RBI Grade B Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the RBI Grade B, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
~$10 (INR 850)
Provider
Reserve Bank of India
Validity
Annual exam
Available
India
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
3-5+ years of professional experience typically required
Specific Requirements
- Age at least 21 and under 30 as on the notified date. For panel year 2026 this meant birth on or after 2 April 1996 and on or before 1 April 2005.
- Upper age relaxation of up to 5 years for SC and ST candidates and up to 3 years for OBC candidates where posts are reserved for them, and up to 5 years for ex-employees of banking institutions whose services were terminated for reasons of economy or bank liquidation.
- General cadre educational qualification: graduation in any discipline or an equivalent technical or professional qualification with a minimum of 60 per cent marks, or post-graduation with a minimum of 55 per cent, in aggregate across all semesters or years. SC, ST and PwBD applicants need 50 per cent at graduation level and pass marks at post-graduate level where posts are reserved for them.
- DEPR cadre: a master's degree in Economics or a related discipline as specified in the advertisement, with the minimum 55 per cent threshold and the relaxations set out there.
- DSIM cadre: a master's degree in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics, Statistics and Informatics or a related field, or a Bachelor's Degree in Statistics with 60 per cent in aggregate, per the qualification table in the advertisement.
- Attempt limit: General and EWS candidates who have already appeared six times in the Phase I examination for these posts are not eligible to apply. No such restriction applies to SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates where posts are reserved for them.
- No prior work experience is required for the General cadre, and the advertisement encourages candidates with no prior experience to apply.
- Payment of the application fee or intimation charges in the prescribed manner. Applications without the prescribed fee are summarily rejected.
Number of Questions
Phase I: a single paper for 200 marks across General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning. The Reserve Bank of India Services Board does not publish the per-test question count in the advertisement and directs candidates to the Information Handout issued with the Admit Card. Phase II: Paper I and Paper III each have 30 objective questions for 50 marks plus 6 descriptive questions of which 4 must be attempted for 50 marks. Paper II has 3 descriptive questions for 100 marks.
Duration
Phase I: 120 minutes for a single objective paper, with separate time allotted to each of the four tests. Phase II: three papers totalling 330 minutes of testing time, being 120 minutes for Paper I, 90 minutes for Paper II and 120 minutes for Paper III, conducted in shifts on one day. Interview: duration not published by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board.
Question Format
Objective multiple choice questions in Phase I across all four tests, Objective questions in Paper I and Paper III, with some carrying 2 marks and some carrying 1 mark, Descriptive questions in Paper I and Paper III, two of 15 marks and two of 10 marks, chosen from six, Descriptive essay and writing tasks in Paper II on English Writing Skills, Personality Assessment before the Interview, carrying no marks, Interview of 75 marks, which the candidate may take in Hindi or English
Passing Requirement
The Reserve Bank of India Services Board does not publish fixed cut-off marks. In Phase I candidates must secure minimum marks separately in each of the four tests and an aggregate minimum, both prescribed by the Board. The aggregate cut-off for shortlisting to Phase II is decided in relation to the number of vacancies, as is the Phase II aggregate cut-off for the Interview call. The final merit list adds Phase II marks out of 300 and Interview marks out of 75, plus grace marks as applicable under extant rules.
How It Is Delivered
Online examination at Board-designated centres in India for both phases. Descriptive answers in Paper I, Paper II and Paper III are typed on a keyboard. Candidates typing Hindi answers may use either the Inscript or the Remington GAIL keyboard layout. Phase II is held in shifts with a single Admit Card covering all shifts, and candidates must appear for every paper in every shift.
Languages Offered
English, Hindi, All question papers in both phases except the test of English are set bilingually in Hindi and English, and the Interview may be taken in either language
Visit the official Reserve Bank of India certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the RBI Grade B?
Age at least 21 and under 30 as on the notified date. For panel year 2026 this meant birth on or after 2 April 1996 and on or before 1 April 2005.. Upper age relaxation of up to 5 years for SC and ST candidates and up to 3 years for OBC candidates where posts are reserved for them, and up to 5 years for ex-employees of banking institutions whose services were terminated for reasons of economy or bank liquidation.. General cadre educational qualification: graduation in any discipline or an equivalent technical or professional qualification with a minimum of 60 per cent marks, or post-graduation with a minimum of 55 per cent, in aggregate across all semesters or years. SC, ST and PwBD applicants need 50 per cent at graduation level and pass marks at post-graduate level where posts are reserved for them.. DEPR cadre: a master's degree in Economics or a related discipline as specified in the advertisement, with the minimum 55 per cent threshold and the relaxations set out there.. DSIM cadre: a master's degree in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics, Statistics and Informatics or a related field, or a Bachelor's Degree in Statistics with 60 per cent in aggregate, per the qualification table in the advertisement.. Attempt limit: General and EWS candidates who have already appeared six times in the Phase I examination for these posts are not eligible to apply. No such restriction applies to SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates where posts are reserved for them.. No prior work experience is required for the General cadre, and the advertisement encourages candidates with no prior experience to apply.. Payment of the application fee or intimation charges in the prescribed manner. Applications without the prescribed fee are summarily rejected..
How much does the RBI Grade B cost?
The RBI Grade B exam costs ~$10 (INR 850). This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the RBI Grade B?
Visit the official Reserve Bank of India certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the RBI Grade B?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for RBI Grade B?
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