The RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 is designed to assess candidates through a three-stage process—Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. If you’re aiming for one of the most prestigious regulatory roles in India, understanding the paper pattern is the first step toward a solid preparation strategy.
Key Highlights
- Phase 1: Objective test with 200 questions
- Phase 2: Mix of objective and descriptive papers
- Interview: Final round with 75 marks
Let’s break down the complete exam structure, topic-wise weightage, and expert preparation tips.
RBI Grade B 2025 Exam Pattern Overview
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Post Name | RBI Grade B Officer |
| Selection Stages | Phase 1, Phase 2, Interview |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect (Phase 1) |
| Official Website | www.rbi.org.in |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2025
The Phase 1 exam is an online objective-type test with four sections:
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 mins |
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 | 45 mins |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 mins |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 mins |
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
Focus more on General Awareness, as it carries the highest weightage.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates who qualify in Phase 1 appear for Phase 2, which includes 3 papers:
| Paper | Type | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (ESI) | 50% Objective + 50% Descriptive | 30 Obj + 4 out of 6 Descriptive | 100 | 120 mins |
| Paper II: English Writing Skills | Descriptive (Essay, Precis, RC) | 3 | 100 | 90 mins |
| Paper III: Finance & Management (FM) | 50% Objective + 50% Descriptive | 30 Obj + 4 out of 6 Descriptive | 100 | 120 mins |
| Total | — | — | 300 | 270 mins |
Objective questions in ESI and FM are worth 1 or 2 marks each.
Descriptive section: 2 questions of 15 marks and 2 of 10 marks.
RBI Grade B Interview 2025
After clearing Phase 2, candidates appear for a 75-mark interview.
Key Areas Covered:
- Banking awareness
- RBI’s role and functions
- Economic developments
- Personality and communication skills
Tip: Read RBI Annual Reports and stay updated on economic policies.
RBI Grade B Total Marks Distribution
| Stage | Papers | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | GA, QA, English, Reasoning | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Phase 2 | ESI, English, FM | 300 | 4.5 Hours |
| Interview | — | 75 | — |
| Grand Total | — | 575 | — |
Marking Scheme: RBI Grade B 2025
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Wrong Answer (Objective): -0.25 marks
- No penalty for descriptive answers
Avoid guesswork in Phase 1 and 2 objective papers to reduce negative scoring.
RBI Grade B 2025 Preparation Tips
- Understand Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Analyze Phase-wise structure and build clarity on topics and weightage. - Frame a Realistic Study Plan
Divide time between static topics, current affairs, and mock tests. - Phase-wise Topic Segregation
Practice reasoning and GA daily for Phase 1, and writing practice for Phase 2. - Make Notes for Revision
Prepare crisp notes for ESI & FM theories, and important GA facts. - Revise Regularly
Keep revisiting important topics and current affairs. - Cover 6 Months of Current Affairs
Especially for Phase 1 GA and descriptive questions in Phase 2. - Solve Previous Year Papers
Understand exam trends and difficulty levels. - Practice Mock Tests Religiously
Attempt sectional and full-length mocks for both phases. - Analyze Mistakes Post-Test
Use insights to fine-tune your weak areas. - Improve Time Management
200 questions in 120 mins (Phase 1) demands speed + accuracy.
Related Reads:
- RBI Grade B Notification 2025
- RBI Grade B Syllabus 2025
- RBI Grade B Vacancies 2025
- RBI Grade B Cut Off
- RBI Grade B Salary and Perks
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
Ques. What is the duration of RBI Grade B Phase 1?
Ans. 120 minutes.
Ques. Is there negative marking in Phase 1?
Ans. Yes, ¼ mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
Q. What’s the format of the Phase 2 exam?
A. Objective + Descriptive for ESI & FM, and purely descriptive for English.
Ques. How many papers in Phase 2?
Ans. Three papers—ESI, English, and FM.
Ques. How is the final selection done?
Ans. Based on combined marks of Phase 2 + Interview.