Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted the Phase 2 examination for RBI Grade B Officer post on 19th October 2024 (General). This stage is important as it tests candidates’ in-depth knowledge of Economics, Finance and Management and English. Candidates aiming for the role of RBI Grade B Officer require both subject knowledge and analytical abilities. The exam pattern focused not only on facts but also on application-based questions. The performance of the candidates in this stage determines their qualification for the interview round.
RBI Grade B Stage 2 Exam Analysis 2024
The Step 2 exam had three main sections: Economic and Social Issues (ESI), English (Writing Skills), and General Finance and Management (FM). Questions reflect current economic developments, policy changes and management concepts with emphasis on analytical ability. In English, candidates had to demonstrate excellent writing skills through essays, abstracts and comprehension passages. The ESI included several questions related to social sector schemes and economic reforms, while the FM section included questions on financial concepts and governance practices.
RBI Grade B Stage 2 Exam Analysis 2024: Difficulty Level
Overall, the difficulty level of the exam was Moderate-Difficult. Candidates reported that the ESI section was challenging, especially questions based on current affairs and recent policies. Scoring well in English requires clarity of thought and accurate writing. Finance and Management involves case-study-based questions, making it important to apply theoretical concepts effectively. Time management also played an important role due to the demanding nature of each section.
RBI Grade B Stage 2 Exam Analysis 2024: difficulty level | |
name of paper | difficulty level |
Paper-I: Economic and Social Issues | Objective: |
Descriptive: | |
Paper-II: English (Writing Skills) | |
Paper-III: General Finance and Management | medium to difficult |
overall |
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Analysis 2024: Section-wise Analysis
The exam was well balanced, testing theoretical and practical understanding across all sections. ESI had questions based on many current affairs which required updated knowledge. The English section focused on structured writing, while the FM presented a mix of conceptual and case-based questions. Candidates with a thorough preparation strategy can manage all the sections effectively.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Analysis 2024: Economic and Social Issues (ESI)
The ESI section included questions on recent government policies, socio-economic plans and reforms. Special attention was given to sustainable development, inclusive growth and financial inclusion.
RBI Grade B Stage 2 Exam Analysis 2024: English (Writing Skills)
Candidates had to write an essay on trending topics, an abstract to test summarization ability, and answer reading comprehension questions that assessed critical thinking and comprehension skills.
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Analysis 2024: General Finance and Management (FM)
The FM section included questions on financial system, corporate governance and human resource management. Case-based questions tested candidates’ practical understanding of management principles.
1 marked question:
- UPI Circle
- How much amount can be blocked through UPI?
- johari window
Questions carrying 10 marks:
- What are AT-1 bonds? Mention their special features in relation to other devices.
- Factors Affecting Ethics in Business
- growth vs value investing
Questions carrying 15 marks:
- Business Theory and Behavioral Theory
- Derivatives and types
- communication channels
RBI Grade B Phase 2 2024 Exam Pattern
The exam was conducted in online mode with timed sections. Candidates had to navigate a structured pattern with different weightage for each section to ensure balanced assessment of knowledge and skills.
RBI Grade B Exam Pattern for Stage 2 | ||||
name of paper | Type | Mark | number of questions | Duration |
Paper-I: economic and social issues |
50% objective | 50 | 30 objective questions | 30 minute |
50% descriptive | 50 | 4 descriptive questions | 90 minutes | |
Paper-II: English (Writing Skills) |
descriptive | 100 | 3 | 90 minutes |
Paper-III: General Finance and Management |
50% objective | 50 | 30 objective questions | 120 minutes |
50% descriptive | 50 | 4 descriptive questions |