RBI Grade B 2026 Syllabus for Phase 1, Phase 2 & Interview
Topics Covered: RBI Grade B Officer Syllabus including Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains) & Personality Test (Interview)
The RBI is amongst the leading financial institutions of the country. It plays an important role in the economic stability of India and financial inclusion.
The RBI Exam is conducted to select Grade B officers, and if you are preparing for this exam, the RBI syllabus is the most important factor.
A thorough understanding of the syllabus will help you prepare effectively for this exam. Additionally, the RBI Grade B Exam syllabus is divided into three phases that includes Phase 1, Phase 2 and Interview.
While Phase 1 syllabus covers 4 sections including Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness whereas Phase 2 syllabus has 3 papers such as Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Finance & Management (F&M), and Descriptive English.
The interview is the last stage of the RBI Grade B Exam, and there is no fixed syllabus for the interview. However, you can expect questions based on Current Affairs, Global & Indian economic policies, and knowledge in finance etc.
Now, let’s discuss everything you need to know about the RBI Grade B syllabus in the section below.
Table of Content – RBI Grade B Syllabus for Phase 1, Phase 2 & Interview
1. RBI Grade B Syllabus
1.1 Phase 1 Syllabus
1.2 Phase 2 Syllabus
1.3 DEPR Syllabus
1.4 DSIM Syllabus
1.5 Interview Syllabus
1.6 How to cover RBI syllabus
RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026
The RBI Grade B official notification 2026 is yet to be released and is expected to be out between July and September.
If you’re planning to appear for the RBI Grade B 2026 exam, you can check the RBI Grade B 2025 syllabus to get an idea about what to study, as the syllabus usually doesn’t change. You can download RBI Grade B 2025 Syllabus PDF attached here.
There are three streams for the RBI exam outlined below:
- General Stream
- DEPR or “Department of Economic & Policy Research” stream
- DSIM or “Department of Statistics and Information Management” stream.
While most of the aspirants choose the General stream, but you can also go for DEPR and DSIM streams only if you have an academic background in Economics and Statistics.
To know what functions an RBI officer performs, you can read more about the same by clicking on RBI Grade B job profile.
RBI Grade B Officer Syllabus Phase 1 (Prelims)
The Phase 1 Syllabus for RBI Grade B 2026 includes 4 sections: General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
Each of these sections holds equal importance in clearing your examination.
Let’s break down each section individually. Here are the key topics covered in each:
RBI Grade B Phase 1 General Awareness Syllabus
| RBI Grade B General Awareness Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Current Affairs | • National Current Affairs -
Union Budget 2026 and related announcements,
Central government schemes and initiatives,
Important appointments and resignations,
Important days with themes and related facts,
Awards and honours,
Defence news,
Books and authors,
Obituaries,
Government apps and portals. • International Current Affairs - International news and global developments, International financial assistance and loans, Global reports, rankings, and indexes, Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding, Summits and conferences • Banking Current Affairs - Economy and Banking Current Affairs, Banking and insurance sector news, Business and economy related news, RBI in news. |
| 2. Banking Awareness | Indian Banking System, Structure of Indian banking system, Types of banks and financial institutions, Money and banking concepts, Financial Concepts, Basic banking terminology, Financial awareness, Banking abbreviations, Digital payment systems |
| 3. Banking and RBI Specific Topics | RBI Specific Knowledge, RBI terms and definitions, Functions and role of RBI, Acts and laws related to banking and RBI, Monetary policy basics |
| 4. Static General Awareness | Static Banking Awareness, Structure of Indian banking system, Basic banking terminology, Money and banking concepts, Reports and Institutional Awareness, Ranks, reports, and indexes, Committees and councils |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
| RBI Grade B Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Arithmetic | Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Profit, Loss and Discounts, Simple and Compound Interest, Ages & Partnerships, Average and Alligation, Mixtures, Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns, Time, Speed & Distance, Trains and Boats |
| 2. Algebra, Number System & Mensuration | Simplification, Number System, Quadratic Equations, Mensuration – 2D and 3D |
| 3. Data Interpretation & Advanced Maths | Data Interpretation – Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Caselets, Probability, Permutation and Combination |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Reasoning Syllabus
| RBI Grade B Reasoning Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Logical Reasoning | Syllogism,
Inequalities (Direct & Coded),
Statement & Conclusion, Statement & Assumption, Statement & Argument, Cause & Effect, Course of Action |
| 2. Analytical & Puzzle-Based Reasoning | Puzzles (Floor, Box, Scheduling, Comparison),
Seating Arrangement (Linear, Circular, Square, Mixed), Machine Input–Output, Data Sufficiency |
| 3. Basic Reasoning Concepts | Coding–Decoding (Letter, Number, Symbol, New Pattern),
Alphabet/Alphanumeric Series,
Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order and Ranking |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 English Syllabus
| RBI Grade B English Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Question types | Reading Comprehension,
Gap Fillers,
Double Fillers,
Error Spotting,
Sentence Rearrangement,
Idiom/Phrases Usage and Replacement, Word Reshuffle/Swapping, Para Jumbles, Sentence Connectors, Odd One Out, Sentence Completion, Sentence Correction, Word Replacement, Cloze Test |
| 2. Grammar topics | Subject Verb Agreement,
Parts of Speech (Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives, Verbs, Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions), Tenses, Articles, Conditional Sentences, Modals, Active and Passive Voice |
You can go through the RBI Grade B Marking Scheme to know how marks are deducted in phase 1 & 2.
RBI Grade B Officer Syllabus Phase 2 (Mains)
The Phase 2 Syllabus for RBI Grade B 2026 is structured into 3 papers: Economic & Social Issues (ESI), English Descriptive and Finance & Management (FM).
Each of these papers is equally important, as there are sectional cut-offs in addition to the overall cut-off. Below, I’ve provided the updated syllabus for RBI Grade B 2026:
Paper-I: Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus
| RBI Grade B ESI Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Basic Economic Concepts | National Income Accounting,
Schools of Economic Thought,
Economic Growth and Development, Human Development, Sustainable Development |
| 2. Indian Economic Development (Historical Perspective) | Nature of Indian Economy,
India’s Economy on the Eve of Independence, India 1947–1991: Macro Economy, India 1947–1991: Agriculture, India 1947–1991: Industry, India 1947–1991: Services, India 1947–1991: External Sector, Economic Reforms, Indian Economy Post-1991 – Macro Economy, Indian Economy Post-1991 – Agriculture, Indian Economy Post-1991 – Industry, Indian Economy Post-1991 – Services, Indian Economy Post-1991 – External Sector |
| 3. Public Finance and Macroeconomic Policies | Public Expenditure and Receipts,
Public Debt,
Fiscal Policy,
Federal Finance,
Inflation, Indian Taxation System, Planning Period in India (Five-Year Plans) |
| 4. Social and Development Issues | Poverty,
Unemployment,
Population Growth and Demographic Issues,
Health, Education, Gender, Positive Discrimination, Multiculturalism, Urbanisation and Migration |
| 5. Banking, Institutions and Development | Key International Economic Institutions,
Role of Banks and RBI in the Development Process, Rural Credit and Microfinance |
Paper-II: English Descriptive (Writing Skills) Syllabus
| RBI Grade B English Descriptive Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Essay Writing | Economic and financial issues,
Social or contemporary developments,
Governance and public policy, Technology and society, Environmental concerns, Ethical or abstract themes |
| 2. Precis Writing | A long passage is given and candidates are required to condense it into a precis of about 170–180 words. The precis must reflect the essence of the original passage without adding personal opinions. |
| 3. Reading Comprehension (Descriptive Answers) | A passage is provided, followed by approximately five questions that require short, well-structured descriptive answers. |
Paper-III: Finance Syllabus
| RBI Grade B Finance Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Banking and Financial System | Regulatory Bodies in Financial Sector,
Indian Banking System,
Non-Banking Systems,
Indian Financial System, Financial Markets, Risk Management in Banking Sector, Corporate Governance in Banking Sector, Financial Inclusion |
| 2. Global Finance and Financial Developments | FinTech,
Global Financial Markets and International Banking, Impact of Global Financial Crisis, Recent Developments in Digital Payments |
| 3. Public Finance and Government Policies | Inflation,
FDI, FPI and Disinvestment,
GST,
Indian Taxation System and Public Expenditure, FRBM Act and Finance Commission, Alternate Sources of Finance, PPP and Social Cost–Benefit |
| 4. Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis | Basics of Accounting, Preparation of Company Final Accounts, Cash Flow Statements, Ratio Analysis |
Paper-III: Management Syllabus
| RBI Grade B Management Syllabus | |
|---|---|
| 1. Principles of Management | Introduction to Management,
Evolution of Management Thought, Management Functions and Managerial Roles, Organisation and Organisation Structure |
| 2. Organisational Behaviour | Introduction to Organisational Behaviour,
Personality,
Perception,
Motivation, Stress and Learning, Analysis of Interpersonal Relationship |
| 3. Leadership and Managerial Skills |
Leadership,
Authority and Power,
Communication,
Emotional Intelligence, Decision Making and MBO, Organisational Conflict |
| 4. Organisational Development and Ethics | Organisational Change and Group,
Organisational Development,
Nudge Theory,
Ethics, Corporate Governance |
You can go through the RBI Grade B previous year papers to know what type of questions are generally asked in the exam.
RBI Grade B Officer DEPR Syllabus:
The syllabus for the DEPR stream is set according to the role of the DEPR Cadre officers of RBI, which is to take care of the economic policies and analysis aspect of the RBI.
The RBI Grade B officer DEPR syllabus is as follows:
- Papers on Economics would be of the standard that is concurrent with those of Master’s Degree examination in Economics of any Central University in India.
- The English paper shall be set in a way so as to assess your writing skills including expression and understanding of a topic.
Let me also include the list of suggested study material for the same:
RBI publications like:
- Annual Reports
- Monetary Policy Report.
- Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India.
- Financial Stability Report.
- Economic Survey published by the Government of India of the past 2 years.
RBI Grade B Officer DSIM Syllabus:
The syllabus for the DSIM stream is set according to the role of the DSIM Cadre officers of RBI, which is to take care of the collection, compilation, and Statistical analysis & interpretation of all data related to banking, corporates, and the external sector among a host of other things.
The Paper 1 is conducted online and comprises multiple-choice questions.
Whereas the Paper 2 and Paper 3 are descriptive based exams where the candidates are required to type in the answers using the keyboard.
The RBI Grade B officer DSIM syllabus is as follows
- Paper 1: Questions covering Probability: Probability Definition, Large and small sample theory, Analysis of Variance, Estimation, Standard distribution, Testing of Hypotheses, Estimation, Multivariate analysis, Stochastic Processes.
- Paper 2: Questions covering (i) Statistical Inference: Estimation, Testing of hypothesis and Non-parametric Test, (ii) Linear Models and Economic Statistics, (iii) Probability and Sampling, (iv) Stochastic Processes, (v) Multivariate analysis and (vi) Numerical Analysis and Basic Computer Techniques. Sufficient choices will be given for candidates to attempt the required number of questions from any three or more of the above six groups.
- Paper 3: The English paper shall be set in a way so as to assess your writing skills including expression and understanding of a topic.
With that, we come to the end of the section of the RBI Grade B syllabus.
RBI Grade B Interview Syllabus
The RBI Grade B Interview does not have a fixed syllabus. While there is no definite syllabus, you will be assessed in terms of your personality, critical analysis, logical thinking, and general awareness.
In the section below, we have mentioned some of the important topics that are asked during the interview:
Personal details, Educational Background, Hobbies, and Interests
- Your educational qualifications, work experience, learnings and how they contribute to your decision making and problem-solving skills.
- Personal preferences, hobbies, interests, and how they help you grow.
Awareness of RBI Functions and Working Mechanism
- Role of RBI in regulating Indian Currency.
- Thorough understanding of RBI’s monetary policy
- Role of RBI as the “Lender of Last Resort”
- Initiatives for economic growth and development.
- Your interpretation of the Financial Stability Report and Annual Report.
- Data analysis based on RBI’s balance sheet, NPAs, etc.
Indian and Global Economic Trends with Impact
- GDP changes and growth measurement
- Inflation in India and future impact
- Financial inclusion, sustainable development, and Green Finance
- Impact of global conflicts on India and Indian banking
- Analysis of global GDP trends and Fiscal Deficit
Government Schemes
- Stand Up India, MUDRA, Kisan Credit Card and how they impact banking decisions.
- Policy awareness of PMJDY and APY.
Current Affairs
- Latest Union Budget and Economic Survey
- Recent RBI Notifications on Export-Import and Credit Facilities
Situation Based Questions – Scenario-based questions are also asked in the RBI exam. A few are mentioned below:
- Questions like How to manage financial crises while also ensuring economic stability.
- Keeping economic growth and development stable in a pandemic-like situation.
Decision Making
- Causes of customer disinterest and ways to solve.
- Financial inclusion while also ensuring safety and compliance.
How RBI Grade B Interviewers Evaluate Candidates
The RBI Grade B panelists evaluate you on the following factors:
- Analytical Decision Making
- Clarity of Thought and Expression
- Mental alertnes
- Depth of your knowledge
- Thought Leadership
- Communication Skills
- Behavior and Attitude
- Understanding of Indian Economic Polices
- Current Affairs and General Awareness
- Global Economic Trends and Impact on India
You can be asked questions based on the following topics we mentioned above. You must remember that the RBI Grade B Interview does not have a fixed set of topics.
RBI Grade B Interview Experience: Real Insights
The RBI Grade B Interview is one of the most important aspects that determines your final merit selection in the exam.
Once, I appeared for the RBI Grade B interview, where I had a great experience. Let me share the overall interview insights and types of questions with you.
Mentioned below are some of the questions that were asked during the interview:
- Hello Anuj, give us a short introduction about yourself.
- Why do you want to join the RBI as a Grade B Officer?
- You were already working as a Manager in SBI. So, why did you leave your job?
- Why did you choose Commerce in graduation?
- You did well during graduation with a brilliant aggregate CGPA. What learnings and conceptual knowledge do you think will help you do better in the role of an RBI Grade Officer?
- What do you love doing during your leisure time?
- How do you handle negative feedback?
- What is the most important quality that a leader must have to lead a team?
- How does RBI ensure financial stability and growth in the Indian Economy?
- What is the impact of global inflation on inflation in India?
The following sample questions were asked during the interview. I hope you will learn from my experience and prepare accordingly for the RBI Grade B Interview.
I started preparing for the interview based on my strengths and focused on improving my communication skills.
In the end, I would say that interview is an assessment of your confidence, knowledge and awareness of what is happening around you.
How to cover RBI Grade B syllabus
You can cover the RBI Grade B Syllabus with a clear and structured approach to preparation. You can begin by building the foundation with Static topics, and it’s best to prepare Phase 1 and Phase 2 together.
I have discussed below a subject-wise strategy to cover the RBI Grade B syllabus efficiently –
- General Awareness (GA)
- Go through the current affairs of the last 6 months.
- Use RBI circulars to stay updated with general knowledge.
- Focus on regular revision of banking awareness.
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Practice aptitude-based questions from percentages, ratios, time-work, speed-distance.
- Gradually, develop speed with accuracy for complex problems.
- Take mock tests to find areas you need to improve.
- Reasoning Ability
- Build logical reasoning skills with puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogism, etc.
- Solve questions with a timer to check for speed and accuracy.
- English Language
- Improve vocabulary and reading comprehension by reading editorials, finance newspapers, and articles.
- Practice error spotting, sentence correction, and comprehension.
- Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
- Get an overview of the basic highlights of Indian Economy.
- Analyze Economic Survey, Budget highlights, RBI reports to deepen understanding and critical analysis.
- Read theory-heavy topics of social justice and sustainable development in detail.
- Finance & Management (FM)
- Prepare short notes on topics such as Financial Institutions, Financial Markets, and Risk Management.
- Make a habit of reading PIB and RBI notifications for current affairs.
- Practice descriptive writing with PYQs.
- English (Descriptive)
- Practice essay writing on economics and finance topics.
- To cover reading comprehension and precis writing, solve PYQs and understand the type of questions asked.
Conclusion
I hope all your questions related to RBI Grade B syllabus are resolved now. Now, may your path ahead be as smooth as a well-planned strategy, and may success greet you at every turn.
Stay consistent with your efforts, and keep a positive mindset. Remember, success comes with dedication and a well-structured approach.
I believe in your potential!
About Anuj Jindal
━━━━━
Anuj Jindal, the founder, is an ex-manager from SBI, with an M.Com from Delhi School of Economics. He also has a JRF in Commerce & Management and NET in HRM, along with more than 5 years of experience in the field of Education.
FAQ: RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026
- Is the RBI Grade B syllabus different from the SBI PO syllabus?
Yes, the RBI Grade B syllabus is different from the SBI PO syllabus. While there is an overlap in some aspects of the syllabus, there are a few differences as well.
Prelims: There are similar sections such as Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. However, there is an additional section of General Awareness in RBI Grade B syllabus while SBI PO prelims syllabus does not include GA.
Mains: While RBI Grade B Mains syllabus focuses on FM and ESI, whereas,SBI PO Mains syllabus includes Reasoning, Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis, and general Banking/Economy news. Also there is a syllabus overlap in Descriptive English for both in the Mains syllabus.
- What are the best books to cover Phase 1 syllabus?Having a concise list of books is very crucial while preparing for the exam. Therefore, you can check the recommended booklist for RBI Grade B Phase 1 to comprehensively cover the Phase 1 syllabus.
- Are RBI Grade B Phase 1 and Phase 2 syllabus different?Yes. The syllabus for RBI Grade B Phase 1 and Phase 2 is different.
- The nature of the questions asked in Phase 1 is objective whereas the questions are more descriptive type in Phase 2.
- Another key difference is that there are 3 Papers in Phase 2 while only one paper with 4 sections in Phase 1.
- How to download RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF?You can download the RBI Grade B syllabus from the official website of RBI, or you can go to the Syllabus for RBI Grade B 2026 and download it.
- Which subject has more weightage in RBI Grade B Phase 1 Syllabus?When it comes to RBI Grade B Phase 1 syllabus, General awareness carries more weightage as it is of highest marks compared to other sections with a total of 80 questions for 80 marks in Phase 1 exam.
- Are there any age relaxations for Reserved category candidates?Yes, there are age relaxations for reserved category in RBI Grade B Exam. There is a relaxation of 5 years for candidates belonging to SC/ST category as well as for ex- servicemen, whereas there is relaxation of 3 years for candidates belonging to OBC category under RBI Grade B age limit.
- How many sections are there in RBI Grade B Syllabus for Phase 2?There are 3 sections in RBI Grade B Syllabus for Phase 2 including ESI, F&M, and English Descriptive.
- What is the syllabus for RBI Grade B?
The RBI Grade B Syllabus includes 4 sections in Phase 1 and 3 sections in Phase 2. Outlined below is the detailed overview of the syllabus:
Phase 1 –
- GA: It includes topics such as government schemes, Banking & Economy, Current Affairs and Static GK / Miscellaneous.
- Quant: It consists of numerical problems ranging from Number Series, Quadratic Equations to Data Interpretation, Mixture & Allegation, and Probability.
- Reasoning: The syllabus comprises Analogy, Classification, Coding Decoding, Blood Relations, and aptitude-based questions.
- English: You will have topics from Reading Comprehension, Grammar and language ability.
Phase 2 –
- ESI: In this section, the syllabus covers Growth and Development, Indian Economy, Globalization, Social Structure in India.
- FM: It covers topics such as Financial System, Financial Markets, Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behavior, Ethics at the Workplace & Corporate Governance.
- English Descriptive: Precis, Essays and reading comprehension cover majority part of the syllabus.
- Is the RBI Grade B syllabus 2026 same for General, DEPR and DSIM posts?No, the RBI Grade B syllabus 2026 is not the same for General, DEPR and DSIM posts. The syllabus for the General post includes GA, Quant, Reasoning, English in Phase 1, while the Phase 2 covers ESI, FM, English Descriptive. However, DEPR and DSIM posts require specialization in Economics and Statistics.
- Is there any specified syllabus for the RBI Grade B interview stage?There is no fixed syllabus for the RBI Grade B interview. However, you will be assessed based on your educational qualifications, interests, and conceptual understanding of complex topics in ESI, Finance, and Current Affairs.
- Can I cover the RBI Grade B syllabus in 8 months?
Yes, you can cover the RBI Grade B syllabus in 8 months if you are starting from scratch. RBI syllabus requires consistency with a structured preparation plan, and many aspirants cover the complete syllabus in 6-8 months. However, the actual duration varies from one aspirant to the other.