RBI Grade B Success Story: Learning from Mistakes, Ms. Shobhita Succeded in Her 3rd Attempt

Many dream of becoming an RBI officer, but the path is notoriously challenging. Ms. Shobhita Bhola understood this firsthand. After facing setbacks in her first two attempts at the RBI Grade B exam, she didn’t give up. Instead, she transformed those experiences into valuable lessons, ultimately achieving her dream of becoming an RBI officer in her third attempt.

This article unravels Ms. Shobhita’s inspiring journey. She shares the strategies she followed for each RBI Grade B exam phase—Phase 1, Phase 2, and the interview—along with the key takeaways that fueled her success.

Background

• Completed Production Industrial Engineer from Delhi Technological University in 2019
• Gave two previous unsuccessful RBI Grade B attempts
• Also prepared for SEBI Grade A and NABARD Grade A
• Cracked the RBI Grade B exam in 3rd attempt 

Brief Introduction

I’m a production Industrial Engineer who graduated from Delhi Technological University in 2019. After two unsuccessful RBI Grade B exam attempts, I finally cleared it on my third attempt in 2022. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the EduTap team for providing invaluable study content and hand-holding support throughout my journey.

My Motivation

Family support plays a crucial role in our lives, and I’m incredibly fortunate to have their support. Many people aren’t as lucky. During my low points, my family was always there for me. They never let me sink in negativity; instead, they offered encouragement and unwavering belief in me, even when I doubted myself.

The success is not for one person, it’s a team effort. I got support from my family, friends, teachers, and well-wishers. So, I am very thankful to my family—my parents, brother, sister, uncle, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law. I’m also grateful for my amazing friends who consistently motivated me throughout my journey. My thanks also extend to their families for creating a supportive environment that fostered our friendships.

How I Came to Know About the RBI 

My interest in the RBI began when I started reading newspapers in college. At that time, the RBI was frequently mentioned in the news, with figures like Raghuram Rajan sir gaining a lot of fame. The demonetization event, bi-monthly policy changes, and other news items aroused my curiosity. 

Since I couldn’t understand most of it then, I was drawn to figuring it all out. Luckily, some of my seniors offered guidance. They mentioned an exciting opportunity called the RBI Grade B Officer position. 

They described the work-life balance, positive culture, and the significant nature of the work done by RBI officers. Their insights motivated and inspired me. That’s when I started researching this opportunity on Google, further fueling my interest.

My Decision to Take the RBI Grade B Exam

After learning about the RBI Grade B exam, I decided (in my third or fourth year of college) to take this exam. I asked my father about the same and he also agreed with my decision.

My First RBI Grade B Attempt (2019)

In 2019, I took my first attempt at the RBI Grade B exam, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to clear it. Back then, in 2019, the exam pattern had just undergone some changes. 

Moreover, the General Awareness section heavily relied on factual questions requiring thorough revision, an area where I felt short. If I had scored higher in GA, I might have cleared the cut-off.

My Second RBI Grade B Attempt (2020-21)

After analyzing my mistakes from the 2019 attempt, I began preparing for the next one with renewed focus. This time, I prioritized current affairs and general awareness, as I was confident in my ability to handle the quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and English sections. My strategy involved revising these familiar topics while simultaneously preparing for the RBI Grade B Mains exam.

However, this time, the quantitative section was very tough. While I managed to clear the overall cut-off, I fell short in the sectional cut-off for quantitative aptitude. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: every section deserves equal attention. Take nothing for granted, no matter how comfortable you feel in a particular area. 

Additionally, the 2021 paper’s unexpected difficulty level caught me off guard, and I got a little nervous in the exam center. One must realize that the RBI Grade B exam is not bigger than you. Make the syllabus and previous years’ questions (PYQs) your best friend, and you are good to go. 

My Third RBI Grade B Attempt (2022)

Having learned from my previous mistakes, I had significantly emphasized preparing for General Awareness and Quantitative Aptitude this time. The Quantitative Aptitude section presented a fair level of difficulty during the exam. 

With only 11 minutes remaining, I had only attempted one or two questions. I scanned through the paper, telling myself I could overcome this challenge. My strategy shifted to identifying manageable questions. I quickly switched between questions until I finally found a data set I could tackle, allowing me to answer six more questions.

After completing the exam, I believed I could clear the sectional cut-off. However, I remained unsure about the overall cut-off this time.

My RBI Grade B Preparation Resources

My RBI Grade B preparation strategy involved using different resources for specific subjects.

I referred to Mrunal economics videos for economics and social issues. Since I came from a non-economics background and began preparing in college, I started with NCERT books and Ramesh Singh for ESI. EduTap also has good material, and they have explained the concepts in a simple and crisp manner.

For finance and management, I primarily relied on EduTap’s comprehensive resources. To stay on top of current affairs, I used a combination of Affairs Cloud and EduTap’s insightful video sessions with Gurkirat Sir, Kritika Ma’am, and Deeksha Ma’am.

How to Approach the RBI Grade B Exam

Based on my experience, I would advise fellow aspirants to adopt an integrated approach to their preparation rather than prioritizing Phase 1 over Phase 2. This is because the time window between the two phases is very short. So, if you have already covered the Mains syllabus, it becomes very easy to just revise it before the Mains.

Additionally, experiencing burnout after Phase 1 is common. You’ll need a day or two to refresh to regain that freshness. Therefore, I strongly recommend an integrated approach for effective RBI Grade B preparation.

How to Practice RBI Grade B Descriptive Writing

The decision to practice RBI Grade B descriptive writing depended on two factors: available time and individual needs.

1. If someone had ample time, there was no downside to practicing descriptive writing. As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” However, those with limited time could prioritize reading comprehension before RBI Grade B Phase 1 and utilize the gap between phases for descriptive writing practice.
2. Moreover, if somebody thinks they are terrible at descriptive writing, don’t know how to frame answers, and struggle with typing, they should at least practice a little beforehand.

Now, the questions that were earlier asked in Phase 2 are also being asked in Phase 1. So, an integrated approach is always advisable.

My RBI Grade B Current Affairs Preparation Strategy

My RBI Grade B current affairs strategy involved two main sources: AffairsCloud and EduTap’s monthly magazine. Affairs Cloud provided daily updates, so I focused on them more intensively as the exam approached. In addition, I utilized EduTap’s compilation for revision whenever a new issue was released. 

I also took quizzes and participated in EduTap’s Marathon sessions to solidify my understanding. As the saying goes, “the more the revision, the better,” and this certainly applies to current affairs. The key takeaway is to limit your sources but ensure a thorough and consistent review.

How Many Months of Current Affairs Should Be Enough?

While six months is typically sufficient preparation time for RBI Grade B Phase 1, Phase 2 requires a more continuous approach. Ideally, you should start preparing for Phase 2 current affairs as soon as you decide to take the exam. This early preparation will also enhance your answer-framing skills in the descriptive portion.

I’m very disciplined about reading newspapers. The information you get through newspapers is descriptive in nature, not only factual. So you can retain that information better in your mind. At least I was able to do so. So you should start reading newspapers as soon as possible. 

Moreover, we mainly needed factual current affairs for GS Phase 1 only. These things are trivial in nature. Therefore, focusing on memorizing these details in the three to four months leading up to the exam is a more strategic approach.

How I Overcame Self Doubts

Self-doubt is a common experience during any challenging pursuit, and the RBI Grade B exam is no exception. During those times, the support of family and friends is invaluable (and I was certainly fortunate to have that). 

However, another crucial element is a strong sense of purpose. You must be clear about why you’re preparing for the RBI Grade B exam and be true to yourself. It fosters a belief that you’re on the right track, even when faced with setbacks.

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Preparation Strategy

Before explaining my RBI Grade B Phase 2 strategy, I want to share the resources I relied on during my preparation.

• Finance and Management: EduTap’s materials were my sole source for this section. I found their summary sheets particularly valuable and consistently reviewed them for reinforcement.
• FM Descriptive Answers: I again turned to EduTap’s materials for guidance on crafting descriptive answers in Finance and Management.
• Economics and Social Issues: Taking the NABARD exam gave me a solid foundation for Economics and Social Issues. This experience definitely helped me approach ESI topics in the RBI Grade B exam with clarity.
• ESI Descriptive Answers: I watched NABARD’s descriptive videos from various sources, including EduTap, to improve my ESI descriptive writing skills. NABARD’s descriptive writing practice also helped me prepare for my RBI Grade B. 

EduTap provided some model question answers. I used to take the printouts, highlight the important things, and add some keywords to make it more concise.

Importance of Practice

This practice proved invaluable. Unfortunately, during the SEBI Mains exam, I wasn’t familiar with the importance of descriptive writing. Back then, I didn’t prioritize typing practice. Feeling overwhelmed by the exam environment—the noise, everyone typing—I struggled to formulate my answers in my head. Ultimately, I couldn’t complete the descriptive section. 

Taking my SEBI Mains experience as a learning opportunity, I bought a keyboard and diligently practiced typing. Initially, formulating even a single answer was time-consuming. However, consistent practice gradually improved my speed and fluency, making the process more natural.

This experience underscores the crucial role of practice, especially for those who aren’t comfortable with typing quickly.

My RBI Grade B Interview Experience

The majority of questions posed during the interview were based on my profile background. They asked only three to four technical questions, with the remainder focusing on my personal profile. Since I had no work experience, the RBI Grade B interview focused heavily on my profile. As anticipated, my hobbies came up in conversation. 

Questions Regarding My Hobby

The chairman asked me, “You must have read many books. Would you be willing to share a particularly impactful book you’ve read?” I described the book to him, and he maintained a warm smile throughout. It appeared he was interested in learning about me through my reading choices.

Another panel member followed up, “You mentioned enjoying poetry. Can you tell me who your favorite poet is?” I provided the name, and he further inquired, “Which country does this poet belong to?” Fortunately, I knew the answer, and he simply acknowledged this with an “Okay.”

The conversation then delved deeper into poetry. He asked me to quote a few lines from my favorite poem. As luck would have it, this particular poem was also a favorite of one of the panel members, and he joined me in reciting it! This unexpected turn of events was a truly enriching and enjoyable experience.

Towards the interview’s conclusion, a female panel member revisited the topic of books. She inquired, “Can you share the kind of books you typically read?” The discussion continued briefly before she concluded with a final question, “Can you quote a quote by this author?” I readily responded, and this was the final question of the interview.

Questions Regarding RBI Building

One particularly interesting and unique question I recall involved the RBI building itself. The chairman inquired, “As you entered the building, you likely noticed two statues. Did you observe anything specific about them?” I confirmed that I had indeed seen two statues. He then asked, “Do you know what they’re called?” 

Fortunately, I knew the answer and replied, “Yakshas.” He elaborated, “There are two, so what is the other one called?” I correctly responded, “Yakshini.” He further inquired about their significance and relevance. 

Out of curiosity, I Googled the RBI’s Delhi office during my college years. On their Wikipedia page, they mention Yakshas and Yakshini. Imagine my surprise when a question about it popped up during my interview! This experience truly highlighted how seemingly random bits of information can become relevant later in life.

RBI Grade B Interview Preparation Tips

Every detail you include in your detailed application form will become potential interview material. For example, I had mentioned being the organizer for a conference on “Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering.” So, the first question focused on this very detail. 

The chairman inquired, “You were the organizer of this conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering. Can you elaborate on some of these recent advancements?” He then invited me to speak on the topic for three minutes.

Here’s another helpful tip: if possible, try to learn about the interview panel beforehand. Many of these interviewers are prominent figures, and their videos are often available online. 

Familiarizing yourself with their communication style can be incredibly beneficial. In my case, I had watched videos of the chairman, noting his frequent references to “Industry 4.0.” (he says it like 4 point O (the letter o), not the 4 point zero). By keeping an eye out for such keywords, I was able to anticipate potential areas of discussion.

My Learnings from My RBI Grade B Journey

Throughout my academic career, I have consistently achieved success. This meant encountering failure for the first time, when I didn’t clear the RBI exam in my first attempt, was a significant hurdle. However, I embraced this experience as a valuable learning opportunity. 

By analyzing my mistakes, I was able to identify areas for improvement. This experience ultimately helped me develop a growth mindset, allowing me to recognize that failure and success are simply two sides of the same coin.

Factors That Helped Me Crack the RBI Grade B Exam

Several factors contributed to my success in the RBI Grade B exam. Undoubtedly, my family and friends’ unwavering support and guidance were invaluable assets. Additionally, having access to quality study materials played a crucial role. 

However, beyond these external factors, my unwavering determination was a key element. I possess a strong personal habit of never backing down from a challenge once I’ve set my mind to it. This resilience kept me focused and moving forward throughout the preparation journey.

Along with external support, self-motivation played a significant role. I actively engaged in positive self-talk, reminding myself of my goals and the reasons behind pursuing the exam. This internal dialogue helped me maintain focus and overcome moments of doubt.

Final RBI Grade B Preparation Tips

Here are my final preparation tips for future RBI Grade B aspirants:

• Know your enemy well if you think of exams as your enemy
• Make syllabus and PYQs your best friends; they will guide you through
• Have good guidance 
• Don’t go after so many materials and so many sources
• Just keep revising what you study
• Maintain a good emotional quotient on the exam day

Always remember that you are bigger than this exam. If you really want to crack the RBI Grade B exam, you should be true to your purpose. If you’re true to yourself, you will be able to do it somehow, and things will eventually fall into place.

I would like to wish everybody all the very best for their bright futures ahead.

Here is a video in which Ms. Shobhita Bhola explains her RBI Grade B preparation strategy.

Conclusion

The RBI Grade B exam can be challenging to many aspirants, but with the right strategy and dedication, you can crack the exam, as Ms. Shobhita did. Learn from her struggles, strategies, resources, and valuable preparation tips to write your own success story.