RBI Grade B Exam Analysis - Phase I & II Exam Analysis

RBI Exam is a popular and competitive examination for a large number of aspirants. The exam is conducted once a year by the RBI in three phases and the suitable candidates are then appointed as Grade B officers in the central bank of India. Therefore, all interested candidates need to be fully informed about the RBI Grade B exam pattern and RBI Grade B exam analysis and other relevant information. The RBI Grade B exam analysis will help candidates understand the type of questions asked in the exam and also know the important topics concerning the examination.

The RBI Grade B Officer exam is conducted in three phases:

• Phase I Online Examination
• Phase II Online Examination
• Interview

The 2023 RBI Grade B exam is yet to be conducted.

As for the 2022 recruitment, the Grade B Officer Phase I exam was held on May 28th, 2022, in two shifts and the mains exam was held on June 25th, 2022, for the General/DSIM/DEPR posts. In this article, we have discussed in detail the RBI Grade B exam analysis for the two stages of the online examination for the assistance of candidates. Get the latest notifications regarding the upcoming Government exams in the linked article.

There are specific ways in which reviewing the RBI Grade B exam analysis will prove to be of help to the aspiring and appearing candidates. This includes

• Understanding the exam pattern well
• Apprehending the level of examination
• Analysing the type of questions asked in the exam
• Knowing the important topics with respect to the examination

In this article, we bring you the detailed exam analysis for the RBI Grade B Phase I and Phase II examinations. Aspirants must check the previous year exam analysis details to get an idea about the 2023 exam difficulty level and marking.

Based purely on the feedback provided by the candidates, the experts have assisted the RBI Grade B prelims exam analysis 2022 and RBI Grade B mains exam analysis 2022 for the exam. View the subject-by-subject analysis of the RBI Grade B exam and the details provided below.

To know more about the Officer cadre examination and recruitment process, aspirants can visit the RBI Grade B Notification page.

RBI Grade B Phase I Exam Pattern 2023

The RBI Grade B Officer exam is conducted in three stages, and the prelims exam or the phase I examination is the first stage of the Grade B exam. 

There are 200 questions in the RBI Grade B Phase-I test for the Grade B-General post from the categories of general awareness, English language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning. The exam had sectional timings and lasted 120 minutes. There were bilingual versions of every section except for the English Language, which was only available in English. Candidates were awarded one mark for correct responses, while incorrect answers were penalised with 0.25 marks.

Below is the exam pattern for the RBI Grade B Prelims exam:

Candidates can check the detailed RBI Grade B syllabus in the linked article.

RBI Grade B 2022 Phase I Exam Analysis

After understanding the RBI Grade B exam pattern in detail, it will be easier for the candidates to go through the RBI Grade B Prelims Analysis 2022. 

The RBI Grade B 2022 Phase 1 successfully took place on 28th May 2022. The exam transpired in two shifts: Morning and Afternoon. Both shifts followed the same exam pattern.

It may be concluded from examining the papers from both shifts that the RBI Grade B 2022 Phase 1 exam was generally of a moderately difficult level. The section-wise difficulty level of the examination and the number of good attempts based on the difficulty of the examination is provided below:

The candidates can check the RBI Grade B cut off for the previous recruitments to analyse the trend change in qualifying marks at the linked article.

Previous Years Exam Analysis:

In 2021, the RBI Grade B Phase I exam was conducted on March 6, 2021. The exam was conducted in two shifts and given below is the overall RBI Grade B exam analysis for the phase I examination 2021:

The overall level of the exam was moderately difficult. The section-wise RBI Grade B analysis has been discussed below:

Candidates willing to apply for the upcoming RBI exams, can visit the linked article for more information. 

RBI Grade B Exam Analysis 2022 – Section-wise

The overall paper for RBI Grade B 2022 was moderate to difficult, according to the analysis of the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam. 

• The English section was easier, but the Quantitative Aptitude section required calculations which were time-consuming.  
• In the English section, there were two Reading Comprehension and in the Quantitative Aptitude section, questions were based on Quadratic Equations, Compound Interest and Simple Interest. 
• The Reasoning section was time-consuming and difficult as well. Seating arrangements, paragraph-based questions and statement-based questions were some of the favourite topics for the reasoning questions. 
• Recent events from May and April were the focus of the current affairs questions. Budget questions were asked in the General Awareness section. Very few of the GK questions were static.

Related Links:

For more RBI-related information you can visit the links given in the table below:

Let’s go through each of the sections in detail and know how many questions aware asked from which section:

RBI Grade B Phase I Analysis 2022: Reasoning Ability

The overall level of this section was moderate and difficult. Candidates can get an overall overview of the distribution of questions asked about various topics in the Reasoning Ability Section across the two shifts of the Phase 1 test in the table provided below.

RBI Grade B Phase I Analysis 2022: Quantitative Aptitude

This section rated moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty overall. Caselets and pie chart formats were asked mainly for the data interpretation questions. In the arithmetic part, questions centred on mensuration, time and work, percentage, age difficulties, etc. were asked. Despite being lengthy, the questions were manageable.

Candidates may get a good idea of the general distribution of questions asked in relation to various themes in the Quantitative Aptitude Section in the two shifts of the Phase 1 paper from the table provided below.

RBI Grade B Phase I Analysis 2022: English Language

The overall level of this section was easy to moderate. There are 30 questions in the English section, each for one mark. This section has been essential in many candidates’ qualifications over the years, and this year’s format was no exception. It was easily manageable and in line with the overall format. 

All of the topics from RBI Grade B 2022 Phase 1’s English section are listed in the table.

RBI Grade B Phase I Analysis 2022: General Awareness

In terms of difficulty level, this section was of easy to moderate difficulty. Questions about recent events from May, April and March were included in the section on General Awareness. There weren’t many static GK questions. Several of the General Awareness section’s questions, based on the two shifts taken together, are listed below.

It is to be noted that the above questions are part of the RBI Grade B Memory-based paper. Candidates preparing for the RBI exams, should visit the Bank Exam Preparation page to get a few tips on preparing for the exam better.

Previous Years Analysis: 

RBI Grade B 2021 Phase I Exam Analysis: Below we have discussed the topics from which questions were asked from each section in the RBI Grade B section-wise exam analysis for the prelims exam conducted on March 6, 2021.

• English Language

The table given below gives an approximate distribution of questions asked on different topics in the two shifts of the Grade B Officer Phase I exam conducted on March 6, 2021:

The reading comprehensions were based on:

• Increasing cases of Tuberculosis and its prevention
• Usage of the smartwatch to detect cardiac arrest remedy

The overall level of this section was moderate.

• Quantitative Aptitude

The table given below shows the distribution of questions in the quantitative aptitude section for the two shifts in which the exam was conducted on March 6, 2021:

The data interpretation questions were in the format of caselets and pie charts. They were lengthy but doable. The arithmetical problems were asked from Mensuration, Time and Work, Percentage Age Problems, etc.

The overall level of the exam was between moderate to difficult.

• Reasoning Ability

The table given below shows the distribution of questions from different topics of the reasoning ability syllabus that were asked in the RBI Grade B phase I examination:

Given below are the type of puzzles and seating arrangement questions which were asked in the reasoning section:

• Linear Seating Arrangement – 2 Rows
• Blood Relations based puzzle
• Tabulation based puzzle
• Schedule based puzzle
• 2 Parallel Rows with 6 people in each row
• Floor based puzzle
• Box based puzzle

Overall the level of this section was moderate to difficult

• General Awareness

Given below are a few memory-based questions which were asked in the RBI Grade B Phase I examination in the general awareness section, based on the two shifts combined together:

• First Novel of Amitav Ghosh
• Question on Indian Innovation Index
• When is International Tea Day observed?
• Question on Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Kushal Yojana
• When is the Good Governance Day observed?
• Questions based on Union Budget 2021
• Questions on RBI Financial Report
• West Indies and Bangladesh Series

Apart from these, 8-10 questions were based on Static GK and the section was moderate in terms of its level of difficulty.

Related Links:

RBI Grade B Phase II Exam Pattern 2022

The second Phase of the RBI Grade exam is conducted for candidates who successfully clear Phase I of the exam. The Phase II consists of three papers for 100 marks each. Two of these subjects, Economics & Social Issues (ESI) and Finance & Management (FM), are both subjective and objective, but English is the entire descriptive paper and includes questions about essays, precision and reading comprehension. The RBI Grade B Phase II exam pattern has been given below in brief:

RBI Grade B 2022 Phase II Exam Analysis

The RBI Grade B 2022 Phase 2 exam was held on 25th June 2022. The mandate and general analysis indicated that the exam’s overall difficulty level was Moderate. The Phase II exam’s paper-by-paper difficulty level is listed below:

For Paper I and Paper III which has objective types of questions number of Good attempts are given below:

The section-wise analysis for the Phase II of the RBI Grade B analysis 2022 is discussed in detail below:

RBI Grade B Phase II – English Descriptive Paper Analysis

The English Descriptive paper is included in the RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam to evaluate the candidate’s writing, reading and comprehension skills. This section is totally descriptive in nature and consists of three parts:

• Reading Comprehension
• Essay Writing
• Precis Writing

The overall difficulty for RBI Grade B Phase II 2022 English descriptive paper ranged from Easy to Moderate. The questions that were asked in this part are listed below:

Candidates should note that the above questions are part of the RBI Grade B Memory based paper 2022.

RBI Grade B Phase II – Finance & Management (F&M) Paper Analysis

• Finance and Management paper follows the 2-hour duration pattern, which entails the descriptive (90 Minutes) and objective (30 Minutes) parts. 
• The F&M section of the RBI Grade B Phase 2 2022 exam proved to be easy to moderately difficult, providing relief to the applicants from the difficult ESI section. 
• The descriptive paper was easy while the objective paper was moderate. 
• Six questions (3-15 Markers and 3-10 Markers) are included in the descriptive section, of which four must be answered (2 out of 3 from 15 markers and 2 out of 3 from 10 Markers). 
• There are 30 questions in the objective section (10- 1 Markers and 20- 2 markers)

While the above sums up the F&M section’s broad assessment, the following heads will provide a more thorough overview.

• Objective Questions asked in the FM Paper

• 1 Mark Questions: 

• • • • Communication flowing from top to bottom is known as?
      • Question about identifying 20-digit code
      • According to Kurt Lewin, what is the first phase in the process of planned change?
      • What is the criteria for an enterprise to be classified as a small industry?
      • What is the process of blaming one’s unethical behaviour on others?
      • According to RBI, what is the FPI limit on corporate bonds?
      • Question on Payment Structure Development Fund (PIDF)
      • Question on Diagonal Communication

• 2 Marks Questions:

• • • • 4 application-based questions on motivation theories
      • 4 questions on CSR Committee
      • Question on outsourcing of financial services by NBFCs
      • 4 questions on the Communication topic
      • 2 questions about levels of organizational behaviour

• Descriptive Questions asked in the FM Paper

• 10 Marks Questions:

• • • • What are long-term REPO operations?
      • What is the importance of ethical behaviour in society and throw some light on the manager’s role in encouraging ethical behaviour in an organization?
      • Describe India’s response to the Global Financial Crisis 2008.

• 15 marks questions:

• • • In the current era, where the blockchain is at its peak will it disrupt banking?
    • Why is change resisted in the organisation? What can the management do to overcome it?
    • What are the common barriers to communication in an organization? How can these be overcome?

For more details regarding other bank exams candidates can visit the linked article.

RBI Grade B Phase II – Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Paper Analysis

• Like the Finance and Management Paper, the Economic and Social Issues Paper has two sections: a descriptive section and an objective section. 
• Paper 1 has a total running time of 2 hours (120 minutes), which is divided into 90+30 minute segments. The descriptive section must be finished in 90 minutes (4 of the 6 questions) and the objective section must be finished in 30 minutes (30 Questions).
• In keeping with the current trend, the ESI exam for the RBI Grade B 2022 was difficult like in previous years. The level of difficulty of the objective questions was really high. The 2 marker questions were lengthy and the options were also tricky.
• However, after thorough analysis, it was found that PIB was the sole source that was sufficient to cover the whole of ESI Paper 1. 

Given below are some of the exam questions to give a more comprehensive overview of the section to all the aspirants.

Objective Questions in the ESI Paper:

• Number of countries that helped the World Bank in preparing the Human Capital Index
• What was India’s rank and score in the 2020 edition of the Human Capital Index of the World Bank
• Statement based question on Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme
• Question on the UDAN scheme
• 4 Questions on India-Australia Free Trade Agreement
• Question about eligible beneficiaries under PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana
• A young person wants to develop entrepreneurial skills. So, he goes to NCDC. Under which scheme he should register?
• Question about Bhoomi Rashi Portal
• 3 questions on Raisina Dialogue
• 4 Questions on Smile Scheme
• Question about Matsya Sampada Yojana
• 2-3 Questions from PM Aadarsh Gram Yojana

Descriptive Questions in the ESI Paper:

• 10 Markers:

• • • Short note on the current Monetary Policy Framework in India.
    • What are the challenges associated with rural entrepreneurship? How young enterprises can solve these problems?
    • What is NBFC? How it is different from banks? What are the 5 types of NBFCs registered with RBI?

• 15 Markers:

• • Financial stability is essential to any financial institution/business. Discuss in the light of the Financial Stability Report of RBI and economic reforms in view of the Covid outbreak in India.
  • What is meant by Economic reforms? Discuss the economic reforms implemented by India since the 1990s.
  • Despite the spread of urbanisation in villages, challenges such as race, caste, and gender discrimination still persist. In this context what are the challenges faced by the protective discriminatory policy?

A job in the apex bank is considered highly prestigious, and hence the competition is high and equivalent to other Government exams. Visit the linked page to know more about other government exams.

Previous Years Exam Analysis: 

RBI Grade B 2021 Exam Analysis Phase 2 

The RBI Grade B Phase II exam for the General post was held on April 1, 2021, and for the DSIM/DEPR posts was conducted on March 31, 2021. Candidates who had appeared for the exam or are willing to apply for the upcoming recruitment can refer to the Phase II exam analysis discussed further below.

The overall level of the phase II examination was moderate and discussed below is the section-wise exam analysis for the RBI Grade B mains examination.

Given below is a list of topics from which the objective type questions were asked in the mains examination:

• PM Kisan Yojana
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
• The organisation responsible for India’s GDP Forecast
• 15th Finance Commission Report – ESI
• Change in Globalisation
• India’s input in order to fulfil Global Climate Challenge
• Dis-Investment
• Demographic Transition

Apart from these, reading comprehension was also there based on which a Land Reforms question was asked

Overall the level of this section was moderate and not very difficult. 

Descriptive Type Questions

Given below are the memory-based descriptive type questions for 15 marks and 10 marks:

• 15 marks Questions (600 words):
  • The various Poverty Estimation Method in relation to Per Capita, Inflation & Consumption and Safety Net Program
  • The impact of different dimensions of Globalisation that have evolved since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008
  • Vertical and Horizontal allocation of resources to states as per the 15th Finance Commission
  • The function of regulatory bodies in India
  • What is Corporate Governance and its principles?
• 10 marks Questions (400 words):
  • Influence of Demographic Transition on economic growth in India
  • How will India’s socio-economic, health and developmental projects work for climate change
  • Disinvestment of Strategic Sectors & Non Strategic sectors in Union Budget 2021-22
  • Difference between Transformational and Transactional leadership

Writing Skills (English Language)

• Precis Writing on Sand Mining
• Reading Comprehension was based on Black Marketing
• Topics for Essay Writing included:
  • BPO Industry and it’s future in India
  • How is creative thinking important in business
  • How can computer coding and language benefit/harm school students

For any further information regarding the RBI Grade B result, candidates can visit the linked article.