How to Crack RBI Grade B Exam in First Attempt

How to Crack RBI Grade B Exam: Cracking the RBI Grade B exam in the first attempt is a dream for many aspirants aiming to work with the Reserve Bank of India. With the right approach, smart planning, and consistent efforts, this goal is absolutely achievable. This guide will walk you through every step of your preparation, backed by strategies from toppers and a focused 30-day plan to help you ace the exam.

Understand the RBI Grade B Syllabus

Before you begin your RBI Grade B preparation, it's essential to get a broad understanding of the exam's structure and key subjects to plan your study approach effectively. The RBI Grade B Syllabus includes the following stages:

Phase 1 (Prelims):

• General Awareness
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Reasoning Ability
• English Language

Phase 2 (Mains):

• Paper I: Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
• Paper II: English (Writing Skills)
• Paper III: Finance and Management (FM)

Interview:

Conducted for candidates who clear both Phase 1 and 2. It includes questions on current events, personal background, and RBI-related topics.

Create a Practical Study Plan for RBI Grade B Exam

A well-structured and realistic study plan is the backbone of your preparation for the RBI Grade B exam. Creating an effective study plan will help you manage your time efficiently, stay consistent, and cover all the topics required for the exam. Here's how you can create and follow a practical study plan:

Explore RBI Grade B Online Courses

Focus on Conceptual Clarity & Core Subjects

To clear the RBI Grade B exam, it is important to understand the core concepts. A clear grasp of fundamentals across subjects will help you solve questions more confidently and apply your knowledge effectively during the exam.

• Build strong basics in Quant and Reasoning. Practice with quality questions.
• For General Awareness, rely on monthly current affairs PDFs and RBI publications.
• Improve English through regular reading and practice essays and precis.
• Study ESI & FM through RBI reports, Budget, Economic Survey, and standard textbooks.
• Make notes, revise regularly, and apply your knowledge through MCQs.

Topper Strategies to Crack RBI Grade B

One of the smartest ways to prepare for RBI Grade B is by learning from those who've already cracked it. Topper strategies not only guide you with tried and tested methods but also help you avoid common mistakes. Let's take a look at Success story of Tanay Gaurav, Pushkar Pahwa and Hardik Mehta and how they planned their way to success and what you can adopt from their journey.

AIR 1 Tanay Gaurav's Success Story 

Tanay Gaurav's disciplined approach, strategic preparation, and unwavering determination led him to achieve AIR 1 in his second attempt. In this success story, Tanay shares his preparation strategy, challenges, and insights that helped him achieve this remarkable milestone.

Effective Study Approach for RBI Grade B Preparation

Tanay Gaurav's strategy for preparation involved setting weekly and daily goals, focusing on high-scoring topics like Blood Relations and Simplification in Quantitative Aptitude. He recommended solving RBI previous years' questions (PYQs) to understand the exam pattern and prioritize important topics. His study routine included 7-8 hours of study per day, with buffer days for breaks, ensuring consistent progress.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 Preparation Strategy

Tanay followed a 70-30 study plan, dedicating more time to Phase 2 until a month before Phase 1. He relied on quality resources like Oliveboard to study government schemes and economic surveys. For Phase 2, he focused on improving his descriptive writing skills, ensuring his answers were concise, structured, and rich in content, which ultimately helped him excel in the exam.

AIR 1 Hardik Mehta's Strategy to Crack RBI Grade B

Hardik Mehta (AIR 1, 2016) shares a strategy-focused journey that highlights smart planning, quality mock tests, and consistent self-assessment.

Phase 1 Preparation Strategy

Hardik focused on Oliveboard's mock tests for Phase 1, which helped him identify gaps in his preparation. For time management, he allocated 10 minutes for General Awareness (70 questions) and 10 minutes for English (25 questions), using the rest of the time for Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning. His resources included The Telegraph, Economic Times, and Mint for General Awareness, CAT books for English, and Arun Sharma's books for Quantitative Aptitude. He emphasized dedicating maximum time to General Awareness due to its importance in Phase 1.

Phase 2 Preparation Strategy

Hardik started by building a strong foundation in Finance, Management, and Economic & Social Issues (ESI) using RBI Grade B study materials. He first took sectional tests to improve accuracy and then moved on to full-length mock tests with detailed analysis. After the last-minute pattern change, he adapted by using Oliveboard's updated mocks to stay on track. For books, he recommended Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Financial Management by Prasanna Chandra, Day to Day Economics by Satish Deodhar, Ratios Made Simple by Robert Leach, and UGC NET Management by Arihant Publications. His tip: fully understand technical terms and never skip over unfamiliar concepts.

Interview Preparation Strategy

• Closely followed the RBI website and key RBI publications including governor speeches and annual reports.
• Regularly read newspapers and watched business news channels.
• Followed ratings and reports from agencies like CRISIL and ICRA.

Download RBI Grade B 2024 AIR 1 Handwritten Notes

Pushkar Pahwa's RBI Grade B Interview Strategy

Know the RBI Inside Out
Pushkar emphasized understanding the organization thoroughly. He suggested reading "RBI: Functions and Working" and "RBI Overview" documents from the official website to understand its structure, departments, and functions.

Stay Updated on Finance & Economics

Pushkar followed 3–4 newspapers daily, particularly Economic Times, Business Line, and Livemint (Economy section), making short notes and quickly Googling unfamiliar terms. He also recommended reading speeches by RBI officials from the last 4 months, viewing them as a goldmine for gaining current sectoral insights.

Prepare on Your Job Profile & Biodata
Pushkar shared that interviews often revolve around your work experience and the biodata form. Be honest, ready to explain your role and achievements, and expect detailed questions even on hobbies.

Interview Tips

• Take a pause and think before answering.
• Don't hesitate to say "I don't know" confidently.
• Stay calm even when the panel asks unexpected questions.
• Dress well and stick to your regular look to stay comfortable and confident.

Know about personalized guidance from AIR-1

Practice with RBI Grade B Mock Tests & Daily Quiz Challenges

To improve your speed, accuracy, and exam temperament, regular practice with RBI Grade B Mock Tests and Daily Quiz Challenges is essential for effective preparation. Let's check the below points fir reference:

• Attempt RBI Grade B Mock Tests regularly to simulate the actual exam environment and manage your time effectively.
• Join RBI Grade B Live Tests to experience real-time pressure and test your speed and accuracy under exam conditions.
• Analyze your performance after every test to identify weak areas and work on them consistently.
• Make use of RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers to understand the question pattern, difficulty level, and important topics.
• Participate in RBI Grade B Daily Quiz Challenges focused on Quant, Reasoning, English, GA, ESI, and FM to boost concept clarity and revision.

This regular and targeted practice enhances accuracy, strengthens core areas, and builds exam-day confidence.