The RBI Grade B Exam 2026 is one of the most competitive banking exams in India, conducted by the Reserve Bank of India. The selection process includes Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and Interview. The syllabus varies slightly for General, DEPR, and DSIM streams, but all require strong conceptual clarity, current affairs awareness, and analytical ability. Compared to exams like IBPS PO and SBI PO, RBI Grade B demands deeper understanding and consistent preparation.
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026
The RBI Grade B General stream Phase 1 syllabus 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 topics covered.
What is the syllabus for RBI Grade B exam?
The RBI Grade B syllabus 2026 for the exam conducted by the Reserve Bank of India is divided into three stages: Phase 1, Phase 2, and the Interview. Phase 1 is an objective test that includes Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. Phase 2 is more detailed and includes both objective and descriptive papers. It covers Economic and Social Issues (ESI), Finance and Management, and English Writing Skills. The final stage is the Interview, which is used to assess the candidate's personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the post.
| 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 |
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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.
- Logical Reasoning
- Alphanumeric Series
- Ranking and Direction Test
- Alphabet Test
- Data Sufficiency
- Coded Inequalities
- Seating Arrangement
- Puzzle
- Tabulation
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Input-Output
- Coding-Decoding
Download RBI Grade B 2024 AIR 1 Handwritten Notes
RBI Grade B Quant Syllabus for Prelims
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.
- Simplification
- Profit and Loss
- Mixtures and Allegations
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Surds and Indices
- Work and Time
- Time and Distance
- Mensuration (Cylinder, Cone, Sphere)
- Data Interpretation
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentage
- Number Systems
- Sequence and Series
- Permutation, Combination, and Probability
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RBI Grade B English Language Syllabus for Prelims
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) • Sports, science, technology, and environment |
| Reports and Government Schemes | • Important reports • Government schemes • Books and Authors |
| Static General Awareness | • Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers • National Parks and Sanctuaries • Airport locations • Organisations' headquarters • Banks' headquarters and taglines • Countries' capitals and currencies • Important days |
Attempt RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Mains Syllabus
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 syllabus includes 3 papers Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (F&M), and English Writing Skills. It is a mix of objective and descriptive questions designed to test conceptual clarity, analytical ability, and writing skills. This stage is crucial as it carries the highest weightage in 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.
| Topic | Subtopics Covered |
|---|
| Growth and Development | • National Income • Per Capita Income • Poverty Alleviation • Employment Generation • Sustainable Development • Environmental Issues |
| Indian Economy | • Economic History of India • Industrial and Labour Policy Changes • Monetary and Fiscal Policy (Post-1991 Reforms) • Economic Survey & Union Budget • Money and Financial Markets • Role of Banks and Reserve Bank of India • Public Finance • Political Economy • Industrial Development • Agriculture • Services Sector |
| Globalization | • Liberalisation of Indian Economy • Balance of Payments • Export-Import Policy • IMF • World Bank • WTO • Regional Economic Cooperation • International Economic Issues |
| Social Structure in India | • Multiculturalism • Demographic Trends • Urbanization • Migration • Gender Issues • Social Justice |
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RBI Grade B Phase 2 FM Paper
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) • Ratio analysis (Debt–Equity Ratio, Debtor Days, Creditor Days, Inventory Turnover, ROA, ROE) • Inflation – definition, trends, estimates, consequences, and remedies • Balancing inflation and growth through monetary and fiscal policies |
Fundamentals of Management and Organizational Behavior | • Introduction to management • Evolution of management thought (Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations, Systems) • Management functions and managerial roles • Nudge theory • Organizational behavior concepts • Personality (factors, Big Five model) • Reinforcement • Perception and perceptual errors • Motivation (content and process theories) • Leadership (Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional, Transformational) • Emotional intelligence • Analysis of interpersonal relationships (Transactional Analysis, Johari Window) • Conflict (concept, sources, types, management) • Organizational change and development (Lewin's Change Model, Action Research, Positive Model) |
Ethics at the Workplace & Corporate Governance | • Meaning of ethics • Reasons for ethical problems • Theories of ethics (Utilitarianism, Rights & Duties, Justice & Fairness, Ethics of Care, Virtue Ethics, Teleological, Egoism, Relativism) • Moral issues in business (Compliance, Finance, HR, Marketing) • Ethical principles in business • Organization structure and ethics • Role of board of directors • Best practices in ethics programme • Code of ethics and code of conduct • Corporate governance (factors and mechanisms) • Communication (steps, channels, oral vs written, verbal vs non-verbal, upward/downward/lateral communication, barriers, role of IT) |
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RBI Grade B English Writing Skills Syllabus
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.
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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.
- Probability Theory
- Econometrics
- Sampling Techniques
- Regression Analysis
- Time Series Analysis
- Multivariate Data Analysis
Attempt Free RBI Grade B FM Practice Quiz
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. |
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Download RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF
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.
Click Here to Download the RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF
What is the RBI grade B exam pattern?
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) |
Also Download RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers
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 |
