The RBI Assistant Study Plan 2026 is a comprehensive, structured guide designed to help you crack the Reserve Bank of India Assistant exam in one attempt.
With the official notification released on February 16, 2026, for 650 vacancies, Prelims tentatively on April 11, 2026, and Mains on June 7, 2026, time is crucial. This plan focuses on smart, targeted preparation to handle sectional timing, negative marking, and the multi-stage process.
Who This Plan Is For
This RBI Assistant Study Plan 2026 suits:
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First-time aspirants building from scratch.
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Working professionals balancing job and study.
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Repeat candidates aiming to improve scores and clear in one cycle.
Why a Structured Strategy Matters
The exam features strict sectional timing, 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer, and three stages: Prelims (qualifying), Mains (merit-based), and Language Proficiency Test (LPT – qualifying in the local language of your allotted RBI office). Random preparation often leads to wasted attempts due to poor time management or weak sections.
RBI Assistant Exam Overview 2026 (Quick Snapshot)
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Organization: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
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Post Name: Assistant
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Exam Levels: National-level
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Exam Stages: Prelims, Mains, Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
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Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
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Question Type: Objective multiple-choice
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Prelims Subjects: English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability
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Mains Subjects: Reasoning, English Language, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge
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Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
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Final Selection: Based on Mains marks + qualifying LPT (no interview)
Apply Online for RBI Assistant 2026 (direct link once active via the official RBI site: https://opportunities.rbi.org.in/).
RBI Assistant Exam Pattern 2026
Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes (sectional timing) |
Features: Qualifying for Mains shortlisting; high cut-offs due to competition.
Mains Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 25 minutes |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 135 minutes (sectional timing) |
LPT: Qualifying test in the local language of the allotted RBI office; mandatory for final selection.
Exam Updates / Selection Process
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Download RBI Assistant Admit Card 2026 (Prelims/Mains call letters from official site).
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Check RBI Assistant Result 2026 (Prelims/Mains results and scorecards on rbi.org.in).
RBI Assistant Study Plan 2026: Subject-Wise Strategy
Reasoning Ability
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Topics: Inequality, syllogism, coding-decoding, puzzles (linear/circular/box), seating arrangement, blood relations, direction sense, alphanumeric series, order & ranking, input-output (Mains).
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Practice: Begin with topic-wise timed drills (10–15 questions), progress to mixed sets, previous papers, and mocks.
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Avoid: Over-investing time in one puzzle, neglecting easy scorers like inequality/syllogism, poor diagram marking.
Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude
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Topics: Simplification/approximation, number series, quadratic equations, data interpretation, arithmetic (percentage, ratio, profit & loss, SI/CI, time & work, time & distance, mensuration, partnership, probability).
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Practice: Daily calculation speed drills, 2–3 DI sets, 20–25 arithmetic questions (escalate difficulty for Mains).
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Avoid: Weak percentage/ratio basics, skipping approximation, ignoring formula/shortcut revision.
English Language
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Topics: Reading comprehension (banking/general), cloze test, error spotting, phrase replacement, para jumbles, fillers, vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms, phrasal verbs, idioms).
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Practice: Daily editorial/business page reading, one RC + cloze set, 15–20 grammar questions, vocab notebook revision.
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Avoid: Guessing without passage grasp, skipping grammar basics or option elimination.
General Awareness (Mains)
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Topics: Current affairs (last 6 months: banking, economy, RBI updates), static GK (countries/capitals, days, parks, books/authors), banking awareness (RBI functions, monetary policy, terms).
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Practice: Daily capsules, weekly quizzes, monthly PDFs, RBI-specific tracking.
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Avoid: Late start, skipping revisions, over-focusing on static while ignoring banking/current.
Computer Knowledge
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Topics: Computer basics, hardware/software, MS Office, internet/networking, OS, memory, shortcuts, security.
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Practice: One standard book + topic MCQs, weekly mini-tests.
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Avoid: Underestimating as "easy," infrequent revision.
60-Day / 90-Day Study Plan Strategy
60-Day Intensive Plan (repeat/full-time aspirants)
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Weeks 1–2: Basics in Quant/Reasoning, daily English + GA/Computer intro.
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Weeks 3–4: Advanced puzzles/DI, 2–3 Prelims mocks/week + analysis, Mains GA notes.
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Weeks 5–6: Mains focus, 4–5 mixed mocks/week, daily GA/Computer quizzes, heavy revision.
90-Day Balanced Plan (beginners/working)
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Month 1: Concept-building (Prelims subjects), light GA/Computer; 1 mock/week.
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Month 2: Mixed/sectional tests, ramp up GA, Mains awareness; 2–3 mocks/week.
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Month 3: Full Prelims mocks + Mains practice, daily GA/Computer, 4 mocks/week + analysis.
Daily Study Routine for RBI Assistant Preparation
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Hours: 3–5 (working), 6–8 (full-time); 2 focused slots (morning/evening).
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Split: 60% new practice, 30% revision, 10% mock analysis (shift on mock days).
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Mock Timing: Simulate exam slot for stamina/rhythm.
Best Books and Resources for RBI Assistant Preparation
Core Books
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Reasoning: R.S. Aggarwal’s “A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning,” B.S. Sijwali’s “A New Approach to Reasoning.”
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Quant: R.S. Aggarwal’s “Objective Arithmetic,” latest banking Quant books.
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English: S.P. Bakshi’s “Objective General English,” Wren & Martin’s “High School English Grammar.”
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GA: Lucent’s/Arihant GK, banking awareness book + monthly magazines.
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Computer: R. Pillai’s “Objective Computer Awareness” or similar.
Online Resources
- Daily current affairs/quizzes from banking portals, topic-wise sets, and full RBI Assistant mocks from reputed platforms.
Mock Test and Revision Strategy
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Start: After 2–3 weeks of basics (beginners) or Day 1 (repeaters); ramp up frequency.
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Analysis: Track accuracy/time/errors; maintain error log, revise weak areas in 24 hours.
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Improvement: Extra slots for low-accuracy topics; re-solve wrong mock questions.
Preparation Tips from Previous Year Trends
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Difficulty: Prelims easy-moderate (high cut-offs); Mains moderate (tricky GA, lengthy Reasoning/DI).
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Scoring: Prioritize simplification, series, inequality, syllogism, vocab, and current affairs.
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Time Management: Attempt easy/familiar first, skip stuck puzzles/DI, stick to sectional limits.
Selection Process of RBI Assistant
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Prelims: Screening (marks not in merit).
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Mains: Merit basis (200 marks count).
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LPT: Qualifying in the regional language; failure disqualifies, despite Mains clearance.
