How do I Prepare for the RBI Grade B While Working at SBI?

We all know about the broad and detailed RBI Grade B syllabus, covering everything from reasoning and quant to economic and social issues. For someone already working full-time at a bank like SBI, finding the time and energy to study this syllabus can be extremely difficult. But many candidates have cracked the exam despite their demanding jobs. With the right mindset, strong discipline, and a plan that fits around your office hours, it’s possible to manage both.

Every year, thousands of aspirants try to crack the RBI Grade B, but only a few succeed. Most give up halfway, not because they aren’t capable, but because they don’t know how to prepare smartly while working. This article is not about unrealistic tips. It is written for those already in the banking sector, especially those posted in busy SBI branches. If you’re serious about cracking the exam, this guide will help you create a routine that fits your reality.

Why RBI Grade B Is a Big Goal for SBI Employees

If you’re already working at SBI, you probably already know why so many aim for RBI. The RBI Grade B job offers better work-life balance, less pressure from sales targets, and more involvement in policy-making. Compared to the regular banking job, the role at RBI is more research-based and analytical. This makes it especially attractive for those who want to shift away from customer-facing roles and towards a more structured work environment.

But getting into RBI is tough. The exam pattern is different from other banking exams, and it demands deeper knowledge, especially for the Mains and interview rounds. That’s why it’s important to approach this preparation stage by stage, with clarity and consistency.

Exam Pattern: Know What You’re Preparing For

Before diving into preparation, understand the structure of the exam:

Phase I: Prelims (Objective, Qualifying)

Time: 120 minutes
Note: You must clear both sectional and overall cutoffs, but the marks here are not counted in the final merit list.

Phase II: Mains (Descriptive and Objective)

Marks from this round matter in your final ranking.

Phase III: Interview

Only those who qualify Mains are called for the interview, which carries 75 marks.

The final selection is based on the total of Phase II and Interview marks.

Daily Routine for SBI Employees Preparing for RBI

Your job at SBI takes most of your day, so you need to structure your mornings, evenings, and weekends wisely. Here’s a routine that was followed by a real SBI officer who cracked the RBI Grade B exam:

Weekday Routine:

• 6:00 AM – Wake up
• 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM – Take a mock test or solve sections + analyze performance
• 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM – Work hours, including travel and office
• 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM – Read the newspaper and make vocabulary notes
• 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM – Make notes for current affairs or revise key topics

This routine may look packed, but even two solid hours in the morning and 1–2 hours at night can keep you on track.

Weekend Strategy:

On Saturdays and Sundays, your time is more flexible. This is when you should:

• Take full-length Mains mock tests
• Revise current affairs notes
• Write essays and practice descriptive answers
• Review performance in Prelims mock tests
• Spend 4–6 focused hours on study

Stage-Wise Preparation Plan for RBI Grade B

RBI Grade B: Phase I

• Start with mocks and analysis. One mock every day (or every alternate day) helps improve speed.
• For Quant and Reasoning, focus on solving basics during weekdays and full sets on weekends.
• For General Awareness, read one current affairs magazine (like AffairsCloud or Vision IAS Monthly) and revise regularly.
• English requires regular reading and comprehension practice. Editorials help.

RBI Grade B: Phase II

Many candidates wait for Prelims results to start preparing for Mains, but that wastes precious time.

• For Economic & Social Issues (ESI), read the Budget, Economic Survey, and selected chapters from NCERT or Mrunal.
• For Finance & Management, use RBI publications and standard notes on corporate governance, inflation, and financial systems.
• Practice essay writing and précis at least once every weekend. Time yourself and review your structure and clarity.
• Prepare notes for each topic so that you can revise quickly.

RBI Grade B: Interview

• Understand your own job profile and how your experience at SBI can contribute to RBI.
• Stay updated with the latest RBI announcements, policies, and monetary updates.
• Practice mock interviews with friends or mentors and record your answers.
• Focus on being calm, clear, and confident.

Challenges of Working at SBI and How to Handle Them

1. Unpredictable Hours: SBI officers can be called in on weekends or during audits. Always have short notes saved on your phone or cloud so you can revise anytime.
2. Transfers and Postings: Carry a simple bag with all your study materials in case of sudden shifts. Use digital notes.
3. Burnout: If you miss 2–3 days, don’t panic. Start again. Consistency is more important than perfection.
4. Delayed Exams: If exam dates shift, don’t let your momentum die. Go back to current affairs, revise, and stay in the game.

Smart Study Tips

• Uninstall social media apps during your prep phase
• Use Google Keep or Notion to maintain notes
• Use commute time to listen to finance and economy podcasts
• Revise weekly, old topics fade if not refreshed
• Track your mock test scores to see progress
  

Final Thoughts

This journey will test your patience and discipline. You’ll have days when your branch work leaves you exhausted. You’ll feel like you’re falling behind. But as someone who followed this path and succeeded, I can say this: you don’t need to study 10 hours a day. You just need to show up every day, even if only for 2 hours. Use weekends smartly. Take care of your mental health. And stay consistent.

With a focused routine, the right resources, and self-belief, you can crack RBI Grade B, even while handling the pressure of an SBI job.