Perth Sierra's RBI Grade B Success Story: The Power of a Calm Mind

Today, we’ll discuss a journey that is not about being a “Topper” from day one; it’s about staying calm when things get tough. It’s the journey of Perth Sierra, a boy from IIT Roorkee who, after a long journey of 4 attempts, became an RBI Grade B Officer. 

If you have ever felt worried, confused, or a little bit lost during your preparation, then Parth’s journey is for you. We will learn how a simple change in thinking can help us cross the biggest hurdles. 

But first, let’s understand where Perth’s journey began.

From IIT Dreams to a New Path

Imagine graduating from a big college like IIT Roorkee. Most people would think about getting a high-paying job, right? But Parth was different. Even in college, he knew he wanted to work for the country by preparing for government exams.

He decided to prepare for the Civil Services full-time. It was a brave choice. It takes courage to follow your heart, and Prrth did just that. But the path he chose was not a straight one.

Perth gave 3 serious attempts at UPSC, but things didn’t go as planned. It can feel really heavy when your main plan doesn’t work out. It’s not about the plan not working; it’s about what you do next.

After talking to some seniors who were already in RBI, he found a new direction. They told him that RBI is a great place with lots of opportunities to learn. He thought, “Let’s give it a shot.” And that one decision changed everything for him.

This new journey, however, came with its own set of challenges.

The First Big Hurdle: That Feeling of Being Stuck

In his 3rd attempt at RBI in 2023, Perth reached the interview stage. He was so close! He felt he did well and was expecting to see his name on the final list. But when the result came, he couldn’t make it.

He felt devastated and lost a whole month, a very precious time for any student. He realized later that in that one month, he could have prepared for other exams. 

But this painful experience taught him his most important lesson.

Parth realized that being too attached to the result was hurting him. So, in 2024, he made a small but powerful change. After his interview, he rested for a few days and then immediately started studying for the next exam.

He learned to get a little bit detached from the results. This simple idea is like magic. When you focus only on your work, studying, giving exams, and not on “what will happen,” the pressure just melts away. It helps you move forward, no matter what.

This new way of thinking was just the beginning of building a strong mindset.

How Parth Built a Winning Mindset

Perth says that his UPSC journey taught him calmness. He remembers that in 2024, the Finance & Management (FM) paper in RBI Grade B was very unexpected. Many students panicked. But Perth remembered a simple thing.

The paper is not just tough for you; it’s tough for everyone. Staying calm helps you think clearly, even when the questions are new.

But being calm is only half the battle. You also need to be smart about how you use your time.

The Secret is Not to Answer Every Question

Another skill Perth developed was quick decision-making. In exams like RBI, you don’t have to attempt every single question. Your goal is to get ahead of others, not to score 100%.

He learned to quickly decide which questions to attempt and which to leave. This is a life skill! You have to practice this in mock tests. By giving many mocks, you will learn to spot the easy questions and solve them first, securing your marks before tackling the difficult ones.

Now, let’s see how Perth turned this strong mindset into a practical study plan.

A Smart Study Plan Anyone Can Follow

In today’s world, we have so many PDFs, videos, and notes. It’s easy to get lost, right? Perth warns us about this. He says it’s a mistake he made too.

His advice is simple: trust one good source and revise it again and again. He trusted the EduTap course and its material. This saved him from confusion and helped him revise everything multiple times.

This “one source” rule was the foundation for his entire preparation.

His Simple Plan for RBI Grade B Phase 1

Perth had a very clear and smart strategy for each section of Phase 1.

• For Quant & Reasoning: He knew puzzles could be tricky and time-consuming. So, he focused on the non-puzzle questions first, like syllogism, inequalities, and blood relations. This made sure he cleared the cut-off safely.
• For General Awareness (GA): This was his strongest area. His secret? “Revision, revision, revision.” He studied the last 5 months of current affairs from one source and revised it so many times that he could attempt all 80 questions in just 20 minutes!

He carried this smart approach into the next stage as well.

Making RBI Grade B Phase 2 Answers Stand Out

For the descriptive papers, Perth found simple ways to make his answers better than others.

• For ESI: He used proper definitions from sources like the C. Rangarajan Committee report and took good examples from the Economic Survey. This made his answers look very professional.
• For Management: He didn’t just write theory. He searched for real-life examples on the internet for every topic. For example, he connected a theory to how a government in Europe encourages organ donation. Adding real examples makes your answers feel alive!

These small things show the examiner that you have understood the topic deeply. 

With his preparation done, it was time for the final challenge.

The Final Step: Facing the Interview with Confidence

Perth knew the interview was very important. He appeared for a mock interview at EduTap in Delhi. The feedback he got was a game-changer.

The panel, including Jalaj sir and Anchit sir, gave him very specific advice. They told him,

They also motivated him. He had scored 36 marks in the interview last year. Anchit sir told him, “If you want more than that, fifty-five, sixty, in order to ensure that you want to get selected, you need to put in a little bit more effort.” This honest feedback helped him focus his energy on the right things.

And this focused preparation paid off in a big way.

How the Mock Interview Helped in the Real One

Guess what happened in the actual RBI interview? The panel asked him exactly what the EduTap mentors had predicted! Because he was so well-prepared for those topics, he felt confident and could answer smoothly.

This shows how important good guidance is. A good mentor can see your path more clearly than you can sometimes. 

But guidance from mentors is just one part of the support system.

The Real Superheroes: Family, Friends, and Mentors

The journey of preparing for competitive exams can be very stressful. But Perth was lucky to have a wonderful family. He shared that his mother always kept the mood at home light and cheerful. His brother was his biggest supporter, always believing in him.

When the final result came, he called his brother first to double-check the roll number. Then he went to his mother and touched her feet. 

Perth also had a great set of friends. After he missed the final list last year, his friends were the ones who told him, 

Sometimes, a few encouraging words from a friend are all we need to get back up. Perth says his success is as much theirs as it is his. 

Now, let’s hear Perth’s final words of advice for you.

Perth’s Final Message and Action Plan

Perth’s journey teaches us that success isn’t about speed; it’s about patience, smart choices, and keeping a calm mind. He reminds us to stay consistent, prepare wisely, and not lose ourselves in panic or pressure. Even if results don’t go your way, remember, it happens to everyone. Do your best, and let the rest go.

Here are the key lessons you can take from him:

• Revision is everything: Keep going back to what you studied. That’s how it sticks.
• One source is enough: Pick a trusted platform or books and stop hoarding PDFs.
• Mocks matter: Give mocks from different places—RBI keeps changing patterns.
• Stay calm under pressure: If the paper feels tough, it’s tough for everyone. Breathe and focus.
• Play smart: Don’t try to solve everything. Attempt the questions you know well.
• Use weekends wisely: Revise, practice mocks, and write descriptive answers with examples.
• Think long-term: If two or three attempts don’t work, balance prep with a job. It lowers stress.
• Lean on support: Share your struggles with family—their support can be your strength.

At the end of the day, Perth says there’s also a small role of luck. But discipline, smart work, and self-belief are always in your hands. And that’s exactly what will carry you through this journey.