RBI Grade B
RBI Officers in Grade 'B' (Direct Recruitment) — General, DEPR and DSIM cadres
RBI Grade 'B' (Direct Recruitment) is how the Reserve Bank of India recruits officers in Grade 'B' for three cadres: General, DEPR (Economic and Policy Research) and DSIM (Statistics and Information Management). The Reserve Bank of India Services Board runs it. The General cadre has an online Phase I objective paper, then an online Phase II of three papers (objective and typed descriptive answers), then an interview. DEPR and DSIM have their own economics or statistics papers (some descriptive answers are handwritten on paper), then an interview. Candidates take a personality assessment before the interview; it carries no marks. Eligibility, pattern, vacancies and dates are set in each panel year's official notice.
Frequency
Once per panel year. The PY 2026 notice was published on 29 April 2026, with Phase I on 13–14 June 2026 and Phase II on 25–26 July 2026
Duration
Varies by cadre (PY 2026). General: Phase I is 120 minutes; Phase II has three papers of 120, 90 and 120 minutes. DEPR: four papers of 120 minutes each. DSIM: papers of 120, 180 and 90 minutes
Format
Computer or paper
Score range
General: Phase I is 200 marks and only shortlists for Phase II. Phase II is 300 marks and the interview 75; the merit list adds Phase II and interview marks. DEPR: 400 across four papers plus a 75-mark interview. DSIM: 300 across three papers plus a 75-mark interview (PY 2026)
Eligibility
Citizens of India, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, and certain other categories named in the notice (the latter need a Government of India eligibility certificate). Age 21–30 as on 1 April 2026, with relaxations: for example, the upper limit is 32 with an M.Phil. and 34 with a Ph.D. General cadre: a bachelor's degree with at least 60% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD), or a postgraduate degree with at least 55% (pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD). DEPR: a master's in economics or finance with at least 55% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD). DSIM: a master's in statistics, mathematics, econometrics, data science or a related field with at least 55%, or a four-year bachelor's in those fields with at least 60% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD in each case). General and EWS candidates who have already taken Phase I six times may not apply (PY 2026 notice)
Conducting body
Reserve Bank of India Services Board (RBISB), for the Reserve Bank of India
Registration fee
₹850 + 18% GST for General, OBC and EWS candidates (application fee including intimation charges). ₹100 + 18% GST for SC, ST and PwBD candidates (intimation charges only). Nil for eligible RBI staff. Bank and transaction charges are extra. Figures are from the Grade 'B' PY 2026 notice (RBISB/DA/01/2026-27)
Source: Reserve Bank of India Services Board (RBISB), for the Reserve Bank of India. Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: Reserve Bank of India — Officers in Grade 'B' (DR) General/DEPR/DSIM, Panel Year 2026 notice (RBISB/DA/01/2026-27); Reserve Bank of India — Grade 'B' (DR) General PY 2026: scheme of selection (Appendix-II, PDF); Reserve Bank of India — Grade 'B' (DR) DEPR and DSIM PY 2026: scheme of selection (Appendix-III, PDF); Reserve Bank of India — opportunities/recruitment portal.
Last verified: 30 September 2026.
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