The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 along with the official notification. Understanding the exam pattern is the first step in preparing effectively for this highly competitive exam. The RBI Grade B exam is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview, with separate structures for General (DR), DEPR, and DSIM posts. This article provides a detailed overview of the RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for Prelims and Mains.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for Prelims (General DR)
The Prelims exam is an objective test designed to assess reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English, and general awareness. The Prelims exam is qualifying in nature. Candidates must clear sectional as well as overall cut‑offs to be shortlisted for Mains.
Check out the table below to learn about the division of marks among diffrent sections of the exam:
|
Section
|
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
|
60
|
60
|
45 minutes
|
|
Total
|
200
|
200
|
120 minutes
|
NOTE:
- 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the Prelims and objective papers of Mains.
- The Exam is conducted in English & Hindi (except the English paper, which is only in English).
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for Mains (General DR)
The Mains exam consists of three papers like Economic & Social Issues, English (Writing Skills), and Finance & Management. It includes both objective and descriptive components.
|
Paper
|
Type
|
Marks
|
Duration
|
|
Paper I: Economic & Social Issues
|
50% Objective + 50% Descriptive
|
100
|
120 minutes
|
|
Paper II: English (Writing Skills)
|
Descriptive (3 questions)
|
100
|
90 minutes
|
|
Paper III: Finance & Management
|
50% Objective + 50% Descriptive
|
100
|
120 minutes
|
Candidates must type descriptive answers using the keyboard. The Mains exam is crucial as its marks are counted in the final merit list.
Sectional Timing Break‑up in Mains Exam
Each paper in Mains has a fixed duration: Paper I & III are 120 minutes each, and Paper II (English) is 90 minutes.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for DEPR & DSIM
For DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research) and DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) posts, the exam pattern differs slightly:
- DEPR:
- Phase I: Objective Economics (100 marks, 120 minutes) + English Descriptive (100 marks, 120 minutes)
- Phase II: Economics Descriptive (100 marks, 180 minutes) + English Descriptive (100 marks, 90 minutes)
- DSIM:
- Phase I: Objective Statistics (100 marks, 120 minutes)
- Phase II: Statistics Descriptive (100 marks, 180 minutes) + English Descriptive (100 marks, 90 minutes)
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 for Interview
Candidates who qualify the Mains exam are called for the Interview round, which carries 75 marks. The interview can be attended in Hindi or English. The final selection is based on the aggregate of Mains + Interview scores.
Psychometric Test
RBI may conduct a psychometric test along with an interview. It is qualifying in nature and has no marks weightage.
Final Words
The RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2025 clearly shows the multi‑stage nature of the exam, with a mix of objective and descriptive papers. Aspirants must prepare strategically for each phase, keeping in mind sectional cut‑offs and time management. A thorough understanding of the exam pattern is the foundation for success in RBI Grade B 2025.