RBI Grade B 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility & Mocks

RBI Grade B is the direct recruitment examination for Officers in Grade B at the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank and banking regulator. Unlike commercial bank officers, an RBI Grade B officer works on monetary policy, banking supervision, currency management, financial regulation, foreign exchange management and payment systems.

Recruitment runs in three streams — General, Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR), and Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM). The General stream is the largest and most competitive. Selection involves a Phase I objective screening test, a three-paper Phase II that includes two descriptive papers, and an interview.

RBI Grade B is the most sought-after banking recruitment in India because it places officers inside the central bank as regulators and policymakers rather than as commercial bankers, with the highest compensation in the public banking sector.

The work is fundamentally different from any commercial bank role. RBI officers supervise banks, frame regulation, contribute to monetary policy formulation, manage currency and oversee payment systems. It is a policy and regulatory career rather than a sales and service one.

Compensation is correspondingly higher — a basic pay of ₹55,200 with a gross package well above other public sector banking roles once allowances, accommodation and perquisites are included. RBI also sponsors officers for higher study and international training.

• Central banking regulator role, not commercial banking
• Basic pay of ₹55,200 — highest entry pay in public sector banking
• Work on monetary policy, supervision and financial regulation
• Sponsored higher education and international training opportunities

Expected schedule for the 2026 cycle, based on RBI’s usual recruitment calendar.opportunities.rbi.org.in — Official Portal

The most recent RBI Grade B cycle carried approximately Notified per cycle vacancies.

RBI Grade B vacancies are small in number relative to the applicant pool and are published separately for the General, DEPR and DSIM streams. The General stream carries the majority. Confirm the current stream-wise figures in the official advertisement.

Vacancies are notified stream-wise in the official advertisement.opportunities.rbi.org.in — Official Advertisement

To apply for RBI Grade B 2026 General stream a candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks (50% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates) and be between 21 and 30 years of age, with DEPR and DSIM requiring a relevant master’s degree.

Educational Qualification

General stream: a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or an equivalent grade, relaxed to 50% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. DEPR: a master’s degree in Economics or related fields with a minimum of 55% marks, or a PGDM/MBA in Finance with the same threshold. DSIM: a master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics, Statistics & Informatics or Applied Statistics & Informatics with a minimum of 55% marks.

• The minimum percentage requirement is a genuine barrier that distinguishes RBI Grade B from most other banking examinations, where any pass degree suffices.
• The upper age limit is relaxed by up to two years for candidates holding an M.Phil and up to four years for those holding a Ph.D. in the relevant discipline.
• Candidates with prior experience in a public sector bank or financial institution may receive additional age relaxation as specified in the advertisement.

Age Limit

The age limit for RBI Grade B is 21 to 30 years. Age is reckoned as on the date specified in the advertisement. Candidates holding an M.Phil or Ph.D. in a relevant discipline receive additional relaxation of two and four years respectively.

Nationality

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam or Ethiopia with the intention of permanently settling in India.

RBI Grade B General stream runs in three stages — a 200-mark objective Phase I which is a screening test, a three-paper Phase II of 300 marks combining objective and descriptive components on ESI, English Writing and Finance & Management, and a 75-mark interview.

1. 1Online application on the RBI opportunities portal, selecting the General, DEPR or DSIM stream.
2. 2Phase I — objective screening examination.
3. 3Phase II — three papers covering ESI, English Writing Skills, and Finance and Management.
4. 4Interview carrying 75 marks.
5. 5Final merit based on the aggregate of Phase II and the interview; Phase I does not count.
6. 6Document verification, medical examination and appointment.

The RBI Grade B syllabus is far broader than commercial banking examinations — Phase I is dominated by General Awareness, while Phase II demands genuine depth in Economic and Social Issues, Finance and Management, and analytical English writing.

An RBI Officer in Grade B starts with a basic pay of ₹55,200 in the scale rising to ₹99,750, giving an approximate gross salary of ₹1,15,000 to ₹1,25,000 per month once dearness allowance, house rent and other allowances are included — the highest entry compensation in public sector banking.

Allowances and Benefits

• Dearness Allowance (DA) — revised periodically
• House Rent Allowance or Bank accommodation
• Local Compensatory Allowance and Grade Allowance
• Special Allowance and Learning Allowance
• Medical facilities for the officer and family
• Concessional loans for housing, vehicle and personal needs
• Sponsorship for higher education and international training

The decisive RBI Grade B strategy is to build genuine analytical depth in ESI and Finance & Management rather than exam-style recall, because Phase II is largely descriptive and Phase I marks do not count towards the final merit.