Loading...
Loading...
The Reserve Bank of India Grade B Officer examination is one of the most prestigious banking recruitment examinations in India. RBI Grade B Officers are recruited directly into the central bank of India, working at the apex institution that regulates monetary policy, manages foreign exchange reserves, supervises the banking system, and shapes macroeconomic policy for the country. An RBI Grade B Officer is not a commercial bank employee; this is a central bank position that carries exceptional prestige, a comprehensive pay package, and unmatched career development in banking and economics.
The Reserve Bank of India has initiated the recruitment process for the RBI Grade B Exam 2026 with the release of the official notification. This year, 60 Grade B (General/DEPR/DSIM) Officers vacancies will be filled. The Phase 1 exam dates for all posts have been released along with the notification PDF. RBI Grade B Prelims Exam has been scheduled for 13th and 14th June 2026. The application window was open from 29th April to 20th May 2026.
With only 60 vacancies and tens of thousands of highly qualified candidates competing, the RBI Grade B examination is among the most selective in the country. The vacancy trend for RBI Grade B Recruitment has shown a continuous decline over the last five years. The highest number of vacancies was released in 2022, while 2026 has recorded the lowest vacancy count, indicating a steady decrease in available posts over the years. As the number of vacancies has decreased, the level of competition is likely to become tougher, which may also lead to higher cut-off marks.
This page is the complete guide to RBI Grade B 2026, covering all official dates, three streams (General, DEPR, DSIM), exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, salary, cutoff, and preparation strategy.
| Topic Page | |
| Syllabus: Phase 1 and Phase 2 | RBI Grade B Syllabus |
| Eligibility: Age, Qualification, Attempts | RBI Grade B Eligibility |
| Official Notification and Vacancy | RBI Grade B Notification |
| Application Process | RBI Grade B Application Process |
| Cutoff: Phase 1 and Phase 2 | RBI Grade B Cutoff |
| Exam Analysis | RBI Grade B Exam Analysis |
| Previous Year Papers | RBI Grade B PYQ |
| Exam Day Guidance | RBI Grade B Exam Day Guidance |
| Result and Scorecard | RBI Grade B Result |
| Frequently Asked Questions | RBI Grade B FAQ |
The RBI Grade B Notification 2026 has been released on 29th April 2026 on the official website at rbi.org.in. Applicants could apply online for the recruitment from 29th April to 20th May 2026.
| Parameter Official Data | |
| Conducting Body | Reserve Bank of India (RBI) |
| Post | Officers in Grade B (Direct Recruit) |
| Streams | General, DEPR (Economics), DSIM (Statistics) |
| Notification Released | April 29, 2026 |
| Application Window | April 29 to May 20, 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Total Vacancies | 60 |
| Phase 1 Exam (General) | June 13, 2026 |
| Phase 1 Exam (DEPR/DSIM) | June 14, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam (General) | July 25, 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam (DEPR/DSIM) | July 26, 2026 |
| Interview | August to September 2026 (expected) |
| Starting Gross Salary | Rs 1,54,374 per month (approx.) |
| Official Website | rbi.org.in / opportunities.rbi.org.in |
For the RBI Grade B 2026 recruitment cycle, a total of 60 vacancies have been announced. Out of the 40 RBI Grade B vacancies for General stream, 2 vacancies are reserved for PwBD categories (1 each for Category C and Category D).
| Stream Vacancies Qualification Required | ||
| General (DR) | 40 | Graduation in any discipline |
| DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research) | 14 | Post-graduation in Economics or Finance |
| DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) | 6 | Post-graduation in Statistics |
| Total | 60 | -- |
The vacancy trend for RBI Grade B Recruitment has shown a continuous decline over the last five years, with the highest number of vacancies released in 2022, while 2026 has recorded the lowest vacancy count.
| Year Total Vacancies | |
| 2022 | 294 |
| 2023 | 92 |
| 2024 | 98 |
| 2025 | 102 |
| 2026 | 60 |
The sharp decline to 60 vacancies in 2026 makes this the most competitive RBI Grade B cycle in recent years.
As per the official schedule, the RBI Grade B Phase 1 examination for the General (DR) post will be conducted on 13 June 2026, while candidates applying for the DEPR and DSIM posts will appear on 14 June 2026. The Phase 2 examination for General (DR) post will be conducted on 25 July 2026, while the Phase 2 examination for DEPR and DSIM posts is scheduled for 26 July 2026. The Interview round is expected to be conducted in August or September 2026.
| Stage General Stream DEPR / DSIM Stream | ||
| Phase 1 (Prelims CBT) | June 13, 2026 | June 14, 2026 |
| Phase 2 (Mains CBT + Descriptive) | July 25, 2026 | July 26, 2026 |
| Interview | August to September 2026 | August to September 2026 |
| Admit Card for Phase 1 | 10 to 15 days before exam | Same |
| Phase 1 Result | 20 to 25 days after Phase 1 | Same |
The RBI Grade B selection involves three mandatory stages. Candidates must clear each stage to advance.
| Stage Type Nature | ||
| Phase 1 (Prelims) | Computer-Based Objective Test | Qualifying/Shortlisting |
| Phase 2 (Mains) | CBT + Descriptive Paper + Interview | Merit-determining |
| Interview | Personal Interview | Merit-determining |
Phase 1 qualifies candidates for Phase 2. Phase 1 marks are not carried forward.
Phase 2 marks and Interview marks together determine the final merit and selection.
Phase 1 is a 200-mark objective test conducted online.
| Section Questions Marks Time | |||
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 minutes |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Phase 2 is the merit-determining stage. It consists of three papers.
| Paper Type Marks Duration | |||
| Paper I: Economic and Social Issues (ESI) | Objective + Descriptive | 100 (50 Obj + 50 Desc) | 90 minutes |
| Paper II: English (Writing Skills) | Descriptive only | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Paper III: Finance and Management | Objective + Descriptive | 100 (50 Obj + 50 Desc) | 90 minutes |
| Total | -- | 300 | 270 minutes |
The DEPR and DSIM streams have their own Phase 2 patterns.
| Paper Type Marks Duration | |||
| Paper I: Economics | Descriptive | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper II: Economics | Descriptive | 100 | 3 hours |
| Total | -- | 200 | 6 hours |
| Paper Type Marks Duration | |||
| Paper I: Statistics | Descriptive | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper II: Statistics | Descriptive | 100 | 3 hours |
| Total | -- | 200 | 6 hours |
DEPR and DSIM candidates must possess post-graduate qualifications in Economics and Statistics respectively and face deep subject-paper examinations that test advanced academic knowledge.
Candidates must be Indian citizens. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan and eligible persons of Indian origin from specified countries are eligible under prescribed conditions.
| Stream Minimum Qualification | |
| General | Bachelor's degree (minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade for UR/EWS/OBC; 50% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| DEPR | Master's degree in Economics, OR Master's degree in Commerce with Economics as a major, OR MBA (Finance) with Economics at graduation level (minimum 55% for UR/EWS/OBC; 50% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
| DSIM | Master's degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Mathematical Economics/Econometrics/Statistics and Informatics/Applied Statistics and Informatics (minimum 55% for UR/EWS/OBC; 50% for SC/ST/PwBD) |
Candidates need to be between 21 to 30 years as on the reference date mentioned in the notification. Age relaxations apply for reserved categories.
| Category Age Relaxation | |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 years (max 33) |
| SC / ST | 5 years (max 35) |
| PwBD (UR) | 10 years (max 40) |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
General category candidates are allowed a maximum of six attempts, so it is important to plan your preparation early and use each attempt wisely.
| Category Maximum Attempts | |
| Unreserved (UR) / EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC / ST | No limit (within age) |
| PwBD | No limit (within age) |
This attempt limit makes RBI Grade B strategically very different from SSC or IBPS exams. Every attempt must be planned and prepared for seriously.
The starting gross salary is around Rs 1,54,374 per month. This makes RBI Grade B one of the highest-paying entry-level positions in the entire central government and banking sector.
| Component Amount | |
| Basic Pay | Rs 78,450 per month |
| Pay Scale | Rs 78,450 to Rs 1,41,600 |
| Starting Gross Salary | Rs 1,54,374 per month (approx.) |
| Special Allowance | Applicable |
| Dearness Allowance | Revised quarterly |
| House Rent Allowance | Applicable (city-based) |
| Grade Allowance | Applicable |
General Awareness (80 Questions, 80 Marks): This section is heavily weighted toward Banking and Financial Awareness (RBI policies, monetary policy, banking regulations), Static GK (history, geography, polity, economy), and Current Affairs from the preceding 6 to 12 months. RBI-specific knowledge (functions of RBI, monetary policy committee, forex reserves, banking supervision) is critical.
English Language (30 Questions, 30 Marks): Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, Cloze Test, and Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms).
Quantitative Aptitude (30 Questions, 30 Marks): Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts), Number Series, Simplification, Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, TW, TSD), Quadratic Equations.
Reasoning (60 Questions, 60 Marks): Puzzles and Seating Arrangement (dominant, 20-25 questions), Syllogism, Inequalities, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Data Sufficiency, Input-Output.
Paper I: Economic and Social Issues (ESI): Growth and development, poverty, social sector, economic reforms, monetary policy, banking sector reforms, international organisations, India's external sector, sustainable development, and current economic affairs.
Paper II: English Writing Skills: Essay writing, Precis writing, Reading Comprehension, Business/Official letter writing, Report writing.
Paper III: Finance and Management: Finance: Financial system, financial markets, capital market, RBI and its functions, banking regulation, risk management. Management: Organisational behaviour, human resource management, strategic management, ethics, corporate governance.
For the complete topic-by-topic syllabus, visit the RBI Grade B Syllabus page.
The RBI Grade B cutoff is one of the highest among all banking exams because of the small vacancy pool and highly competitive candidate base.
| Year Phase 1 UR Cutoff (Out of 200) Remarks | ||
| 2024 | 107.50 | 98 vacancies |
| 2023 | 102.75 | 92 vacancies |
| 2022 | 78.25 | 294 vacancies (larger pool) |
| 2021 | 91.75 | Moderate competition |
For 2026, with only 40 General stream vacancies, the Phase 1 cutoff is expected to be 110 to 120 out of 200 for the UR category, the highest in recent years due to reduced vacancies.
For complete category-wise and stream-wise cutoff data, visit the RBI Grade B Cutoff page.
| Category Fee | |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Rs 100 (intimation charges only) |
| All Others (UR, OBC, EWS) | Rs 850 |
Phase 1 is a banking exam with a twist: While Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English sections follow the standard banking exam pattern (similar to IBPS PO Prelims at a higher difficulty), the General Awareness section in RBI Grade B is uniquely challenging because it tests deep knowledge of the banking and financial system, RBI-specific policy decisions, monetary policy framework, and economic indicators rather than general current affairs. This is where most candidates underperform.
Read RBI publications consistently: The RBI Annual Report, Monetary Policy Report, Financial Stability Report, and RBI Bulletin are primary sources for Phase 1 General Awareness and Phase 2 ESI questions. Candidates who read these quarterly have a measurable advantage.
Phase 2 requires academic-level knowledge: The ESI and Finance and Management papers test conceptual depth far beyond the banking exam comfort zone. Candidates who have studied Economics, Finance, or MBA subjects have a structural advantage in Phase 2.
Writing skills matter enormously: Paper II (English Writing Skills) tests the ability to write structured, coherent essays, precis, and business letters under timed conditions. Most candidates who have not practised descriptive writing find this paper unexpectedly difficult. Daily writing practice is non-negotiable for Phase 2.
Attempt limit demands respect: With only 6 attempts for General category, approaching RBI Grade B preparation casually wastes a finite resource. Each attempt should be preceded by at least 6 to 8 months of serious preparation.
RBI Grade B Officers are posted in the Reserve Bank of India itself, not in commercial banks. Postings are across RBI's offices and departments:
| Aspect RBI Grade B IBPS PO | ||
| Recruiter | Reserve Bank of India (Central Bank) | 11 Public Sector Banks |
| Post Nature | Central bank officer | Commercial bank PO |
| Annual Vacancies | 60 to 294 (declining) | 4,000 to 6,000 |
| Starting Salary | Rs 1,54,374 gross | Rs 65,000 to Rs 85,000 gross |
| Exam Difficulty | Very High (Phase 2 academic depth) | Moderate to High |
| Qualification | Graduation (60% for UR) | Any graduation |
| Attempt Limit | 6 (UR) | No limit within age |
| Phase 2 | Descriptive + ESI + Finance/Management | Objective + Descriptive |
What is the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam date 2026? The Phase 1 examination for the General (DR) post will be conducted on 13 June 2026, while candidates applying for the DEPR and DSIM posts will appear on 14 June 2026.
How many vacancies are there in RBI Grade B 2026? RBI Grade B recruitment notice has been released for a total of 60 vacancies, divided into three streams: General, DEPR, and DSIM.
What is the salary of an RBI Grade B Officer? The RBI Grade B Notification 2026 offers a great opportunity for banking aspirants with a starting gross salary of around Rs 1.54 lakh per month.
How many attempts are allowed for RBI Grade B? General category candidates are allowed a maximum of six attempts within the age limit.
Is the Phase 1 score counted in the final merit? No. Phase 1 is qualifying/shortlisting in nature. Only Phase 2 marks (300) and Interview marks (50) determine the final merit out of 350.
All data on this page is sourced from the official RBI Grade B 2026 notification released April 29, 2026, at rbi.org.in and opportunities.rbi.org.in. Exam dates (Phase 1: June 13-14, Phase 2: July 25-26, 2026), vacancy count (60 total: 40 General + 14 DEPR + 6 DSIM), salary (Rs 1,54,374 gross starting), and application window (April 29 to May 20, 2026) are from official RBI publications.