Every year Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS RRB Assistant exam to select candidates for the posts of Assistants or clerks in the Regional Rural Banks of India. Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are government-owned scheduled commercial banks of India that operate at the regional level in different states of India.
 
IBPS RRB Assistant 2023 exam is a great opportunity for aspirants aspiring for a stable career in the banking sector. As an Assistant at RRB, you will be responsible for various tasks that contribute to the smooth operation of banking services while providing personalized assistance to customers, particularly those from rural backgrounds.
 
The position of an RRB Assistant offers not only job security but also a reputable and honorable career trajectory. With a promising salary package, this position serves as a foundation for financial stability and growth, providing individuals with an opportunity to build a secure and prosperous future in the banking sector
 
Through this article, we will look into various aspects of the RRB Assistant position, guiding you towards a successful career in the banking sector.


RRB Assistant Exam Overview

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has recently issued the official notification for the recruitment of Assistants in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The recruitment process will include online examinations for the position of RRB Office Assistant (Multipurpose). The tentative dates for these examinations are scheduled for August and September 2023. Here is a brief overview of the RRB Assistant exam:

Name of Exam Conducting Agency Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Exam Date 05.08.2023, 06.08.2023, 12.08.2023, 13.08.2023 and 19.08.2023.
Name of the post RRB Office Assistant / RRB Clerk
Total Vacancies 5564
Mode of Application Online
Mode of exam Online
Selection procedure Prelims, Mains
Official website www.ibps.in


Understanding the Role of an RRB Assistant

 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are scheduled commercial banks owned by the Government of India and operate at the regional level, catering to the banking needs of rural communities. These banks were established to provide basic banking and financial services to rural areas in India. However, RRBs also have branches in urban areas to cater to a wider customer base.
 
RRB Assistant is an entry-level position within the lower-level management hierarchy of Regional Rural Banks. While the job of an RRB Assistant is primarily desk-oriented, it holds significant importance in serving the banking needs of the rural community. Here are the key responsibilities of an RRB Assistant:

• Handling cash transactions, including accepting and remitting cash, processing fund transfers such as NEFT and RTGS entries, updating passbooks, and maintaining customer details.
• Handling customer requests such as processing cheques and withdrawal slips, ensuring prompt and efficient service.
• Explaining the features and benefits of the bank's products and services to customers, encouraging them to avail themselves of relevant offerings, and promoting business growth.
• Other basic banking services such as opening accounts, maintaining records, assisting customers with transactions, handling cash counters, & managing withdrawals.
• They also play a key role in customer service, addressing queries, resolving issues, and providing necessary information to account holders.
• RRBs primarily operate in rural areas and the majority of their customers belong to segments such as farmers & daily wage workers. An essential duty of an RRB Office Assistant is to actively listen to the financial queries and concerns raised by these customers and provide them with practical and effective solutions.]




The role of an RRB Assistant offers promising growth prospects and opportunities for career advancement. Starting as an entry-level position, RRB Assistants can progress through the above-mentioned positions. With continuous learning and professional development, RRB Assistants can chart a rewarding and fulfilling career path within the banking industry.

Eligibility Criteria for RRB Assistant Examination

Here we have listed the basic eligibility criteria for appointment to the posts in the RRB Assistant. By familiarizing yourself with the eligibility criteria in advance, you can assess the education qualifications, age limit, and other necessary conditions specified by IBPS to apply for the post of RRB Assistant

RRB ASSISTANT 2023: Educational Qualifications

To apply for the post of Assistant in Regional Rural Banks, here are the essential education qualifications:
 
1. You must possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized University or its equivalent.

 
2. Working knowledge of Computers is a desirable qualification for the post of RRB clerk.

Proficiency in the local language

Proficiency in the local language is one of the essential qualifications to be eligible for the post of RRB Assistant as prescribed by the participating Regional Rural Banks.

• As per the notification, candidates who have studied the language of the State in standard VIII or above, as recognized by Government boards of education/schools, or hold a certificate attesting to their proficiency in the local language, will be considered proficient in that language.

• If you do not meet the aforesaid requirement in the local language at the time of selection, you will be given a time of six months from the date of joining to acquire proficiency.

 

IBPS RRB ASSISTANT 2023 Age Limit

To apply for the post of Assistant in RRB, an unreserved category candidate should not be below 18 years & above 28 years of age. However, there will be age relaxations in the upper age limit for different other categories as follows:

 

Category Relaxation
Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe 5 Years
Other Backward Classes 3 Years
Persons With Benchmark Disabilities 10 Years
Ex-Servicemen & Commissioned Officers 5 Years
Persons affected by the 1984 riots 5 Years
 

 

RRB Assistant Examination Pattern


Understanding the examination pattern of the RRB Assistant exam is crucial for effective preparation. Being aware of the number of questions, the duration of the exam, and the marking scheme helps you to manage your time effectively during the actual test. Moreover, by knowing the pattern, you can develop a strategic approach to tackle the exam. Here is a detailed description of RRB Assistant Exam Pattern:
 
Stage I: Prelims
 
The preliminary phase of RRB Assistant shall consist of two sections, namely Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. You will be provided with a total of 80 questions to be attempted within a duration of 45 minutes. The time allocation will be cumulative for both sections.
 
It is important to note that the prelims of the RRB Assistant exam is qualifying, i.e., the marks obtained in the Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude sections will not be considered in the preparation of the merit list. However, there will be a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer marked in the Objective Tests. The following table will help you understand the pattern of the RRB Assistant exam:

 

 


S.No Name of the Test Number of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1. Reasoning 40 40 Composite time of 45 minutes
2. Numerical Ability 40 40
  Total 80 80  
 

Stage 2: Mains
 
The mains of the IBPS RRB Clerk / RRB Office Assistant would be divided into 5 sections – Reasoning, Computer Knowledge, Language test, General Awareness, and Quantitative Aptitude. The marks obtained in this round will be considered for the final merit so you must score well in this round to get the final selection.
 

S.No Name of the Test Number of Questions Maximum Marks Duration
1. Reasoning 40 50 Composite time of 2 hours
2. Computer Knowledge 40 20
3. General Awareness 40 40
4. English / Hindi Language 40 40
5. Quantitative Aptitude 40 50
  Total 200 200  


• Click here to attempt a free RRB Clerk mock test!

Important Topics and Syllabus for RRB Assistant Exam


The RRB Assistant Exam covers various subjects and topics in preliminary and mains examinations including English language, Hindi language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General Knowledge, and Computer Knowledge.
 
To enhance your preparation, Smartkeeda offers Topic Tests for each subject. These tests allow you to practice and evaluate your understanding of individual topics within each subject area. By attempting Smartkeeda topic tests, you can strengthen your knowledge and skills in specific areas, ensuring a comprehensive and targeted approach to your RRB Assistant Exam preparation.

RRB Assistant Prelims Syllabus:
 

Sections Syllabus
English
language
Reasoning
ability
Quantitative
aptitude
 

 

RRB Assistant Mains Syllabus:





Sections Syllabus
Reasoning
ability
Quantitative
aptitude
General Awareness
  • Current Affairs
  • Banking News
  • National and International News
  • Economic and Financial News
  • Awards and honors
  • Books and authors, 
  • Latest appointments, 
  • Obituaries, 
  • New schemes sanctioned by the Central and state governments
  • Static GK 
  • Names of Country-capital, currency, 
  • Headquarters of Financial Organizations 
  • Constituencies of Ministers, 
  • Dance forms
  • Important Dates
  • Banking/Financial terms
Computer Awareness
 

Best Books and Study Materials for RRB Assistant Preparation


Selecting the right study material is a crucial step in preparing for the IBPS RRB Assistant exam. With a plethora of options available both offline and online, it is essential to choose reliable and comprehensive study materials that align with the exam syllabus and pattern of the exam. So, here we present a comprehensive list of subjects for IBPS RRB Assistant preparation, along with recommended books that aid in conceptual understanding and cracking the exam:

English Language:

• "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
• "High School English Grammar and Composition" by Wren and Martin
• "Objective General English" by S.P. Bakshi
 
Hindi Language:

• "Samanya Hindi" by Unique Publication
• "Hindi Vyakaran" by Lucent Publication
 
Quantitative Aptitude:

• "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal
• "Fast Track Objective Arithmetic" by Rajesh Verma
• "Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT" by Sarvesh K. Verma
 
Reasoning Ability:

• "A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal
• "Analytical Reasoning" by M.K. Pandey
 
General Knowledge:

• "Lucent's General Knowledge" by Dr. Binay Karna and Manwendra Mukul
 
Computer Knowledge:

• "Objective Computer Awareness" by Arihant Experts
• "Computer Awareness for General Competitive Exams" by Soumya Ranjan Behera

Moreover, for additional practice and resources, Smartkeeda offers a wide range of study materials, including PDFs, practice sets, and topic-wise questions, specifically designed to help candidates prepare effectively for the RRB Assistant Exam. You can conveniently download these free PDFs and practice questions for the RRB Assistant exam from Smartkeeda and gain a competitive edge in the exam.


RRB Assistant Free Quizzes for Reasoning Ability
 
RRB Assistant Quant Sectional Tests
RRB Assistant Free Quizzes for Quantitative Aptitude
 
RRB Assistant English Sectional Tests
RRB Assistant Free Quizzes for the English Language
 
RRB Assistant Banking Awareness pdf
 
RRB Assistant Topic-wise Quizzes
 
RRB Assistant Computer knowledge pdf
 
RRB Assistant Reasoning Sectional Tests RRB Assistant Current Affairs Quizzes
 


Previous Year Question Papers and Mock Tests for RRB Assistant


After building a strong conceptual foundation through books and pdfs, it is crucial to transition to attempting RRB Assistant mock tests as a vital part of your preparation strategy. RRB Assistant Mock tests & RRB Assistant Previous Year Papers serve as valuable tools that validate your knowledge, identify areas of improvement, and enhance your time management skills within an exam-like environment. By attempting RRB Assistant mock tests regularly, you can gain familiarity with the exam pattern, understand the level of difficulty, and adapt to the time constraints imposed during the actual IBPS RRB Assistant exam.

Attempt a free full length RRB Assistant Prelims Mock Test!

In addition to full-length tests and previous year papers for RRB Assistant Exam, Smartkeeda offers targeted topic tests and sectional tests to strengthen your skills in specific areas. These specialized tests focus on individual topics and sections, allowing you to concentrate on areas where you need improvement or practice.

• The Topic tests by Smartkeeda are designed to help you build a deep understanding of each topic asked in the RRB Assistant exam from the beginner to advanced level. By attempting these topic tests regularly, you can develop a deep understanding of the concepts and confidently tackle your weak topics in the exam.
 
• After attempting topics tests, you should target the complete section with the help of RRB Assistant Sectional tests. Sectional tests contain a curated set of questions from a particular section, such as Quantitative AptitudeReasoning, or English.

Role of General Awareness and Current Affairs

You cannot trivialize the role of General Awareness (GA) and Current Affairs (CA) in any IBPS Exam including RRB Assistant. As the mains score is considered for the final selection, performing well in the General Awareness and Current Affairs section can significantly impact your final selection. A strong command over current events, national and international affairs, banking and financial awareness, and other relevant topics can contribute to securing an excellent overall score with minimum effort, and place you ahead in the final merit list.
 
To help you effectively prepare for this section, we offer a monthly collection of approximately 12 Current Affairs Mock drills, each containing 50 of the most important Current Affairs Questions with a banking awareness pdf. Each mock drill quiz is accompanied by MockDrill PDF that includes a concise "News Summary & Smart Points".
 
First, you have to read the News from MockDrill PDF, then attempt Questions based on that particular PDF. At last, you get a Monthly Combo PDF through which you can revise all news multiple times. Moreover, we offer "unlimited re-attempts" on each Mock drill, providing ample opportunities to master your Current Affairs preparation.

• Download June 2023 Current Affairs Mock Drill!
• Download Smart 350 News Pdf!
• Download Smart Banking & Financial Awareness Pdf!
• Download Smart Topic-wise Pdf!

To all aspiring candidates dreaming of a rewarding banking career, the IBPS RRB Assistant 2023 exam presents a remarkable opportunity. With dedication, hard work, and a strategic approach to preparation, you can unlock the doors to a fulfilling and promising career as an RRB Assistant

Author : Anjali

Hi, I am Anjali, a Probationary officer at a leading Public Sector Bank. With a passion for helping aspiring bankers, I have embarked on a journey to share my knowledge and insights through informative blogs. Having successfully cleared various bank exams myself, including IBPS PO XII, I understand the challenges and the importance of effective preparation. Through my blogs, I aim to provide valuable tips, strategies, and resources specifically tailored for bank exams, empowering the aspirants to achieve their dream of a successful banking career.


FAQ’s


The selection process for RRB Assistant includes two stages: Preliminary Examination and Main Examination. Only the marks obtained in the Main Examination are considered for the final selection of candidates.

The syllabus for the RRB Assistant exam typically includes subjects such as Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Hindi Language, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge.

To prepare effectively for the RRB Assistant exam, focus on building conceptual understanding through books and PDFs. Additionally, regularly attempt mock tests to gauge your progress, improve time management, and identify areas for improvement. This approach will help you strengthen your knowledge and skills, increasing your chances of success in the exam.

The basic pay of an RRB Assistant starts with Rs. 19,900. With the inclusion of perks and allowances, the in-hand salary amounts to approximately Rs. 37,000.