RBI Grade B Exam Date 2026: Phase 1 on 13 June, Check Full Schedule & Details
RBI Grade B 2026: Phase 1 Exam Date Officially Announced
The Reserve Bank of India has officially confirmed the exam schedule for RBI Grade B Recruitment 2026, bringing much-awaited news for lakhs of banking aspirants across the country. The Phase 1 examination for the General cadre is scheduled for 13 June 2026, while candidates applying for DEPR and DSIM posts will appear on 14 June 2026. This recruitment drive covers Officers in Grade B under the Direct Recruitment (DR) process for General, DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research), and DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) cadres.
With a gross monthly salary starting at approximately Rs. 1.54 lakh and the prestige of working at India’s apex banking institution, this is one of the most sought-after government job opportunities of the year. The application window has already closed, and candidates who have successfully registered must now focus entirely on their exam preparation.
Important Dates: RBI Grade B 2026 Exam Schedule
Keeping track of key dates is essential to avoid missing any stage of this recruitment process. Here is the complete timeline as per the official notification:
- Notification Released: 28 April 2026
- Application Window Open: 29 April 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 20 May 2026 (by 6 PM)
- Admit Card Release (Phase I): June 2026 (7–10 days before exam)
- Phase I Exam – General Cadre: 13 June 2026
- Phase I Exam – DEPR/DSIM Cadre: 14 June 2026
- Phase II Exam – General Cadre: 25 July 2026
- Phase II Exam – DEPR/DSIM Cadre: 26 July 2026
Candidates should note that admit cards for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will typically be made available on the official RBI website approximately 7 to 10 days before the respective examination dates.
RBI Grade B 2026: Key Highlights at a Glance
- Conducting Body: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Post Name: Officers in Grade B – General / DEPR / DSIM
- Total Vacancies: 60
- Exam Level: National
- Application Mode: Online
- Age Limit: 21 to 30 years (as on 1 April 2026)
- Selection Stages: Phase I (Prelims) → Phase II (Mains) → Interview
- Official Website: www.opportunities.rbi.org.in
Vacancy Details: Category-Wise Breakdown
A total of 60 vacancies have been announced for RBI Grade B 2026. This is notably lower than previous years, indicating increasing competition among candidates. Here is the post-wise and category-wise distribution:
- General Cadre: 40 posts (UR: 16, EWS: 4, OBC: 9, SC: 7, ST: 4)
- DEPR Cadre: 10 posts (UR: 4, EWS: 1, OBC: 1, SC: 3, ST: 1)
- DSIM Cadre: 10 posts (UR: 4, EWS: 1, OBC: 4, SC: 1, ST: 0)
It is worth noting that vacancies have fallen sharply over recent years — from 294 in 2022 to just 60 in 2026. This trend suggests that cut-off scores may rise significantly, making thorough preparation more important than ever.
Eligibility Criteria for RBI Grade B 2026
Age Limit
The general age limit is 21 to 30 years as on 1 April 2026. Age relaxations apply as follows:
- 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
- General Cadre: Graduation with a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) or Post-graduation with at least 55% marks. CA, CS, and ICWA qualifications are also accepted.
- DEPR Cadre: Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, or related quantitative disciplines with a minimum of 55% marks. MBA/PGDM in Finance is also eligible.
- DSIM Cadre: Master’s in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Econometrics, or related fields with 55% marks. M.Stat from ISI or PGDBA from ISI Kolkata/IIT Kharagpur/IIM Calcutta also qualifies.
Number of Attempts
- General/EWS Category: Maximum 6 attempts
- SC/ST/OBC/PwBD: No limit on attempts (subject to upper age limit)
RBI Grade B 2026: Exam Pattern Overview
Phase I – Prelims (Objective)
The Phase 1 exam is qualifying in nature and consists of 200 questions worth 200 marks to be completed in 120 minutes. The four sections are:
- 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
Phase II – Mains (Objective + Descriptive)
The Mains exam consists of three papers, each carrying 100 marks. Papers I and III contain both objective and descriptive components, while Paper II is entirely descriptive (English Writing Skills). Marks scored in Phase II and the Interview together determine the final merit list.
Selection Process: Step by Step
The RBI Grade B selection process involves three well-defined stages:
- Phase I (Prelims): An objective-type qualifying exam used to shortlist candidates for the Mains.
- Phase II (Mains): A combination of objective and descriptive papers. Marks from this stage count towards the final selection.
- Interview: Carries 75 marks and is merit-making. A Psychometric Test and Document Verification are also conducted at this stage.
It is important to note that RBI does not release an official answer key for either Phase 1 or Phase 2. Results are typically published in PDF format within 20 to 25 days of the examination.
Summary: Should You Prepare for RBI Grade B 2026?
The RBI Grade B 2026 exam is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious banking recruitment opportunities in India. With only 60 vacancies this year and competition expected to be fierce, candidates who have already applied must leave no stone unturned in their preparation. The Phase 1 exam begins on 13 June 2026, leaving limited time for revision. Focus on General Knowledge, Reasoning, and English, and use quality study material to strengthen your Mains preparation simultaneously. Stay updated with the official RBI website for admit card releases, result announcements, and any changes to the schedule.
