RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern for Prelims, Mains & Interview

The RBI Grade B examination is widely considered the most prestigious and challenging banking exam in India, offering unparalleled career growth and perks. To successfully navigate the RBI Grade B 2026 recruitment, candidates must have a thorough understanding of the official syllabus and exam structure outlined below.

The RBI Grade B syllabus for the General (DR) post features four key sections in Phase 1 (Prelims): English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness (Current Affairs & Banking). The Phase 2 (Mains) exam consists of three specialized papers: (i) Economic & Social Issues (ESI), (ii) Descriptive English, and (iii) Finance & Management (FM). 

RBI Grade B Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026

RBI Grade B 2026 Preliminary exams are scheduled for June 13th and 14th, 2026, followed by the Mains exam on July 25th and 26th, 2026. Aspirants should prioritize mastering the core topics, exam pattern, question types, and time-management strategies detailed in the sections below.

RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Summary
Bank	Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Exam Name	RBI Grade B 2026
Type of Exam	General (Prelims)- Objective General (Mains)- Objective & Descriptive DEPR/DSIM- Objective & Descriptive Interview (For all posts)
Exam Dates	Prelims- 13th & 14th June 2026 Mains- 25th & 26th July 2026
Mode of Exam	Online
Total Marks	Prelims: 200 Mains: 300 Interview: 75
Total Questions	Prelims: 200 Mains: 60 (MCQs) and 15 Descriptive (to be attempted 11)
Negative Marking	Phase 1: 1/4th marks (.25 marks) Phase 2: ¼th for objective type & no negative marking for descriptive paper
Selection Process	For General- Prelims, Mains and Psychometric Test & Interview For DEPR/DSIM- Online/ Written Examination and Psychometric Test & Interview

RBI Grade B Admit Card 2026 Released - Click Here to Download

RBI Grade B Selection Process

The RBI Grade B selection process is segmented into three distinct officer profiles. Each stage is meticulously designed to evaluate a candidate's analytical aptitude, domain-specific knowledge, and professional suitability. 

• For RBI Grade B DR (General)- Prelims, Mains and Psychometric Test, Interview
• For RBI Grade B- DEPR- Online/ Written Examination and Psychometric Test, Interview
• For RBI Grade B- DSIM- Online/ Written Examination and Psychometric Test, Interview

Find the comprehensive syllabus for all three officer posts below.

RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 for DR (General)

To qualify for the RBI Grade B exam, applicants must familiarize themselves with the complete syllabus and paper pattern for both the Preliminary and Mains stages as discussed in the following sections. 

RBI Grade B Prelims Syllabus for DR (General)

The RBI Grade B Prelims 2026 is a screening test covering Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. Below is the detailed breakdown of the Prelims syllabus and distribution:

Section Asked	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
General Awareness	80	80	25 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	30	30	25 minutes
English Language	30	30	25 minutes
Reasoning Ability	60	60	45 minutes
Total	200	200	120 minutes

Reasoning Topics

1. Logical Reasoning
2. Alphanumeric Series
3. Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test
4. Data Sufficiency
5. Coded Inequalities
6. Seating Arrangement
7. Puzzle
8. Tabulation
9. Syllogism
10. Blood Relations
11. Input Output
12. Coding Decoding

Quantitative Aptitude Topics

1. Simplification
2. Profit & Loss
3. Mixtures & Alligations
4. Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices
5. Work & Time
6. Time & Distance
7. Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
8. Data Interpretation
9. Ratio & Proportion, Percentage
10. Number Systems
11. Sequence & Series
12. Permutation, Combination &Probability

English English Language Topics

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Cloze Test
3. Para jumbles
4. Miscellaneous
5. Fill in the blanks
6. Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting
7. Paragraph Completion

General Awareness Syllabus

1. Current Affairs
2. Indian Financial Systems
3. Indian Banking Systems
4. Monetary Plans
5. National Institutions
6. Banking Terms

RBI Grade B Mains Syllabus 2026 for DR (General)

Sections / Subjects	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration (minutes)
Paper I: Economics and Social Issues	Objective - 30 Questions Descriptive - 6 Questions (to be attempted - 4)	50 50 Total-100	30 minutes  90 minutes Total-120 minutes
Paper II: English (Writing Skills)	Descriptive - 3 Questions  (Precis, RCs, & Essay)	100	90 minutes
Paper III: Finance and Management	Objective - 30 Questions Descriptive - 6 Questions (to be attempted - 4)	50 50 Total-100	30 minutes 90 minutes Total-120 minutes

Important Note: A penalty of -0.25 marks applies to incorrect answers for 1-mark questions, and -0.50 marks for 2-mark questions. 

The RBI Grade B Mains Examination 2026 consists of three sections: Economic & Social Issues (ESI), English (Descriptive), and Finance & Management (FM). The comprehensive syllabus is detailed below:

Paper 1- RBI Grade B Economic & Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus

1.  Economic Fundamentals

1. National Income Accounting
2. Schools of Economic Thought
3. Economic Growth and Development
4. Human Development
5. Sustainable Development

2.  Evolution of the Indian Economy

1. Nature of Indian Economy, India’s Economy on the Eve of Independence
2. India 1947–1991: Macro Economy, India 1947–1991: Agriculture,
3. India 1947–1991: Industry, India 1947–1991: Services, India 1947–1991: External Sector,
4. Economic Reforms
5. Indian Economy Post-1991 – Macro Economy, Indian Economy Post-1991 – Agriculture,
6. Indian Economy Post-1991 – Industry, Indian Economy Post-1991 – Services, Indian Economy Post-1991 – External Sector

3. Public Finance and Macroeconomic Framework

1. Public Expenditure and Receipts
2. Public Debt
3. Fiscal Policy
4. Federal Finance,
5. Inflation
6. Indian Taxation System
7. Planning Period in India (Five-Year Plans)

4. Socio-Economic Development Issues

1. Poverty
2. Unemployment
3. Population Growth and Demographic Issues
4. Health, Education, Gender
5. Positive Discrimination
6. Multiculturalism,
7. Urbanisation and Migration

5. Banking Systems, Financial Institutions, and Development

1. Key International Economic Institutions,
2. Role of Banks and RBI in the Development Process,
3. Rural Credit and Microfinance

Paper 2- English Syllabus

1.  Essay Writing

1. Economic and financial issues
2. Social or contemporary developments,
3. Governance and public policy
4. Technology and society
5. Environmental concerns
6. Ethical or abstract themes

2. Precis Writing

1. A long passage is given and candidates are required to condense it into a precis of about 170–180 words.
2. The precis must reflect the essence of the original passage without adding personal opinions.

3. Reading Comprehension

This section involves an analysis of a provided passage, followed by five questions requiring structured, descriptive responses.

Paper 3- Finance and Management Syllabus

1. The Banking & Financial System

1. Regulators of Banks and Financial Institutions
2. Reserve Bank of India- functions and conduct of monetary policy
3. Banking System in India – Structure and concerns, Financial Institutions – SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, etc, Changing landscape of banking sector.
4. Impact of the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08 and the Indian response

2.  Global Finance and Financial Market Developments

1. FinTech, Global Financial Markets and International Banking
2. Impact of Global Financial Crisis
3. Recent Developments in Digital Payments

3. Public Finance and Government Policy

1. Inflation
2. FDI, FPI and Disinvestment
3. GST, Indian Taxation System and Public Expenditure
4. FRBM Act and Finance Commission
5. Alternate Sources of Finance
6. PPP and Social Cost–Benefit

4.  Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis

1. Basics of Accounting
2. Preparation of Company Final Accounts
3. Cash Flow Statements
4. Ratio Analysis

5. Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behavior

1. Introduction to management
2. Evolution of management thought
3. Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations
4. Systems approach to management
5. Management functions and Managerial roles
6. Nudge theory
7. Meaning & concept of organisational behaviour
8. Personality: meaning, factors affecting personality, Big five model of personality
9. Concept of reinforcement
10. Perception: concept, perceptual errors
11. Motivation: Concept, importance
12. Content theories (Maslow’s need theory, Alderfer’s ERG theory, McCllelands’ theory of needs, Herzberg’s two-factor theory)
13. Process theories (Adams equity theory, Vroom's expectancy theory).
14. Leadership: Concept, Theories (Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional and Transformational Leadership
15. Emotional Intelligence: Concept, Importance, Dimensions.
16. Analysis of Interpersonal Relationship: Transactional Analysis, Johari Window
17. Conflict: Concept, Sources, Types, Management of Conflict
18. Organisational Change: Concept, Kurt Lewin's Theory of Change
19. Organisational Development (OD): Organisational Change, Strategies for Change, Theories of Planned Change (Lewin’s change model, Action research model, Positive model).

6. Leadership and Managerial Excellence

1. Leadership, Authority and Power
2. Communication
3. Emotional Intelligence
4. Decision Making and MBO
5. Organisational Conflict

7. Organizational Development and Ethics

1. Organisational Change and Group
2. Organisational Development
3. Nudge Theory
4. Ethics
5. Corporate Governance

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026 - Check Complete Details

RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2026

Phase	Papers	Marks	Duration
Phase I (Objective)	Paper-I Economics	100	120 minutes
	Paper - II English - Descriptive  (To be typed with help of keyboard)	100	120 minutes
Phase II (Descriptive)	Paper-II Economics	100	180 minutes
	Paper-III English	100	90 minutes
Total		400

The syllabus for the RBI Grade B (DEPR) role focuses on economic research, data compilation, and policy analysis relevant to the Reserve Bank’s operational mandates. 

RBI Grade B Syllabus for DEPR
Paper I: Economics Related	based on the Master’s Degree examination in Economics
Paper-II: Economics Related	based on the Master’s Degree examination in Economics
Paper III: English	The English paper will be framed to assess the candidates’ writing skills, expression, and understanding of the topic

RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2026

Phase	Paper	Marks	Duration
Phase I (Objective)	Paper-I Statistics	100	120 minutes
Phase II (Descriptive)	Paper-II Statistics (Descriptive)	100	180 minutes
	Paper-III English (Descriptive)	100	90 minutes
Total		300

The syllabus for the RBI Grade B (DSIM) position covers specialized requirements for Papers 1, 2, and 3 as mandated by the board. 

Paper I: Statistics Syllabus

Probability and Statistical Inference

1. Definition of Probability
2. Standard distribution
3. Large and small sample theory
4. Analysis of Variance
5. Estimation
6. Testing of Hypotheses
7. Multivariate analysis
8. Stochastic Processes

Paper-2: Statistics 

1. Probability and Sampling
2. Linear Models and Economic Statistics
3. Statistical Inference: Estimation, Testing of hypothesis and Non-parametric Test
4. Stochastic Processes
5. Multivariate analysis
6. Numerical Analysis and Basic Computer Techniques

Paper 3: English 

The English paper is designed to evaluate a candidate’s professional writing proficiency, conceptual expression, and clarity of thought.

RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF Download

The Reserve Bank of India has provided detailed exam guidelines in the official notification. Candidates are encouraged to download the official syllabus PDF to structure their study plan effectively.

Download Official RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF

RBI Grade B Interview Round

The final selection stage is the Interview. This round evaluates your technical knowledge of finance and economics, alongside essential personality traits, communication prowess, and decision-making capabilities.

Prior to the interview, candidates are required to complete a Psychometric Test. While this test carries no score, it remains a mandatory component of the selection procedure.

The Interview carries a weightage of 75 marks for all posts (General, DEPR, & DSIM). Shortlisting for this stage is based on the aggregate performance in the Mains exam. Candidates may opt to conduct the interview in either English or Hindi. Final selection is determined by a merit list based on the combined marks of the Phase-II exam and the Interview.

An interview process is conducted for all candidates who successfully clear the preliminary and main examination phases.

The final merit ranking is compiled based on the total marks secured in the Mains examination and the personal interview.