The RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026 is a rigorous, multi-stage framework designed to identify top-tier talent for the prestigious post of Officer in Grade ‘B’ in the Reserve Bank of India. The process evaluates candidates on economic and social issues, finance, management, English, and general awareness, culminating in an interview. It is a commitment to serving the nation’s financial system.
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026
The RBI Grade B selection process is tailored to recruit officers for three specialized cadres: General, DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research), and DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management). The process begins with a Phase-I Online Examination (screening), followed by a Phase-II Online/Written Examination (main selection), and concludes with a Personal Interview. Candidates must clear each stage to be considered for the final merit list. Unlike clerical exams, this process demands deep analytical and specialized knowledge.
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026 – Stage Breakdown
Candidates can check the breakdown of the three major stages in the RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026 below.
Phase-I Examination (Screening Stage)
The initial stage is an online objective exam that serves as a screening test. Its primary purpose is to shortlist candidates for Phase-II. Scores from Phase-I are not carried forward to the final merit list but are crucial for eligibility to the next stage. The exam pattern varies by cadre:
| Cadre | Subjects | Duration | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness | 120 mins (separate time per section) | 200 |
| DEPR | Paper-I: Economics (Objective) | 120 mins | 100 |
| Paper-II: English (Descriptive) | 120 mins | 100 | |
| DSIM | Paper-I: Statistics (Objective) | 120 mins | 100 |
Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer in objective papers.
Phase-II Examination (Main Selection)
Candidates who clear Phase-I appear for Phase-II, which is more advanced. Marks obtained in Phase-II are combined with Interview marks to prepare the final merit list.
For Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General Cadre:
(Online Exam – 3 papers, conducted in shifts on the same day)
| Paper | Subject | Type | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Economic & Social Issues (ESI) | 50% Objective + 50% Descriptive | 120 mins | 100 |
| II | English (Writing Skills) | Descriptive | 90 mins | 100 |
| III | General Finance & Management (GFM) | 50% Objective + 50% Descriptive | 120 mins | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
For Grade ‘B’ (DR) – DEPR Cadre:
(Written Exam – Answers written on paper)
| Phase | Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase-II | Paper-I | Economics (Descriptive) | 120 mins | 100 |
| Paper-II | Economics (Descriptive) | 120 mins | 100 |
For Grade ‘B’ (DR) – DSIM Cadre:
(Mixed Mode – Paper-II on paper, Paper-III typed)
| Phase | Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase-II | Paper-II | Statistics (Descriptive) | 180 mins | 100 |
| Paper-III | English (Descriptive – typed) | 90 mins | 100 |
Interview & Personality Assessment
This is the final stage. Candidates shortlisted based on Phase-II marks are called for an Interview (75 marks). Before the interview, candidates undergo a Personality Assessment (no marks, for reference only).
- Interview Language: Hindi or English (candidate’s choice).
- Final Merit List: Prepared by adding Phase-II marks + Interview marks. Grace marks are added as per extant rules.
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: The Board prescribes minimum marks separately for each paper, Phase-II aggregate, and interview.
RBI Grade B Language & Exam Medium
Bilingual Papers: All question papers (except the English paper) are set bilingually in Hindi and English.
Answer Language:
- General Cadre: Descriptive answers can be typed in Hindi (using Inscript or Remington keyboard layouts) or English.
- DEPR/DSIM: Phase-II answers can be written in either Hindi or English (except the English paper, which must be in English).
RBI Grade B Provisional Selection & Document Verification
After the interview, the Board releases a final merit list (category-wise and cadre-wise) on the official website (www.rbi.org.in). Shortlisted candidates must undergo document verification before joining. Key documents required include:
Identity & Address Proof: Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.
Educational Certificates: Graduation & Post-Graduation degree/mark sheets (meeting minimum % criteria: 60% in graduation or 55% in post-graduation for General; 5% relaxation for SC/ST/PwBD).
Caste/Category Certificates:
- SC/ST: Caste certificate in prescribed format.
- OBC (NCL): Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued on/after April 1, 2025 (based on FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25).
- EWS: Income & Asset certificate for FY 2024-25, valid for 2025-26.
PwBD Certificate: Permanent disability certificate (UDID card or Appendix-IX format) issued by a competent authority.
Age Proof: Birth certificate or 10th mark sheet.
Other Documents: PAN Card, passport-size photographs, handwritten declaration (uploaded online), signature, and left thumb impression.
Note: Candidates working in Government/PSUs must submit a “No Objection Certificate” or proper discharge certificate at the time of joining.
FAQs
Q1. What are the three major stages in the RBI Grade B Selection process?
A1. The three stages are: (1) Phase-I Online Examination, (2) Phase-II Online/Written Examination, and (3) Interview (with a non-marks Personality Assessment).
Q2. Is there negative marking in RBI Grade B exams?
A2. Yes, for all objective-type papers across Phase-I and Phase-II, there is a penalty of 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question for each wrong answer.
Q3. What is the age limit for RBI Grade B 2026?
A3. A candidate must be between 21 and 30 years (born not earlier than Sep 2, 1995, and not later than Sep 1, 2004). Relaxations apply: +5 yrs for SC/ST, +3 yrs for OBC, +10-15 yrs for PwBD, +2 yrs for M.Phil, +4 yrs for PhD, etc.
Q4. How many attempts are allowed for RBI Grade B?
A4. For the General Cadre, General/EWS candidates who have already appeared six times for Phase-I in the past are not eligible. No such restriction applies to SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates (if the post is reserved for them).
Q5. Can I apply for both General and DEPR/DSIM cadres?
A5. Yes, but you must apply using separate links for each position and pay the fees separately. A candidate cannot apply for both DEPR and DSIM simultaneously.
