Asparents preparing for the RBI Grade B officer post in 2025, need to understand the exam pattern is your first step to success. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts this exam in three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Asparents should know about marking scheme, syllabus, and question distribution. in this article we will see into details of everything:
Phase 2 is the real deal—it’s more detailed and tests your in-depth knowledge.
Paper-wise Breakdown
Paper
Subject
Marks
Duration
Paper 1 (Objective)
Economic & Social Issues
100
1.5 hours
Paper 2 (Objective)
English (Writing Skills)
100
1.5 hours
Paper 3 (Descriptive)
Finance & Management
100
1.5 hours
Key Differences from Phase 1
Descriptive paper (Paper 3) tests essay and precis writing.
No negative marking in Phase 2.
Economic & Social Issues is a major scoring section.
Marking Scheme & Cutoff Trends
Previous Year Cutoffs (Approx.)
Phase
General
OBC
SC/ST
Phase 1
65-70
60-65
55-60
Phase 2
180-190
170-180
160-170
How Marks Are Calculated?
Final Merit = Phase 2 (75%) + Interview (25%)
Phase 1 marks do not count in the final score.
Syllabus
Phase 1 Syllabus
Section
Topics Covered
General Awareness
Banking, RBI policies, Current Affairs
Quantitative Aptitude
Data Interpretation, Arithmetic
English Language
Grammar, Comprehension, Vocabulary
Reasoning Ability
Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding
Phase 2 Syllabus
Paper
Key Topics
Economic & Social Issues
Inflation, GDP, RBI Monetary Policy
English (Writing)
Essay, Precis, Report Writing
Finance & Management
Risk Management, Banking Regulations
Expert Tips to Crack RBI Grade B 2025
I’ve talked to several successful candidates and coaching experts, and here’s what they recommend:
1. Focus on Current Affairs
RBI Bulletin and Economic Survey are goldmines.
Follow financial news daily (The Hindu, Economic Times).
2. Master Descriptive Writing
Practice essays on banking trends.
Work on precis writing—it’s a game-changer.
3. Time Management in Phase 1
Don’t spend more than 30 seconds per question.
Skip tough questions and return later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake
Why It’s Bad?
Ignoring RBI Reports
30% of GA comes from RBI updates
Neglecting English
Many fail due to poor writing skills
Overconfidence in Quant
Tricky DI questions can trap you
Final Thoughts
The RBI Grade B exam is tough but not unbeatable. If you understand the exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus, half the battle is won. Start with Phase 1 preparation, but don’t ignore Phase 2’s descriptive part.
Pooja Gupta is an education consultant specializing in exam results and admit cards. With a Master’s in Education and 6+ years of experience, Pooja loves helping students achieve their goals. She enjoys reading and practicing meditation.
