The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially announced the recruitment of 60 Officer Grade B posts for the year 2026. This is one of the most awaited government job notifications in India, especially among banking and economics aspirants.
If you are dreaming of a prestigious career in India’s central bank, this is your golden chance. The online application window opened on April 29, 2026, and the last date to apply is May 20, 2026.
RBI Grade B Officer Recruitment – Overview
The RBI Grade B officer post is not just any government job. It is widely regarded as one of the top career alternatives for UPSC Civil Services aspirants. Here is why so many candidates prefer it:
- It is a prestigious and respected government position under India’s central bank.
- The job offers excellent job security and growth opportunities.
- The salary package (CTC) is around ₹30 to ₹34 lakh per annum, which is one of the best in the banking sector.
- The work is intellectually stimulating, focusing on economics, finance, and data science — not routine banking operations.
RBI Grade B 2026: Total Vacancies and Categories
A total of 60 posts have been notified under three streams. Here is the complete breakdown:
1. Officer in Grade B (DR) – General
Total Posts: 40
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 16 |
| SC | 7 |
| ST | 4 |
| OBC | 9 |
| EWS | 4 |
2. Officer in Grade B (DR) – DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research)
Total Posts: 10
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 4 |
| SC | 3 |
| ST | 1 |
| OBC | 1 |
| EWS | 1 |
3. Officer in Grade B (DR) – DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management)
Total Posts: 10
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 4 |
| SC | 1 |
| ST | 0 |
| OBC | 4 |
| EWS | 1 |
RBI Grade B 2026 Salary and Pay Scale
One of the biggest reasons candidates apply for this post is the attractive salary. The official pay scale is:
₹78,450 – 4,050(9) – 1,14,900 – EB – 4,050(2) – 1,23,000 – 4,650(4) – 1,41,600 (over 16 years)
In simple terms, your starting salary will be around ₹78,450 per month, and it increases over the years. Along with this, you get allowances and benefits, taking the total CTC to roughly ₹30–34 lakh per year.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, make sure you meet the following criteria.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- You must have been born between April 2, 1996 and April 1, 2005 (both dates inclusive).
- The age will be calculated as on April 1, 2026.
Age Relaxation
If you belong to a reserved category, you get relaxation in the upper age limit:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
| PwD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
Attempt Limit (Important!)
Candidates from the General/EWS category who have already appeared 6 times in the Phase-I Exam for this post are not eligible to apply again. However, SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates have no such restriction (if posts are reserved for them).
Educational Qualification (Stream-wise)
For General Stream
- Graduation in any discipline with minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD)
- OR Post-Graduation in any discipline with minimum 55% marks (pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD)
For DEPR Stream (Economics/Finance)
You must have an MA or MSc in one of the following:
- Economics, Quantitative Economics, Mathematical Economics, Applied Economics, Econometrics, Financial Economics, Business Economics, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, or International Economics — where Economics is the core subject of the course.
- Finance, Quantitative Finance, Mathematical Finance, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Agri Business Finance — where Finance is the core subject.
A minimum of 55% marks in aggregate is required.
Bonus qualification: A Doctorate in Economics, research experience, or publications in economics journals will give you an added advantage.
For DSIM Stream (Statistics/Data Science)
You must have a Master’s Degree with at least 55% marks in one of these subjects:
- Statistics, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Applied Statistics, Quantitative Economics, Econometrics, Informatics
- OR Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics
Alternatively, a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% marks in the above-mentioned fields is also acceptable.
Bonus: Doctorate degree, research experience, or published work in related subjects will be preferred.
Application Fee
You need to pay an application fee online. The fee structure is as follows:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹100 + 18% GST |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹850 + 18% GST |
| RBI Staff | Nil (No Fee) |
Important Dates
| Start of Online Application | April 29, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | May 20, 2026 (by 6:00 PM) |
| Phase-I Exam – General | June 13, 2026 |
| Phase-II Exam – General | July 25, 2026 |
| Phase-I Exam – DEPR/DSIM | June 14, 2026 |
| Phase-II Exam – DEPR/DSIM | July 26, 2026 |
How to Apply Online for RBI Grade B 2026?
Applying is a simple step-by-step online process. Follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the official RBI recruitment portal at rbi.org.in.
- Look for the RBI Grade B 2026 Recruitment Notification on the homepage.
- Click on the Online Application Form link.
- A new page will open — register yourself with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in all your personal details, educational qualifications, and category information as required.
- Upload your documents — passport-size photograph, signature, and any other required certificates.
- Pay the application fee online using net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card as per your category.
- Click on the Submit button once everything is filled correctly.
- Download and print a copy of the submitted application form for future reference.
Useful Web-Links of RBI Officer Vacancy
| Online Application | Click Here |
| Official Advertisement | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Selection Process
The selection is done through a multi-stage exam process:
- Phase-I: Online Objective Examination (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Phase-II: Online Descriptive Examination (covers specialized subjects depending on the stream)
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates from Phase-II appear for a personal interview.
The final selection is based on the combined performance in Phase-II and the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for RBI Grade B 2026?
The last date to submit the online application and pay the fee is May 20, 2026, up to 6:00 PM.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in RBI Grade B 2026?
There are a total of 60 vacancies — 40 for the General stream, 10 for DEPR, and 10 for DSIM.
Q3. What is the salary of an RBI Grade B Officer?
The starting basic pay is ₹78,450 per month, with regular increments. The total CTC is approximately ₹30 to ₹34 lakh per annum.
Q4. Can a fresh graduate apply for RBI Grade B?
Yes, a fresh graduate can apply for the General stream if they have scored at least 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD).
Q5. What is the age limit for RBI Grade B 2026?
Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age as of April 1, 2026. Reserved category candidates get age relaxation as per government norms.
Q6. Is the RBI Grade B exam difficult?
The exam is competitive and requires dedicated preparation. Phase-I tests general aptitude, reasoning, English, and awareness, while Phase-II is more specialized. Consistent study and mock test practice are the keys to success.
Q7. What is the difference between DEPR and DSIM streams?
DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research) is for candidates with a background in Economics or Finance. DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) is for candidates with expertise in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or AI/ML.
Q8. How many times can a General category candidate attempt Phase-I?
General/EWS candidates can attempt the Phase-I exam a maximum of 6 times. After that, they are not eligible to apply again.
Q9. Where can I apply for RBI Grade B 2026?
You can apply online through the official RBI website at rbi.org.in. No offline applications are accepted.
Q10. Is there negative marking in the RBI Grade B exam?
Yes, Phase-I typically has negative marking. Candidates should read the official notification and exam guidelines carefully before appearing.