The Right Career Choice: Exploring Similarities in UPSC CSE and RBI Exam

– Anuj Jindal

When we talk about well-known examinations in the country, the term UPSC rings true to our ears!

While prestige and power are major factors associated with becoming an administrative officer or civil servant in the country.

There are many sincere individuals who see clearing this exam as a means to serve the nation and bring about significant change in society.

However, the UPSC CSE isn’t the only exam that ranks high in terms of respectability and impact.

Allow me to direct your attention towards another highly reputable exam amongst aspirants, which is known as the RBI Grade B exam.

Aside from the differences, there are a few prominent similarities between the two exams, knowing which will enable you to prepare accordingly for the RBI Grade B with lesser effort and a specified time frame.

To give you an example, let me take you back to my preparation days, as I can recall how studying for long hours on a consistent basis for UPSC CSE helped me execute a disciplined approach during RBI Grade B preparation and also increased my general awareness of issues of national importance.

Wait, I can guess your next question, but hey, why specifically RBI Grade B?

Well, have no worries, as in this blog, I am going to take you through the similarities that lie between these two examinations, which shall help guide you towards the right direction.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!

The Factor of Prestige in Both Exams

As I mentioned earlier, the factor of prestige is highly associated with the exam for UPSC CSE and RBI Grade B.

The responsibilities at an administrative level, along with the perks that an officer enjoys, make the civil service examination a highly reputable one.

But talking about another highly esteemed exam that makes it to the list of being most desirable by the aspirants is the RBI Grade B exam.

Since RBI is the apex bank in the country, working as officers implies performing functions that have an impact on the financial and monetary policies of the nation.

Apart from this, the lucrative salary offered to the selected officers, comprising various perks and allowances, definitely raises the bar for the desirability of both exams.

Commonalities in Syllabus and the Exam Pattern

For UPSC, the process is divided as – Prelims, Mains and the Interview. Whereas, for RBI Grade B, it is known as Phase I, Phase II, and the Interview.

Talking about the nature of the examination, in UPSC CSE, while Prelims consists of objective-based questions, the Mains exam, comprising of 9 written papers, is descriptive in nature.

In the case of the RBI Grade B exam too, while Phase 1 consists of objective questions, Phase 2 includes both objective-based as well as descriptive questions to test the answer-writing skills of the candidates.

Now, coming to the most important part, i.e., the syllabus of the two exams.

Among the diverse range of subjects, there is one subject that remains a common factor between the two.

In UPSC CSE, there is a subject of Indian Economy, whereas in the RBI Grade B, the syllabus consists of a topic called Economic and Social Issues (ESI).

The UPSC aspirants who developed a keen interest in the Economy subject and covered it thoroughly during their preparation will find it easier to complete the ESI section in lesser time!

A Thorough Coverage of Current Affairs

For UPSC, the candidates are expected to cover a wide range of current affairs across different subjects.

However, there are a few overlapping topic areas, especially regarding current affairs in both RBI Grade B and UPSC CSE.

During UPSC preparation, aspirants cover the latest developments in the economic and finance section, government policies, schemes, and initiatives, as well as the official reports and indices that are released by international bodies like the IMF, World Bank, etc’.

Covering these areas will be beneficial for your RBI Grade B preparation, as the exam consists of dynamic questions asked on these topics.

The Presence of Answer-Writing

Hence, the majority of aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam are well-equipped with the practice of writing extensively.

When it comes to RBI Grade B, the syllabus for Phase 2 consists of descriptive answer-writing.

So, this adds up as a major advantage for aspirants who have previously prepared for the UPSC CSE and are looking forward to appearing for the RBI Grade B exam!

A Must Have have Disciplined Approach

For the aspirants who have been preparing for the UPSC for the longest time, develop the habit of discipline and consistency while embarking on this journey.

This disciplined approach proves to be fruitful for the candidates who now decide to prepare for the RBI Grade B exam, which, in comparison, is less strenuous than the elaborate planning that the candidates perform for the UPSC exam.

Advice to the aspirants

So, keeping in mind all the similarities that I listed above, I hope it will help you provide insights into the nature of the RBI Grade B exam.

After going through all of these factors, you will become more informed about the choice you make, which hopefully will turn out to be fruitful for your future.

Lastly, I hope that all of these factors that I have discussed so extensively will help you effectively strategize your preparation.

 

The purpose of writing this blog is to empower you to make the right choice for yourself and utilize your potential to its full capacity.

 

As a consequence, may you not just attain progress in your career but also significantly contribute to the world with your sincerity and efforts.