Regional Rural Banks Officer Scale-I - Preliminary Examination
The Common Recruitment Process for Officer Scale-I, a Group A assistant manager post in Regional Rural Banks. Unlike the Probationary Officer and Clerk examinations, the two preliminary sections are not equally timed.
80 questions · 45 minutes · 80 marks · 0.25 negative marking
IBPS RRB Officer Scale-I Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 0.25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 40 | 0.25 |
Eligibility
A bachelor's degree in any discipline. Preference is given to degrees in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Engineering, Pisciculture, Agricultural Marketing and Cooperation, Information Technology, Management, Law, Economics or Accountancy. Proficiency in the local language prescribed by the participating bank is required, and working knowledge of computers is desirable. No prior experience is needed.
Above 18 and below 30 years, reckoned as on the date stated in the notification.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination — 80 questions in 45 minutes. Reasoning is allowed 25 minutes and Quantitative Aptitude 20, so the sections are not equally timed.
- Main Examination — 200 questions for 200 marks in 120 minutes, including a Computer Knowledge section and a choice between English and Hindi.
- Interview — 100 marks, conducted by the nodal Regional Rural Bank with assistance from NABARD and IBPS.
- Provisional Allotment — Final merit is weighted 80 per cent Mains and 20 per cent interview.
IBPS RRB Officer Scale-I Prelims Syllabus
General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Puzzles: floor, box, scheduling, comparison, designation and variable-based
- Seating arrangement: linear, double-row, circular and square
- Syllogism
- Direct and coded inequality
- Coding and decoding
- Blood relations
- Direction and distance
- Order and ranking
- Alphanumeric series
- Alphabet test
- Data sufficiency
- Statement and assumption
- Statement and conclusion
- Course of action
- Logical Venn diagrams
Quantitative Aptitude
- Data interpretation: tabular, bar, line, pie, caselet, missing and mixed
- Data sufficiency
- Quantity comparison
- Number series
- Simplification and approximation
- Quadratic equations
- Percentage
- Ratio and proportion
- Average
- Problems on ages
- Profit, loss and discount
- Simple and compound interest
- Time and work
- Pipes and cisterns
- Time, speed and distance
- Boats and streams
- Problems on trains
- Mixture and alligation
- Partnership
- Mensuration
- Permutation, combination and probability
- Number system
Qualifying Marks
A minimum must be cleared in both preliminary tests and in each Mains test. Candidates numbering up to three times the declared vacancies per state and category are called for interview, which carries 100 marks with a minimum of 40 per cent, or 35 per cent for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates.
Exam Calendar
Based on recent cycles rather than any announcement: notification around June, preliminary examination around August, Mains between September and November, interviews around January or February, and allotment around March or April.
IBPS RRB Officer Scale-I Prelims FAQs
Is the preliminary examination sectionally timed?
Yes, and unusually the sections differ: Reasoning is allowed 25 minutes and Quantitative Aptitude 20. Older material describing a composite 45-minute window is out of date.
Is there an interview?
Yes, for Officer Scale-I. It carries 100 marks and is conducted by the nodal Regional Rural Bank with assistance from NABARD and IBPS.
What is the weighting between Mains and interview?
80 per cent Mains and 20 per cent interview.
Does the preliminary score count toward the final merit?
No. Only the Mains and interview marks are used.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, a quarter of the marks assigned to that question, at every stage.
Is English tested in the preliminary examination?
No. The preliminary examination covers only Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. A language paper appears in the Mains.
Can I take both English and Hindi in the Mains?
No. You opt for one of the two 40-question language papers.
How many candidates are called for interview?
Up to three times the declared vacancies for each state and category.
Do I need an agriculture degree?
No. Any bachelor's degree qualifies; the listed disciplines only receive preference.
Is local language proficiency required?
Yes, as prescribed by the participating Regional Rural Bank.