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If you’re gearing up for the RBI DEPR Exam, a strategic and comprehensive preparation plan is essential to maximize your chances of success. Begin by acquainting yourself with the RBI DEPR Exam Syllabus, ensuring a thorough understanding of the topics to be covered at RBI DEPR Phase-1 and Phase-2 Exam. To bolster your preparation, consider enrolling in Testonomics’ top-notch RBI DEPR Online Course that provides expert guidance and in-depth coverage of the curriculum. Complement your studies with targeted RBI DEPR Test Series to gauge your progress and identify areas that require additional attention. By adopting this holistic approach to RBI DEPR Preparation, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges of the exam and secure a competitive edge.

What is RBI DEPR Exam ?

The RBI DEPR Exam refers to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR) Exam, which is conducted by the RBI to recruit candidates for the position of Grade B Officer (DEPR). This position is the entry-level position in Deapartments such as Department of Economic and Policy Research, Monetary Policy Department, etc. This exam provides an ideal opportunity for students with Master’s degree in Economics / Finance to pursue a career in Economic Research with RBI.

Next RBI DEPR Exam Expected Date ?

The RBI Grade-B notification is expected to be released towards mid-2025. The RBI DEPR Exam 2025 is expected to be held around 50 days after the notification is released.

RBI DEPR Job Description

The candidates who qualify the RBI DEPR Exam are posted as Grade-B (Manager) Officers in the Reserve Bank of India. The initial postings are usually in Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR) or Monetary Policy Department (MPD), where they are entrusted with the task of providing research inputs for policy-related decision making. The research agenda of the department primarily focuses on macroeconomic challenges facing the Indian economy and covers multi-dimensional issues relating to monetary policy, growth and inflation dynamics, financial markets, forecasting of macroeconomic variables, banking sector, financial stability and external sector management.

RBI Grade B DEPR Officers’ Salary

When you are working at the Central Bank of the fastest growing economy and making your contribution to assist Policy that affects the lives of millions on a daily basis, you do expect to receive an attractive salary,right? And surely, RBI doesn’t disappoint you. The RBI DEPR Salary structure divides the total compensation in terms of Salary and Perquisites.

  • RBI Grade B DEPR Salary: Selected Candidates will draw a starting basic pay of ₹55,200/-per month in the pay scale of ₹55200-2850(9)-80850-EB-2850 (2) – 86550-3300(4)-99750 (16 years) applicable to Officers in Grade B. In addition, they will also be eligible for Special Allowance, Grade Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Local Compensatory Allowance, Special Grade Allowance, Learning Allowance, House Rent Allowance, etc.
  • In July 2024, the initial monthly gross emoluments (without HRA) were ₹1,22,717/- (approximately).
  • RBI Grade B Perquisites: In addition, the officers are also provided with Bank’s accommodation (subject to availability), reimbursement of expenses for maintenance of vehicle for official purpose, newspaper, telephone charges, book grant, allowance for furnishing of residence, etc. as per eligibility. Free dispensary facility besides reimbursement of medical expenses for OPD treatment/hospitalization as per eligibility. Interest free festival advance, Leave Travel Allowance (once in two years for self, spouse and eligible dependents). Loans and Advances at concessional rates of interest for Housing, Vehicle, Education, Consumer Articles, Personal Computer, etc.
  • At certain centres, limited number of residential quarters are available. In case official quarter  is not allotted, the facility for securing residential accommodation on lease will be granted. In Mumbai, RBI Grade B officers can lease a flat up to Rs. 75,000 monthly rent (this amount will be directly paid by RBI to the landlord )
  • In short, the annual CTC for RBI Grade B job would be around ₹ 27 – 30 lakh in the initial stages of the job.

RBI DEPR Exam Selection Criteria

The selection in RBI DEPR Exam depends on the marks scored by candidates in Phase-2, Phase-2 and Interview Stage. Vacancy will be filled by selecting the Candidates scoring the highest total marks (in their respective category). 

PhasesNumber of PapersMarks
Phase-12200 Marks
Phase-22200 Marks
Interview StageNA75 Marks
Total4 Papers475 Marks

RBI DEPR Exam Pattern : Phase-1 and Phase-2

Selection in RBI DEPR Exam will be through the revised scheme of examination. The revised RBI Exam Pattern consists of 4 Papers : 2 Papers at Phase-1 and 2 Papers at Phase-2, followed by an Interview before the RBI Services Board.The scheme of selection for the RBI Grade-B DEPR 2024 examination is given below:

RBI Grade-B DEPR Examination: Scheme of Selection

PhaseName of the PaperDurationMaximum Marks
Phase-IPaper – I : Objective Type (on Economics)120 Minutes100
Paper-II: Descriptive English (Answers to be typed with the help of Keyboard)120 Minutes100
Phase-IIPaper-I: Descriptive Type (on Economics)
Question paper displayed on computer screen, Answers to be written on paper)
120 Minutes100
Paper-II: Descriptive Type (on Economics)
Question paper displayed on computer screen; Answers to be written on paper)
120 Minutes100
Total400

RBI DEPR Phase-I : Paper-1 : Economics (Objective)

In this paper of RBI Grade-B DEPR, questions can be expected from the core fields of economics, including Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics, Econometrics and Indian Economy.

RBI Grade-B DEPR Examination: Phase-I Details

PhaseName of the PaperNumber of QuestionsMaximum MarksTime
Phase-IPaper-I: Objective Type (on Economics)65 MCQs (each having 4 options)
30 Questions carrying 1-mark each and 35 Questions carrying 2-marks each
100120 Minutes
Number of Questions – 4
(Paper on English shall be framed in a manner to assess the writing skills including expression and understanding of the topic)
100120 Minutes
Total200 Marks

Negative Marking in RBI DEPR Exam

For wrong answers, there will be negative marking. The extent of negative marks will be 1/3 marks for 1 mark questions, 1/2 marks for 2 marks questions.

RBI DEPR Previous Years’ Questions

In 2019 and 2021 RBI DEPR Phase-I (Economics) paper was heavily reliant on numerical-based questions. On the other hand, the 2022 and 2023 papers were a mixture of basic questions and factual questions, supplemented by a few numerical-based questions. In 2024, the Phase-I exam also contained factual questions from Indian Economy. Hence, candidates should try to keep their preparation broad-based, and try to cover different dimensions of all subjects. 

RBI DEPR Phase-I : Paper-2 (Descriptive English)

The paper on English shall be framed in a manner to assess the writing skills including expression
and understanding of the topic. The questions include writing an Essay (~ 550-600 words), Precis writing, Reading Comprehension and Letter writing.

Criteria to Qualify RBI DEPR Phase-I Examination

To qualify each Phase, candidates have to secure minimum marks (known as the cut-off marks), as may be prescribed by the RBI Services Board.

Based on Phase-I Examination, Candidates who secure marks above the prescribed ‘cut-off ’ marks in Paper -1 and Paper-2 of Phase -I will be shortlisted for Phase-2 of the examination

RBI DEPR Phase-2 Exam

The RBI DEPR Phase-2 Exam consists of 2 descriptive Papers (Paper-3 and Paper-4) on Economics. These 2 papers test candidates’ understanding of core subjects and the ability to write good descriptive answers.

RBI DEPR Paper-3 : Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

From the Microeconomics portion, candidates can expect questions from Consumer’s Equilibrium, Producer Theory, Market Structure and Welfare Economics / General Equilibrium.

From the Macroeconomics portion, questions from IS-LM Model, AD-AS Framework, International Economics, Growth & Development Theories, etc. are expected.

RBI DEPR Paper-4: Quantitative Economics and Indian Economy

From the Quantitative Economics portion, questions from Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Index Numbers, Probability Theory, Econometrics can be asked. In addition, numericals from Microeconomics and Macroeconomics portion can also form a part of this paper.

Questions from Indian Economy subject are framed to evaluate candidates’ understanding regarding overall functioning of Indian Economy. Important topics include Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy Inflation Targeting, Exchange Rate, Interest Rate, Financial Sector, Employment, etc.

The detailed RBI DEPR Exam Syllabus is given here.

RBI DEPR Interview

The number of candidates to be called for interview will be decided by the Board. Interview will be of 75 marks. Candidate may opt for interview either in Hindi or English

RBI DEPR Exam Notification, RBI DEPR Cut-Off, RBI DEPR Marks of Selected Candidates 

RBI Grade-B DEPR: Previous Years’ Notification, Phase-I Exam, Phase-II Exam, Interview and Final Result Dates

Panel YearNewspaper Advertisement DateApplication Link Open on RBI WebsitePhase-I Exam DatePhase-II Exam DateInterview MonthFinal Result Date
2019Sep 2019Sep 20199 November 201902 December 201919 October 2020
202125 Jan 202128 Jan 20216 March 202131 March 202128 – 31 August 202111 September 2021
202221 March 202228 March 20222 July 202206 August 202212-14 October 202222 October 2022
202326 April 202309 May 202316 July 202302 September 2023 (Result on 20 October 2023)05 – 12 January 2024 (DSIM Inteviews ended on 20 Jan)25 January 2024
202419 July 202425 July 202414 September 202426 October 2024 (Result on ——-)————

Panel YearOfficial NotificationVacanciesCut-OffMarks of Selected Candidates
2019RBI DEPR Notification 201920RBI DEPR Cut-off 2019RBI DEPR 2019_Marks of Selected Candidates
2021RBI DEPR Notification 202129RBI DEPR Cut-off 2021RBI DEPR 2021_Marks of Selected Candidates
2022RBI DEPR Notification 202231RBI DEPR Cut-off 2022RBI DEPR 2022_Marks of Selected Candidates
2023RBI DEPR Notification 202338RBI DEPR Cut-off 2023RBI DEPR 2023_Marks-of-Selected Candidates

Crack RBI DEPR Exam : Summary

The RBI DEPR Exam has become a highly competitive over the last few years. Serious Candidates appear for the RBI DEPR Exam after an extensive preparation and practice.

To crack the RBI DEPR Exam in your next attempt, you should devote time to completion of the syllabus and practice on a regular basis.

Begin with Subjects, such as Econometrics, that you find more difficult. Complete its syllabus as per a deadline. Then, begin attempting the Mock Tests. Similarly, try to complete all subjects well before the official RBI Grade B notification is released.

Attempt Mock Tests and Learn from your Mistakes.

All the Best for the RBI DEPR Exam !