RBI Grade B Books: If you're preparing for the RBI Grade B exam, having the right books by your side is a must. This exam is tough, and the syllabus is wide. So, you need study materials that are simple to understand and cover the complete syllabus. In this post, I've shared the best RBI Grade B books for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 along with preparation tips and topper-suggested booklists.
RBI Grade B Preparation Overview
The RBI Grade B exam happens in three stages – Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. To prepare properly, you'll need books that match the syllabus and include practice sets, previous year papers, and concept explanations. Along with the books, having a solid RBI Grade B Study Plan will help you manage your time and track your progress.
Best Books for RBI Grade B Phase 1
This phase is mostly objective and needs quick thinking and accuracy. You should focus on concept clarity and daily practice. Combine these books with reliable RBI Grade B Study Material to maximize your preparation.
1. Quantitative Aptitude
This section checks your basic math skills. Start with fundamentals and then go for higher-level practice.
Recommended Books:
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
- Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M. Tyra
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
Solve RBI Grade B PYP PDFs
2. English Language
You need to work on vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension to ace this section.
Recommended Books:
- High School Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Explore RBI Grade B Online Courses
3. Reasoning Ability
This section tests your logical thinking. The best way to prepare is through puzzles and mock tests.
Recommended Books:
- Magical Book on Puzzles by K. Kundan
- Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
4. General Awareness
This is a scoring section if you stay updated with daily current affairs and static banking knowledge.
Recommended Books:
- Banking Awareness by Arihant Experts
- Banking Awareness for SBI, IBPS, RBI & RRB Exams by Disha Experts
Other Sources:
- The Hindu or Economic Times (daily)
- Monthly current affairs magazines and RBI updates
To boost your daily prep for General Awareness, pair this with our guide on How to Crack RBI Grade B Exam in First Attempt where we cover key tips.
Best Books for RBI Grade B Phase 2
This is the most crucial stage. Phase 2 papers are more theoretical and application-based, especially ESI and FM. So, deeper reading is necessary.
1. Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
This paper checks your understanding of the economy, policies, and social development.
Recommended Books:
- Indian Economy by Uma Kapila
- Indian Economy by Mishra & Puri
- Growth and Development by Devraj Ray
- Sociology by C.N. Shankar Rao
- Public Finance by K.K. Andley & Sundaram
Extra Reading:
- Economic Survey of India
- RBI Annual Report
- Union Budget Highlights
- Reports from World Bank, IMF, NITI Aayog
Download RBI Grade B 2024 AIR 1 Handwritten Notes
2. Finance and Management (FM)
This subject involves theoretical understanding of finance and management concepts.
Finance Books:
- Financial Management by Prasanna Chandra
- Public Finance by K.K. Andley & Sundaram
- Monetary Theory and Public Policy by Kenneth Kurihara
- International Business by Hill and Jain
Management Books:
- Management by Stephen P. Robbins & Mary Coulter
- Organisational Behaviour by Robbins, Judge & Vohra
- Human Resource Management by Gary Dessler
- Business Ethics – Concepts and Cases by Manuel G. Velasquez
- Business Ethics – An Indian Perspective by A.C. Fernando
Extra Reading:
- RBI Monetary Policy Reports
- RBI Banking Trend Reports
- Economic and Social bulletins
Attempt RBI Grade B Mock Tests 2025
3. English Writing Skills (Descriptive)
You'll be tested on essay writing, precis, and reading comprehension.
Recommended Sources:
- Read The Hindu and Indian Express editorials daily
- Practice from previous year questions
- Watch descriptive writing videos on YouTube for tips
For a complete strategy, check out our detailed guide on RBI Grade B Preparation, where you'll find smart methods to cover the syllabus effectively.
RBI Grade B Booklist Recommended by Toppers
Many toppers suggest a mix of traditional books and online mock test platforms. Here's a quick topper-style list:
| Subject | Toppers' Recommended Books |
|---|
| Quant | Arun Sharma, R.S. Aggarwal |
| Reasoning | M.K. Pandey, R.S. Aggarwal |
| English | S.P. Bakshi, Norman Lewis |
| General Awareness | Disha/Arihant Books, Newspapers |
| ESI | Uma Kapila, Economic Survey |
| FM | Prasanna Chandra, Robbins |
| English Writing | Editorial reading + regular practice |
Attempt RBI Grade B Live Test 2025
Preparation Tips for RBI Grade B Exam
- Stick to the syllabus: Avoid jumping into random topics. Focus only on what's relevant.
- Read newspapers daily: The Hindu, Mint, or Indian Express will help a lot with ESI and current affairs.
- Practice with mock tests: Take RBI Grade B mock tests regularly. Analyze your weak areas and improve.
- Revise smartly: Don't collect too many books. Revise the same resources again and again.
- Stay consistent: Daily 4-6 hours of study with short breaks is better than cramming before exams.
Know about personalized guidance from AIR-1
