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The RBI Grade B Notification 2026 was released on 29th April 2026. As per the official notice issued by the Reserve Bank of India, the examination will be conducted in three phases. Phase 1 consists of objective-type questions, and the examination for the 2026 cycle has already been concluded. Phase 2 consists of both objective and descriptive papers and is scheduled to be held on 25th and 26th July 2026. Candidates who qualify in Phase 2 will be called for the interview, which is the final stage of the selection process.
In this blog, we have provided the complete exam pattern for Phase 1, Phase 2, and the interview, including the number of questions, marking scheme, duration, and other key details.
What is the RBI Grade B exam pattern 2026?
The RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026 consists of 3 stages Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and Interview. Phase 1 is qualifying, while Phase 2 and Interview determine the final selection.
| Stage | Mode | Marks | Nature |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Objective | 200 | Qualifying |
| Phase 2 | Objective + Descriptive | 300 | Merit |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75 | Merit |
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When are the RBI Grade B phase 1 and phase 2 exams scheduled?
The Reserve Bank of India has released the RBI Grade B Exam 2026 Phase 1 and Phase 2 dates along with the official notification PDF. Phase 1 (Prelims) will be held in June 2026, while Phase 2 (Mains) is scheduled for July 2026. The exact dates vary for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Candidates should note these dates carefully and plan their preparation in advance, as timely preparation is important to perform well in both stages.
| Event | General (DR) | DEPR | DSIM |
|---|
| Phase 1 Exam Date | 13 June 2026 | 14 June 2026 | 14 June 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam Date | 25 July 2026 | 26 July 2026 | 26 July 2026 |
What is the RBI Grade B phase 1 exam pattern?
RBI Grade B Phase 1 Exam is an online objective test comprises of 4 sections Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. It carries a total of 200 marks and is completed within 120 minutes. To qualify for the RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam, candidates must secure the minimum sectional cut-off marks in each section as well as the overall cut-off marks prescribed by RBI.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Reasoning | 60 | 60 | 45 mins |
| General Awareness | 80 | 80 | 25 mins |
| English | 30 | 30 | 25 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 mins |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 mins |
What are the sectional timings in RBI Grade B phase 1?
The sectional timings in RBI Grade B Phase 1 are fixed and vary by section. Reasoning has 45 minutes, while General Awareness, English, and Quantitative Aptitude get 25 minutes each. The exam has a total duration of 120 minutes with strict sectional limits, meaning candidates cannot switch between sections once time is over.
| Section | Time |
|---|
| Reasoning | 45 mins |
| GA | 25 mins |
| English | 25 mins |
| Quant | 25 mins |
Also Check - RBI Grade B Selection Process
What is the negative marking in RBI Grade B phase 1?
RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam has negative marking. For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks are deducted, while no marks are cut for unanswered questions. This means each incorrect response reduces the score by 1/4 of the marks given for that question. So, accuracy is very important in the exam to avoid losing marks and to improve overall performance under the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India.
| Response | Marks |
|---|
| Correct | +1 |
| Incorrect | -0.25 |
| Unattempted | 0 |
What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 exam pattern?
RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam is the s2nd stage of the selection process. It includes 3 papers Economic & Social Issues (ESI), English (Writing Skills), and Finance & Management (FM). The exam contains both objective and descriptive questions and carries a total of 300 marks. Since Phase 2 marks are counted for the final selection, candidates should focus on scoring well in this stage.
| Paper | Type | Marks |
|---|
| ESI | Objective + Descriptive | 100 |
| English | Descriptive | 100 |
| FM | Objective + Descriptive | 100 |
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What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 1 (ESI) pattern?
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 1 (ESI) pattern includes both objective and descriptive questions from Economic and Social Issues. It carries a total of 100 marks, with 30 objective questions and descriptive questions where candidates must attempt 4 out of 6.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Objective | 30 questions |
| Descriptive | 6 questions (attempt 4) |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 120 mins |
What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 2 (English) pattern?
RBI Grade B Phase 2 English (Writing Skills) paper is a descriptive test that evaluates candidates' writing and communication skills. It carries 100 marks and includes questions on essay writing, precis writing, and reading comprehension. Candidates must type their answers in English within 90 minutes, focusing on clear, structured, and effective writing.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Questions | 3 |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 mins |
Also Download RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers
What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 3 (FM) pattern?
The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 3 (Finance & Management) is a 100-mark paper with both objective and descriptive questions. It includes 30 objective questions and descriptive questions where candidates must attempt 4 out of 6. The duration of the paper is 120 minutes.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Objective | 30 questions |
| Descriptive | 6 questions (attempt 4) |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 120 mins |
Is there sectional timing in RBI Grade B phase 2?
Yes, RBI Grade B Phase 2 does have paper-wise timing, but it does not have strict sectional timing within the entire phase across papers. Each paper is allotted a fixed duration ESI and FM are 120 minutes each, while English is 90 minutes. Within Papers 1 and 3, there is a suggested split between objective (30 minutes) and descriptive (90 minutes), but candidates can manage time freely within the paper.
| Paper | Duration |
|---|
| ESI | 120 mins |
| English | 90 mins |
| FM | 120 mins |
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Is the RBI Grade B exam bilingual?
Yes, the RBI Grade B Exam is conducted in both Hindi and English for most subjects, including Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, ESI, and FM. However, the English Language paper in Phase 1 and the English (Writing Skills) paper in Phase 2 are available only in English, while candidates can choose either Hindi or English for the other sections.
| Section | Language |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Hindi & English |
| ESI/FM | Hindi & English |
| English Paper | English only |
Is phase 1 qualifying in RBI Grade B?
Yes, RBI Grade B Phase 1 is qualifying in nature, and its marks are not considered for the final merit list. It is only used for shortlisting candidates for Phase 2. However, candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs in Phase 1 to move to the next stage. This makes it an important screening round despite not contributing to final selection.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Marks | 200 |
| Role | Screening |
| Counted in final merit | No |
How is the RBI Grade B interview conducted?
The RBI Grade B interview, conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, is the final stage of the selection process and carries 75 marks. Candidates are shortlisted based on their total marks in Phase 2 (Paper 1, 2, and 3). The cut-off for shortlisting depends on the number of vacancies. The list of selected candidates is published on the official website, and interview call letters are sent via email. Candidates can choose to give the interview in Hindi or English. The final merit list is prepared based on Phase 2 and interview marks.
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What is the RBI Grade B Interview pattern?
The RBI Grade B interview is the final selection stage and carries 75 marks. It is a face-to-face interaction conducted by a panel to assess a candidate's personality, communication skills, and subject knowledge. Candidates are evaluated on confidence, clarity of thought, and awareness of current affairs and banking concepts. The interview can be given in Hindi or English, and final selection is based on Phase 2 plus interview marks.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Marks | 75 |
| Mode | Face-to-face |
| Language | Hindi/English |
Is there a psychometric test in RBI Grade B?
Yes, a psychometric test may be conducted before the RBI Grade B interview to assess a candidate's personality and behavioral traits. It is not a scoring component and does not carry any marks. Its purpose is to help the panel understand decision-making style, attitude, and suitability for the RBI officer role. The test is only evaluative in nature and does not affect the final merit list.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Marks | Not counted |
| Purpose | Behavioral evaluation |
Also Check: RBI Grade B Syllabus
How is the final selection done in RBI Grade B?
The final selection in RBI Grade B is based on the marks obtained in Phase 2 and the Interview. Phase 1 is only qualifying and is not included in the final merit list. The merit list is prepared out of a total of 375 marks, where Phase 2 carries 300 marks and the Interview carries 75 marks. Candidates are ranked based on their combined performance in these two stages.
| Stage | Marks Counted |
|---|
| Phase 1 | No |
| Phase 2 | Yes (300) |
| Interview | Yes (75) |
What is the total marks and weightage of each phase in RBI Grade B?
The RBI Grade B selection process is being conducted in 3 stages Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview. Phase 1 is only a qualifying stage and carries 200 marks, but its score is not added to the final merit list. Phase 2 carries 300 marks and is the most important stage of the exam. The Interview is of 75 marks. The final selection is based on a total of 375 marks, which includes marks from Phase 2 and the Interview only.
| Stage | Marks | Weightage |
|---|
| Phase 1 | 200 | Qualifying |
| Phase 2 | 300 | High |
| Interview | 75 | Moderate |
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What is the RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern 2026?
The RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern 2026 is designed for candidates applying under the Department of Economic and Policy Research of the Reserve Bank of India. This stream is meant for candidates with a strong background in economics and focuses on testing knowledge of economic concepts, policy understanding, and English language skills. The selection process includes Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview stages.
| Phase | Papers | Marks |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Economics + English | 200 |
| Phase 2 | Economics + English (Descriptive) | 200 |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75 |
What is the RBI Grade B DSIM exam pattern 2026?
The RBI Grade B DSIM exam pattern 2026 is meant for candidates applying under the Department of Statistics and Information Management of the Reserve Bank of India. This stream is suitable for candidates with a background in statistics, mathematics, or data analysis. The exam evaluates statistical understanding, analytical ability, and English writing skills through a structured three-stage selection process.
| Phase | Papers | Marks |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Statistics (Objective) | 100 |
| Phase 2 | Statistics + English (Descriptive) | 200 |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75 |
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