The RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2027 helps candidates understand the exam stages, marking scheme, and paper structure before starting their preparation. As per the RBI exam calendar, the notification is expected in February 2027, Phase 1 in April 2027, and Phase 2 in May or June 2027. The selection process is expected to include Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. Read this blog to understand the expected exam pattern, including questions, marks, duration, and marking scheme, based on the previous recruitment cycle.
What is the RBI Grade B exam pattern 2027?
The RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2027 consists of 3 stages Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and Interview. Phase 1 is qualifying, while Phase 2 and Interview determine the final selection.
| Stage | Mode | Marks | Nature |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Objective | 200 | Qualifying |
| Phase 2 | Objective + Descriptive | 300 | Merit |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75 | Merit |
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When are the RBI Grade B phase 1 and phase 2 exams scheduled?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its Annual Recruitment Calendar for 2027. As per the calendar, the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam is scheduled for April 2027, followed by Phase 2 in May or June 2027 for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Candidates should check the official notification for the confirmed exam dates and plan their preparation accordingly.
| Exam Stage | Expected Timeline (2027) | Last Cycle Date (2026) |
|---|
| Phase 1 (General/DEPR/DSIM) | April 2027 | General: 13th June 2026 DEPR & DSIM: 14th June 2026 |
| Phase 2 (General/DEPR/DSIM) | May/June 2027 | General: 25th July 2026 DEPR & DSIM: 26th July 2026 |
What is the RBI Grade B phase 1 exam pattern?
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam is an online objective test consisting of four sections: Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. The exam carries 200 marks with a duration of 120 minutes. Candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs set by RBI to qualify for the Phase 2 Exam.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 | 45 mins |
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 mins |
| English | 30 | 30 | 25 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 mins |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 mins |
What are the sectional timings in RBI Grade B phase 1?
The sectional timings in RBI Grade B Phase 1 are fixed and vary by section. Reasoning has 45 minutes, while General Awareness, English, and Quantitative Aptitude get 25 minutes each. The exam has a total duration of 120 minutes with strict sectional limits, meaning candidates cannot switch between sections once time is over.
| Section | Time |
|---|
| Reasoning | 45 mins |
| GA | 25 mins |
| English | 25 mins |
| Quant | 25 mins |
Also Check - RBI Grade B Selection Process
What is the negative marking in RBI Grade B phase 1?
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam follows a negative marking system, where 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions. Candidates should focus on maintaining accuracy and avoiding unnecessary attempts to improve their overall score as per RBI guidelines.
| Response | Marks |
|---|
| Correct | +1 |
| Incorrect | -0.25 |
| Unattempted | 0 |
What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 exam pattern?
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam is the 2nd stage of selection and includes 3 papers Economic and Social Issues (ESI), English Writing Skills, and Finance and Management (FM). It carries 300 marks and includes both objective and descriptive questions. Since Phase 2 marks play an important role in final selection, candidates should prepare well to score good marks.
| Paper | Type | Marks |
|---|
| ESI | Objective + Descriptive | 100 |
| English | Descriptive | 100 |
| FM | Objective + Descriptive | 100 |
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What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 1 (ESI) pattern?
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 1 (ESI) pattern includes both objective and descriptive questions from Economic and Social Issues. It carries a total of 100 marks, with 30 objective questions and descriptive questions where candidates must attempt 4 out of 6.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Objective | 30 questions |
| Descriptive | 6 questions (attempt 4) |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 120 mins |
What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 2 (English) pattern?
RBI Grade B Phase 2 English (Writing Skills) paper is a descriptive test that evaluates candidates' writing and communication skills. It carries 100 marks and includes questions on essay writing, precis writing, and reading comprehension. Candidates must type their answers in English within 90 minutes, focusing on clear, structured, and effective writing.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Questions | 3 |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 mins |
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What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 3 (FM) pattern?
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 3 (Finance & Management) is a 100-mark paper with both objective and descriptive questions. It includes 30 objective questions and descriptive questions where candidates must attempt 4 out of 6. The duration of the paper is 120 minutes.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Objective | 30 questions |
| Descriptive | 6 questions (attempt 4) |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 120 mins |
Is there sectional timing in RBI Grade B phase 2?
Yes, the RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam has fixed timings for each paper: ESI and Finance and Management (FM) are 120 minutes each, while English is 90 minutes. Papers 1 and 3 have a suggested split of 30 minutes for objective questions and 90 minutes for descriptive questions. Candidates can manage their time within each paper, but must follow the allotted duration.
| Paper | Duration |
|---|
| ESI | 120 mins |
| English | 90 mins |
| FM | 120 mins |
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Is the RBI Grade B exam bilingual?
RBI Grade B Exam will be conducted in both Hindi and English for most subjects, including Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, ESI, and FM. However, the Phase 1 English Language paper and the Phase 2 English Writing Skills paper are available only in English. Candidates can choose Hindi or English for the other sections.
| Section | Language |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Hindi & English |
| ESI/FM | Hindi & English |
| English Paper | English only |
Is phase 1 qualifying in RBI Grade B?
Yes, RBI Grade B Phase 1 is qualifying in nature, and its marks are not considered for the final merit list. It is only used for shortlisting candidates for Phase 2. However, candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs in Phase 1 to move to the next stage. This makes it an important screening round despite not contributing to final selection.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Marks | 200 |
| Role | Screening |
| Counted in final merit | No |
How is the RBI Grade B interview conducted?
The RBI Grade B interview, conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, is the final stage of the selection process and carries 75 marks. Candidates are shortlisted based on their total marks in Phase 2 (Paper 1, 2, and 3). The cut-off for shortlisting depends on the number of vacancies. The list of selected candidates is published on the official website, and interview call letters are sent via email. Candidates can choose to give the interview in Hindi or English. The final merit list is prepared based on Phase 2 and interview marks.
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What is the RBI Grade B Interview pattern?
RBI Grade B interview is the final stage of selection and carries 75 marks. A panel assesses candidates' personality, communication skills, subject knowledge, confidence, clarity of thought, and awareness of current affairs and banking concepts. Candidates can attend the interview in Hindi or English, and final selection is based on Phase 2 and interview marks.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Marks | 75 |
| Mode | Face-to-face |
| Language | Hindi/English |
Is there a psychometric test in RBI Grade B?
Yes, a psychometric test may be conducted before the RBI Grade B interview to assess a candidate's personality and behavioral traits. It is not a scoring component and does not carry any marks. Its purpose is to help the panel understand decision-making style, attitude, and suitability for the RBI officer role. The test is only evaluative in nature and does not affect the final merit list.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Marks | Not counted |
| Purpose | Behavioral evaluation |
Also Check: RBI Grade B Syllabus
How is the final selection done in RBI Grade B?
The final selection in RBI Grade B is based on the marks obtained in Phase 2 and the Interview. Phase 1 is only qualifying and is not included in the final merit list. The merit list is prepared out of a total of 375 marks, where Phase 2 carries 300 marks and the Interview carries 75 marks. Candidates are ranked based on their combined performance in these two stages.
| Stage | Marks Counted |
|---|
| Phase 1 | No |
| Phase 2 | Yes (300) |
| Interview | Yes (75) |
What is the total marks and weightage of each phase in RBI Grade B?
RBI Grade B selection process has 3 stages Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. Phase 1 carries 200 marks and is qualifying only, so its marks are not included in the final merit list. Phase 2 carries 300 marks, and the Interview carries 75 marks. Final selection is based on a total of 375 marks from Phase 2 and the Interview.
| Stage | Marks | Weightage |
|---|
| Phase 1 | 200 | Qualifying |
| Phase 2 | 300 | High |
| Interview | 75 | Moderate |
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What is the RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern 2027?
The RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern 2027 is designed for candidates applying under the Department of Economic and Policy Research of the Reserve Bank of India. This stream is meant for candidates with a strong background in economics and focuses on testing knowledge of economic concepts, policy understanding, and English language skills. The selection process includes Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview stages.
| Phase | Papers | Marks |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Economics + English | 200 |
| Phase 2 | Economics + English (Descriptive) | 200 |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75 |
What is the RBI Grade B DSIM exam pattern 2027?
The RBI Grade B DSIM exam pattern 2027 is meant for candidates applying under the Department of Statistics and Information Management of the Reserve Bank of India. This stream is suitable for candidates with a background in statistics, mathematics, or data analysis. The exam evaluates statistical understanding, analytical ability, and English writing skills through a structured three-stage selection process.
| Phase | Papers | Marks |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Statistics (Objective) | 100 |
| Phase 2 | Statistics + English (Descriptive) | 200 |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75 |
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