1. Overview of the Recruitment
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) runs the Bank Note Press (BNP) in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. Every year the institution releases a notification for the post of **Junior Technician (JT)** to cater to the growing technical requirements of banknote production, quality control, and equipment maintenance.
Junior Technicians are recruited on a contractual basis with a possibility of conversion to permanent posts based on performance and vacancy. The post offers a handsome salary package, dearnessment benefits, and exposure to advanced printing technology.
2. Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Diploma or equivalent in any of the following streams:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunications
- Instrumentation
- Computer Engineering
- Printing Technology
- Age Limit: Minimum 18 years, maximum 28 years as on the last date of application. Age relaxation as per government norms for SC/ST, OBC, ExServicemen, etc., is applicable.
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
- Physical Standards: Must meet the physical standards prescribed for the post (vision, hearing, and overall health).
- Other Requirements: No criminal record, and must possess a valid GATE/UGC NET score if applying through the reserved quota (where applicable).
3. Detailed Syllabus
The written examination consists of two papers PaperI (General Ability) and PaperII (Technical Ability). Below is a subjectwise breakdown.
3.1 PaperI General Ability (100 Marks)
- Reasoning: Analogies, similaritiesdifferences, spatial visualization, series, codingdecoding, puzzles, syllogisms, data sufficiency.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, percentage, profit & loss, time & work, time & distance, ratio & proportion, algebra, geometry, data interpretation.
- English Language: Vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms), grammar (fill in the blanks, error detection), reading comprehension, fillintheblanks, sentence rearrangement.
- General Awareness (Current Affairs): Banking & finance, RBI policies, Indian Economy, major national and international events (last 12 months), Science & Technology, static GK (states, capitals, rivers).
3.2 PaperII Technical Ability (200 Marks)
The technical paper varies according to the engineering discipline mentioned in the eligibility section. Below is a generic outline covering common topics across the major streams.
3.2.1 Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics Statics, dynamics, forces, moment of inertia.
- Strength of Materials Stress, strain, torsion, bending, deflection.
- Thermodynamics Laws, cycles, heat transfer.
- Manufacturing Processes Casting, forging, machining, welding, sheet metal work.
- Machine Tools Lathe, milling, drilling, grinding, CNC basics.
- Fluid Mechanics Fluid properties, Bernoullis equation, pumps, turbines.
- Electrical & Instrumentation basics DC/AC circuits, transformers, motors, sensors.
3.2.2 Electrical & Electronics Engineering
- Electrical Fundamentals Ohms law, Kirchhoffs laws, threephase systems, power factor.
- Electrical Machines DC machines, induction motors, synchronous machines, transformers.
- Control Systems Block diagrams, transfer functions, stability, PID controllers.
- Electronics Semiconductors, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, digital logic, microcontrollers.
- Power Electronics Thyristors, IGBTs, rectifiers, inverters.
- Instrumentation Sensors, transducers, data acquisition, PLC basics.
- Electrical Safety & Standards Earthing, insulation, protective devices.
3.2.3 Computer Engineering / IT
- Computer Fundamentals OS concepts, file handling, memory hierarchy.
- Programming C/C++ basics, data structures, algorithms, control statements.
- Database SQL queries, normalization, ER diagrams.
- Networks OSI model, TCP/IP, routing basics, LAN/WAN.
- Microprocessors Architecture, instruction set, interfacing.
- Cyber Security Basics of cryptography, firewalls, malware.
- Operating Systems Process scheduling, deadlock, memory management.
3.2.4 Instrumentation & Control
- Instrumentation Measurement techniques, error analysis, calibration.
- Control Theory Feedback principles, stability, sensors, actuators.
- Process Control PID tuning, SCADA basics, PLC programming.
- Signals & Systems Fourier analysis, Laplace transforms.
- Electronic Devices Operational amplifiers, comparators, filters.
3.2.5 Printing Technology (Specific to BNP)
- Printing Processes Offset, intaglio, gravure, screen printing.
- Materials Paper grades, inks, polymers, security features.
- Quality Control Colorimetry, line counting, registration, defect analysis.
- Machine Maintenance Press operation, roller alignment, calibrations.
- Security Features Watermarks, microprinting, security threads, UV inks.
4. Exam Pattern
The selection procedure consists of three stages: Written Examination, Skill Test (Practical), and Interview. Only candidates clearing the written stage are invited for the skill test.
4.1 Written Examination
| Paper | Duration | Maximum Marks | Number of Questions | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PaperI (General Ability) | 2 hrs | 100 | 100 (1 mark each) | +1 for correct, 0.25 for wrong |
| PaperII (Technical Ability) | 3 hrs | 200 | 100 (2 marks each) | +2 for correct, 0.50 for wrong |
4.2 Skill Test (Practical)
- Duration: 23 hours (depends on discipline).
- Components: Handson tasks, equipment handling, troubleshooting, and a short vivavoce.
- Maximum Marks: 50 (clearing threshold is 35).
4.3 Personal Interview
- Only candidates who score 35 in the skill test are called.
- Interview focuses on:
- Technical knowledge and problemsolving ability.
- Communication skills.
- Motivation and suitability for banknote press environment.
- Maximum Marks: 25.
4.4 Final Selection
The final merit list is prepared on the basis of total marks obtained in PaperI, PaperII, Skill Test, and Interview. Weightage:
- PaperI: 20%
- PaperII: 40%
- Skill Test: 20%
- Interview: 20%
5. Preparation Tips for Aspirants
5.1 Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly
Download the official notification and create a checklist for every subtopic. Prioritise subjects in which you are less confident.
5.2 Follow a Structured Study Plan
- Allocate 23 months for PaperI and 34 months for PaperII.
- Reserve the last 3 weeks for fulllength mock tests.
- Dedicate 23 days a week for skilltest practice (lab work or simulation).
5.3 Use Quality Reference Materials
- General Ability R.S. Aggarwal (Quantitative) and Arihant (Reasoning).
- Technical Standard textbooks for each branch (e.g., Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design for Mechanical, Electrical Machines by P.S. Bimbhra for Electrical, Fundamentals of Digital Logic by M. Morris Mano for Electronics).
- Current Affairs PIB releases, RBI weekly bulletin, reputable newspapers.
- Printing Technology Bank Note Printing Technology by International Banknote Society (available online).
5.4 Practice Previous Year Papers
The exam pattern remains consistent; solving past papers builds speed and familiarity with question styles. Analyse mistakes and revisit weak areas.
5.5 Strengthen Practical Skills
- Visit a local workshop or college lab to handle instruments, testing equipment, or CNC machines.
- Watch video tutorials on PLC programming, circuit simulation (LTSpice), or CNC operations.
- Prepare a small project (e.g., building a simple temperature controller) to demonstrate problemsolving ability during the skill test.
5.6 Time Management on Exam Day
- Attempt all easy questions first typically 60% of PaperI.
- Allocate 1 minute per question in PaperI; 1.5 minutes for Technical questions.
- Leave a final 10minute review to correct any marking errors.
5.7 Health & WellBeing
Maintain a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and short breaks during study sessions. Physical fitness is also essential for the skill test where manual handling may be involved.
