The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Phase 1 exam pattern for the Officers in Grade ‘B’ recruitment drive 2026. This exam is conducted in an objective format across multiple streams. Knowing the exact subject-wise distribution, sectional timing, and negative marking is important for your preparation. The complete syllabus, marking scheme, and exam pattern details are outlined below.
The RBI Grade B recruitment selection process consists of Phase I (written exam), Phase II (descriptive paper for specific streams), and a final interview. Phase-1 is a computer-based objective test featuring sectional timing and negative marking. For official guidelines, visit https://www.rbi.org.in.
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: A computer-based objective examination with sectional timing and negative marking. Subjects include General Awareness, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language for the General stream, and specialized subjects for the DEPR and DSIM streams.
- Phase-II: A descriptive examination (for specific streams). Candidates who qualify Phase-I advance to this stage, which evaluates writing skills, analytical abilities, and domain-specific knowledge.
- Interview: The final selection round assessing personality, communication skills, and expertise for shortlisted candidates.
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
The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam demands a systematic and focused approach due to 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 prioritized, 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 (prioritizing banking-related content), 45 minutes for Reasoning (focusing on accuracy over speed), and 25 minutes each for Quantitative and English. Utilize 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.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Official Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many questions are asked in the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam for the General stream?
Ans. The General stream Phase 1 exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. This is broken down into 80 questions for General Awareness, 60 for Reasoning Ability, 30 for Quantitative Aptitude, and 30 for the English Language.
Q2. Is there any negative marking in the Phase 1 exam?
Ans. Yes. You will lose 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer you provide in the Phase 1 examination.
Q3. How much time do I get to complete the Phase 1 test?
Ans. You have a total of 120 minutes to complete the test, but there are strict sectional time limits. You get 25 minutes for General Awareness, 45 minutes for Reasoning, 25 minutes for Quantitative Aptitude, and 25 minutes for English.
Q4. How many vacancies are there for the RBI Grade B 2026 recruitment?
Ans. There are exactly 60 vacancies available for the 2026 recruitment cycle. These are split among the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams.
Q5. What exactly does the DEPR stream syllabus cover?
Ans. The DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research) stream has two papers. Paper-I is an objective test covering topics like microeconomics, macroeconomics, public finance, and international economics. Paper-II is a descriptive English test that evaluates your essay writing, précis writing, and comprehension skills.
Q6. Can I take the Phase 1 exam in Hindi?
Ans. Absolutely. The question paper is bilingual, available in both English and Hindi. The only exception is the English Language section, which must be answered in English.
Q7. How many marks is each question worth?
Ans. Each correct answer will earn you exactly 1 mark. The total marks for the exam correspond directly to the total number of questions in each respective section.
