RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026: Updated Exam Pattern for Phase 1, 2 & Interview

The RBI Grade B examination is widely considered the most prestigious and challenging banking entry point in India, offering unparalleled career growth and benefits. To excel in the RBI Grade B 2026 recruitment, candidates must align their preparation with the latest syllabus and exam structure detailed below.

The RBI Grade B DR (General) Phase 1 (Prelims) curriculum covers four core sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness (emphasizing Banking and Current Affairs). The Phase 2 (Mains) examination comprises three distinct papers: (i) Economic & Social Issues (ESI), (ii) English (Descriptive Writing), and (iii) Finance & Management (FM). 

RBI Grade B Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026

RBI Grade B 2026 preliminary examinations are slated for June 13th and 14th, 2026, followed by the Mains on July 25th and 26th, 2026. Success requires a thorough understanding of the exam pattern, question types, time management strategies, and subject-specific syllabus topics.

RBI Grade B Mains Admit Card 2026 - Access and Download Here

RBI Grade B Selection Process

The RBI Grade B recruitment covers three specialized posts. The selection process is rigorous and multi-staged, uniquely calibrated to evaluate the analytical, technical, and leadership capabilities required for each specific role. 

• 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

The comprehensive, post-wise syllabus for all three streams is outlined below.

RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 for DR (General)

To successfully navigate the RBI Grade B recruitment cycle, aspirants must master the detailed syllabus and exam architecture for both Prelims and Mains phases. 

RBI Grade B Prelims Syllabus for DR (General)

The 2026 Preliminary examination is designed to assess proficiency in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. Below is the granular breakdown of the Prelims syllabus.

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)

Note: Objective tests include negative marking: -0.25 for 1-mark questions and -0.50 for 2-mark questions. 

The RBI Grade B 2026 Mains Examination evaluates candidates across three core domains: Economic & Social Issues, English, and Finance & Management. The detailed syllabus is provided below:

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

1.  Foundational Economic Concepts

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

2.  Indian Economic Development: Historical Context

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 Policy Frameworks

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. Social Welfare and Developmental Challenges

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.  Professional 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 Drafting

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. Descriptive Reading Comprehension

Candidates are presented with a passage followed by five targeted questions that demand analytical and structured written responses.

Paper 3- Finance and Management Syllabus

1. Banking & Financial System Architecture

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 Trends

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 Economic Policies

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.  Corporate Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis

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

5. Management Fundamentals & Organisational Behaviour

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 Dynamics and Managerial Competencies

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

7. Organisational Development and Business Ethics

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

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026: Detailed Breakdown

RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for the DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research) stream is tailored to reflect the core job responsibilities, which center on high-level economic analysis, research, policy formulation, and sector-specific data compilation. 

RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for the DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) stream across Papers 1, 2, and 3 is strictly aligned with the RBI’s official notification.

Paper I: Statistics Syllabus

Advanced Probability & Statistics

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 assessment is specifically curated to evaluate a candidate's precision in writing, stylistic expression, and conceptual grasp of the subject matter.

RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF Download

The Reserve Bank of India defines the full exam methodology and syllabus within the official recruitment notification. We strongly encourage candidates to download the official PDF to streamline their preparation strategy.

Official RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF - Download Link

RBI Grade B Interview Round

The final interview round is a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s expertise in finance and economics, alongside a personality evaluation focused on communication, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.

As part of the mandatory selection procedure, candidates must undergo a Psychometric Test prior to the interview. This test is non-qualifying but is an integral component of the selection workflow.

The interview segment carries 75 marks for all streams (General, DEPR, and DSIM). Shortlisting for this round depends on cumulative performance in the Mains examination. Candidates may choose to conduct their interview in either Hindi or English. Final selection is determined by a merit list based on the combined scores of the Phase-II exam and the interview.

Following the successful completion of the Preliminary and Mains stages, qualifying candidates proceed to the personal interview phase.

The final merit list is compiled exclusively based on the aggregate marks achieved in the Mains Examination and the Interview.