RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026: RBI Grade B is one of the widely known exams and all those aspirants who want to crack this exam will have to go through the complete RBI Selection Process 2026.
It consists of three stages and the candidates who will clear all three stages will finally get a posting in the Reserve Bank of India. Read through this article, about the complete RBI Grade B Selection Process.
RBI Grade B Selection Process
As per the RBI Grade B Notification, the selection process is being conducted to select the skilled professionals for General, DEPR, and DSIM roles. It starts with Phase-I, an online objective test on subjects like economics, statistics, reasoning, aptitude, and English.
Qualified candidates move to Phase-II, which includes descriptive and objective papers to test analytical, writing, and role-specific skills. Shortlisted candidates are then called for a personal interview to assess personality, communication, and problem-solving abilities. The final selection is based on Phase-II marks and interview performance.
- Phase-I Online Examination (Objective Type):
- For General: Single paper covering General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning.
- For DEPR: Objective Economics paper + Descriptive English.
- For DSIM: Objective Statistics paper.
- Candidates are shortlisted based on minimum marks and aggregate scores for Phase-II.
- Phase-II Online/Written Examination (Descriptive and Objective):
- For General: Three papers – Economic & Social Issues, General Finance & Management (50% objective + 50% descriptive), and English Writing Skills (descriptive).
- For DEPR: Two descriptive Economics papers.
- For DSIM: Descriptive Statistics + Descriptive English.
- Shortlisting for Interview is based on aggregate Phase-II marks.
- Interview/Personality Assessment:
- Conducted for all cadres and carries 75 marks.
- Can be taken in Hindi or English.
- Personality Assessment is mandatory but does not carry marks.
- Final Selection:
- Merit list prepared by adding Phase-II marks and Interview marks, along with any applicable grace marks, determines final selection.
What are the stages of the RBI Grade B selection process for (DR) General cadres?
The RBI Grade B exam is conducted in 3 phases Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. Phase 1 is the preliminary exam with sections like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and English. It has 200 questions for 200 marks, a duration of 120 minutes, and includes negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Phase 2 is the mains exam with three papers, where Paper 1 and Paper 3 include both objective and descriptive questions, and Paper 2 is fully descriptive. The marks of Phase 2 are important for final selection. Phase 3 is the interview stage, carrying 75 marks, and the final result is based on Phase 2 marks and interview performance.
| Phase | Exam Details | Key Points |
| Phase 1 – Preliminary | Subjects: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English200 questions / 200 marks Duration: 120 minutes | Sectional timing Negative marking: 1/4 per wrong answer |
| Phase 2 – Mains | Paper 1 & 3: Objective + Descriptive Paper 2: Descriptive | Marks of all papers considered for final result |
| Phase 3 – Interview | 75 marks | Final selection based on Phase 2 marks + interview score |
Important Study Materials for RBI Grade B Preparation
What are the stages of the RBI Grade B selection process for (DR) DEPR cadres?
The selection process for RBI Grade B Officers (DEPR) includes 3 stages Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. Phase 1 has 2 papers an objective Economics paper and a descriptive English paper typed on a computer. Candidates who clear the Phase 1 cut-off are shortlisted for Phase 2, which has two descriptive Economics papers written on paper.
Those who qualify Phase 2 are called for the interview, which is the final stage. The Reserve Bank of India decides the cut-off marks and publishes the list of shortlisted candidates on its official website.
| Phase | Name of Paper | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Phase – I | Paper – I: Objective Type (on Economics) [Online exam] Paper – II: English – Descriptive (To be typed with help of keyboard) [Answers typed on computer] | 120 minutes for each paper | 100 for each paper |
| Phase – II | Paper – I: Descriptive Type (on Economics) (Question paper displayed on computer, answers to be written on paper) Answers written on paper | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Phase – II | Paper – II: Descriptive Type (on Economics) (Question paper displayed on computer, answers to be written on paper) Answers written on paper | 120 minutes | 100 |
| Total | – | – | 400 |
What are the stages of the RBI Grade B selection process for (DR) DSIM cadres?
The selection process for RBI Grade B Officers (DSIM) includes Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3, and an Interview. Paper 1 is an objective Statistics test used for shortlisting. Candidates who qualify appear for Paper 2 (descriptive Statistics) and Paper 3 (descriptive English).
All papers must be attempted with a single admit card for Paper 2 and 3. Those who clear the cut-offs are called for the Interview, which carries 75 marks and can be given in Hindi or English. Final selection is based on overall performance in all papers and the Interview.
| Stage | Description | Marks / Duration |
| Stage 1 – Paper I | Objective Type (Statistics) to shortlist candidates for Phase-II | 100 marks, 120 min |
| Stage 2 – Paper II | Descriptive Type (Statistics) for shortlisted candidates | 100 marks, 180 min |
| Stage 2 – Paper III | Descriptive Type (English, typed) for shortlisted candidates | 100 marks, 90 min |
| Stage 3 – Interview | Candidates clearing all papers are called for Interview; may opt for Hindi or English | 75 marks |
| Personality Assessment | Conducted before Interview; no marks allotted; does not affect final selection | – |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern for (DR) General
The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam is a qualifying test with four sections: Reasoning, General Awareness, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. It includes 200 questions for 200 marks, with a total duration of 120 minutes.
Reasoning has 60 questions, General Awareness has 80 questions, and English and Quantitative Aptitude have 30 questions each, with separate time limits for each section. This structure helps candidates manage time effectively during the exam.
| Sections | Total Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 minutes |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern for (DR) DEPR
The Phase 1 exam for RBI Grade B Officers (DEPR and DSIM) is an online/written test used to shortlist candidates for Phase 2. It includes two papers: Paper 1 is an objective Economics test and Paper 2 is a descriptive English test, which must be typed on a keyboard.
The exam is conducted in shifts, and candidates must appear for both papers. Question papers are available in Hindi and English, except the English paper, which must be answered in English only. Candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks set by the Board to move to Phase 2.
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
| Paper I – Objective (Economics) | 120 min | 100 |
| Paper II – Descriptive (English, typed) | 120 min | 100 |
| Total | – | 200 |
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam Pattern for (DR) DSIM
The phase-I is an objective examination on Statistics, held to shortlist candidates for Paper-II and Paper-III. Candidates are required to secure minimum aggregate marks as prescribed by the Board to qualify for the next stage. The exam duration is 120 minutes, and the paper carries 100 marks. Question papers are set in Hindi and English, and the exam is conducted online.
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
| Paper I – Objective (Statistics) | 120 min | 100 |
| Total | – | 100 |
Also Read:
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern for (DR) General
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam has 3 papers Economic and Social Issues (ESI), English Writing Skills, and Finance and Management (FM). ESI and FM include both objective and descriptive questions, while English is fully descriptive. Descriptive answers are typed using a keyboard, and Hindi typing is allowed in ESI and FM.
The total marks for Phase 2 are 300. Except for English, all papers are available in Hindi and English. The exam pattern or schedule may be changed by the Board if needed.
| Papers | Type of Test | Total Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 – Economic and Social Issues | 50% Objective Test (30 objective questions) 50% Descriptive Test (6 descriptive questions out of which 4 need to be answered) Hindi typing allowed (Inscript/Remington) | 50 marks 50 marks | 30 mins 90 mins |
| Paper 2 – English (Writing Skills) | Descriptive Test (3 questions) to be typed using keyboard | 100 marks | 90 mins |
| Paper 3 – Finance and Management | 50% Objective Test (30 objective questions) 50% Descriptive Test (6 descriptive questions out of which 4 need to be answered) Hindi typing allowed (Inscript/Remington) | 50 marks 50 marks | 120 minutes |
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern for (DR) DEPR
The Phase-II examination is a Descriptive Type written exam for candidates shortlisted from Phase-I. It consists of two papers on Economics, with questions displayed on the computer but answers to be written on paper.
The exam will be conducted in shifts, and candidates must appear for both papers. Answers can be written in Hindi or English. The final selection of candidates is based on the combined performance in Phase-I, Phase-II, and Interview, where the interview carries 75 marks. Candidates may opt for the interview in either Hindi or English.
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
| Paper I – Descriptive (Economics) | 120 min | 100 |
| Paper II – Descriptive (Economics) | 120 min | 100 |
| Total | – | 200 |
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam Pattern for (DR) DSIM
The phase-II exam consists of Paper-II and Paper-III, which are descriptive-type examinations. Paper-II focuses on Statistics, while Paper-III is English – Descriptive, to be typed using a keyboard. Both papers are conducted on a single day in shifts.
Answers for Paper-II may be written in Hindi or English, whereas Paper-III must be answered in English. The duration of Paper-II is 180 minutes, and Paper-III is 90 minutes, with each carrying 100 marks. Candidates must secure the prescribed cut-offs to be eligible for the Interview stage.
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
| Paper II – Descriptive (Statistics) | 180 min | 100 |
| Paper III – Descriptive (English, typed) | 90 min | 100 |
| Total | – | 200 |
RBI Grade B Selection Process 2026 – Interview
Only those aspirants who clear Phase 2 will be able to appear in the Interview. The interview will be conducted for a total of 75 marks and the candidates are allowed to opt for either language (Hindi or English). Securing good marks in the Interview will increase your chances of appearing in the final merit list.
What are the differences in the RBI Grade B selection process for General, DEPR, and DSIM cadres?
The RBI Grade B selection process varies for General, DEPR, and DSIM cadres. The General cadre has Phase-I as a single objective paper on General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning, and Phase-II with three papers (Economic & Social Issues, General Finance & Management, and English) plus a 75-mark interview.
DEPR focuses on economics, with Phase-I covering objective economics and descriptive English, and Phase-II having two descriptive economics papers before the interview.
DSIM emphasizes statistics and data analysis, with Phase-I as an objective statistics paper and Phase-II including descriptive statistics and English papers, followed by the interview.
| Aspect | General | DEPR | DSIM |
| Exam focus | Multi-disciplinary (GA, English, Quant, Reasoning) | Economics and policy research | Statistics, econometrics, data analysis, AI/ML applications |
| Phase-I Papers | Single objective paper (200 marks) | Objective Economics + Descriptive English | Objective Statistics |
| Phase-II Papers | 3 papers: Economic & Social Issues, General Finance & Management, English Writing Skills | 2 descriptive Economics papers | Descriptive Statistics + Descriptive English |
| Total papers & marks | 4 papers, 300 marks (Phase-II) | 4 papers, 400 marks | 3 papers, 300 marks |
| Interview | 75 marks, Hindi or English | 75 marks, Hindi or English | 75 marks, Hindi or English |
| Answer modes | Partly objective, partly descriptive (English typed) | Descriptive written for Economics, typed for English | Written for Statistics, typed for English |
| Language | Hindi or English (except English papers) | Hindi or English (except English papers) | Hindi or English for stats, English only for English paper |
| Shortlisting criteria | Phase-I aggregate followed by Phase-II then Interview | Phase-I aggregate followed by Phase-II then Interview | Phase-I marks followed by Phase-II then Interview |
FAQs
The process of selection includes Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and Phase 3 (Interview).
For the General Category, the number of attempts is 6.
Well, you will have to go through the three-tiered processes. Beginning from the notification to be out to the final result, it is expected to be completed in 9-11 months.
The interview will be conducted for a total of 75 marks. The candidates who will clear phase 2 will appear in the interview round.
Yes, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as negative markings in Phase 1.
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