RBI Grade B Exam Date 2026: Phase 1 on 13 June – Full Schedule, Eligibility & Details
RBI Grade B 2026: Phase 1 Exam Officially Scheduled for 13 June
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially announced the exam dates for the much-awaited RBI Grade B Recruitment 2026. This is a golden opportunity for graduates and postgraduates across India who aspire to build a career in the country’s premier central banking institution. The recruitment covers General, DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research), and DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) posts through the Direct Recruitment (DR) process.
With a starting gross salary of approximately Rs. 1.54 lakh per month and a reputed posting across RBI offices in India, this examination remains one of the most sought-after government job opportunities in the banking and finance sector. If you have already applied, it is time to gear up for the Phase 1 examination.
RBI Grade B 2026: Important Dates at a Glance
The application window has already closed. Candidates who successfully submitted their forms before the deadline should now focus entirely on preparation. Here is the complete schedule for RBI Grade B 2026:
- Official Notification Released: 28 April 2026
- Application Window Open: 29 April 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 20 May 2026 (by 6:00 PM)
- Phase I Admit Card Release: June 2026 (7–10 days before the exam)
- Phase I Exam (General): 13 June 2026
- Phase I Exam (DEPR/DSIM): 14 June 2026
- Phase II Exam (General): 25 July 2026
- Phase II Exam (DEPR/DSIM): 26 July 2026
Candidates should note that call letters for both Phase I and Phase II will be made available on the official RBI website approximately 7 to 10 days prior to the respective examination dates.
RBI Grade B 2026: Key Highlights
- Conducting Body: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Posts Offered: Officers in Grade B – General / DEPR / DSIM
- Total Vacancies: 60 (General: 40, DEPR: 10, DSIM: 10)
- Exam Level: National
- Application Mode: Online
- Selection Stages: Phase I (Prelims) → Phase II (Mains) → Interview
- Official Website: www.rbi.org.in / www.opportunities.rbi.org.in
Eligibility Criteria for RBI Grade B 2026
Age Limit (as on 1 April 2026)
Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on 1 April 2026. Age relaxation is applicable as per government norms:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Up to 33 years
- SC/ST: Up to 35 years
- PwBD (General/EWS): Up to 40 years
- PwBD (OBC): Up to 43 years
- PwBD (SC/ST): Up to 45 years
Educational Qualification
The qualification requirements differ depending on the post applied for:
- General Post: Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates). Alternatively, a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks is also acceptable. CA/CS/ICWA professionals are also eligible.
- DEPR Post: Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, or related quantitative disciplines with a minimum of 55% marks. An MBA or PGDM in Finance with 55% is also accepted.
- DSIM Post: Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Econometrics, or related fields with 55% marks. M.Stat from ISI or PGDBA from select premier institutions is also considered.
Number of Attempts
- General/EWS: Maximum 6 attempts
- SC/ST/OBC/PwBD: No restriction on attempts (subject to upper age limit)
Vacancy Breakdown and Benefits
A total of 60 vacancies have been notified for RBI Grade B 2026. The post-wise and category-wise distribution is as follows:
- General (DR) Cadre: 40 posts (GEN: 16, EWS: 4, OBC: 9, SC: 7, ST: 4)
- DEPR Cadre: 10 posts (GEN: 4, EWS: 1, OBC: 1, SC: 3, ST: 1)
- DSIM Cadre: 10 posts (GEN: 4, EWS: 1, OBC: 4, SC: 1, ST: 0)
It is worth noting that vacancies have seen a significant decline over the past few years — from 294 in 2022 to just 60 in 2026. This shrinking vacancy pool means stiffer competition and likely higher cut-off marks. Candidates are strongly advised to take their preparation seriously.
In terms of compensation and benefits, an RBI Grade B Officer enjoys a gross monthly salary of approximately Rs. 1.54 lakh, along with perks such as accommodation, medical benefits, and a structured career growth path within one of India’s most prestigious financial institutions.
How to Apply for RBI Grade B 2026
The application process for RBI Grade B 2026 was conducted entirely online through the official RBI portal. While the registration window has now closed (deadline was 20 May 2026 at 6:00 PM), here is the general process for future reference:
- Visit the official RBI recruitment portal at opportunities.rbi.org.in
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill in personal, educational, and professional details accurately
- Upload scanned documents including photograph, signature, and certificates
- Pay the applicable application fee online
- Submit the form and save a copy of the confirmation for future use
Selection Process: How Will Candidates Be Selected?
The RBI Grade B selection process consists of three major stages:
Phase I – Preliminary Examination (Qualifying)
This is an objective-type online exam meant to shortlist candidates for the Mains. The Phase I exam for the General stream is on 13 June 2026 and for DEPR/DSIM on 14 June 2026. It includes four sections:
- Reasoning Ability: 60 questions – 60 marks – 45 minutes
- English Language: 30 questions – 30 marks – 25 minutes
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions – 30 marks – 25 minutes
- General Knowledge: 80 questions – 80 marks – 25 minutes
Total: 200 questions | 200 marks | 120 minutes
Phase II – Mains Examination (Merit-Based)
For the General cadre, the Mains consists of three papers, each carrying 100 marks. Papers I and III are a combination of objective (30 minutes, 50 marks) and descriptive (90 minutes, 50 marks) formats. Paper II is a descriptive English writing skills test worth 100 marks. Phase II for General is scheduled on 25 July 2026 and for DEPR/DSIM on 26 July 2026.
Interview and Psychometric Test
Candidates shortlisted after Phase II are called for an interview carrying 75 marks. A psychometric test and document verification are also conducted at this stage. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined performance in Phase II and the Interview.
Summary: Should You Prepare for RBI Grade B 2026?
The RBI Grade B 2026 examination is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious government job opportunities available in India this year. With Phase I just around the corner on 13 June 2026, candidates who have registered must now channel all their energy into focused preparation. The declining vacancy trend makes it even more important to maximize your score in every stage of the exam.
Keep checking the official RBI website regularly for admit card releases, result notifications, and any schedule updates. With disciplined preparation and a clear strategy, cracking the RBI Grade B exam is absolutely achievable. Best of luck to all aspiring candidates!
