The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts the RBI Grade B exam annually to recruit officers for various departments. As one of the most prestigious banking exams in India, the RBI Grade B exam attracts thousands of aspirants who aim to secure a position in the central banking institution. In 2023, the RBI offered 291 vacancies for the Grade B Officer post, which saw a significant increase from the previous year's 270 vacancies. This rise in vacancies indicates the growing opportunities in the banking sector, driven by the need for skilled professionals to manage the country's monetary policy and financial regulations. The competition for the RBI Grade B exam is intense, with aspirants required to clear multiple stages of the selection process.
Source: Amar Ujala
The exam is known for its rigorous pattern and comprehensive syllabus, which covers a wide range of topics from economics and finance to general awareness and English language skills. The cut-off marks for the exam vary each year based on factors such as the difficulty level of the exam and the number of candidates appearing. In 2023, the cut-off for the Phase I exam was 63.75 for the General category, while the Phase II cut-off was 171.25. The final cut-off, including the interview stage, stood at 234.50. These statistics reflect the high standards maintained by the RBI in selecting candidates for the Grade B Officer position. With the 2024 exam on the horizon, aspirants are gearing up for another challenging round of selection. This blog provides an in-depth look at the RBI Grade B 2024 exam, including details on last year's cut-offs, vacancies, fees, the current year's vacancies, syllabus, and exam pattern.Last Year's Cut-Off
The RBI Grade B exam is known for its high cut-off marks, which vary based on the exam's difficulty and the number of applicants.:The RBI Grade B exam cutoff for 2023 set a high benchmark for aspirants.
The cutoff marks for the different phases and categories were as follows:
| Phase | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
| Phase I | 122.00 | 118.00 | 108.00 | 102.00 | 116.00 |
| Phase II (Aggregate) | 214.00 | 198.00 | 186.00 | 180.00 | 200.00 |
| Final Cutoff (Interview + Written) | 248.00 | 230.00 | 215.00 | 205.00 | 235.00 |
These cut-offs highlight the competitive nature of the exam and the need for thorough preparation.
Last Year's Vacancies
In 2023, the RBI announced 291 vacancies for the Grade B Officer post. This was an increase from the previous year's 270 vacancies, reflecting the central bank's expanding requirements for skilled personnel to manage its various functions effectively.
Exam Fees
The application fee for the RBI Grade B exam varies for different categories. For the 2023 exam, the fee structure was as follows:
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General/OBC/EWS: ₹850
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SC/ST/PWD: ₹100
The fee includes the application fee and intimation charges.
Current Year Vacancies
For the 2024 RBI Grade B exam, the number of vacancies is expected to be around 300, continuing the trend of increasing opportunities in the central banking sector. These vacancies will be distributed across different departments, including General, DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research), and DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) which are distributed across different categories as follows:
|
Category |
Number of Vacancies |
|
General |
156 |
|
OBC |
84 |
|
SC |
45 |
|
ST |
15 |
|
EWS |
30 |
The increase in vacancies from the previous year offers a slight advantage to aspirants, making it essential for candidates to utilize this opportunity effectively.
Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Phase I
The Phase I exam consists of multiple-choice questions and includes the following sections:
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General Awareness
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Quantitative Aptitude
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English Language
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Reasoning Ability
Phase II
The Phase II exam is descriptive and includes three papers:
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Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
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English (Writing Skills)
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Finance and Management (FM)
Interview
Candidates who qualify for the Phase II exam are called for an interview, which is the final stage of the selection process. The interview carries 75 marks and assesses the candidate's overall personality and suitability for the role.
3. Detailed Syllabus
The RBI Grade B exam syllabus is comprehensive, covering various subjects to assess the candidate's overall knowledge and analytical abilities. The syllabus is divided into two phases: Phase I and Phase II.
Phase I Syllabus:-
General Awareness: Current affairs, Indian financial systems, banking awareness, economic news, and more.
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Quantitative Aptitude: Data interpretation, simplification, arithmetic, number series, and more.
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Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, seating arrangements, logical reasoning, coding-decoding, and more.
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English Language: Reading comprehension, cloze test, error detection, and more.
- Economic and Social Issues (ESI): Economic concepts, social issues, globalization, poverty alleviation, etc.
- Finance and Management (FM): Financial systems, corporate governance, risk management, HR development, etc.
- English (Descriptive): Essay writing, precis writing, comprehension, etc.
4. Exam Pattern -The RBI Grade B exam follows a structured pattern, divided into three phases:
Phase I:- Type: Objective
- Sections: General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language.
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Type: Objective + Descriptive
- Sections: Economic and Social Issues (Objective), Finance and Management (Objective), and English (Descriptive).
- Total Marks: 300
- Duration: 270 minutes (90 minutes per paper)
- Interview: Candidates who clear Phase II are called for an interview.
- Total Marks: 75
5. Expected Cutoff (2024)
Based on the trends from the previous years and the current competition level, the expected cutoff for RBI Grade B 2024 is projected as follows:
| Phase | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
| Phase I | 125.00 | 120.00 | 110.00 | 105.00 | 118.00 |
| Phase II (Aggregate | 220.00 | 205.00 | 190.00 | 185.00 | 210.00 |
| Final Cutoff (Interview + Written) | 250.00 | 235.00 | 220.00 | 210.00 | 240.00 |
These expected cutoffs provide a target for candidates to aim for, ensuring they prepare adequately to meet the required standards.
The RBI Grade B exam is a gateway to a prestigious career in the banking sector, offering a challenging yet rewarding path for aspirants. With an increasing number of vacancies and a rigorous selection process, thorough preparation is key to success. By understanding the exam pattern, staying updated with the syllabus, and practicing diligently, candidates can enhance their chances of securing a coveted position in the Reserve Bank of India.
1. What is the age limit for the RBI Grade B exam?
The age limit for the RBI Grade B exam is 21 to 30 years. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government norms.
2. How many stages are there in the RBI Grade B exam?
The RBI Grade B exam consists of three stages: Phase I (Preliminary Exam), Phase II (Main Exam), and the Interview.
3. What is the application fee for the RBI Grade B exam?
The application fee for the RBI Grade B exam is ₹850 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹100 for SC/ST/PWD candidates.
4. Is there any negative marking in the RBI Grade B exam?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in the Phase I exam.
5. Can final-year graduation students apply for the RBI Grade B exam?
Yes, final-year graduation students can apply for the RBI Grade B exam, provided they can produce proof of graduation at the time of document verification.
