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JULY 5TH, 2013

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[RBI Officer] English strategy, Mains Question papers of last five years, free study material, letter memo
writing
RBI Mains Question papers of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are given @bottom.
(in pretty readable fonts. These are not those eye-stressing scanned papers.)
RBI vs UPSC : Mains English paper
Pattern
Letter/Report/Memo writing
Essay Writing
Prcis, Comprehension
Vocabulary
Appendix I: Previous Question Papers RBI Grade B Officer
Appendix II: Free Study Material

RBI vs UPSC : Mains English paper

IN RBI Grade B Officer Phase II exam (henceforth called RBI Mains), youve to face a paper of English language and
comprehension. First, lets compare it with UPSC
RBI Mains English paper

UPSC Mains Compulsory English paper (2012)

Every candidate has to give this paper

Same

3 hours

Same

100 marks

300 marks

Marks counted in final merit list

Not counted, but youve to pass the paper.

Essay worth 500 words

300 words
(for compulsory English paper)

Prcis

Yes

Comprehension questions are based on the

same precis paragraph

They two provide different passages for precis and comprehension.

Grammar not asked

Grammar questions are asked e.g. fill in the blank, active-passive, direct-indirect
voice, sentence correction.

Vocabulary questions are based on the passage

given for prcis+comprehension.

Vocabulary questions are absolute (i.e. not asked from the passage), they just
give you a term and youve to write its synonym/antonym.

Letter and report writing is asked

not

Pattern
In the RBI Mains English paper, usually the pattern is like following:
Topic

Marks

Essay

40

Prcis

24

Comprehension + vocabulary based on the passage 16

Letter/Report writing

20

Total marks

100

Lets start looking at previous questions and the approach

Letter/Report/Memo writing
Lets take a look @Questions asked in Previous RBI Exams:

Year

Attempt any one of the following in about 250 words, 20 marks.

2007

1. Draft a brief investigative report as Assistant Manager, on your findings about the recent instances of conflict
among your junior staff members, Recommend solutions.
2. You have been asked to draft a proposal to sponsor a sports event for specially disabled children on Republic
Day, Draw up the proposal.
3. Offer financial advice to a party that has come in to explore investment avenues. Point out the benefits of investing
in Mutual, Funds rather than Fixed Deposits.

2008

1. On behalf of the employees of your bank, draft a representation to the management asking for improvements in
infrastructure for bettor work performance.
2. Draft a proposal to disburse funds and relief material to the flood hit victims of Bihar
3. Imagine yourself to be the Governor of the Reserve Bank. What measures would you adopt in the present financial
crisis?

2009

1. A car manufacturer has appointed a committee to investigate the feasibility of setting up a car manufacturing plant
in India. As the Chairperson of the committee, draft your report with recommendations.
2. As the MLA from a rural area, draft a proposal to start a Technical College in your area
3. As the General Manager of a company, draft a circular to all employees about austerity measures to be adopted, in
order to tide over the recession.

2010

1. Draft an investigative report on a fire that broke out in the accounts department last week. Suggest safeguards to
handle such accidents in the future.
2. Make a proposal on behalf of the employees to the General Manager of the R. B. I. on the need for some Yoga
and Stress Management Programmes for the officers, twice a year to increase their efficiency. You are the H. R.
Manager.
3. With Corporates supporting social causes it is suggested that the R.B.I. can organize a Maths Quiz with cash
awards for underprivileged children. As General Manager put your ideas forward to the Head Office.

2011

1. Indian households have savings of above 30% one of the highest in the world. A Committee has been
constituted to suggest various financial products where these savings can be invested with a view to protecting the
principal from inflation and also to give positive and real returns. Draft the Committee Report.
2. Commuting to office during peak hours has become an ordeal particularly in large cities. This is affecting the
efficiency of the employees. As the HR Manager draft a proposal to be sent to RBI for introducing flexible
working hours in the bank. Highlight the salient features of flexi-time and how it would enhance efficiency at
workplace.
3. RBI had issued a Notification directing commercial banks against lending more than 80% of the value of the
property for loans above Rs. 20 lakhs. The President of the Association of Real Estate Developers of India has
written to RBI stating that this move does not bode well for developers as it may lead to drop in home sales. On
behalf of RBI write a suitable reply to be sent to the President of the Association. Impress upon the real estate
developers that the notification is aimed at curbing speculation in the market and not at affecting home sales.
How to prepare for Letter / Memo / Report Writing?

for the basic principles/rules: refer to the IGNOU+NIOS material. (download links @bottom)
Read English newspaper on daily basis, particularly the economy section, letters to editor and columns to get additional
ideas/fodder points.
practice writing a few reports on your own @home

Essay Writing
Lets take a look @Questions asked in Previous RBI Grade B Exams:
Year

2007

Write an argumentative essay of about 500 words on any one of the following. 40 marks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Has the virtual workplace become a reality?

Health insurance and wealth!
Laptops for notebooks, what next in schools?
In the Light of the popularity of ODIs and 20 x 20s has Test Cricket a future?
Whats wrong with the SEZ policy?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What went wrong in Singur?

The Role of Media in a Crisis.
The Nuclear Deal.
The Future of Peace in India.
Can we host the Olympics?

2009

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Is China a threat to India?

The 2008 recession was a myth in India.
Can we leave the world a safer place for the next generation?
Formal education is the only way to success in life?
Business Schools more business than school?

2010

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Does Politics need Ethics?

Cricket unites the World!
Do Growth and Inflation go together?
Is Environment our Social Responsibility?
Travel and Tourism is a booming business.

2011

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Can technology bring about economic growth with social justice?

Has the RBI succeeded in curbing inflation?
Can we have a corruption-free sobriety?
Has the economic balance of power tilted eastwards?
Is social net working a blessing or a curse?

2008

Essay: fundamental principles

Fundamental principles remain same like UPSC Essay: spend the first few minutes on brainstorming the idea. Then rank those
ideas, start writing essay: introduction >> body (+/- pros, cons) >> conclusion.
For more elaboration, read the earlier article on Essay writing Click Me

Essay: Grabbing the fodder points

To write a decent essay, what you need is decent fodder points.
Essay can be on variety of topics, so ideally you need to keep reading newspapers, magazines, and some
good books from library on regular basis.
After some months, you have good fodder points on almost every topic.
Ive providing two things (in the appendix)
1. Topicwise Huge list of essays, from previous UPSC, LIC etc exams. So you can practice them or atleast
brainstorm for ideas about how to write them @home.
2. IGNOU India democracy and Development zip file. This PDF set contains necessary fodder points to
approach most of the social/democracy/Development etc. topics related essays.
there is no dearth of readymade essay books in the market, but that type of firefighting/desi jugaad, I dont
find it very helpful because such books are either outdated (only reprinted, not updated after 90s), and or
dont cover all the necessary topics. But still, if you want to refer to any books, you may use Spectrum Book
of Essays

Prcis, Comprehension
RBI provides only single passage and asks three types of questions from it
1. prcis for 24 marks
2. Comprehension questions (and vocabulary) for 16 marks.
3. =total 40 marks.
Previous RBI question papers for Mains English paper 1, are given in the appendix of this article. Youll find the
prcis/comprehension questions in it.
For additional practice, Ive also included last 16 years UPSC Mains compulsory English papers. Because they too contains
prcis/comprehension questions.
Other than that, Internet is full tips on prcis, of just a google search away.

Vocabulary
RBI asks vocabulary questions directly from the passage meant for comprehension. Just like SBIPO. And Unlike UPSC Mains English
or SSC CGL.

How to prepare vocabulary?

Download free software called WordWeb: http://wordweb.info/free/
It is also available for android phones, tablets etc. for free (links on the same site).
Read daily English newspaper, and whenever you come across any difficult word, note it down in a diary. Once youve a list of
10-15 words in your diary, open wordweb software, dig their meaning and note them down. Keep this habit, until you stop giving
competitive exams.
Its not like RBI will lift questions from it, but with this exercise youll be able to accurately guestimate the meanings in the exam
hall.
+ If youre simultaneously preparing for SSC CGL or CAT, Id suggest go through Word Power made easy by Norman Lewis

Appendix I: Previous Question Papers RBI Grade B Officer

RBI Mains Paper 1 English Papers

Click Me

RBI Mains Paper 2 Economic and Social Issues

Click Me

RBI Mains Paper 3 Finance and management papers Click Me

RBI Prelims papers 2008 and 2010

Click Me

Appendix II: Free Study Material

1. for prcis, comprehension practice:
2. Last 16 years UPSC papers of Compulsory English (1997-2012)

Click Me

3. for Essay fodder points: IGNOU booklet India Democracy and Development (MPS-003) Click Me
4. For Letter/Memo/Report writing and business correspondence: IGNOU, NIOS material

Click Me

5. for additional Essay practice: big list of mock topics

Click Me
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16 comments to [RBI Officer] English strategy, Mains Question papers of last five years, free study
material, letter memo writing

Payal
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Thanxx a lot Mrunal Sir:)

Chacha Chaudhary
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I think Civil services times ESSAY book is much better than spectrum essay book.!!

ashish
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just for essayy. we cant buy 100rupees CST

Chacha Chaudhary
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It costs 400 rupees NOT 100Plus if you look at the return on investment,i think it wont be a BAD optionupto you my friend..!!

Minakshi
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Mrunal,
Can u please tell me how many months back should I study the current affairs question for RBI ASSISTANTS EXAM .
Please reply

Payal
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Current affairs wud be from FEB till June.It doesnt go beyond that

Mayank
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Sir,it is specified tht we have to write a argumentative essaycan u help us in dis regard???plz suggest any link or book for the
same

Shweta Dhuri
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Hii.m a cabin crew nw but i want to apply for staff selection commision this yearm graduated in science streamplz guide me hw to
proceed in this.

harish kumar gotharwal

Reply to this comment
suggest me for preparing rbi assistant for general knowledge and english

Mrunal
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RBI assistant strategy given here
http://mrunal.org/2013/06/studyplan-rbi-assistant-exam-topicwise-booklist-strategy-free-studymaterial-previous-years-paper-cutoffs.html

vishal
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sir, your articles are really helpful in my preprationthanks.

vineet
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thank u very much for this article, it was very helpfull.

nayab
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sir, can you please upload the phase 1 question paper for the officers post.thank you

RohiniRaman
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please post me the phase1 question papers for the grade b exam.
thanks!!!

Amit Panwar
Reply to this comment
Dear Mrunal,
Hope youre doing well!
Request you to please post Phase I RBI Officer 2013 paper pattern. In the notification they have mentioned that it would be 3 hrs (Online
Exam)duration for 200 marks. It would be very helpful if you send me / post here. In the last year no. of question where 200 and time alloted
to solve them was 130 minutes.
Section No. of Questions Marks Time (in minutes)
General Awareness 80 80 45
English Language 30 30 20
Quantitative Aptitude 30 30 20
Reasoning 60 60 45
Total 200 200 130
It would be very helpful for all the candidates preparing for the above post. Thanks
Regards,
Amit Panwar

PANKAJ SRIVASTAVA
Reply to this comment
I HAVE A DOUBT CONCERN WITH RBI GRADE B WHY THERE IS 3 HOUR FOR THE PHASE 1 EXAM,
EITHER DIFFICULTY LEVEL WILL INCREASE OR CHANGE IN NO. OF QUESTION,
PLS CLEAR THIS CONFUSION.
THANKS FOR THE GREAT JOB U R DOING