He Cleared In 1st Attempt! RBI Grade B Topper Interview | RBI Topper Interview 2025 | RBI Grade B

Interview Summary

The video is an interview with RBI Grade B selectee Rajiv Kumar, who describes this as his first serious attempt at the exam. He had previously attempted the RBI exam while preparing for UPSC, but without focused study. After five UPSC attempts and three appearances in the mains, he decided to prepare seriously for RBI—and cleared it.

Background and Preparation Approach

Kumar studied in Hindi medium through Class 12 and then had to adapt to English in college. He graduated in civil engineering and initially focused on the civil services rather than seeking campus placement.

His central preparation principle was to identify strengths and weaknesses early and allocate time accordingly. He considered general knowledge and current affairs his strengths, while quant and reasoning needed more attention. He advocated purposeful, selective study rather than trying to cover every topic in excessive detail.

Phase 1 Strategy

Quant and Reasoning

Kumar focused on weaker areas, reviewed core concepts and practised topics that appeared regularly in previous-year questions. He specifically mentioned quadratic equations. In the exam, he attempted 12 quant questions and got 11 correct.

English

He felt comfortable with English and did not devote much additional preparation to this section.

General Awareness and Current Affairs

Kumar recommended reading the newspaper actively, considering how RBI might turn news into factual or statement-based questions. He advised tracking appointments, government initiatives, defence developments and other factual updates.

For government schemes, he suggested looking beyond their names and learning details such as:

• Launch dates and budget allocations
• Centre–state funding splits
• Duration and extensions
• Implementation arrangements

He recommended building knowledge over time, aiming for a basic understanding of roughly the previous seven to eight months, rather than relying only on the latest few months. Monthly magazines can reinforce what has already been followed in the news and help information stick. He also advised exploring relevant background and connections in newspaper articles, even when they extend beyond narrowly economic news.

Kumar used test series and their general awareness and current-affairs sessions to identify gaps and broaden his understanding.

Phase 2: Descriptive Writing and Subject Preparation

Answer-Writing Structure

Kumar described a framework for descriptive answers:

1. Introduce the topic with a definition, relevant fact or quotation.
2. Explain its causes or context.
3. Develop several distinct points rather than repeating the same type of argument.
4. Cover effects or implications.
5. Conclude clearly.

He encouraged candidates to use current affairs, examples, statistics and quotations to make answers distinctive. He also stressed connecting ideas and, where relevant, considering social, economic, political and international dimensions.

Management

Kumar considered management practical and manageable once its concepts were understood. He recommended making notes and keeping subjective answers clear and simple, while adding useful examples, facts or quotations.

Finance

He focused on broad, high-value areas such as the budget, fiscal policy, monetary policy, their effects and limitations, and the relationship between fiscal and monetary policy. He did not try to master every technical finance topic in depth.

Economic and Social Issues (ESI)

Kumar recommended preparing recurring themes, including poverty, employment, skills, women’s issues, financial inclusion and inclusive growth.

He emphasized understanding underlying concepts well enough to apply them to unfamiliar questions. For example, he described answering a question about standards and their economic role without having studied the specific report cited in the question. Awareness of government priorities, public statements, institutions and current affairs can also help candidates reason through dynamic questions.

Time Management

Even when short on time for a final question, Kumar tried to preserve a clear structure and include relevant, high-value material.

Interview Preparation and Experience

Kumar had about 15 days to prepare for his interview. He revised economics notes, clarified foundational concepts such as CRR and balance of payments, read selected reports and RBI Governor speeches, reviewed RBI functions and departments, and prepared to explain why he wanted to join RBI.

He attended several online mock interviews and one in-person mock. The panel asked about his education and career gap, economics and RBI-related concepts, monetary and foreign-exchange topics, climate change, greenwashing and other current issues. Some questions were outside his knowledge.

Kumar advised candidates to be honest when uncertain rather than bluffing. He also said candidates should not conceal UPSC preparation or a career gap if asked, but should explain their background clearly. Candidates may encounter similar questions, but the panel’s assessment also depends on how confidently and coherently each person responds.

Broader Lessons for Aspirants

• Take tests consistently, but use low practice scores to identify concepts to revise rather than letting them undermine confidence.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses early, not only when the interview approaches.
• Be selective and realistic about coverage. Kumar had not studied every circular or technical topic and was prepared to leave questions he could not answer.
• Content alone is not enough: self-awareness, composure, clear reasoning and a sensible answer structure also matter.
• Supportive family circumstances helped Kumar prepare with less pressure.

Speakers and Sources

Speakers

• Interviewer/host: Unnamed presenter from the channel
• Guest: Rajiv Kumar, the RBI Grade B selectee, also addressed as “Raju” in the subtitles

Preparation Materials Mentioned

• Daily newspapers, including The Hindu
• PIB and government scheme information
• Previous-year questions and test series, including their general awareness and current-affairs sessions
• Monthly current-affairs magazines and preparation PDFs or marathon material
• Financial Stability Reports, RBI Governor speeches, government and NITI Aayog material, and selected World Bank reports