What Do You Need for RBI Exams?
RBI Grade B vs Assistant
Two ways into the Reserve Bank of India — an officer post and a clerical post.
| Item | Grade B | Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Post level | Officer | Clerical |
| Vacancies (2026) | 60 | 650 |
| Age | 21–30 | 20–28 |
| Degree | Graduate 60% or PG 55% | Graduate 50% |
| Stages | Phase I, II + Interview | Prelims, Mains + LPT |
| Basic pay | ₹78,450 | ₹29,000 |
2026 figures as reported. Pay is basic pay only; RBI adds DA, HRA or quarters, and other allowances. Always confirm on opportunities.rbi.org.in.
RBI Grade B — Officer
Officers in Grade B (DR) work in the RBI’s departments on policy, supervision, research and operations.
| Stream | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| DR (General) | 40 |
| DR (DEPR) — Economics | 10 |
| DR (DSIM) — Statistics | 10 |
| Total | 60 |
1. Age
21–30 years (as on 1 April 2026 for the last cycle). Higher limits for M.Phil and PhD holders.
2. Qualification (General)
Graduation with 60% or post-graduation with 55% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD).
3. DEPR and DSIM
Master’s in Economics/Finance (DEPR) or Statistics/Mathematics/Data Science (DSIM).
4. Attempts
Limited attempts for the General stream (six for General category, as reported).
Grade B Phase I Qualifying
One objective paper with sectional timers. 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 min |
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 | 45 min |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 min |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 h |
Sectional and overall cut-offs apply. DEPR and DSIM streams have their own Phase I papers.
Grade B Phase II and Interview
Three papers for the General stream, then an interview of 50 marks.
| Paper | Marks | Format |
|---|---|---|
| I — Economic & Social Issues | 100 | Objective 30 min Descriptive 90 min |
| II — English (Writing Skills) | 100 | Descriptive 90 min |
| III — Finance & Management | 100 | Objective 30 min Descriptive 90 min |
| Total | 300 |
Papers I and III are half objective, half descriptive (50 marks each). Final merit: Phase II (300) + interview (50). Answers in Paper II are typed on the computer. Pattern as per recent notifications.
RBI Assistant
Clerical posts in RBI offices across India. 650 vacancies in 2026, filled office by office.
1. Age
20–28 years (as on 1 February 2026 for the last cycle).
2. Qualification
Graduation with at least 50% (pass class for SC/ST/PwBD). Final-year students cannot apply.
3. Local language
Proficiency in the language of the state where the office is located.
4. Computer skills
Working knowledge of computers (word processing).
Prelims Qualifying
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
RBI Assistant Mains and LPT
Mains decides the merit. 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 25 min |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 20 min |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 2 h 15 min |
After mains, a Language Proficiency Test (LPT) in the office’s local language is qualifying. No interview.
Syllabus
Grade B Phase II goes deep into economics, finance and management. Tap a subject to see its topics.
General AwarenessGrade B Phase I · Assistant mains
- Current affairs — last six months
- RBI functions, monetary policy and circulars
- Banking and financial awareness
- Government schemes and the Union Budget
- Static GK
Economic & Social IssuesGrade B Phase II
- Growth and development, inflation, employment
- Indian economy — fiscal and monetary policy
- Globalisation, international institutions
- Social structure, demographics, education and health
- Social justice and government policy
Finance & ManagementGrade B Phase II
- Financial system, markets and instruments
- Banking regulation and risk management
- Corporate governance and financial inclusion
- Management — leadership, motivation, communication
- Ethics and organisational behaviour
ReasoningBoth exams
- Puzzles and seating arrangement
- Syllogism and inequalities
- Coding-decoding, blood relations, directions
- Input-output and data sufficiency
- Critical reasoning (Grade B)
Quantitative / Numerical AbilityBoth exams
- Simplification and number series
- Data interpretation
- Arithmetic — percentage, ratio, interest
- Time and work, speed and distance
- Quadratic equations
EnglishBoth exams
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test and error detection
- Para jumbles and vocabulary
- Essay, précis and comprehension writing (Grade B Phase II)
Free RBI Exam Study Material
Notes for both exams, built around RBI reports and policy.
These resources are being added subject by subject. Pages marked “Coming soon” are not published yet.
Economic & Social Issues
Topic notes linked to current data and reports.
Coming soon →Finance & Management
Financial system, regulation and management.
Coming soon →RBI & Banking Awareness
Monetary policy, circulars and reports.
Coming soon →Descriptive English
Essay, précis and comprehension practice.
Coming soon →Assistant Notes
Reasoning, quant and computer knowledge.
Coming soon →RBI Mock Tests
Tests in the real pattern with sectional timers and negative marking.
Under development. The mock tests below are planned and will open here when ready.
Grade B Phase I Mock
ESI / F&M Mock
Assistant Prelims Mock
Assistant Mains Mock
Previous-Year Papers
Memory-based papers with solutions.
Coming soon.
How to Prepare for the Next Cycle
Both 2026 cycles are complete — use the time before the 2027 notifications.
Grade B: start with Phase II
ESI and Finance & Management need months of reading — begin now.
Read RBI sources
Monetary Policy statements, the Annual Report and the Financial Stability Report.
Master General Awareness
It is 80 of 200 marks in Grade B Phase I.
Write regularly
Practise essays, précis and descriptive ESI/F&M answers on a keyboard.
Assistant: build speed
Prelims is 100 questions in an hour — practise sectional timers.
Take mocks and analyse
Attempt full mocks and track accuracy by section.
2026 Cycle Recap
Grade B: Phase I on 13–14 June 2026, Phase II on 25–26 July 2026. Assistant: prelims on 11 and 13 April 2026, mains on 7 June 2026. The next notifications are expected in 2027 — watch the official website.
RBI Exam FAQs
Who conducts these exams?
The Reserve Bank of India conducts both exams through its recruitment services. Official notices are on opportunities.rbi.org.in.
What is the age limit?
Grade B: 21–30 years (as on 1 April 2026 for the last cycle). Assistant: 20–28 years (as on 1 February 2026). Relaxation: 5 years SC/ST, 3 years OBC, 10 years PwBD, and others as per rules.
How many attempts are allowed for Grade B?
As reported, General category candidates get a limited number of attempts (six) for the DR (General) stream. Check the notification for other categories.
Is there an interview?
Grade B: yes, 50 marks, after Phase II. Assistant: no — selection is on mains marks, subject to the language test.
Can final-year students apply?
For the Assistant post, no — the degree must be complete. For Grade B, check the notification, as rules can change.
When is the next notification?
Both 2026 cycles are over. RBI usually announces the next cycles in the first half of the year. Watch the official website.