The Reserve Bank of India has officially released the Phase 2 Exam Dates for the 2026 RBI Grade B recruitment (General/DEPR/DSIM posts). Review the full schedule, selection criteria, exam pattern, and official updates here.
RBI Grade B Exam 2026
The RBI Grade B examination remains one of India's most prestigious banking recruitment processes. It offers a competitive salary, exceptional career progression, and the honor of serving the nation's central bank. Held annually at a national level, the exam is open to eligible candidates across all States and Union Territories. Below are the key recruitment highlights.
| 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 Date 2026 Out
According to the official notification, the Phase 2 examinations for the General and DEPR/DSIM streams are scheduled for July 25 and July 26, 2026, respectively. Successful candidates who clear the Phase 2 stage will advance to the final selection phase: the Interview round.
RBI Grade B 2026 Important Dates
With the RBI having released the official examination calendar, candidates are advised to track all critical dates to ensure they do not miss any stage of the selection process.
| 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 I exam (General) | 13 June 2026 |
| Phase I exam (DEPR/DSIM) | 14 June 2026 |
| Mains Admit Card | 15 July 2026 |
| Phase II exam (General) | 25 July 2026 |
| Phase II exam (DEPR/DSIM) | 26 July 2026 |
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
The vacancy trends for RBI Grade B recruitment have shown a downward shift over the past five years. While 2022 saw peak recruitment numbers, the 2026 cycle reflects the lowest vacancy count to date, indicating a more competitive selection landscape.
- 2026: 60
- 2025: 120
- 2024: 94
- 2023: 291
- 2022: 294
Given the reduced number of vacancies, competition is expected to be more intense, likely leading to higher cut-off scores. We strongly recommend that eligible candidates finalize their applications and prioritize their study schedules immediately.
RBI Grade B Notification 2026 PDF
The RBI Grade B 2026 notification provides a lucrative career path for banking aspirants, featuring a starting gross salary of approximately Rs. 1.54 lakh per month. The selection process comprises Prelims, Mains, and an Interview. Review the official notification for complete details.
RBI Grade B 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Aspiring RBI Grade B Officers must strictly meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. Applicants must be Indian citizens, aged between 21 and 30 years, and hold the requisite educational qualifications as specified in the official 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
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- 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 recruitment selection process consists of the following 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 must ensure they arrive at their designated examination centers well before the reporting time stipulated 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 guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Exam Pattern, including question types, section-wise weightage, and total duration to help you prepare effectively.
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 those candidates who successfully clear the Prelims stage will be eligible to proceed to the RBI Grade B 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 release an official answer key for Phase 1 and Phase 2?
Ans. No, the Reserve Bank of India does not release official answer keys for either Phase 1 or Phase 2 exams. Exam results are typically published in PDF format within 20 to 25 days following the conclusion 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
Shortlisting for the interview stage is based on the aggregate marks secured across Papers I, II, and III of the Phase II examination. The final Interview carries a weightage of 75 marks.
Candidates qualify for the interview round based on their cumulative performance in Phase 2 (Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Paper 3).
A psychometric test will be conducted prior to the interview; this test is qualifying in nature. The final merit list is determined by the combined scores of the Mains and Interview in an 80:20 ratio.
Candidates have the option to choose between English or Hindi as their medium for the interview.
RBI Grade B 2026 Salary
The entry-level basic salary for a Grade B Officer is Rs 78,450, with a total monthly gross salary of approximately Rs 1,54,936 (excluding HRA in specific instances).
The career payscale for a Grade B Manager is Rs. 78,450 – 4,050(9) – 1,14,900 – EB – 4,050(2) – 1,23,000 – 4,650(4) – 1,41,600 (16 years), supplemented by regular annual increments.
Employees also enjoy comprehensive benefits, including HRA (or leased housing), Dearness Allowance, medical coverage, education allowances, concessional loans, pension, and gratuity. Total annual CTC can exceed Rs. 34+ lakhs in major metro cities.
2 Year Probation Period After Selection
The role of a Grade B Officer is intellectually stimulating and carries significant responsibility. Upon selection, officers serve a two-year probation period to assess their professional performance. Listed below are the core responsibilities of this role.
RBI Grade B 2026 Exam Centres
Complete details regarding RBI Grade B Exam Centres for 2026 are provided below. The RBI will conduct Prelims and Mains at the designated locations listed.
| 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
|
Please note that the number of examination centers for the Mains and Interview stages is significantly more limited than for 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 total number of vacancies for the 2026 cycle is 60, split between the General (40), DEPR (10), and DSIM (10) streams.
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 examinations are officially scheduled for July 25th and 26th, 2026.
Yes, a penalty of 0.25 marks is applied for every incorrect answer provided in the examination.
No, there have been no modifications to the RBI Grade B syllabus or examination structure for this cycle.
The current revised gross monthly salary for an RBI Grade B Officer is Rs. 1,54,936.