RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025: Phase 1 & 2 Marking Scheme

Reserve Bank of India Grade B Exam 2024 ( RBI Grade B Exam )

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Anangsha Patra

Anangsha PatraDeputy Manager – Editorial

Updated on Dec 12, 2024 12:21 IST

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 was announced by the examination authority along with the notification. The exam pattern highlights the overall structure of the RBI Grade B exam. RBI Grade B exam pattern is different for different posts. RBi Grade B exam pattern is different for General post, DEPR & DSIM. Going through the exam pattern of RBI Grade B 2025, candidates can know the marking scheme, total marks, sectional marks, section-wise timings, etc. Except for the English language section, the RBI Grade B question papers are set bilingually in English and Hindi. Read below for more details in RBI Grade B exam pattern.

Q:   What is the marking scheme of RBI Grade B exam?

A:
RBI Grade B exam follows negative marking scheme. The exam pattern for the RBI Grade B exam has been given below for the candidates: Total number of questions: 100 Total Marks: 100 Marks for correct answer: +1 Marks for incorrect answer: -0.25 Marks for answered questions: 0.
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Q:   What is RBI Grade B exam pattern?

A:

RBI Grade B exam pattern is such that it is divided into Phase I, II, and Interview. The Phase 1 comprises subjects such as General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning. The total marks allotted to the exam are 200. The duration of the test is 120 minutes. The language of the question paper is English and Hindi. Phase II comprises Paper-I: Economic and Social Issues, Paper-II: English (Writing Skills) and Paper-III: Finance and Management. The Phase 2 exam carries 300 marks. The duration of Paper I and III are 120 minutes (30 minutes for the objective test and 90 minutes for the descriptive test) while Paper-II is held for 90 minutes. All papers of Phase II, except the English Language, are set in English and Hindi. The interview carries 75 marks.

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Q:   Are there any sectional timings in the RBI Grade B exam?

A:
There are sectional timings in Phase 1 of RBI Grade B exam. The prelims exam is conducted for 120 minutes. Candidates need to attempt the different sections of the prelims exam as per the allotted time frame. Paper 1 and 3 of the Mains exam are held for 120 minutes. The Paper 2 of the Mains exam is conducted for 90 minutes. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam are 200. The total marks allotted to the Mains exam are 300. The total marks allotted to interview are 75 marks. In Phase-I, 25 minutes each are allotted to General Awareness, English Language and Quantitative Aptitude while 45 minutes are allotted to Reasoning.
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Q:   Is RBI Grade B question paper bilingual?

A:
Yes, RBI Grade B question paper is bilingual. The questions are in both English and Hindi languages. The Prelims exam for Grade B (DR) post carries 200 questions and Paper 1 and 3 of the Mains exam carries 30 objective-type questions and six descriptive-type questions. Paper II of the Mains exam carries three questions.
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Q:   Will there be a Psychometric Test in RBI Grade B exam?

A:

As per the revised exam pattern, candidates need to appear for the Psychometric Test in the RBI Grade B exam before appearing in the interview. There are no marks for this test. The performance of candidates in the psychometric test is not counted for the final merit list. It is only conducted to test the psychological knowledge of candidates. The psychometric test basically measure individuals' mental capabilities and behaviour style. The test assess a cadidate's ability to perform the assigned job role. Through psychometric test, the employer assess the following personality trait:

Focus on the ‘bigger picture’ and strategy

Initiative/proactive

Driven to attain results

Structured and logical approach to performing tasks

Making informed decisions based on objective data

Focusing on the customer

Collaborating with stakeholders (colleagues, managers, vendors and customers)

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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025

RBI Grade B exam pattern is such that it is divided into Phase I, II, and Interview. The exam pattern provides details regarding the overall structure of the exam, such as the number of sections, distribution of questions, marking scheme, total marks, etc. Before beginning with the preparation, candidates must go through the exam pattern to get an understanding of the exam. 

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for DR General Post

Selection for this post is done through online RBI Grade B examinations and interviews. The online exams are held in two phases:

RBI Grade B Prelims/Phase I Exam Pattern 

The Phase I exam comprises a single paper for 200 marks. Depending on the number of vacancies, the exam is held in multiple shifts. The exam consists of four sections, General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. A total of 200 questions are asked in the exam, each section having a different set of questions. Candidates are given 120 minutes to solve all the questions. The language of the question paper except English is in Hindi and English. Candidates need to choose the language option at the beginning of the test. Candidates can toggle between the two languages after choosing the option for language. The corrected scores obtained by each candidate in different sessions will be normalised using the equi-percentile method. Candidates have to secure minimum marks separately for each test as well as in aggregate. Candidates qualifying the Phase I exam will be called for the Phase II exam. For every wrong answer marked by candidates, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question are deducted as a penalty.

Structure of Phase I exam

Sections

Number of questions

Marks

General Awareness

80

80

Reasoning

60

60

English Language

30

30

Quantitative Aptitude

30

30

Total

200

200

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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for Phase II

This phase is conducted for candidates shortlisted on the basis of the results of Phase I. The exam is conducted in shifts. Candidates are required to appear for all shifts. Paper I and III comprise both objective and descriptive type questions, while Paper II is completely a descriptive test. The duration of Paper I and III is 120 minutes (30 minutes for the objective test and 90 minutes for the descriptive test) while Paper-II is held for 90 minutes. All papers of Phase II, except the English Language, are set in English and Hindi. Candidates need to type the descriptive type answers with the help of the keyboard. The total marks of the test are 300, each section is for 100 marks. The objective paper of Paper I and III of Phase II carries a total of 30 questions. Some questions carry two marks, while some carry one mark. The Descriptive paper of Paper I and III carries six questions, out of which candidates need to attempt four questions. Two questions are of 15 marks, while two questions are of 10 marks. In case, candidates answer more than four questions in a descriptive paper then the first four are evaluated. Paper-II carries three questions. 

Structure of Phase II exam
Name of the Paper Type of Paper Duration Marks
Paper-I: Economic and Social Issues 50 per cent Objective Type 50 per cent Descriptive, answers to be typed with the help of the keyboard 120 Minutes

Objective: 30

Descriptive: 90

Total: 100 Marks

Objective: 50

Descriptive: 50

Paper-II: English (Writing Skills) Descriptive answers to be typed with the help of the keyboard. Candidates opting to type the answers in Hindi may do so with the help of either Inscript or Remington (GAIL) keyboards layout. 90 Minutes 100
Paper-III: Finance and Management 50 per cent Objective Type and 50 per cent Descriptive, answers to be typed with the help of the keyboard. Candidates opting to type the answers in Hindi may do so with the help of either Inscript or Remington (GAIL) keyboards layout. 120 minutes

Objective: 30

Descriptive: 90

Total: 100 Marks

Objective: 50

Descriptive: 50

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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for Interview

Candidates will be shortlisted for the interview based on the aggregate of marks obtained in Phase-II (Paper-I + Paper-II + Paper-III). The minimum aggregate RBI Grade B cut off marks for being shortlisted for the Interview is decided by the Board in relation to the number of vacancies. Candidates before appearing in the interview need to appear for the Psychometric Test. There are no marks for the Psychometric Test and it is not considered for final selection. The interview is held for 75 marks. Candidates may opt for an interview either in Hindi or English. Final Selection is done through merit list which is prepared by adding marks secured by candidates in Phase-II examination and interview. 

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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for DEPR

The exam paper of DEPR comprises three papers, I, II & III. Paper I comprises objective-type questions, while Paper II and III consist of Descriptive Type questions. Paper I is the first phase of the selection process. The paper comprises questions on Economics. The maximum marks allotted to the paper are 100, and the duration of the exam is 120 minutes. Candidates who secure minimum aggregate marks in Paper I will be shortlisted for Paper II and III. Paper-II and III will be conducted in shifts. Paper-II will be held offline while Paper III will be conducted online. Paper-II comprises questions from Economics while Paper III will have questions from English. The questions will be set in Hindi and English (except Paper III on English). Answers for Paper-II may be written either in Hindi or English. Paper-III will have to be answered in English only. On the basis of the performance in Paper II and III, candidates will be called for an interview. The final selection of candidates will be done on the basis of Paper I, II, III & Interview. The interview will be conducted for 75 marks. The structure of RBI Grade B exam pattern is given below.

Name of paper Duration (In minutes) Maximum marks 
Paper-I Objective Type (on Economics) 120  100
Paper-II Descriptive Type (on Economics) (Question paper displayed on the computer, answers to be written on paper) 180 100
Paper-III English-Descriptive (To be typed with help of keyboard) 90  100
Total    300

RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for DEPR

The exam paper of DEPR comprises three papers. Paper I comprises objective-type questions while Paper II & III carries Descriptive Type questions. Paper I paper comprises questions on Statistics. The test carries 100 marks and the duration of the exam is 120 minutes. Candidates who secure minimum aggregate marks in Paper I will be shortlisted for Paper II and III. Paper-II is held offline while Paper III is conducted online. Paper-II comprises questions from Statistics while Paper III carries questions from English (Writing Skills). The questions is set in Hindi and English (except Paper III on English). On the basis of the performance in Paper II and III, candidates are called for an interview. The final selection of candidates is done on the basis of Paper I, II, III & Interview. The interview is conducted for 75 marks. The structure of the RBI Grade B exam pattern is given below.

Name of paper Duration  (in minutes) Maximum marks 
Paper-I Objective Type (on Statistics) 120 100
Paper-II Descriptive Type (on Statistics) (Question paper displayed on the computer, answers to be written on paper) 180 100
Paper-III English-Descriptive (To be typed with help of keyboard) 90 100
Total    300

 

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Manner of Conduct of Examinations for DEPR/DSIM

The exams will be conducted in the following manner:

  • Paper I exam is conducted in two days
  • Paper-II and III is held separately on the separate dates for candidates qualifying the Paper I exam
  • Paper I is an objective type paper and comprises is conducted online and comprise multiple-choice questions
  • Paper-II is a  descriptive type pen/paper-based examination where the questions is displayed on the computer screen and is conducted in one session
  • Paper III (English) is descriptive type where the candidates is expected to type answers on a computer

RBI Grade B Marking Scheme

RBI Grade B marking scheme for DEPR, DSIM and General post is given below:

Marking for Grade B (DR) General Post

For wrong answers marked in the Phase 1 exam, 1/4 marks are deducted. For correct answers, candidates get one mark. The total marks are calculated based on the number or correct and incorrect answers.

Marking Scheme for DEPR

The marking scheme of RBI Grade B is given below:

  • In Phase 1 exam, 1/4 marks are deducted for wrong answers
  • There are three sections with a total of 62 questions in Paper 1 of Phase 2 exam
  • Section I and II of Phase 2 exam carry one, two, and three mark questions and Section III of Phase 2 exam carries one, two, and four mark questions
  • For wrong answers, there are RBI Grade B negative marking. 1/3 marks for one mark questions, 1/2 marks for two marks questions, one mark for three marks questions, and two marks for four marks questions for all sections

Marking Scheme for DSIM

The marking scheme for DSIM is given below:

  • In Phase 1 exam, for wrong answers 1/4 marks are deducted as penalty for wrong answers
  • In Phase 2 exam, there is a penalty for wrong answers marked by candidates. For every wrong answer,  5/3 of the marks assigned to that question is deducted as a penalty

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RBI Grade B Syllabus

RBI Grade B syllabus comprises the topics and sub-topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. The RBI Grade B Syllabus is given below.

Reasoning Quantitative Ability English Language General Awareness

Logical Reasoning

Simplification

Reading Comprehension

Current Affairs

Alphanumeric Series

Profit & Loss

Cloze Test

Indian Financial Systems

Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test

Mixtures &Alligations

Para jumbles

Indian Banking Systems

Data Sufficiency

Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices

Miscellaneous

Monetary Plans

Coded Inequalities

Work & Time

Fill in the blanks

National Institutions

Seating Arrangement

Time & Distance

Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting

Banking Terms

Puzzle

Mensuration– Cylinder, Cone, Sphere

Paragraph Completion

 

Tabulation

Data Interpretation

 

Syllogism

Ratio & Proportion, Percentage

Blood Relations

Number Systems

Input Output

Sequence & Series

Coding Decoding

Permutation, Combination &Probability

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Syllabus 

Subject Syllabus

Paper 1- Economic & Social Issues

1. Growth and Development 

Measurement of growth- National Income and per capita income

Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India

Sustainable Development

Environmental issues

2. Indian Economy 

Economic History of India

Changes in Industrial and Labour Policy

Monetary and Fiscal Policy since reforms of 1991

Priorities and recommendations of Economic Survey and Union Budget

Indian Money and Financial Markets: Linkages with the economy

Role of Indian banks and Reserve Bank in the development process

Public Finance

Political Economy

Industrial Developments in India

Indian Agriculture

Services sector in India

3. Globalization

Opening up of the Indian Economy

Balance of Payments

Export-Import Policy

International Economic Institutions

IMF and World Bank

WTO

Regional Economic Cooperation

International Economic Issues

4. Social Structure in India 

Multiculturalism

Demographic Trends

Urbanisation and Migration

Gender Issues

Social Justice: Positive Discrimination in favour of the underprivileged

Social Movements

Indian Political System

Human Development

Social Sectors in India

Health and Education

Paper 2- English

To analyse the writing skills of the candidates including expression and understanding of the topic

Paper 3 (a) Finance

1. Financial System

Regulators of Banks and Financial Institutions

Reserve Bank of India- functions and conduct of monetary policy

Banking System in India – Structure and concerns, Financial Institutions – SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB, etc, Changing landscape of banking sector.

Impact of the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08 and the Indian response

2. Financial Markets

Primary and Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity, etc.), functions, instruments, recent developments.

3. General Topics

Risk Management in Banking Sector

Basics of Derivatives

Global financial markets and International Banking – broad trends and latest developments.

Financial Inclusion

Alternate source of finance, private and social cost-benefit, Public-Private Partnership

Corporate Governance in Banking Sector, role of e-governance in addressing issues of corruption and inefficiency in the government sector.

The Union Budget – Concepts, approach, and broad trends

Inflation: Definition, trends, estimates, consequences, and remedies (control): WPI, CPI - components and trends; striking a balance between inflation and growth through monetary and fiscal policies.

FinTech

Paper 3 (b)- Management

1. Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behaviour

Introduction to management

Evolution of management thought

Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations

Systems approach to management

Management functions and Managerial roles

Nudge theory

Meaning & concept of organizational behaviour

Personality: meaning, factors affecting personality, Big five model of personality

Concept of reinforcement

Perception: concept, perceptual errors

Motivation: Concept, importance

Content theories (Maslow’s need theory, Alderfers’ ERG theory, McCllelands’ theory of needs, Herzberg’s two-factor theory)

Process theories (Adams equity theory, Vrooms expectancy theory).

Leadership: Concept, Theories (Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional and Transformational Leadership

Emotional Intelligence: Concept, Importance, Dimensions.

Analysis of Interpersonal Relationship: Transactional Analysis, Johari Window

Conflict: Concept, Sources, Types, Management of Conflict

Organizational Change: Concept, Kurt Lewin Theory of Change

Organizational Development (OD): Organisational Change, Strategies for Change, Theories of Planned Change (Lewin’s change model, Action research model, Positive model).

2. Ethics at the Workplace and Corporate Governance

Meaning of ethics, why ethical problems occur in the business

Theories of ethics: Utilitarianism: weighing social cost and benefits, rights and duties, Justice and fairness, ethics of care, integrating utility, rights, justice and caring

An alternative to moral principles: virtue ethics, teleological theories, egoism theory, relativism theory

Moral issues in business: Ethics in Compliance, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, etc

Ethical Principles in Business: introduction, Organization Structure and Ethics, Role of Board of Directors, Best Practices in Ethics Programme, Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, etc.

Corporate Governance: Factors affecting Corporate Governance; Mechanisms of Corporate Governance

Communication: Steps in the Communication Process; Communication Channels; Oral versus Written Communication; Verbal versus non-verbal Communication; upward, downward and lateral communication

Barriers to Communication

Role of Information Technology

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RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025

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