Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially released the Phase 1 exam pattern for the Officers in Grade ‘B’ recruitment drive of 2026. The exam is conducted in a fully objective format across multiple streams, and candidates must understand the subject-wise distribution and weightage to prepare effectively. The complete syllabus, marking scheme, and exam pattern details are now available for aspirants preparing for this prestigious banking examination.
RBI Grade B recruitment follows a multi-stage selection process consisting of Phase I (written exam), Phase II (descriptive paper for certain streams), and an interview round. The Phase-1 exam is a computer-based objective test with sectional timing, negative marking, and varied difficulty levels across subjects. More details about the selection stages and official guidelines can be found at https://www.rbi.org.in.
Note: All information is sourced from the official notification. Candidates are advised to refer to the official syllabus PDF for the most accurate details.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | RBI Grade B Officers Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Organization | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Post Name | Officers in Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General, DEPR, DSIM |
| Total Vacancies | 60 Posts |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Exam Type | Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Selection Process | Phase-I + Phase-II + Interview |
| Official Website | https://www.rbi.org.in |
Selection Process
The RBI Grade B recruitment follows a structured three-stage selection mechanism:
- Phase I: Computer-based objective examination with sectional timing and negative marking. This stage tests candidates across General Awareness, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language (for the General stream) or specialised subjects for the DEPR and DSIM streams.
- Phase-II: Descriptive examination (for certain streams). Candidates qualifying Phase-I proceed to this stage, which evaluates writing skills, analytical abilities, and subject-specific knowledge.
- Interview: Final round of selection where shortlisted candidates are assessed for personality, communication skills, and domain expertise.
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern – General Stream
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 60 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 Minutes |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 Minutes |
Total: 200 Questions | 200 Marks | 120 Minutes
Each correct answer carries 1 mark. Negative marking of 0.25 marks is applied for every incorrect response. The question paper is available in both English and Hindi languages, except for the English Language section, which is presented in English only.
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Detailed Syllabus – General
General Awareness
- Current affairs developments at national and international levels from the past 6 to 12 months
- Indian economy, banking sector, and financial system fundamentals
- Reserve Bank of India functions, monetary policy framework, and economic survey details
- Union Budget analysis and key fiscal policy announcements
- Static general knowledge, including awards, books and authors, sports achievements, and important national/international days
- Science and technology advancements
- Environmental issues and sustainability topics
Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles and seating arrangement problems
- Syllogism and logical deduction
- Coding and decoding patterns
- Blood relation questions
- Inequalities and comparative logic
- Direction sense and spatial reasoning
- Machine input-output sequences
- Data sufficiency assessment
- Alphanumeric series and number patterns
- Logical reasoning and analytical thinking
Quantitative Aptitude
- Data interpretation from tables, bar graphs, pie charts, and line graphs
- Simplification and approximation of numerical expressions
- Number series and pattern recognition
- Quadratic equations and algebraic expressions
- Arithmetic word problems, including profit and loss calculations
- Simple and compound interest computations
- Time and work problems
- Speed, distance, and time calculations
- Mensuration of 2D and 3D figures
- Probability and statistical probability concepts
- Permutation and combination problems
English Language
- Reading comprehension passages and inference-based questions
- Error detection in sentences and grammatical correction
- Sentence improvement and rearrangement
- Cloze test completion
- Paragraph jumble arrangement
- Vocabulary assessment, including synonyms and antonyms
- Idioms, phrases, and their contextual usage
- Sentence formation and expression clarity
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern – DEPR Stream
| Paper | Exam Type | Time Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I: Economics | Objective | 120 Minutes | 100 |
| Paper-II: English | Descriptive | 120 Minutes | 100 |
Total: 200 Marks
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Detailed Syllabus – DEPR
Paper-I: Economics (Objective)
- Microeconomic theory and consumer behaviour analysis
- Macroeconomic principles and aggregate demand-supply models
- International economics, trade theory, and balance of payments
- Economic growth models and development economics
- Public finance, taxation, and government expenditure
- Environmental economics and sustainability concepts
- Quantitative methods and statistical techniques in economics
- Current economic developments and policy changes in the Indian economy
Paper-II: English (Descriptive)
- Essay writing on contemporary and analytical topics
- Précis writing demonstrating comprehension and conciseness
- Reading comprehension and analysis of complex texts
- Assessment of written expression and clarity of thought
- Evaluation of subject understanding and articulation
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern – DSIM Stream
| Paper | Exam Type | Time Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I: Statistics | Objective | 120 Minutes | 100 |
Total: 100 Marks
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Detailed Syllabus – DSIM
Paper-I: Statistics (Objective)
- Theory of probability and probability distribution functions
- Sampling theory and survey methodology
- Statistical inference, hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals
- Linear regression models and related statistical methods
- Economic statistics and index number theory
- Econometric models and estimation techniques
- Time series analysis and forecasting methods
- Multivariate statistical analysis techniques
- Stochastic processes and their applications
- Optimization techniques and linear programming
- Data science fundamentals and analytical methods
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning basics
- Database management systems and data handling
Preparation Strategy
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2026 demands a systematic and focused approach due to the high competition and diverse subject matter. The General Awareness section carries the highest weightage (80 marks out of 200), making it the priority area for preparation; candidates must dedicate significant time to reading newspapers, following RBI circulars, understanding the Union Budget, and staying updated on banking sector developments. A common mistake is underestimating the Reasoning Ability section-while Quantitative Aptitude and English are often prioritised, strong performance in Reasoning (60 marks, 45 minutes) requires consistent practice on puzzles and seating arrangements at least 4-5 times per week. Time management is critical since sectional timing is enforced; allocate 25 minutes for General Awareness (prioritising banking-related content), 45 minutes for Reasoning (focusing on accuracy over speed), and 25 minutes each for Quantitative and English. Utilise previous year papers and full-length mock tests every week to simulate the actual exam environment, identify weak areas, and refine your approach based on performance metrics rather than subjective study sessions.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Official Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the total number of questions in the RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2026?
Ans. For the General stream, the RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2026 includes 200 multiple-choice questions distributed across four sections: General Awareness (80), Reasoning Ability (60), Quantitative Aptitude (30), and English Language (30).
Q2. Is there negative marking in RBI Grade B Phase 1 2026?
Ans. Yes, negative marking of 0.25 marks is deducted for every incorrect answer in the RBI Grade B Phase 1 examination.
Q3. What is the time duration for the RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2026?
Ans. The total duration for RBI Grade B Phase 1 is 120 minutes with sectional timing. Each section has a fixed time limit: General Awareness (25 minutes), Reasoning Ability (45 minutes), Quantitative Aptitude (25 minutes), and English Language (25 minutes).
Q4. How many vacancies are available in the RBI Grade B Officers Exam 2026?
Ans. A total of 60 posts are available across different streams: General, DEPR (Departmental Economic Professional Role), and DSIM (Data Science and Information Management) in RBI Grade B Officers Exam 2026.
Q5. What subjects are covered in the DEPR stream syllabus?
Ans. The DEPR stream includes two papers: Paper I focuses on Economics (objective), covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, public finance, and current economic developments. Paper-II is a descriptive English examination testing essay writing, précis writing, and comprehension skills.
Q6. Can the question paper be accessed in Hindi?
Ans. Yes, the RBI Grade B Phase 1 question paper is available in both English and Hindi. However, the English Language section is exclusively in English as it assesses English proficiency.
Q7. What is the marking scheme for each correct answer?
Ans. Each correct answer in the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam carries 1 mark. The overall marking is distributed according to the number of questions in each section.
