Sachin Rai · AIR 5
Selected · RBI Grade B (DR) General 2026
MockMentor programme: RBI Grade B Super Elite 2026 + Paid Interview Guidance Program 2026
- Written Total: 210 (Highest)
- ESI: 66.75 (3rd Highest)
- English: 70 (Joint 3rd Highest)
Marks
- Interview: 38 / 75
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Sachin Rai's feedback
Sir, thank you so much for all the guidance and support you gave me throughout the interview preparation. DAF build krne se lekar mock interviews, feedback aur har choti choti cheezon par guidance dene tak, aapne genuinely bahut help ki. Aapke feedback se mujhe apne answers ko better frame karne aur apni weaknesses par work karne mein kaafi help mili.
Interview preparation ke dauran aapne jis patience ke saath guide kiya aur baar-baar improve karne ke liye encourage kiya, uske liye main dil se thankful hoon.
Thank you so much, Sir, for everything. I'm genuinely grateful that I got your guidance during this important phase. 🙏
Preparation strategy
RBI Grade B_ Preparation Strategy
(Sachin)
Phase 1
Phase 1 consists of Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English and General Awareness (GA).
Since I had already prepared for banking examinations and qualified for RBI Assistant, my
fundamentals in the three aptitude sections were reasonably strong. I therefore focused on
practice, speed, accuracy and exam readiness rather than starting from scratch.
Quantitative Aptitude
For Quant, I used Learning Capsules by Harshal Agarwal Sir to strengthen my practice. I
complemented the video lectures and topic-wise practice with mock tests from bank
examinations such as RRB PO Mains, SBI Clerk Mains and IBPS PO Mains. This helped me
improve my speed and accuracy and become more comfortable solving questions under time
pressure.
Reasoning
For Reasoning, I used Virtuous Reasoning by Dhruv Sir along with bank-exam mock tests.
Since my basics were already in place, I focused on regular practice to maintain speed and
accuracy.
English
For English, I did not follow any specific teacher or separate course. I primarily relied on
newspaper reading and mock tests. Newspaper reading helped me become more
comfortable with comprehension, while mocks gave me practice with the format and difficulty
of exam questions.
General Awareness
For GA, I focused on miscellaneous current affairs, RBI and SEBI circulars, PIB updates, and
government schemes that had been in the news. For miscellaneous GA, I used MockMentor's
fortnightly magazines and CGB Mentors' monthly magazine. For RBI/SEBI circulars and PIB
updates, I primarily relied on MockMentor's fortnightly magazines.
My approach was to read the material, revise it twice, and then practise through MCQs and
mock tests. Given the time available, I chose to cover the last four months of current affairs
thoroughly rather than cover six months superficially. I felt that focusing on a shorter period
would help me retain the details better.
Phase 2
Static Preparation: ESI and FM
I used the syllabus in the RBI Grade B notification as my roadmap and covered the listed
keywords and topics using multiple sources. While studying, I extracted relevant points and
prepared my own fodder notes, especially for descriptive answer writing. I later supplemented
these notes with recent reports, data and relevant news articles so that I could add current
and credible information to my answers.
Finance and Management
Before preparing for the descriptive FM paper, I analysed the papers from the preceding three
years. Based on that analysis, I observed that Management generally accounted for around
35-40 marks in the descriptive paper. I considered Management a relatively predictable, static
area, whereas Finance questions could be more evolving and current in nature. I therefore
prioritised Management, aiming to prepare it thoroughly and target around 35 marks from
Management and another 15 marks from Finance in the descriptive paper.
Coming from a science background and working within limited preparation time, I left much of
the Accounting and Financial statement analysis portion uncovered. The 2026 examination
included several mcq questions from this part, which meant I missed an opportunity to
attempt those questions. In retrospect, even when time is limited, it is worth building at least a
basic understanding of difficult portions rather than leaving them entirely untouched.
Descriptive Answer Writing
Continuous descriptive-writing practice is important for improving answer structure,
articulation and the effective use of data. It also helps retain the information collected in
fodder notes and understand how to apply it to a question.
One practical suggestion is not to collect too many similar data points for every topic. In most
answers, one or two relevant and well-remembered figures can be more useful than five or
six similar statistics that are difficult to recall. It is better to know a few key data points
thoroughly and use them appropriately than to overburden preparation with unnecessary
details.
MockMentor helped me in this area through its descriptive answer-writing platform, mock
tests and coverage of the syllabus keywords. Looking back, I could have practised more
answers and made fuller use of the data I had collected. My key takeaway is that collecting
material is only one part of preparation; converting it into effective answers under examination
conditions requires consistent practice.
Interview
The interview stage was new to me, as I had not reached this stage in my previous attempt.
My preparation began with the Detailed Application Form (DAF). Initially, I was unsure about
how to build a strong profile or what interviewers look for in a candidate's DAF.
A DAF discussion session at MockMentor was a turning point. I still remember Rahul Sir
reviewing my initial DAF and pointing out that it had very few strong areas that could lead to
meaningful discussion during the interview. He encouraged me to undertake relevant
certification courses that could add value to my profile and provide useful areas of discussion.
This helped me understand that the DAF is not merely a form to be filled out, but an important
starting point for interview preparation. A candidate should be prepared to discuss every
detail mentioned in the DAF and should build a profile that reflects genuine learning and
interests.
I appeared for mock interviews with MockMentor and other institutes, including Ixambee and
CGB Mentors. These sessions helped me refine my answers, organise my thoughts,
articulate my views more clearly and become comfortable presenting myself in an interview
setting. They also exposed me to different styles of questioning and helped me approach the
actual interview with greater confidence.
Final Takeaway
One of the biggest lessons I took from my preparation was the importance of limiting sources.
At times, I collected too much material and spent valuable time moving between different
sources instead of revising and practising enough. In hindsight, I would have been better off
trusting one good source, or at most two, and covering them thoroughly. My key takeaway is
that focused preparation, repeated revision and consistent practice are more useful than
collecting a large volume of material without retaining it.
RBI Grade B interview transcript
Question 1: May we have your introduction?
Question 2: A brief discussion on Re-kyc campaign.
Question 3: What initiatives has the Reserve Bank taken to address financial frauds?
Question 4: How can the Reserve Bank stay ahead of fraudsters?
Question 5: What measure has TRAI introduced to help identify calls from banks and other
regulated entities?
Question 6: How might fraudsters circumvent this measure?
My response: I was initially unable to recall the specific numbering series. I recalled it after a
hint from the panel.
However, I was unable to provide a satisfactory answer to the follow-up question on how
fraudsters might circumvent the measure.
Question 7: How has financial inclusion evolved in India?
Question 8: What are the major challenges faced by Jharkhand?
Question 9: How do the CNT and SPT Acts affect access to institutional credit?
Question 10: Has the State Government taken any steps to address these issues?
Question 11: What explains the cyber-fraud problem associated with Jamtara, and what has
helped reduce it?
Question 12: What is the Credit–Deposit Ratio of Jharkhand? The panel referred to the ratio
having been in the 30s earlier.
Question 13: What is the leverage ratio?
Question 14: What is the Liquidity Coverage Ratio, and how is it calculated?
Question 15: If a bank receives Rs 100 crore in CASA deposits, would this affect the
numerator or denominator of the LCR?
Question 16: If banks are already subject to LCR, CRR and the leverage ratio, why is a
separate Statutory Liquidity Ratio required?
Question 17: What is Net Interest Margin?
Question 18: What is the Time Value of Money?
Question 19: What is a bond yield curve? Could you draw it?
Question 20: What is double deflation? What does the double-deflation method help us
estimate?
Question 21: There was a detailed discussion on FCNR(B) deposits and the swap facility.
The panel helped me work through the concept using an example. After I responded to the
example, the panel said, “Good.”
Question 22: What is the approximate size of the Indian economy?
Question 23: Give us your assessment: how long would it take for the Indian economy to
double? Panel cross-checked in follow up regarding rule of 72.
Then the interview finally concluded….