RBI Grade B Exam Date 2026: Phase 2 Set for July 25-26, Exam Schedule & Details
RBI has officially released the Phase 2 exam dates for the 2026 recruitment cycle. Following the successful completion of Phase 1, qualified candidates will advance to the Phase 2 examination on 25 and 26 July 2026. Review the full exam schedule, selection criteria, and vital recruitment updates here.
RBI Grade B Exam Date 2026
The RBI Grade B examination is among India's most prestigious competitive exams, offering a lucrative salary package, unparalleled career growth, and the opportunity to serve at the nation's central bank. Candidates should promptly download their admit cards, analyze the official exam pattern, and finalize their last-minute preparations.
Per the official notification, the Phase 2 examination for General, DEPR, and DSIM streams is confirmed for 25th and 26th July 2026. Successful candidates will be shortlisted for the final stage of the recruitment process: the personal Interview round.
| Event | Date |
| Notification released | 28 April 2026 |
| Applications open | 29 April 2026 |
| Last date to Apply | 20 May 2026 (6 PM) |
| Admit Card Released | 5th June 2026 |
| Phase I exam (General) | 13 June 2026 |
| Phase I exam (DEPR/DSIM) | 14 June 2026 |
| Phase II exam (General) | 25 July 2026 |
| Phase II exam (DEPR/DSIM) | 26 July 2026 |
RBI Officer Exam 2026- Highlights
The national-level RBI Grade B exam is held annually. Eligible candidates (aged 21 to 30) from all across India are encouraged to apply. General category applicants are granted six attempts, necessitating a strategic and well-planned preparation approach to maximize success.
| Particular | Details |
| Organisation |
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
|
| Post |
Officers in Grade ‘B’ DR – General / DEPR / DSIM
|
| Total vacancies |
60 (General: 40, DEPR: 10, DSIM: 10)
|
| Exam level | National |
| Job location |
RBI offices across India
|
| Application Mode | online |
| Application dates |
29 April – 20 May 2026 (6 PM)
|
| Selection process |
Phase I (Prelims) → Phase II (Mains) → Interview
|
| Age limit |
21–30 years (as on 1 April 2026)
|
| Qualification (General) |
Graduation min. 60% or Post-graduation min. 55% (any discipline)
|
| Qualification (DEPR) |
Master’s in Economics or Finance, min. 55%
|
| Qualification (DSIM) |
Master’s in Statistics / Data Science / AI / ML or equivalent, min. 55%
|
| Number of attempts |
General: 6 · SC/ST/PwBD: No limit
|
| Probation period | 2 years |
| Exam frequency | Once a year |
| Official website |
www.rbi.org.in/www.opportunities.rbi.org.in
|
RBI Grade B Exam Schedule 2026
With the complete exam schedule now published by the Reserve Bank of India, candidates should track all key milestones to ensure they remain on schedule throughout the recruitment timeline.
| Event | Date |
| RBI Grade B Notification 2026 | 29 April 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 29 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 May 2026 |
| RBI Grade B Admit Card 2026 | Released |
| Phase 1 Exam (General) | 13 June 2026 |
| Phase 1 Exam (DEPR/DSIM) | 14 June 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam (General) | 25 July 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam (DEPR/DSIM) | 26 July 2026 |
| Interview Round |
To Be Announced
|
Post-wise Vacancy Details
| Post | GEN/UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total | PwBD A | PwBD C | PwBD D |
| Officers in Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General Cadre | 16 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 40 | – | 1 | 1 |
| Officers in Grade ‘B’ (DR) – DEPR Cadre | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10 | – | – | – |
| Officers in Grade ‘B’ (DR) – DSIM Cadre | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | – | 10 | 1 | – | – |
| Total | 24 | 6 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 60 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Last 4 Years Vacancy Trend
Recent trends in RBI Grade B recruitment indicate a gradual decline in the number of vacancies. After reaching a peak in 2022, 2026 has witnessed the lowest vacancy count to date, reflecting a tightening landscape for available positions.
- 2026: 60
- 2025: 120
- 2024: 94
- 2023: 291
- 2022: 294
As vacancy numbers shrink, competition levels intensify, which often translates to higher cut-off marks. Prospective candidates should review eligibility requirements and accelerate their preparation to stay ahead of the competition.
RBI Grade B Notification 2026 PDF
The RBI Grade B 2026 notification presents a premium career opportunity with a starting gross monthly salary of approximately Rs. 1.54 lakh. The selection path comprises three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. Detailed requirements are outlined in the official notification.
RBI Grade B 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the RBI Grade B post, candidates must meet the essential eligibility criteria. These include Indian citizenship, an age bracket of 21–30 years, and the educational qualifications specified in the official employment notification.
Age Limit (As on 1/4/2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General /EWS | 21-30 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 21-33 years (+3 years) |
| SC / ST | 21-35 years (+5 years) |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 21-40 years (+10 years) |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21-43 years (+13 years) |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 21-45 years (+15 years) |
Qualification
| Stream |
Required Qualification
|
| General |
Graduation with 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD). Post-graduation with 55% marks (pass marks for reserved categories). CA/CS/ICWA also eligible.
|
| DEPR |
Master’s Degree in Economics/Finance (Quantitative/Financial/Mathematical Economics, etc.) with 55% marks
OR
MBA/PGDM (Finance) with 55% marks OR Master’s in Economics (any specialization) with 55% marks Candidates with teaching/research experience may get up to 3 years age relaxation. |
| DSIM | Master’s in Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Econometrics / Mathematical Economics with 55% marks OR Master’s in Mathematics + 1-year PG Diploma in Statistics OR M.Stat from Indian Statistical Institute with 55% marks OR PGDBA (ISI Kolkata, IIT Kharagpur, IIM Calcutta) with 55% marks. |
Number of Attempts
| Category |
Attempts Allowed
|
| General/EWS |
Maximum 6 attempts
|
| SC/ST/OBC/PwBD |
No limit (subject to upper age limit)
|
Nationality
The primary eligibility requirements are as follows:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962, or
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
RBI Grade B Selection Process
The structured recruitment selection process comprises these core stages:
| Stage | Mode of Exam | Nature | Purpose |
| Phase I (Prelims) | Objective | Qualifying |
Shortlisting candidates for Phase II
|
| Phase II (Mains) | Objective + Descriptive | Merit-making |
Marks counted for final selection
|
| Interview | Interview (75 marks) + Psychometric Test + Document Verification | Interview: Merit-making Psychometric Test: Qualifying |
Final selection based on Phase II + Interview
|
RBI Grade B Shift Timings 2026
Candidates are strictly advised to arrive at their designated examination centers well before the reporting time specified on their admit card.
| Shift | Reporting Time | Exam Time |
| Morning Shift | 8:00 AM |
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
|
| Afternoon Shift | 11:30 AM |
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
|
RBI Grade B 2026 Exam Pattern
This section outlines the comprehensive Exam Pattern, ensuring clarity regarding the exam structure, question distribution, and total time allocated per section.
Prelims Exam Pattern
- There will be a specific sectional duration, which will be mentioned in the admission letter.
- There will be four main sections.
|
Sections
|
No. of Questions
|
Marks
|
Duration
|
|
Reasoning Ability
|
60
|
60
|
45 Minutes
|
|
English
|
30
|
30
|
25 Minutes
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude
|
30
|
30
|
25 Minutes
|
|
General Knowledge
|
80
|
80
|
25 Minutes
|
|
Total
|
200
|
200
|
120 Minutes
|
Only candidates who successfully clear the Prelims stage will be eligible to appear for the Mains (Phase 2) examination.
Mains Exam Pattern
- There are three separate papers in the main exam.
- For RBI Grade B Officers in Gr B (DR)- General, candidates have to appear for papers I, II, and III.
- Papers I & III are 50% Objective & 50 % descriptive, while Paper II is Descriptive only.
- Each paper will be worth 100 marks.
- The English paper is a descriptive test.
|
Paper
|
Format
|
Duration
|
Marks
|
|
Paper-I (Economic & Social Issues)
|
Objective
|
30 Minutes
|
50
|
|
Descriptive
|
90 Minutes
|
50
|
|
|
Paper-II English (Writing Skills) 3 Questions
|
Descriptive
|
90 Minutes
|
100
|
|
Paper III (Finance and Management)
|
Objective
|
30 Minutes
|
50
|
|
Descriptive
|
90 Minutes
|
50
|
Q. Does the RBI provide official answer keys for Phase 1 and Phase 2?
Ans. No. Historically, the Reserve Bank of India does not issue official answer keys for either Phase 1 or Phase 2 exams. Exam results are typically published in PDF format within approximately 20-25 days after the completion of the examination.
How Many Attempts Are Allowed in RBI Grade B?
|
Category
|
Number of Attempts
|
|
General
|
6 Attempts
|
|
SC/ST/PwD
|
No Limits
|
Interview
Final shortlisting for the interview is determined by the aggregate scores from Papers I, II, and III of the Phase II examination. The interview round is worth 75 marks.
Shortlisting for interviews is based on the cumulative marks achieved in Phase 2 (Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Paper 3).
A qualifying psychometric test will be administered prior to the interview. The final merit list is then determined by the combined score from the Mains and Interview phases, calculated in an 80:20 ratio.
Candidates have the option to conduct their interview in either English or Hindi.
RBI Grade B 2026 Salary
The starting basic salary for a Grade B Officer is Rs. 78,450, with a total gross monthly salary of approximately Rs. 1,54,936 (excluding HRA in specific instances).
The Grade B managerial pay scale begins at Rs. 78,450 – 4,050(9) – 1,14,900 – EB – 4,050(2) – 1,23,000 – 4,650(4) – 1,41,600 (over 16 years), complemented by annual performance-based increments.
Additionally, officers receive robust benefits including HRA, Dearness Allowance, medical coverage, education allowances, concessional loans, and pension schemes. The total annual CTC can exceed Rs. 34 lakhs in metropolitan regions.
2 Year Probation Period After Selection
Beyond the compensation, the Grade B role offers significant professional responsibility. Selected candidates will serve a two-year probation period to evaluate performance and role suitability. Key responsibilities for this position are detailed below.
RBI Grade B 2026 Exam Centres
Comprehensive details regarding RBI Grade B Exam Centres 2026 can be found below. The Reserve Bank of India conducts examinations across these specified centers.
| State/UT |
NCR (Exam) Centre for Prelims
|
| Andaman & Nicobar (UT) | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh |
Guntur/Vijayawada, Kakinada, Tirupathi, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Eluru, Ongole, Srikakulam
|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Naharlagun |
| Assam |
Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur
|
| Bihar |
Arrah, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Gaya, Purnea
|
| Chandigarh (UT) |
Mohali (SAS Nagar)
|
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur, Bhilai |
| Delhi | Delhi/NCR |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Gujarat |
Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Anand/Vadodara, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat/Bardoli
|
| Haryana |
Ambala, Kurukshetra, Faridabad, Gurugram
|
| Himachal Pradesh |
Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra
|
| Jammu & Kashmir (UT) |
Jammu, Srinagar, Samba
|
| Jharkhand |
Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
|
| Karnataka |
Bengaluru, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Hubballi (Hubli)/Dharwad, Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mysuru (Mysore), Shivamogga (Shimoga), Udupi, Davanagere
|
| Kerala |
Kannur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam
|
| Ladakh (UT) | Leh, Kargil |
| Madhya Pradesh |
Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Ujjain, Satna
|
| Maharashtra |
Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Mumbai/Navi Mumbai/Thane/MMR, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Akola, Jalna, Chandrapur, Solapur, Dhule, Nanded, Latur, Beed, Parbhani, Ahilyanagar
|
| Manipur |
Imphal, Kakching, Churachandpur
|
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima, Dimapur |
| Odisha |
Balasore, Berhampur (Ganjam), Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Baripada
|
| Puducherry (UT) | Puducherry |
| Punjab |
Amritsar, Bathinda, Patiala, Moga, Phagwara
|
| Rajasthan |
Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Sikar
|
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu |
Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Salem, Namakkal, Thiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Thanjavur, Vellore, Nagercoil/Kanyakumari, Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirupur
|
| Telangana |
Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Mehbubnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam
|
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh |
Agra, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Varanasi, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Noida & Greater Noida
|
| Uttarakhand |
Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee
|
| West Bengal |
Asansol, Kolkata, Kalyani, Siliguri, Burdwan, Durgapur, Hooghly, Howrah
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee City
|
|
West Bengal
|
Asansol, Kolkata, Greater Kolkata, Kalyani, Siliguri
|
Note that the number of operational exam centers is more limited for the Mains and Interview stages compared to the Prelims.
|
RBI Grade B Mains Exam Centre
|
|
|
Ahmedabad – Gandhinagar
|
Jammu
|
|
Bengaluru
|
Kanpur
|
|
Bhopal
|
Kochi
|
|
Bhubaneswar
|
Lucknow
|
|
Kolkata
|
Mumbai – Navi Mumbai
|
|
Chandigarh – Mohali
|
Nagpur
|
|
Chennai
|
New Delhi – NCR
|
|
Guwahati
|
Patna
|
|
Hyderabad
|
Pune
|
|
Jaipur
|
Thiruvananthapuram
|
|
Raipur
|
|
FAQs
The 2026 RBI Grade B recruitment includes 60 vacancies total, segmented into 40 for General, 10 for DEPR, and 10 for DSIM cadres.
The Phase 2 examination for the 2026 cycle is firmly scheduled for 25th and 26th July 2026.
Yes, a negative marking scheme applies, with a deduction of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer provided.
No, there have been no updates or changes to the established syllabus and examination pattern for this year.
The updated gross monthly compensation for an RBI Grade B Officer is Rs. 1,54,936.