RBI Grade B 2026

RBI Grade B 2026 Exam: Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Officers

The RBI Grade B 2026 exam is a highly coveted opportunity for graduates seeking a prestigious career in India’s central banking institution, the Reserve Bank of India. As one of the most challenging government examinations, it offers a pathway to a rewarding role as an Assistant Manager or Manager (Grade B Officer) within the bank. This detailed guide provides aspiring candidates with all essential information regarding the RBI Grade B 2026 recruitment, including eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and crucial preparation strategies. Securing a position through the RBI Grade B exam not only ensures a stable and impactful career but also places individuals at the forefront of shaping India’s monetary policy and financial landscape. Candidates targeting top government jobs, especially in the finance sector, must consider the RBI Grade B 2026 notification as a prime target.

Exam Details – RBI Grade B 2026

• Exam Name: RBI Grade B 2026
• Conducting Authority: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Exam Level: National
• Mode of Exam: Online (Computer Based Test)
• Stages: Phase I (Preliminary), Phase II (Mains), Interview
• Job Type: Managerial/Officer (Grade B)

Important Dates – RBI Grade B 2026

The official notification for RBI Grade B 2026 is To be announced. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official RBI website for the latest updates.

• Official Notification Release: To be announced
• Online Application Start Date: To be announced
• Online Application End Date: To be announced
• Phase I Exam Date: To be announced
• Phase II Exam Date: To be announced
• Interview Dates: To be announced
• Total Duration of Recruitment Process: Approximately 6-8 months from notification release to final selection.

Eligibility Criteria – RBI Grade B 2026

Educational Qualification

For Officers in Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General:

• A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD applicants) or an equivalent grade.
• OR A Master’s degree/Post Graduate Diploma/M.Phil. with a minimum of 55% marks (pass class for SC/ST/PwBD applicants) or an equivalent grade.
• OR a Chartered Accountant (CA)/Cost Accountant/Company Secretary (CS) qualification with a Bachelor’s degree.
• OR a Two-year Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)/MBA equivalent qualification with a Bachelor’s degree.

Note: Specific educational qualifications apply for Grade ‘B’ (DR) – DEPR and DSIM posts, which will be detailed in the official RBI Grade B 2026 notification.

Age Limit (as on a specified date in 2026)

• Minimum Age: 21 years
• Maximum Age: 30 years

Category-wise Age Relaxation:

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC: 3 years
• PwBD (General): 10 years
• PwBD (OBC): 13 years
• PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years
• Ex-Servicemen: As per Government of India rules.
• Candidates with prior experience in RBI: Up to 5 years, subject to certain conditions.

Nationality

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A subject of Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st 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 of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Category-Wise Seats – RBI Grade B 2026

The exact number of vacancies for RBI Grade B 2026 will be announced with the official notification. The table below represents a tentative structure based on previous years’ trends.

Note: The number of vacancies mentioned above is tentative and subject to change based on the official RBI Grade B 2026 notification. Candidates should refer to the official notification for precise figures.

Exam Fees – RBI Grade B 2026

The application fees for RBI Grade B 2026 are expected to be similar to previous years. Official fees will be confirmed in the RBI Grade B 2026 notification.

Mode of Payment: Online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/ Mobile Wallets.

Exam Pattern – RBI Grade B 2026

The RBI Grade B 2026 exam pattern comprises three stages: Phase I (Prelims), Phase II (Mains), and Interview. Candidates must qualify in each stage to proceed to the next.

Phase I (Preliminary Examination) – Objective Type

This is a qualifying exam. Marks obtained in Phase I will not be counted for the final merit list.

• Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
• Candidates must clear sectional as well as overall cut-offs.

Phase II (Main Examination) – Descriptive & Objective Type

Phase II consists of three papers, all conducted online. Marks obtained in Phase II and the Interview will be counted for the final merit list.

• Negative Marking: 1/4th for objective sections.
• Descriptive answers are to be typed on the computer.

Interview

• Candidates who qualify in Phase II will be called for an interview.
• Total Marks: 75
• The final selection will be based on the aggregate marks obtained in Phase II and the Interview.

Detailed Syllabus – RBI Grade B 2026

Phase I Syllabus

General Awareness

• Current Affairs (National & International)
• Indian Financial System
• Indian Banking System
• Monetary Policy
• Budget, Economic Survey
• Government Schemes
• Static GK (History, Geography, Polity, Art & Culture of India)
• Awards, Books & Authors, Important Days, Sports

Reasoning

• Puzzles (Seating Arrangement, Floor Based, Box Based)
• Syllogism
• Inequalities
• Input-Output
• Data Sufficiency
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense
• Verbal Reasoning

English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles
• Sentence Correction/Error Spotting
• Fillers (Single/Double)
• Phrase Replacement
• Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms)

Quantitative Aptitude

• Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Mixed DI)
• Number Series
• Simplification/Approximation
• Quadratic Equations
• Ratio & Proportion
• Percentage
• Averages
• Profit & Loss
• Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns
• Speed, Time & Distance, Boats & Streams
• Mixtures & Alligations
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Mensuration
• Permutation & Combination, Probability

Phase II Syllabus

Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (ESI)

• Growth and Development: Measurement of Growth, National Income and Per Capita Income, Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India.
• Sustainable Development and Environmental Issues.
• Economic Reforms in India: Industrial, Financial & Fiscal Reforms; New Economic Policy.
• Globalization: Opening up of the Indian Economy, Balance of Payments, Export-Import Policy, International Economic Institutions (IMF, World Bank, WTO).
• Social Structure in India: Multi-culturalism, Demographic Trends, Urbanization, Migration, Gender Issues, Social Justice, Positive Discrimination in favor of underprivileged.
• Indian Political System: Government and Business, Political Economy.
• Human Development: Health and Education.

Paper II: English (Writing Skills)

• Essay Writing (on economic, social, or general topics)
• Precis Writing
• Reading Comprehension
• Business/Office Correspondence (e.g., Letter Writing, Report Writing)

Paper III: Finance & Management (F&M)

• Finance:
  • Financial System (Regulators, Banks, Financial Institutions, Financial Markets)
  • Union Budget (Concepts, Components, Fiscal Policy)
  • Inflation (Concepts, Causes, Measures)
  • Risk Management (Basics)
  • Financial Inclusion
  • Credit Rating Agencies
  • Corporate Governance
  • Public Sector Reforms in India
  • Monetary Policy (Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, CRR, SLR, OMO, MSF)
  • Derivatives (Forwards, Futures, Options, Swaps)
  • Financial Sector Reforms
  • Recent Developments in the Financial Sector
• Management:
  • Fundamentals of Management & Organizational Behavior (Nature, Scope, Functions, Evolution, Motivation, Leadership, Communication, Decision Making, Human Resource Management)
  • Ethics at the Workplace and Corporate Governance
  • Conflict Management
  • Stress Management
  • Change Management

Exam Centers – RBI Grade B 2026

Candidates will have the option to choose their preferred examination centers during the online application process for RBI Grade B 2026. The list of potential centers includes major cities across various states and Union Territories:

Note: The final list of exam centers will be provided in the official RBI Grade B 2026 notification. Candidates should exercise care while selecting their preferred centers as changes may not be permitted later.

How to Apply for RBI Grade B 2026

Follow these steps to apply online for the RBI Grade B 2026 exam once the notification is released:

1. Visit the official RBI website: www.rbi.org.in (Go to ‘Opportunities@RBI’ section).
2. Click on the link for “Recruitment for the post of Officers in Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General/DEPR/DSIM – 2026”.
3. Click on “Click here for New Registration” to register yourself by providing basic details like name, contact number, and email ID.
4. A provisional registration number and password will be generated and sent to your registered email ID and mobile number.
5. Log in using these credentials and fill out the detailed application form with all required personal and educational information.
6. Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration as per the specifications mentioned in the official notification.
7. Review all the entered details carefully before final submission.
8. Proceed to the payment gateway to pay the application fee online.
9. After successful payment, take a printout of the e-receipt and the submitted application form for future reference.

Preparation Tips for RBI Grade B 2026

Cracking the RBI Grade B 2026 exam requires dedicated and strategic preparation. Here are some exam-focused tips:

• Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Thoroughly go through the detailed syllabus for both Phase I and Phase II. Understand the weightage of each section and the type of questions asked.
• Current Affairs Mastery: For General Awareness (Phase I) and Economic & Social Issues (Phase II), read daily newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express, Livemint), economic journals, and government reports. Focus on financial news, government schemes, monetary policy, and international economic developments.
• Strong Foundation in Basics: For Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English, practice regularly. Focus on conceptual clarity and shortcut techniques. Utilize mock tests to identify weak areas.
• Descriptive Writing Practice: Phase II involves descriptive answers. Practice typing essays, precis, and comprehension answers on a computer keyboard to improve both content and typing speed. Regularly review economic and financial articles to gather points for descriptive answers.
• Economic & Social Issues (ESI) Focus: Read the Economic Survey, Union Budget analysis, and RBI annual reports. Understand key economic concepts, government policies, and social development indicators.
• Finance & Management (F&M) Focus: Develop a strong understanding of financial markets, banking regulations, and management principles. Refer to standard textbooks and financial news.
• Time Management: Practice time management skills by taking full-length mock tests for both phases. This will help you manage sectional timings effectively during the actual exam.
• Revision is Key: Regularly revise all subjects, especially current affairs and factual information. Create short notes for quick revision.
• Stay Updated: Keep an eye on the official RBI website for any updates or changes related to the RBI Grade B 2026 exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – RBI Grade B 2026

Here are some common questions asked by aspirants regarding the RBI Grade B 2026 recruitment:

1. When will the official notification for RBI Grade B 2026 be released?

The official notification for RBI Grade B 2026 is To be announced. Candidates are advised to regularly check the ‘Opportunities@RBI’ section on the official RBI website (www.rbi.org.in) for updates.

2. Is there negative marking in the RBI Grade B 2026 exam?

Yes, there is negative marking in both Phase I and the objective sections of Phase II. For each incorrect answer, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.

3. Are there any sectional cut-offs in RBI Grade B 2026 Phase I?

Yes, candidates need to clear both sectional as well as overall cut-offs in Phase I to be eligible for Phase II. The cut-offs are decided by the RBI based on the performance of candidates.

4. What is the educational qualification required for RBI Grade B (General) 2026?

For RBI Grade B (General), candidates need a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) or an equivalent grade, or a Master’s degree with 55% marks (pass class for SC/ST/PwBD). Specifics will be in the official notification.

5. Can I choose my exam center for RBI Grade B 2026?

Yes, during the online application process, candidates will be provided with an option to choose their preferred examination centers from a given list for both Phase I and Phase II. However, the final allocation depends on availability.