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.
Preparing for the RBI Grade B DSIM exam can feel confusing at the start. The syllabus looks long and technical, and many aspirants are not sure where to begin. But once you understand the paper structure and subject-wise topics, your preparation becomes more clear and focused. In this blog, we have provided the RBI Grade B DSIM syllabus, paper pattern, and detailed statistics topics.
RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2026
The RBI Grade B DSIM syllabus is designed to test candidates' knowledge of statistics, data analysis, econometrics, and data science used in policy research at the Reserve Bank of India. It is based on a postgraduate level and includes both theoretical and practical applications. The syllabus covers important topics such as probability, regression, statistical inference, time series analysis, machine learning, optimization techniques, and database management systems.
The exam consists of 3 papers. Paper 1 is an objective test on Statistics, Paper 2 is a descriptive Statistics paper, and Paper 3 tests English writing skills. Paper 1 and Paper 2 focus on advanced statistical and analytical concepts, while Paper 3 evaluates writing ability, clarity, and understanding of economic and financial topics.
The RBI Grade B DSIM exam mainly tests the knowledge of statistics, econometrics, data science, and English writing skills. The selection process includes three written papers and an interview stage. Paper 1 is objective, while Papers II and III are descriptive in nature.
Paper
Type
Subject
Duration
Marks
Paper 1
Objective
Statistics
120 Minutes
100
Paper 2
Descriptive
Statistics
180 Minutes
100
Paper 3
Descriptive
English Writing
90 Minutes
100
Interview
Personality + Technical
—
—
75
When are the RBI Grade B phase 1 and phase 2 exams scheduled?
RBI Grade B Exam 2026 schedule along with the official notification. Phase 1 (Prelims) is expected to be held in June 2026, while Phase 2 (Mains) is scheduled for July 2026. The exact exam dates may vary for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Candidates should carefully note these dates and start their preparation early, as proper planning is important to perform well in both stages.
What topics are covered in the RBI Grade B DSIM paper-wise syllabus?
The RBI Grade B DSIM paper-wise syllabus mainly focuses on advanced statistics, econometrics, data science, and analytical skills required for data modelling and policy research at the Reserve Bank of India. The exam is divided into three papers. Paper 1 and Paper 2 cover detailed statistics topics at the postgraduate level, while Paper 3 assesses English writing ability and expression skills. The details of the main topics included in each paper, as per the official syllabus, are as follows:
Paper
Type
Topics (Simple Pointers)
Paper 1
Objective (Statistics)
• Probability theory and distributions • Sampling theory and methods • Linear models and economic statistics • Statistical inference and non-parametric tests • Stochastic processes • Multivariate analysis • Econometrics and time series models • Optimization and statistical computing • Data science, AI and machine learning • Database and data warehouse management
Paper 2
Descriptive (Statistics)
• Estimation methods and hypothesis testing • Regression models (Ridge, LASSO, Elastic Net) • Index numbers and inequality measures • Markov chains, Poisson process, Brownian motion • ARIMA, SARIMA, ARCH/GARCH models • Bayesian modelling, simulation, MCMC methods • Neural networks, classification and clustering • SQL queries, RDBMS, ETL and data warehousing
Paper 3
Descriptive (English)
• Essay writing for analytical thinking • Precis writing and comprehension • Clear expression and structured writing • Understanding and explaining topics in writing
What are the topics covered under the RBI DSIM paper 1 syllabus?
Paper 1 of the RBI Grade B DSIM exam is an objective-type statistics paper that checks your conceptual clarity, analytical ability, and technical knowledge. The syllabus is based on post-graduation-level statistics and includes probability, econometrics, machine learning, optimization, and database concepts that are useful for data analysis and policy research at RBI.
Main Topic
Sub Topics Covered
Theory of Probability, Distributions & Sampling
• Classical and axiomatic probability • Bayes theorem • Laws of Large Numbers (LLN) and Central Limit Theorem (CLT) • Characteristic functions and probability inequalities • Binomial, Poisson, Normal, Beta, Gamma, Weibull, Logistic distributions • Chi-square, t, F, Z distributions • Sampling methods – SRS, stratified, cluster, PPS • Ratio and regression estimation
Linear Models & Economic Statistics
• Linear algebra, matrices, quadratic forms • Simple and multiple regression • Gauss-Markov setup and weighted least squares • Dummy variables and multicollinearity • Ridge, LASSO, Elastic Net • Index numbers, Gini coefficient, Lorenz curve • National accounts basics
Statistical Inference
• Estimation concepts and MVUE • Rao-Blackwell, Lehmann-Scheffe, Cramer-Rao bound • MLE, least squares, minimum Chi-square • Bayes estimators • Hypothesis testing and Neyman-Pearson theory • Likelihood ratio tests • Non-parametric tests • Kernel density estimation
Stochastic Processes
• Poisson and compound Poisson process • Markov chains and Chapman-Kolmogorov equations • Stationary distributions • Brownian motion and martingales
Multivariate Analysis
• Multivariate normal distribution • Logit and probit models • Principal Component Analysis (PCA) • Factor analysis • Canonical correlation • Discriminant analysis • Cluster analysis
Econometrics & Time Series
• OLS and GLS methods • Heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation tests • Instrumental variables and panel regression • AR, MA, ARMA models • ARIMA and SARIMA • Box-Jenkins methodology • ARCH/GARCH models
Optimization & Statistical Computing
• Taylor theorem and convex functions • Newton and gradient methods • Lagrange multipliers • Linear programming and simplex method • Simulation and bootstrap methods • EM algorithm • Bayesian estimation and MCMC
Data Science, AI & Machine Learning
• Linear and logistic regression • Naïve Bayes and SVM • Decision trees and neural networks • Random forest and boosting • Clustering techniques • NLP basics • Feature selection and cross-validation
Database & Data Warehouse Management
• RDBMS fundamentals • SQL queries and joins • Database normalization • NoSQL databases • ETL processes • OLAP vs OLTP • Indexing and big data basics
What are the topics covered under the RBI Grade B DSIM paper 2 syllabus?
Paper 2 is a descriptive statistics paper and follows the same syllabus areas as Paper 1, but the focus is on detailed explanations, derivations, and applied analytical writing. Candidates are expected to demonstrate deeper understanding of statistical theory, econometric modeling, and data science applications through structured answers.
Main Topic
Sub Topics Covered
Probability & Sampling (Descriptive Level)
• Laws of probability • Distribution properties • Asymptotic distributions • Contingency tables • Sampling designs • Survey errors and non-response issues
Linear Models & Regression Analysis
• Polynomial regression • Box-Cox transformation • Regression with correlated observations • Hypothesis testing in regression • Confidence regions • Outlier detection and treatment
Economic Statistics
• Construction of index numbers • Base shifting and splicing • Deflating of index numbers • Measurement of inequality • Basics of macroeconomic statistics
Statistical Inference
• Likelihood ratio tests • Bartlett's test • Kolmogorov–Smirnov test • Wilcoxon tests and Friedman test • Order statistics
Stochastic Processes
• Non-homogeneous Poisson process • Recurrent events • Stationary distributions • Random walk limits
What are the topics covered under the RBI DSIM paper 3 syllabus?
Paper 3 is a descriptive English paper designed to assess communication skills, clarity of thought, and professional writing ability. RBI expects DSIM candidates to interpret data insights and present them clearly, so this paper focuses on structured writing rather than technical statistics.
Section
Skills and Topics Covered
Essay Writing
Analytical writing on economic, financial, or social themes
Precis Writing
Summarizing information clearly and logically
Reading Comprehension
Understanding and interpreting passages
Expression & Writing Skills
Grammar usage, clarity, coherence, professional tone
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FAQs
The RBI Grade B DSIM exam is for candidates with a background in statistics, mathematics, or quantitative fields. It tests statistical knowledge, data analysis, and research ability for roles in RBI’s Department of Statistics & Information Management.
Unlike the Generalist exam, which covers general awareness, reasoning, and finance, RBI DSIM focuses on statistics, mathematics, econometrics, and data interpretation.
The exam has three stages:
Phase I: Objective Paper (Statistics & Mathematics)
Phase II: Descriptive Papers (Statistics and English)
Interview
The syllabus includes Probability, Distribution Theory, Statistical Inference, Regression, Multivariate Analysis, Time Series, Sampling, Design of Experiments, Econometrics, and Numerical Methods.
Some standard references include Mood, Graybill & Boes (Probability & Statistics), Gujarati (Econometrics), and Montgomery (Design of Experiments).
