the RBI Grade B Syllabus?
The best way to prepare for the RBI Grade B syllabus is to follow a balanced plan for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 together. Focus on building basics first, then move to practice and revision. Give special attention to General Awareness and ESI as they overlap and carry high weightage. Regular mock tests and answer writing practice are also very important.
Strategy Area
What to Do
Concept Building
Start with basics of Quant, Reasoning, Economy, and Finance
Current Affairs
Read daily news with focus on banking and economy
Practice
Solve mocks and previous year papers regularly
Phase 2 Prep
Start essay, précis, and answer writing early
Revision
Weekly revision of key concepts and current affairs
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FAQs
The RBI Grade B Syllabus includes topics from the subjects such as General Awareness, English, ESI, FM, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English (Descriptive), etc.
Yes, the RBI Grade B Syllabus for both Phase 1 & Phase 2 is different. The phase 1 syllabus consists of GA, English, Quants, and Reasoning while phase 2 syllabus consists of ESI, FM and English (descriptive).
The General Awareness section has 80 questions of 80 marks out of the total 200 marks in Phase 1. So, General Awareness has the highest weightage.
The detailed syllabus will be out in the official notification for this year but the high chances are that the RBI will not change the syllabus.
You can cover the complete RBI Grade B Syllabus by following a complete study plan. You can even break the detailed syllabus into smaller parts and refer the recommended books.
Yes, there's a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in both Phase 1 (Prelims) and Phase 2 (Mains) objective papers. Always keep this in mind during mock test practice to develop a penalty-aware strategy.
It depends on your background. If you're beginning from the basics, 6–9 months of focused preparation is recommended. Aim for at least 6 months of consistent study covering both phases effectively.
No. Mock tests are essential, but should supplement strong foundational coverage of the RBI Grade B syllabus 2025, current affairs, and past year question papers—not replace it. Use mocks wisely within a structured study plan.
The exam is widely considered tough but conquerable with smart prep. Expect moderate-to-difficult difficulty in both Phase 1 and Phase 2, with particular emphasis on clarity, speed, and accuracy.
