Banking has become one of the most challenging sectors in the country. It is a well-paid, secure and satisfying career prospect. Openings are available in banks at various levels, from Bank Clerical to Probationary Officers (PO). Often it is perceived as a career option for commerce/economics students, but in reality, a majority of bank officers are from different streams of education. Bright graduates from any subject can get entry in the Public Sector Banks through an All India Examination conducted by them. The exam is a stepping-stone for a career in the Banking Industry.

The Indian banking can be broadly categorized into Nationalized (government owned), Private banks and Specialized banking institutions.  The Reserve Bank of India acts a centralized monitoring body in the Indian financial sector.

The Recruitment to Reserve Bank Officers 'Grade 'A'/'B' exam is conducted by Reserve Bank of India Service Board, Mumbai.

Syllabus

 Syllabus for  Paper I - English: Essay, Précis writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence.

Paper II - Economic and Social Issues: Growth and Development - Measurement of growth : National Income and per capita income - Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India - Sustainable Development and Environmental issues.Economic Reforms in India - Industrial and Labour Policy - Monetary and Fiscal Policy - Privatisation - Role of Economic Planning. Globalization - Opening up of the Indian Economy -Balance of Payments, Export-Import Policy - International Economic Institutions - IMF and World Bank - WTO -Regional Economic Co-operation. Social Structure in India - Multiculturalism - Demographic Trends - Urbanisation and Migration - Gender Issues - Social Justice : Positive Discrimination in favour of the under privileged - Social Movements - Indian Political System - Human Development - Social Sectors in India, Health and Education.

Paper III - Finance and Management: Finance :The Union Budget - Direct and Indirect taxes; Non-tax sources of revenue; Outlays; New Measures; Financial Sector Reforms; Capital Market, Money Market and Foreign Exchange Market; Stock Exchanges and their Regulation; Capital Market Intermediaries and their Regulation; Role of SEBI; Functions of the Money Market; Growth and Operation of the Money Market; The Foreign Exchange Market; From FERA to FEMA; Exchange Rate Management; Exchange Risk Management; Role of Banks and Financial Institutions in Economic Development; Regulation of Banks and Financial Institutions; Disinvestment in Public Sector Units.

Management : Management: its nature and scope; The Management Processes; Planning, Organisation, Staffing, Directing and Controlling; The Role of a Manager in an Organisation. Leadership: The Tasks of a Leader; Leadership Styles; Leadership Theories; A successful Leader versus an effective Leader. Human Resource Development: Concept of HRD; Goals of HRD; Performance appraisal - Potential appraisal and development -Feedback and Performance Counselling - Career Planning - Training and Development - Rewards - Employee Welfare. Motivation, Morale and Incentives: Theories of Motivation; How Managers Motivate; Concept of Morale; Factors determining Morale; Role of Incentives in Building up Morale. Communication: Steps in the Communication Process; Communication Channels; Oral versus Written Communication; Verbal versus non-verbal Communication; upward, downward and lateral Communication; Barriers to Communication, Role of Information Technology. Corporate Governance: Factors affecting Corporate Governance; Mechanisms of Corporate Governance.

Exam Details

Selection to the posts is done through Written Examinations (WE) and Interview. Written exam will be held in two phases as under:

Phase I (Objective Type Test): This Paper is of 3 hours duration for 200 marks. The Paper consists tests of i) General Awareness ii) English Language iii) Quantitative Aptitude and iv) Reasoning. Candidates have to secure minimum marks separately for each test as prescribed by the Board.                                                                                                                                                                                           
Phase II (Descriptive Type Test): The Phase II Examination will be conducted only for those candidates who are successful in Phase I (Objective Type Test). The date and time-table will be intimated to the candidates concerned. The Examination will consist of three Descriptive Type papers -

Paper I - English
Paper II - Economic and Social Issues and
Paper III - Finance and Management.

Each of these papers is of 3 hours duration carrying 100 marks.

Phase I (except the test of English) and Papers II and III of Phase II will be set bilingually in Hindi and English. Phase I is Objective Type and only marking the correct choice is required. However, Papers II and III of Phase II can be answered either in Hindi or English at the candidate's option.

A candidate has to qualify in each of the Descriptive Papers separately. Candidates will be short-listed for interview based on the aggregate marks obtained only in Phase II - Papers I, II and III. The minimum cut off marks for being short-listed will be decided by the Board in relation to the number of vacancies. Candidates may answer the Interview either in Hindi or English at their option. Final selection will be based on the performance of the candidate in Phase II of the Written exam  and Interview.

Candidates belonging to General Category, who had already appeared four times for  Written Exam for  post in the past, are not eligible to apply. No such restriction to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PH.