RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026: Phase 1, Phase 2, & Interview

The RBI Grade B exam pattern has three stages: Phase 1, Phase 2, and the Interview.

Phase 1 is qualifying, while Phase 2 and the Interview together decide the final selection.

This guide gives you the full RBI Grade B exam pattern along with:

• Subjects
• Number of Questions
• Marks
• Sectional Timing
• Negative Marking
• Exam Language
• Objective + Descriptive format of Phase 2, and
• Interview process

RBI Grade B Pattern 2026

The selection procedure for the RBI Grade B 2026 exam consists of:

1. Phase 1 (Pre)
2. Phase 2 (Mains)
3. Phase 3 (Interview)

Each phase has its own unique challenges, but don’t worry! I’ll break them down step by step.

RBI Grade B Phase 1 Pattern 2026

I have broken the prelims pattern of the RBI Grade B 2026 exam to make it simpler for you to plan an effective RBI Grade B preparation strategy.

Subjects of RBI Grade B

The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam consists of 4 subjects:

• General Awareness (GA)
• Reasoning Ability
• English Language
• Quantitative Aptitude

Number of Questions of RBI Grade B

The number of questions per subject varies in the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam:

• General Awareness (GA): 80 questions 
• Reasoning Ability: 60 questions 
• English Language: 30 questions 
• Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions 

Marks of RBI Grade B

Each question carries 1 mark in the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam, so the maximum marks for each subject are:

• General Awareness (GA): 80 marks
• Reasoning Ability: 60 marks
• English Language: 30 marks
• Quantitative Aptitude: 30 marks

Duration of RBI Grade B

A specific time limit is allocated to each section of the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam:

• General Awareness (GA): 25 minutes
• Reasoning Ability: 45 minutes
• English Language: 25 minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude: 25 minutes

I’ve summarized all of this information in the table below to help you visualize it better.

Additional Details of RBI Grade B Phase 1 Pattern 2026

Here are some other essential RBI Grade B Phase 1 pattern details:

Mode of RBI Grade B

• The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam is conducted online.
• You’ll need to select answers on a computer screen.
• It’s important to practice with mock tests to get comfortable with the exam interface.

Paper Structure of RBI Grade B

RBI Grade B Generalist Prelims exam consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

Nature of RBI Grade B

• The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam is qualifying in nature.
• Marks in Phase 1 are not included in the final selection.
• You only need to clear the cut-off to qualify for Phase 2.

Paper Language of RBI Grade B

• You can choose to answer the exam in either Hindi or English.
• The English Language section is only in English.
• Pick the language you’re most comfortable with for all other sections.

Total Number of Questions of RBI Grade B

• The exam has a total of 200 questions.
• Each question carries 1 mark.
• The paper is for a total of 200 marks.

Total Marks of RBI Grade B 2026

The total marks for the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam are 200.

Cut-Off Marks of RBI Grade B 2026

• Overall and sectional cut-offs are set based on the calling ratio.
• The calling ratio changes every year depending on the exam difficulty and number of candidates.
• Aim to score as high as possible to safely clear both cut-offs.

Negative Marking of RBI Grade B 2026

• 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
• There’s no penalty for unattempted questions.
• Avoid random guessing to prevent unnecessary loss of marks.

Time Duration of RBI Grade B 2026

• You’ll get a total of 2 hours to complete the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam.
• There is sectional timing for each subject.
• Time management is crucial, so practice with timed mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.

I’ve summarized all of this information in the table below to help you visualize it better.

• Candidates must clear both overall and sectional cut-offs in the Prelims exam.
• Those who meet these minimum qualifying marks set by the RBI become eligible for Phase 2.

But before jumping on the Phase 2 pattern, here is the link to know the RBI Grade B eligibility criteria.

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Pattern 2026

Phase 2 is the second stage of the RBI Grade B officer selection process. It evaluates candidates in 3 subjects:

• Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
• Descriptive English
• Finance & Management (FM). 

As per the official RBI Grade B notification, here is the RBI Grade B Phase 2 pattern:

Important Note: 

In the ESI and FM sections of Phase 2, you’ll find two parts:

Objective Section:

• 10 questions worth 1 mark each
• 20 questions worth 2 marks each

Descriptive Section:

• 3 questions worth 15 marks each
• 3 questions worth 10 marks each

• In the descriptive section, you must attempt 4 questions in total:
  • 2 of 15 marks
  • 2 of 10 marks.
• If you attempt more than 4 questions, only the first 4 (2 from each category) will be evaluated.

So, be strategic! Make sure you answer thoughtfully and manage your time well for the descriptive section, as quality matters more than quantity.

Additional Details of RBI Grade B Phase 2 Pattern 2026   

Here are some other essential details of the RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam pattern.

Mode of the RBI Grade B

• The RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam is conducted online.
• For objective questions, you’ll select answers on the screen.
• For descriptive questions, you’ll type your answers using the keyboard.

Paper Language of RBI Grade B

• The exam is available in both Hindi and English.
• The Descriptive English paper is conducted only in English.

Total Marks of RBI Grade B

The total marks for the RBI Grade B Manager Phase 2 exam are 300.

Cut-Off Marks of RBI Grade B

Cut-off marks of the RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam are decided as per the calling ratio.

Negative Marking of RBI Grade B

There is a 1/4 negative marking in Phase 2, so be careful with your answers. For each incorrect answer:

• 1-mark questions will have a deduction of 0.25 marks
• 2-mark questions will have a deduction of 0.50 marks
• If you choose not to answer a question, there will be no penalty.

I have summarised the above-mentioned details below.

Candidates who qualify in RBI Grade B Phase 2 are then shortlisted for an interview. This stage evaluates the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and suitability for the RBI Grade B officer role. 

RBI Grade B Interview Pattern 2026

• The RBI Grade B interview is the final stage of the selection process.
• Only candidates who clear Phase 1 and Phase 2 are called for this round.
• Before the interview, candidates must take a Psychometric Test.

Let’s first understand the Psychometric Test before moving to the interview pattern.

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern of Psychometric Test

After successfully clearing the RBI Grade B Phase 2, you will receive an email at your registered email address containing a link to complete your psychometric test. 

• Mode: The psychometric test is online. You can complete it from the comfort of your home.
• Language Options: You can take the test in English or any of the 9 other Indian languages you’re proficient in.
• Number of Questions: Expect 100-120 questions to assess your personality and behavioral traits.
• Marks: No marks are allotted for the psychometric test.
• Time Duration: Usually, the test should take 15 to 20 minutes. While there’s no time limit to complete the test, the system tracks your completion time, and this information will be included in the report.

Important Note: You must complete the psychometric test within five days of receipt of the mail.

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern of Interview

• Mode: The interview is conducted in person at various exam centers.
• Language Options: You can take the interview in Hindi or English, depending on your preference.
• Number of Questions: The number of questions varies depending on the panel.
• Marks: The interview carries a weightage of 75 marks.
• Time Duration: The interview typically lasts between 20 and 45 minutes. 

Final Selection as RBI Grade B Officer

The final RBI Grade B selection process is based on the aggregate marks obtained in RBI Grade B Phase 2 (Papers 1, 2, and 3) and interview.

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern Change

Let’s talk about the recent changes in the RBI Grade B exam pattern. These changes, which took place over the years, have altered the way the exam is structured, and it’s important to keep track of them.

RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern Change 

The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam pattern has undergone some modifications in the 2019 notification. Here’s a look at the changes:

Before 2019

• Composite Time: Candidates received a composite time of 120 minutes to answer all sections of the exam.

Changes Introduced in 2019

• Sectional Timing: The total exam duration remained 120 minutes.

However, RBI introduced a separate time allocation for each subject in the RBI Grade B exam pattern.

This means you need to manage your time for each subject carefully.

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern Changes 

The RBI Grade B exam pattern of Phase 2 and interview underwent some modifications in the 2021 notification. 

Before 2021

• Phase 2 Papers: Paper 1 (Economic & Social Issues) and Paper 3 (Finance & Management) were entirely objective (multiple-choice questions).
• Time Allocation: Each Phase 2 paper received 90 minutes.
• Interview Marks: The interview carried a weightage of 50 marks.

Changes Introduced in 2021

• Phase 2 Papers: Descriptive sections were introduced in Paper 1 (ESI) and Paper 3 (FM), along with the already existing objective section.
• Time Allocation: The time allotted to Paper 1 and Paper 3 went up from 90 to 120 minutes to accommodate both objective and descriptive sections.
• Interview Marks: The weightage of the interview increased from 50 to 75 marks, and a psychometric test was introduced as a part of the selection process.

Check out the RBI Grade B previous year question paper to gain a deep understanding of the exam pattern.

Now that you have understood the RBI Grade B pattern for General posts, let’s understand the scheme of selection for RBI Grade B specialized posts.

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern of DEPR

The RBI Grade B DEPR selection procedure comprises

• Phase 1
• Phase 2
• Interview

RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern of DEPR

The RBI Grade B DEPR Phase 1 examination consists of:

• Paper 1: Objective paper on Economics
• Paper 2: Descriptive paper on English

Candidates who secure minimum aggregate marks in Papers 1 & 2 of Phase 1, as prescribed, are shortlisted for Phase 2. 

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern of DEPR

RBI Grade B DEPR Phase 2 exam consists of 2 Descriptive papers on Economics.

Important Note: While the format of both papers in the RBI Grade B DEPR Phase 2 exam is the same, their syllabus differs.

The minimum aggregate cut-off marks for being shortlisted for Phase 2 of the examination is decided by RBI according to the number of vacancies. 

RBI Grade B Interview Pattern of DEPR

The interview pattern for RBI Grade B DEPR positions is the same as for the General posts.

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern of DSIM

The pattern of the RBI Grade B DSIM exam comprises Phase 1, Phase 2, and interview.

RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern of DSIM

The RBI Grade B DSIM Phase 1 examination consists of 1 paper:

Candidates who secure the minimum cut-off marks in Paper 1 of Phase 1, as prescribed, are shortlisted for Phase 2. 

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern of DSIM

RBI Grade B DSIM Phase 2 exam consists of 2 Descriptive papers on Statistics and English.

The minimum aggregate cut-off marks for being shortlisted for Papers 2 and 3 will be decided by RBI according to the number of vacancies.

RBI Grade B Interview Pattern of DSIM

The interview pattern for RBI Grade B DSIM positions is the same as for the General posts.

RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026

Here is the RBI Grade B syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2:

RBI Grade B Phase 1 Syllabus 2026

The official notification does not mention the detailed syllabus for the RBI Grade B officer Phase 1 (prelims) exam. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

Our team at EduTap has analyzed the RBI Grade B previous years’ questions (PYQs) to list down the decoded syllabus for each subject:

RBI Grade B Syllabus for Reasoning

Here is the RBI Grade B syllabus for reasoning:

• Alphabetical, Alphanumeric Series
• Coding & Decoding
• Syllogism
• Direction Sense
• Inequality
• Ranking
• Blood Relation
• Seating Arrangement
• Puzzles
• Machine Input Output
• Statement – Assumption
• Statement – Course of Action
• Cause and Effect
• Statement Argument
• Statement Conclusion
• Data Sufficiency

RBI Grade B Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude (Maths)

Here is the RBI Grade B syllabus for quant:

• Percentage
• Profit & Loss, Discount
• Ratio & Proportion
• Simplification
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Time & Work
• Pipes & Cistern
• Number Series & Number System
• Time, Speed, & Distance 
• Trains & Boats
• Mixture
• Average
• Ages
• Partnership
• Area, Volume
• Probability
• Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
• Quadratic Equation
• Quantity Comparison

RBI Grade B Syllabus for English

Here is the RBI Grade B syllabus for English:

• Grammar
• Error Spotting
• Sentence Improvement
• Comprehension Ability
• Comprehension passage
• Cloze Test
• Rearrangement
• Para Jumbles
• Double Fillers
• Vocabulary – Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution, and Phrasal Verbs

RBI Grade B Syllabus for General Awareness (GA)

Here is the RBI Grade B syllabus for GA:

RBI Grade B Syllabus for GA Current Affairs

Here is the syllabus for RBI Grade B GA current affairs:

• National News: MoUs, summits, and major events related to India.
• International: Summits and conferences held abroad.
• Financial & Economics News
• Financial Awareness: RBI and SEBI Notification and Regulations
• Defence: Military exercises, drills, and major updates related to the defence sector of India
• Days in News: Major events or days, along with its date and theme
• Persons in News: Obituaries, appointments, retirements
• Sports: Major tournaments and its winners
• Science, Technology, and Space
• Awards and Honours
• Environment
• Banking, Economy related news
• Reports and Government Schemes
• Books and Authors

RBI Grade B Syllabus for GA Static

Here is the syllabus for RBI Grade B GA static:

• Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers
• National Parks and Sanctuaries
• Airport Locations, Stadiums
• Organisations’ Headquarters
• Banks’ Headquarters and Taglines
• Power Plants in India
• Indian Dance Forms
• Countries Capitals and their Currencies
• Important Days

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Syllabus 2026

Here is the RBI Grade B Phase 2 syllabus for the 2026 exam:

RBI Grade B Syllabus for Economic and Social Issues

Here is the detailed RBI Grade B ESI syllabus:

• Growth and Development 
• Indian Economy
• Globalization
• Social Structure in India

RBI Grade B Syllabus for Descriptive English

There is no defined descriptive English syllabus mentioned in the official RBI Grade B notification. Generally, 3 questions are asked from the following topics:

1. Essay 
2. Precis Writing 
3. Reading Comprehension 

RBI Grade B Syllabus for Finance and Management

Here is the detailed RBI Grade B FM syllabus:

Finance

• Financial System
• Financial Markets
• General Topics

Management

• Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behaviour
• Leadership
• Ethics 
• Corporate Governance
• Communication

Conclusion

Understanding the RBI Grade B exam pattern and syllabus provides a roadmap for your 2026 preparation. This knowledge empowers you to start your preparation journey with confidence.

By familiarizing yourself with the latest requirements, you can:

• Compare the exam format with your strengths and background.
• Choose the right study materials 
• Prioritize high-weightage sections
• Develop a focused study plan