We have the privilege of witnessing many stories of perseverance, but Raghav Manglik’s journey is one that truly redefines the word “grit.”
From starting work at the age of 19 to support his family to navigating the profound grief of losing his father and grandmother, Raghav’s path to the Reserve Bank of India was anything but a straight line.
This is the story of how an average student, working a demanding corporate job, managed deep personal loss and financial instability to clear one of the most prestigious competitive exams in India.
The Early Struggle: Building a Foundation of Hard Work
Raghav holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Commerce. But his journey was very different from most aspirants.
At the age of 19, he started working to support his family financially. Managing studies along with a job was not optional for him; it was necessary. Over time, he gained experience working in management roles at a manufacturing unit and later in franchise management.
Everything changed when a friend introduced him to the RBI Grade B exam. The idea of working in the central bank of India and contributing to the country’s economic policy stayed with him.
He decided to take a bold step, he quit his job to prepare seriously.
At that time, he believed the syllabus would be the biggest challenge. But what followed was far more difficult.
Facing Heartbreak and Narrow Margins
Preparing without a job brings constant pressure. Your savings are limited, and every exam attempt carries emotional weight.
In his first serious RBI Grade B attempt, Raghav cleared the overall cut-off but failed to clear the Reasoning sectional cut-off.
Then life took a much harder turn.
During his preparation, he lost his father. The loss was deeply painful and difficult to process. But despite the grief, he decided to continue.
Just six days after his father’s passing, he appeared for the IBPS PO Mains exam. When the result came, he had missed the final cut-off by just 0.25 marks.
He continued preparing and appeared again for RBI Grade B. But once again, he was unable to clear the Reasoning sectional cut-off.
By this time, his financial situation had become critical. He had no savings left.
In search of support, he even applied for a role at EduTap, but was not selected.
With no financial backup, he had to return to the corporate sector. He joined as an Analyst in a private company, working on complex data models.
On the very same day he joined, he lost his maternal grandmother, someone who had been a strong support system in his life.
He was dealing with grief while also adjusting to a demanding job.
His Turning Point & RBI Grade B Winning Strategy
Managing a 10-to-8 corporate job meant Raghav’s days were brutal, starting at 4 AM and ending late at night. After missing the NABARD Grade A cut-off by another 0.25 marks, he realized he didn’t need to study harder; he needed to study like an Analyst. He treated his preparation like a “broken model” that needed optimization.
Optimizing RBI Grade B Phase 1 Strategy
Raghav knew he couldn’t afford to waste a single minute on ineffective methods.
- Reasoning: Having been unsuccessful in the sectional cut-off twice, he moved beyond standard mocks. He used a 1,000-question GMAT PDF and AI tools to generate timed, 30-minute high-pressure tests. This built the “elite speed” required for the actual exam.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Instead of trying to master everything, he isolated his strengths: Data Interpretation, Time Speed & Distance, and Number Series. He focused on mental calculation speed to save precious seconds.
- General Awareness: For a working professional, reading multiple newspapers was impossible. Raghav turned to EduTap’s compiled documents for Government Schemes and RBI Circulars. These became his ultimate lifelines, and he focused on revising these specific sources 4 to 5 times rather than skimming through multiple different materials.
Raghav Mastering the RBI Grade B Phase 2
Phase 2 requires a shift from factual recall to analytical writing. Because Raghav’s typing time was limited due to his job, he relied heavily on pre-built frameworks.
RBI Grade B: Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
He created theme-based “fodder material” for topics like Poverty, MSMEs, and Gender Inequality. His answers followed a strict, non-negotiable formula:
- Introduction: An 80-word opening with a relevant definition or index ranking.
- Body: A 420-word section with exactly three positive points, three challenges, and a mention of 2-3 specific government schemes (sourced from EduTap materials) with their budget outlays.
- Conclusion: A forward-looking statement backed by Economic Survey data.
RBI Grade B: Finance & Management (F&M)
While Finance required staying updated with RBI circulars, Raghav used his actual corporate experience as a differentiator in the Management section. Instead of generic textbook examples, he provided real-life case studies on leadership and motivation from his career as an Analyst.
Preparing for RBI Grade B Interview
The interview was the final hurdle. Raghav treated this stage with the same intensity as the written exams. Despite his grueling work schedule, he and a study partner conducted over 40 mock sessions, often late into the night.
“I left no stone unturned. I read the RBI Working and Functions document, the Annual Report, the Balance Sheet, and all recent RBI speeches. I generated over 1,000 potential questions.”
To bridge the gap between his corporate background and the requirements of the central bank, Raghav enrolled in the EduTap Interview Guidance Course. This program helped him refine his delivery and prepare for the technical “grilling” he eventually faced.
On the day of the interview, the panel questioned him heavily on GDP metrics, the RBI balance sheet, and derivatives. Because of the simulated pressure he experienced during the EduTap’s RBI Grade B Interview Guidance Course and his exhaustive preparation of RBI Annual Reports and speeches, Raghav remained calm. He was able to justify his career gaps and explain complex data modelling in simple terms, finally securing his place in the final merit list.
Success in the RBI Grade B and Beyond
While his ultimate goal was the RBI, the skills Raghav built also saw him through the various stages of the NABARD Grade A and other regulatory exams. His journey is a testament to the fact that when you prepare for the highest level, you build a versatile skill set that makes you a formidable candidate across all government and regulatory body examinations.
A Final Message to Every Aspirant
Raghav’s journey from a 19-year-old worker to an RBI Grade B Officer is a beacon of hope for anyone who feels they are “living in the margins.” If you are currently struggling with financial pressure, balancing a job, or carrying the weight of past rejections, remember Raghav’s words:
“Your background is not a weakness. These experiences are building a unique perspective and a level of grit that no textbook can teach you. Consistency will always beat intensity. Keep showing up, find your gaps, and have faith that if you refuse to quit, all the dots will eventually connect.”
Team EduTap is incredibly honored to have played a role in Raghav Manglik’s success story. His resilience is an inspiration to us all, proving that with the right strategy and unwavering spirit, no mountain is too high to climb.
