Arpit Banga's RBI Success Story: Study Plan for Working Aspirants

This is what Arpit Banga believes. He cleared the RBI Grade B exam with an All India Rank of 51. But his story is not just about clearing an exam. It’s about living a dream every single day, even while doing a full-time, very demanding job.

This story is for you. It’s a simple, honest talk from a senior who understands your worries. Let’s see how Arpit turned his daily life into his biggest preparation tool.

But his journey to RBI didn’t just start with a book. It started long before that.

The Journey Before RBI: A Banker and an ED Officer

Let’s see where Arpit’s story began, and how each step he took was a step closer to his final dream.

Arpit started his career like many of us. He first worked in a private company, then became a banker at Canara Bank. In the bank, he started getting interested in how money and big banks work. He even started studying for banking exams.

But he didn’t stop there. He then cleared the SSC exam and joined the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Many people would happily settle there. But for Arpit, this was a smart step towards his real goal: RBI.

He chose ED because he knew they work on cases related to banking and foreign money (FEMA), which are closely linked to the RBI. He thought, “If I work here, I will learn things that will help me in RBI.” He was already thinking like an RBI officer!

Even with such a good job and a clear plan, the path to RBI was not at all easy.

Two Years of Setbacks In RBI Grade B

Here’s where Arpit faced his first real challenge, a problem that many of us face too.

For his first 2 attempts at the RBI, Arpit could not clear the Prelims exam. He got stuck at the same place both times: the Reasoning section’s cut-off. It must have felt so sad, right? To be so close, yet so far.

But he soon realized that the RBI exam is completely different from other bank exams. The questions are trickier, and they need a different kind of thinking.

He felt stuck. He was working hard, but something was missing.

So, what changed in his 3rd attempt? Let’s find out.

A Mindset Change During RBI Grade B Prep That Made All the Difference

It all started with a change in how he saw the RBI job itself. This is the most important part of his story.

Arpit didn’t just want to clear an exam. He wanted to actually do the job of an RBI officer. He knew that in RBI, you have to write a lot, reports, policies, speeches. This thought changed everything for him.

He started practicing descriptive writing every day. He would read newspaper articles and write summaries. At first, he was scared of it, but slowly, he started loving it. He wasn’t just studying for marks; he was preparing for his future life. This is what he calls “internal motivation.”

He also saw RBI officers in Mumbai, where he worked. He saw their lifestyle, their knowledge, and how they talked. It made him feel, “This is where I want to be.” It wasn’t about the salary or the post; it was about the work and the life.

This is such a beautiful thought. Are you preparing just to pass an exam, or are you preparing to live the life you dream of?

Now, let’s see how he turned this powerful thinking into a real, simple plan.

Arpit’s RBI Grade B Study Plan for Working Students

Here is the simple daily routine he followed while managing a very tough job.

Arpit had very little time. He had to travel for 2 hours every day and work for 8 hours. So, he had to be very smart with his time.

Here is how he broke down his day:

• During Travel: He used his one-hour travel time to the office and one-hour return journey to read newspapers and editorials on his phone.
• During Office Breaks: Whenever he got a small break, like lunch break, he would quickly cover his daily current affairs.
• After Coming Home: This was the time he dedicated to studying the static part of the syllabus, like Finance and Management concepts.
• On Weekends: Weekends were special. He used this time to connect everything. He would merge the static concepts he learned with the current affairs he read all week and practice writing descriptive answers.

He used every small bit of time he got. He didn’t wait for a long 8-hour study session. This is something you can try too!

This plan helped him build a strong base. But remember that Reasoning problem he had? Let’s see how he finally solved it.

How He Finally Cracked the Toughest Part Of His RBI Grade B Prep

This section shows how Arpit used smart thinking, not just hard work, to clear each stage.

His RBI Grade B Phase 1 Strategy: Finding His ‘Differentiator’ in Reasoning

Arpit noticed that in Reasoning, most students were attempting around 15 questions. He was also doing the same and failing to clear the cut-off.

This realization made him decide to find a “differentiator”, something extra that others were not doing. He asked himself, “Which topic can I master to attempt 3-4 extra questions?”

He found his weak areas, like a particular type of puzzle or syllogism. He practiced those topics again and again until he was confident. This smart work helped him attempt 21 questions in Reasoning and finally clear the sectional cut-off. 

This is such a great lesson! Instead of studying everything, maybe you can find one or two topics to become an expert in?

Once the Prelims (Phase 1) were done, his real strength came forward.

His RBI Grade B Phase 2 Strategy: Writing Like a Real RBI Officer

Let’s talk about the part he was most confident about.

Because he was already practicing writing with the mindset of an RBI officer, the descriptive part of the Phase 2 exam was his strong point. He wasn’t scared of it anymore. 

His hard work paid off.

His advice is simple: Descriptive papers are worth 200 out of 300 marks in Mains. You cannot ignore them. If you make this your strength, you have a very high chance of clearing the exam, even if the objective paper is tough.

And then came the final step, where he truly shined.

His RBI Grade B Interview: The Day He Drove the Conversation

This is where his 7 years of work experience in the ED really helped him.

Arpit’s interview was not like a test. It was like a discussion between experts. Because he worked in the ED, the panel asked him deep questions about FEMA, financial laws, and banking rules.

He was so well-prepared that he could quote the exact sections of laws! When they asked him about accounting, he explained it so well that he even politely corrected a panel member. The panel was very impressed.

He says the key was his deep understanding. He didn’t just memorize definitions. He knew “why” a policy was made. 

For example, he knew the story behind the Basel norms. This is what happens when you “live” the subject. You don’t just know “what,” you also know “why.”

But no one walks this long and difficult road all alone.

People Who Held His Hand During RBI Grade B Prep

Arpit believes that having a support system is very important. His family always supported his dream. But his friends played a very special role.

He remembers a time when he failed his 2nd attempt. He was very sad. He just messaged his friends that he couldn’t clear it. And you know what they did? 8 of his friends came to his house without even telling him, just to cheer him up.

He also had a study partner with whom he would discuss everything. He says it’s very important to have someone to talk to about your preparation.

He also mentioned how EduTap helped him. He loved the mind maps for quick revision and the quizzes that helped him build strong concepts. Before his interview, he had a personal call with Anchit sir from EduTap, who gave him guidance on how to handle tricky questions about his job switches.

So, after this long and inspiring journey, what is the one thing Arpit wants to tell you?

Arpit’s Final Message to You

If you remember only one thing from this entire story, let it be this:

Arpit’s biggest message is to find your internal motivation. Don’t just prepare for a good salary or a big post; those reasons will fade with time. Instead, ask yourself: Why do I want this job? Do I really enjoy this work? Am I curious to learn more every day?

As Arpit beautifully said:

And along with that mindset, here are some practical lessons you can follow from his plan:

• Use small pockets of time: Even travel time or lunch breaks can be productive.
• Build daily habits: A little every day is always better than cramming.
• Connect your learning: Don’t study static and current affairs separately, link them.
• Use weekends wisely: Focus on writing practice and revision.

The journey to clearing an exam is long, with both good and bad days. But if your reason comes from the heart and you stay consistent with smart habits, you will never feel like giving up.

We at EduTap wish you all the very best. Keep dreaming, keep believing, and keep working with a happy heart!