SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy & Previous Exam Analysis

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SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has released the SIDBI Grade B 2025 Notification on 14th July 2025. Candidates who have been waiting to apply for the Manager posts can now apply for 26 vacancies. However, it’s important to note that only 2 months are left for preparation, as Phase 1 is tentatively scheduled for 6th September 2025. Therefore, following a well-structured SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy, as recommended by experts, is crucial to cracking the exam. We have provided expert tips, book recommendations, and an analysis of the previous recruitment cycle to help candidates understand the exam’s difficulty level.

SIDBI Grade B Exam Pattern

Candidates should note that the SIDBI selection process for 2025 has changed. The detailed exam pattern is as follows:

Phase I Online Objective Examination

The first phase of the SIDBI Grade B selection process is an Online Objective Examination. This exam is designed to test the basic skills of candidates in various subjects. The exam is divided into multiple sections, each covering different areas of knowledge.

Structure of Phase I Exam

Total Questions: 200
Total Marks: 200
Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Name of the Test	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks
English Language	30	30
Reasoning Aptitude	25	25
Quantitative Aptitude	25	25
Computer Knowledge	20	20
General Awareness (with special reference to Banking, Financial Sector, and Economic & Social Issues)	20	20
MSMEs: Policy, Regulatory and Legal Framework; Finance and Management (with focus on MSME)	30	30
Stream Specific Test **	50	50
Total	200	200

**Stream Specific Test

Topics include:

1. General (Grade ‘B’):

MSME Financing: Due diligence, KYC, financial ratios, assessment of term loans, and working capital.
NPA and Recovery: IRAC norms, NBFC financing, and credit risk assessment.
Note: Syllabus is indicative; additional topics may be included.

2. Legal (Grade ‘B’):

General Law Knowledge: Key acts such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Contract Act, 1872.
Other Laws: Includes Transfer of Property Act, Negotiable Instruments Act, Registration Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, RTI Act, SARFAESI Act, RDB Act, and IBC.
Additional Topics: Legal drafting and related legal frameworks.

3. IT (Grade ‘B’):

Domain Knowledge: Focus on recent IT developments and industry trends.
Technical Skills: Includes programming, database management, networking, security, AI/ML, and system design.

Remarks:

The syllabus provided is only indicative and not exhaustive.

Candidates must clear the cut-off marks set by SIDBI in this phase to qualify for Phase II. It is important to note that there is negative marking in this exam, with 1/4th of the marks deducted for each incorrect answer.

Phase II: Online Descriptive Examination

Candidates who clear Phase I are eligible to appear for Phase II, which is an Online Descriptive Examination. This phase assesses the candidate’s writing skills, knowledge of the sector, and analytical thinking.

Time for each paper is 75 minutes for descriptive and 60 minutes for objective papers.
Descriptive answers must be typed using a keyboard, either in English or Hindi (Remington or Inscript).
Marks per question: Some questions are worth 1-2 marks depending on the type and difficulty level.

Phase-II Exam Details for Manager Grade ‘B’

Paper	Name of the Test	No. of Questions/Maximum Marks	Time
Paper I Online Descriptive	English Language (Essay, Précis Writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence)	3/75	75 minutes
Paper II Online Objective	General Knowledge of Law (Legal Stream)	50/75	60 minutes
Online Descriptive	Legal Knowledge (Legal Stream)	4 out of 6 (attempted)/50	75 minutes

Important Notes for Legal Stream

Paper I: Assess writing skills and comprehension abilities.
Paper II: Focus on Legal topics such as Constitutional Law, Statutory Interpretation, Contract Act, etc.
Online Descriptive: 4 out of 6 questions to be attempted, with 15-mark and 10-mark questions.

For Manager Grade ‘B’ General Stream

Paper	Name of the Test	No. of Questions/Maximum Marks	Time
Paper I Online Descriptive	English Language (Essay, Précis Writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence)	3/75	75 minutes
Paper II Online Objective	MSMEs: Policy, Regulatory, and Legal Framework; Finance and Management	50/75	60 minutes
Online Descriptive	MSME and Financial Knowledge	4 out of 10 (attempted)/50	75 minutes

Important Notes for General Stream

Paper I: Focuses on writing skills, including expressing and understanding topics.
Paper II: Covers MSME topics including finance, risk assessment, NPA, and investment banking.
Online Descriptive: Attempt 4 questions out of 10, with 15-mark and 10-mark questions.

For Manager Grade ‘B’ IT Stream

Paper	Name of the Test	No. of Questions/Maximum Marks	Time
Paper I Online Descriptive	English Language (Essay, Précis Writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence)	3/75	75 minutes
Paper II Online Objective	IT Knowledge and Technical Skills (Programming, Networking, AI, Data Management)	50/75	60 minutes
Online Descriptive	IT Knowledge (Algorithm, Big Data, Cybersecurity, IoT)	4 out of 10 (attempted)/50	75 minutes

Important Notes for IT Stream

Paper I: Tests writing skills and comprehension.
Paper II: Covers IT concepts such as software, programming languages, data management, AI, and cybersecurity.
Online Descriptive: Attempt 4 out of 10 questions, including 15-mark and 10-mark questions.

SIDBI Grade B Preparation Tips by Experts

As there are only 2 months left for the SIDBI Grade B Phase 1 exam, it is important to follow an expert-recommended SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy. This will help candidates avoid common mistakes and prevent wasting valuable time. Below, we have shared a few expert-backed tips that candidates should follow thoroughly for better results:

Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus Thoroughly: Begin by analyzing the exam pattern and syllabus for Phase 1. Knowing the weightage of each section will help you prioritize topics.
Create a Realistic 60-Day Study Plan: Break down your study time into daily targets and allocate time for revision and mock tests.
Focus on High-Weightage Topics First: Prioritize topics that carry more marks in General Awareness, Reasoning, Quant, and English.
Practice Mock Tests Regularly: Attempt full-length mock tests twice a week to build speed, accuracy, and exam temperament.
Analyze Mock Tests to Identify Weak Areas: Don’t just take the tests, analyze them to track mistakes and improve performance.
Stay Updated with Current Affairs & Financial News: Read daily current affairs with a focus on banking, economy, and financial sector updates.
Use Standard Books & Study Material: Stick to expert-recommended books and avoid switching materials frequently.
Revise Short Notes Regularly: Prepare short notes or flashcards for formulas, facts, and important points. Revise them weekly.
Stay Consistent and Avoid Burnout: Consistency matters more than long hours. Take short breaks and avoid over-stressing.

SIDBI Grade B Exam Analysis of 2024

Below is the section-wise analysis of the SIDBI Grade B Exam 2024, highlighting the difficulty level and key topics covered in each subject:

Subject	Difficulty Level	Topics Covered / Remarks
Quantitative Aptitude	Difficult	Heavy on Data Interpretation, Arithmetic, and Simplification. Time-consuming and calculative.
Reasoning Ability	Moderate to Difficult	Dominated by complex puzzles and seating arrangements. Requires strong logical thinking.
English Language	Moderate	Included Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, and Error Spotting.
General Awareness	Moderate	Focused on Banking Awareness, Current Affairs, and MSME-related updates.
Stream-Specific Section	Moderate to Difficult	Included questions on Financial Systems, MSME Policies, and Regulatory Frameworks.

SIDBI Grade B Books

As part of an effective SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy, selecting the right books is crucial. These expert-recommended books will help you cover the syllabus thoroughly and build a strong foundation across all sections.

Section	Recommended Books
Quantitative Aptitude	– Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams – R.S. Aggarwal – Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma – Data Interpretation for CAT – Arun Sharma – Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Sarvesh Verma
Reasoning Ability	– A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal – Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey – Puzzle Mania – Oliveboard Practice Series
English Language	– Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) – Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis – High School English Grammar – Wren & Martin
General Awareness (incl. MSME)	– Banking Awareness – Lucent’s General Knowledge – Monthly Current Affairs – MSME Schemes – msme.gov.in
Financial & Economic Awareness	– Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh – Economic Survey & Budget – Ministry of Finance, PIB – Financial Awareness – SIDBI Annual Reports, RBI Circulars

SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 – FAQs

Q1. What is the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 for beginners?

Ans: The ideal SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 for beginners includes understanding the exam pattern, creating a 2–3 month study plan, focusing on high-weightage topics, and practicing mock tests regularly. Cover all sections—Quant, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, and stream-specific areas—consistently.

Q2. How many hours should I study daily as per the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025?

Ans: A consistent 4–6 hours of daily study is recommended in the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025. Divide time wisely across subjects and dedicate at least one hour to mock tests or current affairs revision.

Q3. Is attempting mock tests a key part of the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025?

Ans: Absolutely. Regular mock tests are a critical part of the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025. They help improve time management, identify weak areas, and simulate the real exam environment.

Q4. Which subjects require more focus in the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025?

Ans: As per the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness (especially MSME-related topics) need more attention due to their difficulty and importance.

Q5. Can I follow the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 without coaching?

Ans: Yes, the SIDBI Grade B Preparation Strategy 2025 can be followed through self-study. With the right books, a disciplined routine, mock practice, and current affairs updates, you can prepare effectively without coaching.

Priti Palit

Priti Palit, an accomplished edtech writer, boasts a wealth of experience in preparing candidates for multiple government exams. With a passion for education and a keen eye for detail, she has contributed significantly to the field of online learning. Priti’s expertise and dedication continue to empower aspiring individuals in their pursuit of success in government examinations.