RBI Exam Syllabus: Complete Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The RBI Syllabus 2026 outlines all subjects and topics candidates must master for the Reserve Bank of India’s recruitment exams (including RBI Grade B Officer and Assistant). This syllabus serves as the official blueprint issued by the RBI to assess candidates’ proficiency across critical domains.
Syllabus:
Contents
RBI Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
Most RBI exams follow a three-stage selection process:
- Phase I (Prelims): Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Phase II (Mains): Descriptive/CBT (varies by post)
- Interview: For selected candidates
Typical Phase I Exam Structure
- Duration: 60-120 minutes
- Total Marks: 100-200 marks
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer (for most sections)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25-50 | 25-50 |
| English Language | 30-40 | 30-40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30-40 | 30-40 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35-45 | 35-45 |
Detailed RBI Syllabus 2026
General Awareness
- Banking & Financial Awareness (RBI functions, monetary policies)
- Current Affairs (last 6-8 months)
- Economic News & Budget Highlights
- Important Government Schemes
- Financial Regulatory Bodies (SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA)
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Series & Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs)
- Simplification & Approximation
- Time & Work/Speed & Distance
- Profit/Loss & Interest Problems
- Probability & Statistics
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Detection & Sentence Improvement
- Cloze Tests & Para Jumbles
- Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms, Idioms)
- Phrase Replacement
Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles & Seating Arrangements
- Coding-Decoding & Input-Output
- Syllogisms & Blood Relations
- Direction Sense & Order Ranking
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Top 3 RBI Exam Preparation Tips
- Master Current Affairs: Dedicate 1 hour daily to banking/economic news from credible sources.
- Solve RBI Mock Tests: Regularly attempt previous years’ questions (2019-2024) for pattern familiarity.
- Time Management: Practice sectional timing (e.g., 20 minutes/Quantitative section) during mock tests.
FAQs
No. While Phase I (Prelims) syllabus overlaps substantially, the Phase II (Mains) syllabus differs. Grade B Officer exams include Economic & Social Issues and Finance & Management papers, whereas Assistant exams focus on professional knowledge relevant to clerical roles.
General Awareness is typically the highest-weighted section (25%-30% of Phase I marks). For RBI Grade B, it alone accounts for 80 marks out of 200 in Phase I, making it critical for selection.
Yes. RBI Assistant Phase I includes a Quantitative Aptitude section (30-35 questions) covering topics like data interpretation, percentages, and arithmetic problems.
Computer Awareness is only explicitly tested in RBI Assistant Phase II (Section A) and Grade B DEPR Exam. Topics include basics of hardware, software, internet, and banking-related IT terms.
Candidates must clear both overall and sectional cutoffs. For example, failing the English section (even with high total marks) leads to disqualification. Cutoffs vary annually based on exam difficulty.