RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026, Check Phase 1, Phase 2 & Interview Topics

If you are planning to face the RBI Grade B 2026 exam, you want to be sure what to study. If you wonder which subjects, topics, and papers are included in the exam, then this guide is for you. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon release the Grade B Notification 2026. With vacancies across General, DEPR, and DSIM streams, this exam is one of the most prestigious banking opportunities in India. But before you rush to prepare, you must carefully check the RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026. This includes Phase 1, Phase 2, and the Interview round. Missing even one detail can cost you your attempt. In this blog, we’ll break the syllabus step by step.

Key Takeaway

Reading further, you’ll learn to:

• Get the full RBI Grade B 2026 syllabus explained clearly.
• See subject‑wise topics for Phase 1 and Phase 2.
• Learn about the Interview round and personality test.

RBI Grade B Exam Structure 2026

The RBI Grade B exam is conducted in three stages:

1. Phase 1 (Prelims) – Objective test across four sections.
2. Phase 2 (Mains) – Three papers (objective + descriptive).
3. Interview – Personality test with 75 marks.

RBI Grade B Phase 1 Syllabus 2026

Phase 1 is the qualifying stage. It consists of four sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and General Awareness.

Note: RBI places special emphasis on Banking Awareness and Economic & Social Schemes in GA.

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Syllabus 2026

Phase 2 is the most crucial stage. It consists of three papers: Economic & Social Issues (ESI), English (Writing Skills), and Finance & Management (FM). Each paper is equally important, with sectional cut‑offs in addition to the overall cut‑off.

Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (ESI)

This paper tests your knowledge of India’s economy, development policies, and social issues.

Key Topics:

• Growth and Development: Measurement of growth – National Income, per capita income, Poverty Alleviation, Employment Generation.
• Sustainable Development & Environmental Issues.
• Indian Economy: Economic History of India, Industrial & Labour Policy changes, Monetary & Fiscal Policy since 1991 reforms, Economic Survey & Union Budget priorities.
• Indian Money & Financial Markets: Linkages with the economy, Role of RBI and banks in development.
• Public Finance & Political Economy.
• Industrial & Agricultural Developments.
• Services Sector in India.
• Globalization: Opening up of the Indian Economy, Balance of Payments, Export‑Import Policy, WTO, IMF, World Bank, Regional Cooperation, International Economic Issues.
• Social Structure in India: Multiculturalism, Demographic Trends, Urbanisation, Migration, Gender Issues, Social Justice.

Paper II: English Descriptive (Writing Skills)

This paper evaluates your writing ability, clarity of thought, and comprehension skills.

Tasks:

• Essay writing
• Precis writing
• Reading comprehension

Examples of essay topics asked in 2026:

• Future of BPO industries in India
• Importance of creative thinking in business
• An ounce of prevention is a pound worth of cure
• Pros & Cons of teaching Computer Language/Coding to school students

Paper III: Finance & Management (FM)

This paper is divided into Finance and Management sections.

(a) Finance Syllabus

• Financial System: Structure & Functions of Financial Institutions, RBI functions, Banking System in India, SIDBI, NABARD, EXIM Bank, NHB, NaBFID, Global Financial System developments, IT in Banking, Non‑Banking System, Digital Payments.
• Financial Markets: Primary & Secondary Markets (Forex, Money, Bond, Equity), instruments, recent developments, Equity Markets.
• General Topics: Risk Management in Banking, Basics of Derivatives, Global financial markets & International Banking, Financial Inclusion, PPP models, Alternate sources of finance, Corporate Governance in Banking, Role of e‑governance, Union Budget concepts, Basics of Accounting & Financial Statements (Balance Sheet, P&L, Cash Flow, Ratio Analysis), Inflation (WPI, CPI, remedies, monetary & fiscal policies).

(b) Management Syllabus

• Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behaviour: Evolution of management thought (Scientific, Administrative, Human Relations, Systems), Managerial roles, Nudge theory, Personality (Big Five model), Perception, Motivation theories (Maslow, ERG, McClelland, Herzberg, Adams, Vroom), Leadership theories (Trait, Behavioural, Contingency, Charismatic, Transactional, Transformational), Emotional Intelligence, Transactional Analysis, Johari Window, Conflict Management, Organizational Change (Kurt Lewin), Organizational Development (Planned Change models).
• Ethics at Workplace & Corporate Governance: Meaning of ethics, why ethical problems occur, Theories of ethics (Utilitarianism, Rights & Duties, Justice & Fairness, Ethics of Care, Virtue ethics, Teleological, Egoism, Relativism), Moral issues in business (Compliance, Finance, HR, Marketing), Ethical Principles in Business, Role of Board of Directors, Best Practices, Code of Ethics & Conduct.
• Corporate Governance: Factors affecting governance, Mechanisms of governance.
• Communication: Steps in communication process, Channels, Oral vs Written, Verbal vs Non‑verbal, Upward/Downward/Lateral communication, Barriers, Role of IT in communication.

RBI Grade B DEPR Syllabus 2026

For the Department of Economic & Policy Research (DEPR) stream, the syllabus is set at the Master’s level in Economics.

• Papers on Economics (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Public Finance, International Economics).
• English paper to test writing skills.

Suggested study material:

• RBI Annual Reports
• Monetary Policy Report
• Report on Trend & Progress of Banking in India
• Financial Stability Report
• Economic Survey (last 2 years)

RBI Grade B DSIM Syllabus 2026

For the Department of Statistics & Information Management (DSIM) stream, the syllabus focuses on statistics and data analysis.

• Paper 1 (MCQs): Probability, Sampling, Hypothesis Testing, ANOVA, Estimation, Standard distribution, Multivariate analysis, Stochastic Processes.
• Paper 2 (Descriptive): Statistical Inference, Linear Models, Economic Statistics, Probability & Sampling, Stochastic Processes, Multivariate analysis, Numerical Analysis, Computer Techniques.
• Paper 3 (English): Writing skills – essay, precis, comprehension

Conclusion

We hope the discussion above has made you well aware of the RBI Grade B Exam Syllabus for 2026, and you’re in a better position to plan your preparation wisely. Focus on weightage, time limits, and total marks across all phases.

Stay consistent with your efforts, and keep a positive mindset. Remember, success comes with dedication and a well‑structured approach.