Quick answer. DSIM has three papers worth 300 marks plus a 75 mark interview, giving a final merit out of 375. DEPR has four papers worth 400 marks plus the same 75 mark interview, out of 475. In both cadres, only candidates who clear the first stage cutoff have their remaining papers evaluated, but every paper counts in the final merit. Physical calculators are banned throughout, and an on screen calculator is provided for DSIM Paper II only.
This page covers DSIM and DEPR. The General cadre follows a different structure and is not covered here.
DSIM: Three Papers
| Paper | Type | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Objective, on Statistics. Online, multiple choice. | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Paper II | Descriptive, on Statistics. Questions displayed on computer, answers written on paper. | 180 minutes | 100 |
| Paper III | English, descriptive. Typed on a keyboard. | 90 minutes | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
Paper I is held on one date. Papers II and III are held together on a second date, several weeks later, in shifts. A single admit card covers both shifts and you must appear for all of them.
What the DSIM Papers Look Like Inside
Where this comes from. The notification specifies duration and marks only. The structure below comes from our own conversations with candidates who appeared in recent cycles, and from past Information Handouts. The Handout is released fresh with the admit card each cycle, so confirm it when yours arrives.
Paper I
Around 20 questions of 5 marks each, spread fairly evenly across the nine syllabus units, with a penalty of one third of the marks for a wrong answer.
Work the penalty out. A wrong answer on a five mark question costs roughly 1.67 marks, so three wrong answers cancel one correct answer. With no calculator available in this paper, accuracy matters far more than attempt count.
Paper II
Three sections of six questions each, twenty marks per question. You attempt five in total, with a maximum of two from any one section.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| One | Statistical Inference, Multivariate Analysis and core Statistics |
| Two | Stochastic Processes and Time Series |
| Three | Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Database Management |
Do the arithmetic on that choice rule. Two plus two is four. You cannot reach five answers without taking at least one from every section.
A candidate who skipped the data science units has a maximum of four questions available, so 80 marks instead of 100, before writing a word.
Read the full Paper II answer writing guide
DEPR: Four Papers
| Phase | Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase I | Paper I: Objective, on Economics | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Phase I | Paper II: English, descriptive, typed | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Phase II | Paper I: Descriptive, on Economics, written on paper | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Phase II | Paper II: Descriptive, on Economics, written on paper | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Total | 400 |
Note the structural difference. DEPR sits its English paper in Phase I, alongside the objective paper. DSIM sits its English paper in the second sitting, alongside the descriptive Statistics paper.
Interview: 75 Marks
Identical for both cadres.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Marks | 75 |
| Language | Hindi or English, candidate’s choice |
| Personality Assessment | Conducted before the interview. Carries no marks and does not form part of the final selection criteria. |
Candidates are shortlisted for the interview based on aggregate marks in the written papers. The cutoff is decided by the Board in relation to the number of vacancies.
Final Merit
| Cadre | Written | Interview | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSIM | 300 | 75 | 375 |
| DEPR | 400 | 75 | 475 |
Every paper counts all the way to the end. The first stage is not a screening test that is then discarded. Final selection is on the basis of performance in all papers and the interview taken together.
That has a practical consequence. A candidate who barely clears the Paper I cutoff carries that low score into the final merit. Scraping through the first paper is not the same as clearing it.
How Shortlisting Works
For DSIM. Candidates who secure minimum aggregate marks in Paper I, as prescribed, are shortlisted for Papers II and III. Only their Papers II and III are evaluated.
For DEPR. Candidates who secure minimum aggregate marks in Paper I and Paper II of Phase I together are shortlisted for Phase II.
In both cases the minimum aggregate cutoff is decided by the Board in relation to the number of vacancies. Roll numbers of shortlisted candidates are published on the RBI website.
The Rule Nobody Expects
No marks are published at any stage until the final result.
For the General cadre, Phase I marks are made available after shortlisting. For DEPR and DSIM, marks for Phase I, Phase II and the interview all appear only after the final result is declared.
So you will write Papers II and III without knowing your Paper I score. You will attend the interview without knowing your written total.
Plan accordingly. There is no point waiting for a number that will not arrive.
Language
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Question papers | Set in Hindi and English, except the English paper |
| DSIM Paper II answers | Hindi or English |
| DSIM Paper III answers | English only |
| DEPR descriptive Economics answers | Hindi or English |
| DEPR Phase I Paper II, English | English only |
| Interview | Hindi or English |
Calculators
Physical calculators are not permitted in any phase of these examinations, and you may not be in possession of one anywhere in the examination premises.
A non programmable electronic calculator is made available on screen, for Paper II, for DSIM candidates only.
That is a narrow permission and it matters for your preparation. Paper I is objective Statistics for 120 minutes with no calculator at all. Every computation there has to be done by hand or avoided by knowing a shortcut.
Practise Paper I level questions without a calculator from the start.
Banned Items
Mobile phones, even switched off. Pagers. Any electronic or programmable device. Storage media such as pen drives. Smart watches. Cameras. Bluetooth devices. Any accessory capable of being used as a communication device, in working or switched off mode.
Infringement leads to disciplinary action including a ban from future examinations.
Examination Centres
DSIM and DEPR use a much shorter centre list than the General cadre: roughly twenty one centre groups nationwide rather than a full list across every state.
You select four preferred centres for each phase separately, and the choices for the two phases can differ. The Board reserves the right to allot a different centre, and no request for a change of centre is entertained.
If there is no centre in your city, factor travel and accommodation into your planning for both examination dates. Candidates appear at their own risk and expense, and the Board arranges no boarding or lodging.
Two Administrative Points Worth Knowing
Eligibility is determined only at the interview stage. The Board admits everyone who applies with the correct fee based on what they declared. Being issued an admit card does not mean your candidature has been cleared. Verify your own eligibility carefully.
Late arrival means no entry. Candidates reporting after the gate closure time printed on the admit card are not permitted to take the examination, in either phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many papers are there in RBI Grade B DSIM?
Three, worth 100 marks each. Paper I objective Statistics for 120 minutes, Paper II descriptive Statistics for 180 minutes written by hand, and Paper III English typed for 90 minutes.
What is the total marks for RBI DSIM selection?
- Three papers of 100 marks each plus a 75 mark interview.
How many papers are there in RBI Grade B DEPR?
Four, worth 100 marks each, for a written total of 400, plus a 75 mark interview.
Is a calculator allowed in RBI Grade B?
Physical calculators are banned in every phase. A non programmable on screen calculator is provided for DSIM Paper II only.
Are RBI DSIM Paper I marks shown before Paper II?
No. For DEPR and DSIM, marks for all phases and the interview are published only after the final result is declared.
Can I write RBI DSIM Paper II in Hindi?
Yes. Paper II answers may be written in Hindi or English. Paper III must be answered in English only.
Does Paper I count in the final merit for DSIM?
Yes. Final selection is based on performance in all three papers and the interview taken together. Paper I is not merely a screening test.
How many examination centres are there for DSIM?
DSIM and DEPR use a shorter list than the General cadre, around twenty one centre groups nationwide. Candidates select four preferences for each phase separately.
Related Pages
- RBI Grade B: Vacancies, Eligibility and Pay
- RBI Grade B DSIM: Complete Guide
- RBI DSIM Syllabus, All Nine Units
Reproduced from RBI Advertisement RBISB/DA/01/2026-27. The Board reserves the right to modify examination dates and structure. The official RBI website is the final authority.