Working at the Reserve Bank of India

The kinds of economics jobs at the RBI, how officers are recruited, and what research and policy work involves.

The Reserve Bank of India employs many economists and statisticians.

Roles

Economic research: studying inflation, growth, banking and markets in departments such as the Department of Economic and Policy Research.
Monetary policy support: preparing analysis for the Monetary Policy Committee.
Statistics: collecting and analysing data through the Department of Statistics and Information Management.
Regulation and supervision of banks.
Financial stability analysis.

Recruitment

The RBI recruits officers through the Grade B exam, with streams including general, DEPR (economic and policy research) and DSIM (statistics).
DEPR and DSIM streams require postgraduate qualifications in economics, finance, statistics or related subjects.
Selection includes written exams and interviews.

Research publications

RBI economists contribute to publications such as the RBI Bulletin, the Monetary Policy Report and the Financial Stability Report, and to working papers.

Why it’s attractive

Work on important national issues.
Research opportunities and training.
Stable career with good benefits.

Other financial regulators

SEBI, NABARD, IRDAI and SIDBI also recruit economists and analysts.

The inflation brief

Before a Monetary Policy Committee meeting, an RBI economist analyses food and fuel price trends and prepares a note on the inflation outlook, which helps shape the committee's discussions.

Thinking central banks only employ bankers

Central banks employ many economists and statisticians for research and policy.

Key takeaways

The RBI employs economists in research, statistics, policy and supervision.
The Grade B exam includes DEPR and DSIM streams for economists and statisticians.
RBI economists contribute to bulletins and policy reports.
SEBI, NABARD, IRDAI and SIDBI also hire economists.