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

The RBI Grade B exam is widely considered the most prestigious and challenging banking recruitment in India, offering exceptional career benefits. To excel in the RBI Grade B 2026 examination, candidates must thoroughly understand the comprehensive syllabus and exam structure outlined below.

The RBI Grade B syllabus for the DR (General) post comprises four core subjects in Phase 1 (Prelims): English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness (Current Affairs & Banking). Phase 2 (Mains) evaluates candidates through three papers: (i) Economics & Social Issues (ESI), (ii) Descriptive English (Writing), and (iii) Finance & Management (FM). 

RBI Grade B Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026

The RBI Grade B 2026 prelims are scheduled for June 13th and 14th, 2026, followed by the Mains on July 25th and 26th, 2026. Aspirants should prioritize mastering syllabus topics, exam patterns, question formats, and time management. Review the essential details below.

RBI Grade B Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Summary
Bank	Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Exam Name	RBI Grade B 2026
Type of Exam	General (Prelims)- Objective General (Mains)- Objective & Descriptive DEPR/DSIM- Objective & Descriptive Interview (For all posts)
Exam Dates	Prelims- 13th & 14th June 2026 Mains- 25th & 26th July 2026
Mode of Exam	Online
Total Marks	Prelims: 200 Mains: 300 Interview: 75
Total Questions	Prelims: 200 Mains: 60 (MCQs) and 15 Descriptive (to be attempted 11)
Negative Marking	Phase 1: 1/4th marks (.25 marks) Phase 2: ¼th for objective type & no negative marking for descriptive paper
Selection Process	For General- Prelims, Mains and Psychometric Test & Interview For DEPR/DSIM- Online/ Written Examination and Psychometric Test & Interview

RBI Grade B Prelims Result 2026 Declared - Click Here to View

RBI Grade B Selection Process

The RBI Grade B selection process is multi-staged and tailored to evaluate different professional competencies. Because there are three distinct types of posts, the selection methodology varies for each; see the details below. 

• 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

Below is the comprehensive syllabus for all three RBI Grade B posts.

RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 for DR (General)

To prepare effectively, candidates must have a deep understanding of the RBI Grade B syllabus and examination framework for both the Prelims and Mains stages. 

RBI Grade B Prelims Syllabus for DR (General)

The 2026 RBI Grade B preliminary examination features four sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. The detailed syllabus for the Prelims is as follows:

Section Asked	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
General Awareness	80	80	25 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	30	30	25 minutes
English Language	30	30	25 minutes
Reasoning Ability	60	60	45 minutes
Total	200	200	120 minutes

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)

Sections / Subjects	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration (minutes)
Paper I: Economics and Social Issues	Objective - 30 Questions Descriptive - 6 Questions (to be attempted - 4)	50 50 Total-100	30 minutes  90 minutes Total-120 minutes
Paper II: English (Writing Skills)	Descriptive - 3 Questions  (Precis, RCs, & Essay)	100	90 minutes
Paper III: Finance and Management	Objective - 30 Questions Descriptive - 6 Questions (to be attempted - 4)	50 50 Total-100	30 minutes 90 minutes Total-120 minutes

Important Note: A negative marking of 0.25 applies for 1-mark questions and 0.50 for 2-mark questions. 

The RBI Grade B 2026 Mains Examination covers Economic & Social Issues, English, and Finance & Management. The detailed syllabus is provided below:

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

1.  Fundamental Economic Concepts

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

2.  History and Growth of the Indian Economy

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 and Development 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, 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.  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. Précis Writing

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. Reading Comprehension and Descriptive Analysis

This section includes a passage followed by five questions requiring clear, well-structured, and concise descriptive responses.

Paper 3- Finance and Management Syllabus

1. Banking and Financial Ecosystem

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 Financial Markets and 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.  Accounting Principles 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 Styles and Management Skills

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

7. Organisational Development and Professional Ethics

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

View Detailed RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026

RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2026

Phase	Papers	Marks	Duration
Phase I (Objective)	Paper-I Economics	100	120 minutes
	Paper - II English - Descriptive  (To be typed with help of keyboard)	100	120 minutes
Phase II (Descriptive)	Paper-II Economics	100	180 minutes
	Paper-III English	100	90 minutes
Total		400

The syllabus for RBI Grade B (DEPR) is specifically designed to assess expertise in economic analysis, research, policy formulation, and sector-specific data compilation. 

RBI Grade B Syllabus for DEPR
Paper I: Economics Related	based on the Master’s Degree examination in Economics
Paper-II: Economics Related	based on the Master’s Degree examination in Economics
Paper III: English	The English paper will be framed to assess the candidates’ writing skills, expression, and understanding of the topic

RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2026

Phase	Paper	Marks	Duration
Phase I (Objective)	Paper-I Statistics	100	120 minutes
Phase II (Descriptive)	Paper-II Statistics (Descriptive)	100	180 minutes
	Paper-III English (Descriptive)	100	90 minutes
Total		300

The syllabus for the RBI Grade B (DSIM) post has been outlined below, covering Papers 1, 2, and 3 as per official RBI guidelines. 

Paper I: Statistics Syllabus

Probability Theory and 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 focuses on testing writing proficiency, clarity of expression, and analytical comprehension of current topics.

RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF Download

The Reserve Bank of India provides the exam pattern and syllabus via official notifications. Candidates are advised to download the official PDF from the link below to begin their preparation immediately.

Download Official RBI Grade B Syllabus PDF

RBI Grade B Interview Round

The final stage is the Interview round, which evaluates your grasp of finance and economics, as well as personality traits, communication skills, and real-world problem-solving abilities.

All candidates must undergo a psychometric test prior to the interview. While this test carries no score weightage, it remains a mandatory component of the selection process.

The Interview is worth 75 marks for all posts (General, DEPR & DSIM). Candidates are shortlisted based on their aggregate performance in the Mains examination. Interviews can be conducted in either Hindi or English. The final merit list is determined by the combined scores of the Phase-II exam and the interview.

Beyond the preliminary and main examinations, an interview is mandatory for all candidates who successfully clear the first two phases.

The final merit selection is exclusively calculated based on marks secured during the Main examination and the interview.