Banking Awareness is a crucial section for exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B, IBPS Clerk and other competitive exams. Below is a list of must-know topics to strengthen your banking general awareness.
1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Established in 1935, nationalized in 1949
- Functions: Monetary authority, currency issuer, banker’s bank
- Key monetary tools: Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, CRR, SLR, MSF, Bank Rate
- Recent RBI monetary policy updates (2025)
2. Monetary Policy
- Types: Expansionary & Contractionary
- Instruments: Quantitative and Qualitative tools
- MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) structure and functions
- Inflation targets and CPI/WPI details
3. Types of Banks in India
- Commercial Banks: Public, Private, Foreign
- Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
- Cooperative Banks
- Payments Banks & Small Finance Banks
- Development Banks: NABARD, SIDBI, EXIM Bank
4. Banking Terms & Abbreviations
- NPA (Non-Performing Assets)
- CASA, CRR, SLR, Repo, MCLR, Base Rate
- PSL (Priority Sector Lending), KYC, RTGS, NEFT
5. Financial Inclusion Schemes
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
- Stand-Up India & Start-Up India
- PM SVANidhi Scheme
- Digital India Initiatives in Banking
6. Digital Banking & Technology
- UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS
- BHIM App, e-RUPI, AEPS
- RBI’s Digital Currency (CBDC - Digital Rupee)
- Cybersecurity in Indian Banking System
7. Banking Sector Reforms
- Basel Norms (I, II, III)
- Bank Mergers (e.g. SBI & Associates, PNB+OBC+UBI)
- Prompt Corrective Action (PCA)
- Privatization of PSBs - Latest Status
8. Important Banking Acts
- Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- RBI Act, 1934
- SARFAESI Act, 2002
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016
9. Important Committees
- Narsimham Committee I & II (Banking Reforms)
- Nachiket Mor Committee (Financial Inclusion)
- Urjit Patel Committee (Monetary Policy Framework)
10. Current Banking Affairs (2025)
- Recent RBI policy decisions
- New bank CEOs/MDs appointments
- Latest RBI circulars & guidelines
- G20 Financial Topics (if India hosted or participated)
Tip: Stay updated with daily financial news, RBI bulletins, and PIB releases to enhance your Banking Awareness score in exams.