update (July-05-2013): last five years’ papers are given on a separate page: click me
RBI Grade “B” officers’ Mains (Descriptive) exam was held in April 2012. (for the recruitment cycle of 2011). Thanks Mr.csl80 for providing the question papers here.
Paper 1: English Paper
Instructions
- 3 hours, 100 marks
- All questions are compulsory.
- Figures to the right indicate full marks to each question.
- Each question should be answered on a new page.
- All parts of a question should be answered together without other answers intervening.
- Marks will be deducted if an answer far exceeds or falls short of the set limit or is irrelevant or if the handwriting is illegible.
- Answers must be written only in English.
Essay (40m)
Write an argumentative essay in about 500 words on any one of the following topics: 40marks
- 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?
Précis writing (24m)
Make a précis of the following passage reducing it to about (230 words) and give it a suitable title. Write the précis on the special sheet provided for this purpose. 24marks
Microfinance is now understood as a financial activity. But, it actually emerged from development considerations. The need for access to capital was specifically articulated by women during the UN Conference on Women and Development in Mexico City in 1976. The focus then was on the micro-person, the person with a micro-status in society.
The term microfinance came much later and its association moved from savings to microcredit to financial services. However, the primary objective of microfinance has always been developmental in nature. All along, it was aimed at removing poverty and hunger. But these two questions cannot be addressed adequately without factoring in the issue of health.
Financial services are not just about money or giving loans to the poor. They are really about building assets to provide security and livelihood to poor people. This would be impossible to achieve without taking into account the health status of poor individuals and their families.
All too frequently, the poor default on paying back their loans cause of ill health and inability to earn during that period. This has taught us an important lesson: The poor work at the cost of their own body.
A poor woman’s health and, therefore, her body is the first and foremost asset of her work and her life. For microfinance to achieve its objective of providing financial services to the poor it has to lay stress on health security as a crucial element of social security. They are indeed, two sides of the same coin.
When I started organizing informal sector labour in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I asked the poor what they wanted most invariably, it was work they sought and not charity. Yes, they longed for a better life but not the one without dignity. At the same time, it was clear that their earnings could easily be wiped out without support services most importantly, health and childcare.
Capacity building in numeracy and literacy also required social security. This is necessary for sustained development and higher levels of efficiency. This is where microfinance can play an important role and, for this reason, we need more microfinance co-operatives today.
But addressing this and providing health security is currently difficult since insurance schemes are generally not suited to the poor. We must therefore, develop innovative insurance products that meet the requirements of the poor while satisfying insurance principles. That is why an integrated approach that links microfinance with healthcare is so essential for development.
A product that has worked well is the deposit-linked life and non-life insurance. As the demand for insurance grows, the need for an independent, autonomous body offering health insurance to its members grows as well. This is an important social security measure because, among other things, it can help finance medical expenditure.
The banks can play an important role in this area by providing financial services that cater to the healthcare needs of the poor borrowers. These include flexible savings and loans and particularly emergency loans on demand. Housing loans too can mitigate the hardship of the poor improved living conditions lead to better and healthier lifestyle. In this connection one needs to strengthen the participation of women in banking especially in microfinance.
In the final analysis, it is the women of the household who balance the family budget. They can, therefore, play a vital role in nourishing not just kinship ties but health and well-being of the family as well. Thus, when she borrows from a Microfinance Institution (MFI) she sees it not just as access to money but as access to an input that will strengthen her family To ensure that women continue to play a pivotal role in MIFIs, we have to ensure that they are protected through social security and health security.
A Government that fails in its duty to provide basic healthcare services at the local level adds to the indebtedness of the poor workers. That is why, the microfinance sector should collectively take up this policy issue with tie Government. We must remember that income security and health security are two sides of the same coin, especially for the poor who are at the heart of MFIs.
Ela Bhatt.
Comprehension (16m)
From the above passage, Answer following Questions in your own words (Any three, 12m)
- Trace the in of the term microfinance What has been its aim all along?
- Why do the poor default on repayment? What lesson has the author learnt from this experience?
- Why does the author say that to truly benefit the needy microfinance sector should focus on the issue of health?
- What role can insurance companies and banks play in providing social security to poor borrowers?
- Why does the author say that women can play a vital role in ensuring the success of MFIs
Explain contextual meaning of any four (4 marks)
- development considerations
- crucial element
- informal sector
- support services
- sustained development
- integrated approach
Letter/Report writing (20m)
Write Any one of the following (250 words)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The End of Paper I. Moving to next paper
Paper 2: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Instructions:
- 3 hours, 100 marks
- Answer any five questions.
- All questions carry equal marks.
- Answers may be written either in English or in Hindi at the candidate’s option. However, all the questions should be answered only in the language so chosen. Answer-books written partly in English and partly in Hindi will not be evaluated.
- Part of the same question must be answered together without answers to other questions intervening.
- Answer to each question must be started on a fresh page.
- Marks will be deducted if handwriting is not easily legible.
- Answers will be judged on the basis of perspective, analysis and presentation
Questions (Attempt any five)
- Examine the banking sector reform measures undertaken in India since 1991. Briefly describe the recent changes in RBI’s monetary policy.
- Two Questions
- What is sustainable development? What should be done to achieve it?
- What is environment management? Explain social and economic aspects of environment management.
- Two questions
- Do you agree with a view that public sector enterprises have played a strategic role in accelerating economic growth? Explain.
- Explain the importance of service sector and its contribution to employment in India.
- Two Questions
- Monetary measures have failed to control inflation in India.” Explain. (b) Suggest suitable options for controlling inflation.
- Explain the measures and strategies adopted by India on the following subjects
- Two Question
- Provision of Social Security
- Foreign Direct Investment.
- Two questions
- Explain the factors responsible for rapid growth of export over the past decade.
- What changes have taken place in the product composition of exports in recent years.
- Two Questions
- Religion continues to be an important source of identity for most people in South Asia. Discuss.
- Examine the need of secularism in our country with special reference to constitution of India.
- Two Questions
- Is creation of smaller states the right solution to improve the quality of governance and check corruption? Discuss.
- Explain the changes in public administration in the age of globalization and liberalization.
- Two Questions
- Caste factor is most dominant and omnipresent in Indian politics ‘. Discuss the statement with suitable illustration.
- Explain the impact of reservation policy on scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
- Write notes on any two :
- Impact of globalization on culture, media and technology.
- Role of small and medium enterprises in Indian economy.
- Privatization of higher education.
- IMF in the changing world.
Paper 3
Instructions
- 3 hours; 100 marks
- Attempt any three questions from Section I and any two questions from Section 11.
- All questions carry equal marks.
- Answers must be brief and to-the-point.
- Answers may be written either in English or in Hindi at the candidate’s option. However, all the questions should be answered only in the language so chosen. Answer-books written partly in English and partly in Hindi will not be evaluated.
Section I (Write Any Three Qs)
- What is meant by merchant banking? Discuss in detail the various functions performed by merchant bankers.
- Briefly explain the salient features of the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
- “A tax is a burden on the present ; a debt (loan) puts the burden of repayment on future generations.” Explain.
- Explain in detail the different methods of credit control in India.
- (a) What is securitization? What purpose does it serve? (b) Discuss the benefits and limitations of securitization.
Section II (Write Any Two Qs)
- Sound organization is an essential prerequisite of efficient management.” Explain.
- What are the major differences between autocratic, democratic and abdicative styles of leadership?
- (a) Explain the terms authority and responsibility (b) What is delegation of authority? How can delegation be made effective?
- Discuss the role of communication in an organization. What are the barriers to effective communication?
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 |
abhishek can u send me question papers u have on my email.id chakmapandav@gmail.com
No need to get hold of these papers. They will be totally useless as according to the newly formulated policy of RBI, they have started to fill the Grade B officers post by departmental exam and also SBI officers after 4.5 years of service will be eligible for the post.
RBI grade B exam in 2012 was the last of the examination for the purpose of officer recruitment in RBI.
I am saying this because I have just been promoted to Assistant Manager. It is an internal information.
RBI is now going to announce Gr-B post again… What is the meaning of ur comment?
@ Abhishek
will u please send me the question papers
my Email ID is peehoo13@rediffmail.com
Dear Mrunal
I am currently in a central service from 2010 exam and will be getting another central service from 2012 exam.
My query is:
1. I want a continuation in service, without break. in that case, can I seek exemption from FC and continue in my present service and then give a technical resignation in December when departmental training starts and join the new service? I have applied “Through Proper Channel” so relieving should not be an issue here. Is exemption given for preparation and will it be considered wrong if I continue to be in job?
2. What is the quantum of time I can have in the transition phase i.e. after ‘technically’ resigning from last service and joining new service?
Any suggestions and feedback will be welcome.
Regards
Ashish
sorry no idea on that.
@ashish for the purpose of counting of previous service there should be NO GAP (R) NO GAP between new and old service. even single day gap is not permitted as per DOPT OM. if there is a gap then there would be problem of regularisation by condonation. so avoid to get in such a situation. the day u resign from this service join the next day on new service. atb
BHAI…. SAB KO SHARE KARDO BY UPLOADING ON MRUNAL.ORG…
THANK YOU
REGARDS
@ Abhishek plz send me the papers as well mohitprabhat@gmail.com
please mail at singhnirendr@rediffmail.com
@Abhishk JI plz send me all the papers you have poddarparmeshwar@gmail.com / parmeshwar_poddar@yahoo.co.in
ABHISHEK SIR , PLEASE SEND ALL THE PAPERS TO MY E-MAIL ID :- mukund_clg@rediffmail.com
abhishek would be very kind of u if u can send a email of previous rbi papers u refering…deepak_sharma0387@yahoo.com
Hello Mrunal thanx a lot! You have really been a big help! My option is Law ..There is no guidance at all available for law..So could u plz provide some material for law?..Further any guidance for law answer writing!! Or any Topper`s guidance for Law ..Will really be helpful!!Thank u
hello sir
please provide the input and strategy for psychology {civil service mains}
plz mail me at sandeepindiaplan@gmail.com
thanks
please mail me too at nav.arp89@gmail.com
any one who got the papers please forward to my mail ID sudhakar505@gmail.com I am working as a state bank PO yet preparing for civils &ssc also
@Abhishek..please mail me also here…Khongsaia@gmail.com
Abhishek ji,plz send d papers n garimamehrotrassim@gmail.com,it wil b of grt help,thnx in advance
Please send the papers to gaurav.v.g@gmail.com….
Thanks …
Mrunal sir one query abt work experience .since I am working as PO in PSB .whether my probation period can be treated as full time work experience .. Heard rbi doesn’t treat probation period for experience…is it true.?
mrunal sir
could u plz mention that which books should be prefer for phase 2 exams that is for ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES & finance and management
thanks and regards………
i have no idea of phase second preparation….
sir plz reply.
Mr. Abhishek plz upload qestion papers for all on mrunal.org
thanks
Dear Abhishek,
Please do send all these question papers to my mail id patnaikslesha@gmail.com
please send me @srinivass495@gmail.com
Hi Abhishek,
Please share these papers at jainca2009@rediffmail.com
Best Regards,
Naveen Jain
dear Abhishek , if u can please send these RBI paper to my id which is
nileshzade2@gmail.com . Thank You .
Abhishek it is noble act of sharing waht you have..please do share with me as well/.. cool.guy4024@gmail.com
thanx sir….
hi Abhishek
plz share those papers on gopalkrishna5498@gmail.com
Its not that only abhishek has to send..any one who recieved from him can send me the papers at gopalkrishna5498@gmail.com
thanks!
Dear Abhi,
Please forward a copy of the question papers to rajeshraj7@gmail.com.
Thanks
@abhishek pls send the papers on
alokanilpandey@gmail.com also!
sab sab dekho kaise apna EMAIL ID distribute kar rahe hai…par kisi ne abhi tak US bhai ko MRUNAL.ORG par upload karne ke bare mein koi technique nahi batayi…
@ Abhishek
will u please send me the question papers
my Email ID is ashumalasi@gmail.com