Have you ever felt like you are so close to your dream, but something small stops you? And what if it was your very last chance?
Today, we are going to talk about a friend, named Ankit Pandey. He felt all this and more, but he still cleared the big RBI Grade B exam.
This is not just a story of hard work. This is a story about hope, about not giving up, and about how a little bit of smartness and a lot of heart can help you win. Let’s learn from Ankit’s 3-year journey, and maybe you will find a little bit of your own story in his.
Let’s start from the beginning to see where his journey really began.
Ankit’s Journey: From a Small Town to a Big Dream
Ankit comes from a small town in West Bengal. He did his B.Tech in Civil Engineering and then an MBA in Finance. After his studies, he started working. He worked in big companies and was also working in a government company called IIFCL when he cleared his RBI exam.
Being a working student is not easy, is it? You have office work, and then you have to study. Ankit was doing both. He also got married when he was just preparing for the exam!
But even with all the support from his family and wife, the road was not simple. He faced some really tough moments.
His RBI Grade B First 2 Attempts
Sometimes, we think we are ready, but the exam shows us the real picture. This happened with Ankit too.
What Happened in His 1st Try At RBI Grade B?
In his 1st attempt in 2022, Ankit cleared RBI Grade B Phase 1. He was happy and confident.
But in Phase 2, he missed clearing the exam by just 3.5 marks. It felt bad, but Ankit learned a very important lesson here.
“Then I got the reality check… One important thing is introspection. You cannot clear this examination without introspection. You have to be true to yourself.”
He sat down and asked himself, “Where did I go wrong?”
This simple question changed everything for him. He learned his lesson and prepared again, but another surprise was waiting for him.
His RBI Grade B 2nd Attempt
In his 2nd attempt, Ankit felt very prepared. He had worked on his mistakes.
But this time, he could not even clear Phase 1.
He missed the Reasoning cut-off by just 0.5 marks.
It’s so easy to feel sad and give up at such moments, isn’t it? But Ankit believed that life is like a circle. What goes around, comes around.
And guess what? In his final attempt, he cleared the Phase 2 cut-off by exactly 0.5 marks!
“I think things come back in life; it is a Circle.”
So, how did he manage to stay strong and keep fighting after these setbacks?
Support System That Helped Keep His RBI Journey Going
When you feel low, you need a strong reason to get up again. For Ankit, it was not just about getting a job. It was about his love for something special.
His biggest motivation was his love for Finance and Macroeconomics. During his MBA, a teacher and a movie called “The Big Short” made him fall in love with these subjects.
So for him, studying was not a burden; it was interesting.
And whenever he felt sad or worried, his amazing support system was there for him – his wife, his parents, and his good friends. They always kept his spirits high.
“You should have always and try to distract yourself from this examination. Take a break when you are thinking that it’s getting very overwhelming… the world will not end.”
He used to watch football matches, listen to music, and play Table Tennis at his office. These small breaks gave him the energy to keep going.
Now here’s where Ankit really showed what smart preparation looks like.
RBI Grade B: His Simple Plan for a Working Student
For a working person, time is like gold. Ankit had a full-time job, but he still found ways to study smartly. Let’s see his simple methods.
How Did He Manage Time with a Full-Time Job
Ankit knew he was not a morning person. So, he didn’t force himself to wake up early. Instead, he studied at night after coming back from the office.
And what about the day? He used his lunch breaks at the office to study General Awareness!
See? Every small minute counts.
Tackling RBI Grade B Phase 1: Quant and Reasoning
For Quant and Reasoning, Ankit did not join many courses. He kept it simple.
- For Concepts: He used a book called ‘Quantum CAT’ and watched free videos on YouTube.
- For Practice: He said practice is the only way, especially for puzzles in Reasoning.
- For Mocks: After giving a mock test, he would spend time checking his mistakes. If he was weak in a topic, he would go back and learn the concept again.
RBI Grade B Prep: Studied General Awareness (GA) for 3 Years
Ankit studied from AffairsCloud for GA for 3 years without a single day’s gap! He made handwritten notes because he felt he would forget otherwise.
But his notes became very big. He solved this problem smartly:
- He focused most on the last 3 – 4 months of current affairs for Phase 1.
- He used RBI Grade B Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to find out what was important, like RBI circulars, sports news, etc.
- He revised his notes again and again, so he didn’t have to re-read everything from the start.
“You have to filter out… if you think about that you can cover everything, you cannot do that.”
After crossing the difficult path of Phase 1, Ankit was ready for the final stages.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 and the Interview Strategy
Clearing Phase 1 was a big relief, but the journey was not over. The final battles of Phase 2 and the Interview were waiting for him.
His RBI Grade B Phase 2 Strategy: ESI and Finance & Management
For ESI, he first cleared his basic concepts and then focused on current things like PIB, reports, and schemes.
For Finance and Management, he completely trusted EduTap.
“Finance and management I diligently followed and I am very happy with the way the videos are structured.”
He found Management a bit boring. His trick was to connect theories with his own life, his office work, and his college days.
This made the boring topics feel real and easy to remember.
But the biggest test was yet to come.
What Happened in His RBI Interview: Being Honest and Confident
Ankit had only 24 days to prepare for his interview, that too right after his marriage! He focused on three things: his work experience, RBI, and current affairs.
On the day of the interview, he was the last person to be called. He was nervous. But then, he saw the interview panel laughing and talking happily through a glass door. This made him calm. He thought, “They are good people. I will just be myself.”
He answered everything honestly, especially questions about his job. He got a very good score of 57 out of 75 in the interview! His honesty and confidence won their hearts.
So, after reading Ankit’s beautiful story, what should you do now?
Your Final Takeaway: Walk Your Own Path
Ankit’s journey shows us one truth: you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be honest with yourself.
He wasn’t from an IIT or IIM. He was balancing work, family, and studies. Yet, with honesty, family support, and the courage to never give up, he made it.
“Expose yourself to in front of yourself… if you lie to yourself… You will get exposed at the stage you do not want to get exposed.”
Here’s what you can carry forward:
- Find your “why”: love what you study.
- Be honest: face your weaknesses, don’t hide from them.
- Study smart: mocks, PYQs, and your own timetable matter more than fancy resources.
- Take breaks: rest fuels consistency.
- Lean on your supporters: gratitude makes you stronger.
Your journey will be different from his, but the message is the same: don’t stop believing in yourself. Take small steps, stay true to your dream, and remember: you are never too late, and never alone. EduTap will always walk with you.
