RBI Grade B Officer Examination Hub: General, DEPR & DSIM Streams
Comprehensive, verified blueprint for RBI Grade B (Direct Recruit). Phase-I 200-mark screening scheme, Phase-II 300-mark objective & descriptive keyboard formats, ESI & FM modules, and revised 2026 salary scale (₹78,450 basic, ₹1,54,900+ gross).
Fast Facts
RBI Grade B Examination
Cadre
Grade 'B' (DR) Officer
Selection Mode
Phase-I → Phase-II → Interview
Total Merit Base
Phase-II (300M) + Interview (75M)
Starting Basic Pay
₹78,450 (Gross ₹1,54,900+)
Merit Notice: Phase-I marks are for screening only. Final selection is determined strictly on aggregate marks from Phase-II (300 Marks) and the Interview (75 Marks).
About RBI Grade 'B' (Direct Recruit) Officers
Officers in Grade 'B' are recruited directly by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board to form the managerial backbone of India's apex monetary and financial regulatory institution.
Recruitment Post
Officers in Grade 'B' (Direct Recruit - DR) — General, DEPR, and DSIM Streams
Conducting Authority
Reserve Bank of India Services Board (RBISB), Mumbai
Official Portal
opportunities.rbi.org.in & rbi.org.in
Cadre Classification
Group 'A' Central Banking Officer Cadre
Selection Stages
Phase-I Online Screening → Phase-II Mains (Objective + Descriptive) → Phase-III Interview
Probation & Tenure
2 Years probation extendable up to 4 years, posted at RBI Central Office or Regional Branches
Attempts Allowed
Maximum 6 attempts for General/EWS candidates in Phase-I; no limit for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD
Phase-I Online Objective Pattern (200 Marks)
A single online test comprising 200 objective questions across 4 disciplines with strict individual sectional timings.
| S.No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Allocated Duration | Medium of Examination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 minutes | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| 2 | Reasoning Ability | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| 3 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes | English |
| 4 | Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| Total Composite Composite Scheme | 200 Questions | 200 Marks | 120 minutes (2 Hours with strict sectional timings) | Sectional Timings Enforced | |
General Awareness
80
80
Reasoning Ability
60
60
English Language
30
30
Quantitative Aptitude
30
30
Total: 200 Questions • 200 Marks • 120 Minutes
Sectional timing enforced for each test. Negative marking 0.25.
Phase-II Online Mains: General, DEPR & DSIM Streams
Phase-II for General Cadre consists of three 100-mark papers combining objective multiple-choice and computer keyboard typed descriptive questions.
Papers for Officers in Grade 'B' (General)
Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
50% Objective (30 mins) + 50% Descriptive (90 mins)
English (Writing Skills)
100% Descriptive keyboard typing (Essay, Précis, Reading Comprehension)
Finance and Management (FM)
50% Objective (30 mins) + 50% Descriptive (90 mins)
DEPR & DSIM Cadres
Specialized cadre focused on macroeconomic modeling, monetary policy analysis, and financial stability studies.
Specialized cadre handling statistical analysis, financial data modeling, probability theory, and survey data management.
Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus Modules
In-depth curriculum mapping for Phase-I General Awareness, Phase-II Economic & Social Issues (ESI), and Finance & Management (FM).
Phase-I: General Awareness & Financial Current Affairs
- Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decisions, Repo rate, Reverse Repo, SDF, MSF & CRR revisions
- Union Budget highlights, Economic Survey key projections, Inflation metrics (CPI vs WPI)
- Banking & Financial sector reforms, RBI circulars, Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines
- Government schemes in financial inclusion (PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY, Stand-Up India)
- National & International awards, summits, sports events, indices & global economic reports
Phase-II: Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
- Growth and Development: Measurement of growth, National Income, Poverty alleviation, Employment generation
- Indian Economy: Monetary & Fiscal policy history, Balance of Payments, Forex reserves, Industrial & Services policies
- Globalization & International Financial Institutions: IMF, World Bank, WTO, Regional economic co-operation
- Social Structure in India: Multiculturalism, Demographic dividend, Urbanization, Migration, Gender empowerment
- Sustainable Development & Environmental Issues: Climate financing, ESG norms, Renewable energy targets
Phase-II: Finance and Management (FM)
- Financial System: Structure and functions of RBI, Commercial Banks, NBFCs, Primary & Secondary Markets (SEBI)
- Financial Markets: Forex, Money, and Capital markets; Bond yield curves, Derivatives (Futures, Options, Swaps)
- Risk Management in Banking: Credit Risk, Market Risk, Operational Risk, Basel III Capital Adequacy norms
- Fintech & Digital Banking: UPI, RTGS, NEFT, CBDC (Digital Rupee), Account Aggregator framework, AI/ML in banking
- Management & Leadership: Motivation theories (Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor), Leadership styles, Conflict management, Corporate Governance
Age Limits, Qualifications & Number of Attempts
Statutory eligibility criteria notified by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board for General and Specialist streams.
Age Bracket
21 to 30 years as of the notification cut-off date (relaxation up to 33 years for OBC, 35 years for SC/ST, and up to 34 years for M.Phil / Ph.D holders).
Educational Qualification (General)
Minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) in Bachelor's Degree in any discipline OR 55% in Post-Graduation from a recognized University.
Educational Qualification (DEPR & DSIM)
DEPR: Master's Degree in Economics/Econometrics/Finance. DSIM: Master's Degree in Statistics/Mathematical Economics/Data Science with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
Maximum Number of Attempts
6 attempts in Phase-I Examination for Unreserved / General candidates. No restriction on attempts for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates.
Nationality & Domicile
Citizen of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee settled before 1 January 1962.
Key Attempt & Qualification Rules
6 Attempts Rule for General Candidates: If an Unreserved/General category candidate appears in the Phase-I examination, it is counted as an official attempt. Candidates who have exhausted 6 attempts in Phase-I are not eligible to apply.
Engineering & Technical Graduates: Any graduate with 60% aggregate (including B.E./B.Tech/MCA) is fully eligible for RBI Grade B (General). You will compete alongside all other graduates in the standard Generalist syllabus (ESI, FM, and English).
Relaxation Provisions: Upper age limit is relaxed by 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for PwBD candidates.
Salary Structure, Leased Quarters & Executive Perks
RBI Grade B Officers receive central banking compensation with extensive perks, leased accommodation in metropolitan centers, and exceptional long-term stability.
Designation Cadre
Officer in Grade 'B' (Direct Recruit - DR)
Starting Basic Pay
₹78,450 per month
Dearness Allowance (DA)
Quarterly revised central banking DA as per CPI cost-of-living index
Grade & Special Allowance
Special Allowance, Grade Allowance, and Local Compensatory Allowance as per RBI rules
Gross Monthly Emoluments
Approximately ₹1,54,936 per month (without leased accommodation)
Approximate In-Hand Salary
₹1,10,000 to ₹1,15,000+ per month (post mandatory deductions)
Bank Quarter / Leased HRA
Official RBI residential quarters OR leased accommodation reimbursement up to ₹70,000+/month in Tier 1 cities
Perks & Reimbursements
150–200L Petrol allowance/month, Book grant, Briefcase allowance, Medical OPD & hospitalization, Sodexo meal coupons, LFC travel once in 2 years
Estimated Monthly In-Hand Salary:
Post-tax & NPS deduction: ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,15,000+
Three-Tier Selection & 375-Mark Final Merit
The final merit list is prepared on a 375-mark scale comprising Phase-II Mains (300 Marks) and the Board Interview (75 Marks).
Phase-I Online Examination
200 objective questions (200 marks, 120 minutes) across GA, Reasoning, English, and Quant with sectional timers. Screening stage.
Phase-II Online Mains (300 Marks)
3 papers: Paper I (ESI), Paper II (English Writing), Paper III (FM) for General Cadre (100 marks each, 50% objective + 50% descriptive typing). Decides interview call.
Psychometric Assessment
Conducted prior to the interview. No marks allocated, but findings serve as an input to the Interview Board.
Phase-III Interview & Final Merit
75-mark panel interview. Final merit list is formulated out of 375 marks (Phase-II 300 marks + Interview 75 marks).
What's inside the RBI Grade B course
Complete coverage of Phase-I (GA, Reasoning, English, Quant) and Phase-II (ESI, English Descriptive, Finance & Management) with authentic CBT simulators.
What the course covers
| Syllabus coverage | Complete coverage of Phase-I (GA, Reasoning, English, Quant) and Phase-II (ESI, English Writing Skills, Finance & Management). |
|---|---|
| Full CBT Mock Tests | Simulated Phase-I (200 Qs / 120 mins) and Phase-II (ESI & FM Objective + Descriptive typing simulators) matching exact IBPS-RBI interface. |
| Monthly GA & Banking Compendiums | Curated monthly current affairs, RBI monthly bulletins, economic survey briefs, and union budget formula summaries. |
| Descriptive Writing Practice | Keyboard typing simulator for ESI & FM descriptive answers and English essays with model solutions. |
| Digital Banking & Fintech in FM | Specialized coverage of payments architecture, CBDC, account aggregators, and RBI circulars in the FM paper. |
| Previous Year Questions & Analysis | Solved Phase-I and Phase-II descriptive questions from past RBI Grade B recruitment cycles. |
| Question quality | Strictly calibrated to the conceptual and analytical depth of actual RBI exams — zero generic filler. |
| Validity | 1 year unrestricted access with all live updates, test series, and PDF editions included. |
| Device access | Seamless web, tablet & mobile responsive CBT test interface with real-time analytics. |
| Doubt support | Dedicated discussion thread and faculty answers for every question. |
RBI Grade B mock tests on The Victory Key (3)
- RBI Grade B PYQ 2025 - Memory Based200 Qs · 120 min · 200 marks · Free
- RBI Grade B PYQ 2019 - Memory Based200 Qs · 120 min · 211 marks · Free
- RBI Grade B PYQ 2024 - Memory Based200 Qs · 240 min · 201 marks · Free
Handwritten revision summaries, Economic Survey briefs, and Phase-II model answers in the library.
TVK+ All-Access Pass
RBI Grade B Complete Preparation
₹4,900₹4,999
The RBI Grade B course is included inside TVK+ All-Access. You get unrestricted access to every mock test series, the full PDF study library, solved PYQ collections, and CBT simulators for every banking and regulatory exam on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified answers to the most common queries regarding RBI Grade B recruitment, attempts limit, and pattern.
What is the educational qualification required for RBI Grade B (General)?
Candidates must possess a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) in Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University, OR a minimum of 55% marks (pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD) in Post-Graduation.
How many attempts are permitted for the RBI Grade B exam?
Candidates belonging to the Unreserved / General category are permitted a maximum of SIX (6) attempts in the Phase-I examination. There is no restriction on the number of attempts for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, or PwBD categories.
Does Phase-I marks count towards the final merit list?
No. Phase-I is strictly an online screening / qualifying test. Marks obtained in Phase-I are only used for shortlisting candidates for Phase-II. The final merit list is prepared strictly based on the aggregate marks scored in Phase-II (300 Marks) and the Interview (75 Marks), totaling 375 Marks.
What is the starting in-hand salary of an RBI Grade B Officer?
The starting basic pay is ₹78,450 per month. With Dearness Allowance, Grade Allowance, Special Allowance, and local allowances, the gross monthly emoluments reach approximately ₹1,54,936 per month. After mandatory deductions (NPS, income tax), the in-hand salary is approximately ₹1,10,000–₹1,15,000+ per month, supplemented by extensive bank quarters/leased housing allowance (up to ₹70,000+ in Mumbai/Tier 1).
Does the Phase-I examination have sectional timing?
Yes. Phase-I has individual sectional timings: General Awareness (25 minutes, 80 questions), Reasoning Ability (45 minutes, 60 questions), English Language (25 minutes, 30 questions), and Quantitative Aptitude (25 minutes, 30 questions), totaling 120 minutes.
How is the descriptive paper conducted in Phase-II?
Phase-II descriptive answers for ESI, FM, and English Writing Skills must be typed on a computer keyboard. For objective questions, candidates select answers via mouse click; for descriptive sections, candidates type their answers into a designated text box within the allotted time.
Can engineering / IT graduates apply for RBI Grade B?
Yes! Any graduate with 60% aggregate (including B.E./B.Tech/MCA) is fully eligible for RBI Grade B (General). You will compete alongside all other graduates in the standard Generalist syllabus (ESI, FM, and English).
Official Sources & Regulatory Documentation
All figures, syllabi, sectional timings, and compensation mandates displayed on this page are strictly extracted and cross-referenced from these public authoritative documents:
RBI Official Opportunities Portal
Reserve Bank of India Services Board (RBISB)
Official notifications, vacancy advertisements, online application window, and Phase-I/II results.
RBI Main Corporate Website
Reserve Bank of India Central Office, Mumbai
Monthly bulletins, monetary policy announcements, annual reports, and regulatory circulars.
RBI Information Handout Archive
Examination Authority & IBPS Assessment Portal
Official candidate handouts detailing sample questions, keyboard instructions, and Phase-II descriptive typing guidelines.
RBI Staff Service Regulations & Pay Revision Orders
Human Resource Management Department (HRMD), RBI
Statutory pay scales, allowances, leased accommodation policies, and leave travel concessions for Grade 'B' officers.
Master Phase-I & Phase-II with authentic RBI exam simulations
Sectional Phase-I speed tests, ESI & FM descriptive typing practice, and comprehensive banking compendiums calibrated to the RBI benchmark.
Official Verification Provenance
• Official RBI Services Board recruitment notifications and Information Handouts published on opportunities.rbi.org.in.
• Reserve Bank of India Staff Regulations and HRMD officer wage circulars.
• Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and banking directives published on rbi.org.in.
All figures, syllabi, sectional timings, pay scales, and eligibility mandates displayed on this page are strictly extracted and cross-referenced from public authoritative regulatory documents published by the Reserve Bank of India.
Last verified against official documents: 2026-09-29