The Reserve Bank of India has released the RBI Assistant 2026 notification for 650 vacancies. The recruitment process consists of three stages: preliminary exam, mains exam, and language proficiency test (LPT). Candidates who qualify for the mains exam must appear for the LPT, which is mandatory for final selection.
If you are preparing for RBI Assistant 2026, understanding the LPT is extremely important because it is mandatory for final selection.
RBI Assistant Selection Procedure 2026
Before understanding the Language Proficiency Test, it is important to know the complete selection process. The RBI Assistant recruitment process consists of the following three stages:
- Phase 1: Preliminary Exam (Objective, Online Test)
- Phase 2: Main Exam (Objective, Online Test)
- Final Phase: Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
Candidates must qualify in each stage to move forward. Only those candidates who clear the mains exam will be called for the language proficiency test. Final selection is based on mains exam merit, qualifying the LPT, document verification, and medical fitness.
What is the RBI Assistant Language Proficiency Test (LPT)?
The Language Proficiency Test (LPT) is the final stage of the RBI Assistant selection process. It is conducted for candidates who qualify for the mains exam. The purpose of the test is to ensure that candidates are proficient in the official or local language of the state for which they have applied. Candidates must be able to:
- Read the language
- Write the language
- Speak the language
- Understand the language
Candidates who are not proficient in the local language will be disqualified from the recruitment process, even if they clear the mains exam. The Language Proficiency Test is qualifying in nature. No marks are added to the final merit list, but qualifying it is mandatory.
Why is the RBI Assistant Language Proficiency Test conducted?
The RBI Assistant role involves frequent interaction with the public, including handling customer queries, banking services, and administrative work. This helps maintain efficient banking services across all RBI regional offices. The Language Proficiency Test ensures that candidates can:
- Communicate effectively with local customers
- Understand requests and resolve queries
- Perform official duties smoothly in regional offices
RBI Assistant Language Proficiency Test Pattern 2026
The Language Proficiency Test evaluates a candidate’s ability to use the local language. The test may include both oral and written components.
Expected components of the test include:
- Reading comprehension in the local language
- Basic grammar questions
- Sentence formation
- Translation (English to local language or vice versa)
- Letter writing or short paragraph writing
- Oral conversation test
Key Highlights:
- Mode: Oral and/or Written
- Language: Official/Local language of the state
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Marks: No marks assigned
- Nature: Qualifying only
RBI Assistant Local Language List (Office-wise)
Candidates must know the local language of the office they apply for. Candidates must choose an office where they are proficient in the respective local language. The office-wise local languages are listed below:
| RBI Office | Local Language |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarati |
| Bengaluru | Kannada |
| Bhopal | Hindi |
| Bhubaneswar | Odia |
| Chandigarh | Punjabi / Hindi |
| Chennai | Tamil |
| Guwahati | Assamese / Bengali / Khasi / Manipuri |
| Hyderabad | Telugu |
| Jaipur | Hindi |
| Jammu | Urdu / Hindi |
| Kanpur & Lucknow | Hindi |
| Kolkata | Bengali |
| Mumbai | Marathi |
| Nagpur | Marathi / Hindi |
| New Delhi | Hindi |
| Patna | Hindi |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Malayalam |
Is the RBI Assistant Language Proficiency Test Mandatory?
Yes, the Language Proficiency Test is mandatory. Even high-scoring candidates in the mains exam will not be selected if they fail the Language Proficiency Test. Key points to remember:
- Candidates must qualify the LPT to be selected
- No exemption is given from the LPT
- Candidates who fail the LPT will be disqualified
- Final selection depends on Main Exam merit and qualifying LPT
How to Prepare for RBI Assistant Language Proficiency Test 2026
Preparing for the Language Proficiency Test is relatively easy if you already know the language.
1. Practice reading local language newspapers: This helps improve reading and understanding ability.
2. Improve writing skills: Practice writing letters, short essays, and sentences in the local language.
3. Focus on basic grammar: Learn basic grammar rules such as sentence formation and vocabulary.
4. Practice speaking: Try speaking the language regularly with friends or family.
5. Learn banking terms in the local language: This helps in understanding real-world banking communication.
Important Points About RBI Assistant LPT 2026
Here are some important highlights candidates must remember:
- LPT is conducted after the mains exam.
- It is conducted in the local language of the respective office
- It is qualifying in nature
- No marks are added to the final merit
- Candidates must qualify LPT to be selected
- No exemption is provided from the test
Candidates must ensure they are comfortable with the local language of their chosen RBI office. With basic reading, writing, and speaking skills, candidates can easily clear the Language Proficiency Test and move one step closer to securing a job as an RBI Assistant.
FAQs
Q1: What is the RBI Assistant Language Proficiency Test (LPT)?
A: The Language Proficiency Test (LPT) is the final stage of the RBI Assistant selection process conducted by the Reserve Bank of India. It evaluates whether candidates can read, write, and speak the local language of the state they applied for.
Q2: Is the RBI Assistant LPT qualifying or merit-based?
A: The LPT is a qualifying test only. Candidates do not receive marks for it, but they must clear it to be eligible for final selection.
Q3: What happens if a candidate fails the language proficiency test?
A: Candidates who fail the LPT will be disqualified from the recruitment process, even if they score well in the Main Examination.
Q4: Which language is tested in the RBI Assistant LPT?
A: The language tested depends on the state or office you applied for. For example:
- West Bengal – Bengali
- Maharashtra – Marathi
- Tamil Nadu – Tamil
- Delhi – Hindi
Candidates must be proficient in the local language of their respective state.
Q5: Who is exempted from the RBI Assistant LPT?
A: Candidates who studied the local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and can provide valid proof may be exempted from appearing in the LPT.
Hi, I’m Tripti, a senior content writer at Oliveboard, where I manage blog content along with community engagement across platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. With 3+ years of experience in content and SEO optimization related to banking exams, I have led content for popular exams like SSC, banking, railway, and state exams.

