Complete Guide for Aspirants
The Reserve Bank of India has officially announced its recruitment notification for Officers in Grade ‘B’ (Direct Recruit – DR) for the Panel Year 2026. This is one of the most prestigious career opportunities available in India’s central banking system, and serious aspirants must act quickly given the tight application window.
Recruitment Overview
This year, RBI has announced a total of 60 vacancies across three specialized streams — General, Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR), and Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM). It is worth highlighting that last year saw 120 vacancies, meaning this cycle has exactly half the openings. Candidates should expect significantly higher competition and must prepare accordingly.
Vacancy Breakdown
| Stream | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Grade ‘B’ (DR) – General | 40 |
| Grade ‘B’ (DR) – DEPR | 10 |
| Grade ‘B’ (DR) – DSIM | 10 |
| Total | 60 |
Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short Notification Released | April 28, 2026 |
| Detailed Notification & Application Opens | April 29, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | May 20, 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Phase I Exam – General | June 13, 2026 |
| Phase I Exam – DEPR / DSIM | June 14, 2026 |
| Phase II Exam – General | July 25, 2026 |
| Phase II Exam – DEPR / DSIM | July 26, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age. Reserved category candidates are eligible for age relaxation as per standard government rules. Those holding M.Phil. or PhD qualifications may apply up to the age of 32 and 34 years respectively.
Educational Qualification
| Stream | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| General | Graduation with minimum 60% marks, or Post-Graduation with at least 55% marks |
| DEPR | Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, or a related field with minimum 55% marks |
| DSIM | Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or Data Science, or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline |
Please note that final year students are not eligible. Results must be officially declared on or before the notification date.
Salary & Perks
The starting basic pay for an RBI Grade B Officer is ₹78,450 per month. When all allowances are included — such as House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Dearness Allowance (DA) — the total gross monthly salary comes to approximately ₹1,50,374. Beyond the salary, officers also enjoy benefits such as pension, medical coverage, housing facilities, and concessional loans, making this one of the most rewarding government positions in the country.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹850 + 18% GST |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹100 + 18% GST |
The fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances, so candidates must confirm their eligibility before making the payment.
Selection Process
The selection is carried out in three stages:
Stage 1 — Phase I (Preliminary Exam): This is a qualifying round only. Marks scored here are not counted in the final merit list. It consists of 200 objective-type questions carrying one mark each, with a total duration of 120 minutes. Sections include General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and Reasoning.
Stage 2 — Phase II (Main Exam): This is the most critical stage and consists of three papers. Papers I and III are 50% objective and 50% descriptive, while Paper II is entirely descriptive. Each paper carries 100 marks. The final merit list is prepared based on scores obtained in Phase II.
Stage 3 — Interview: Candidates shortlisted after Phase II are called for a personal interview carrying 50 marks. The final selection is based on the combined score of Phase II and the Interview.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the official RBI careers portal. The application process involves registering on the portal, filling in personal and academic details, uploading the required documents, paying the application fee, and submitting the form before the deadline.
Official Website: www.rbi.org.in
Important Links for Candidates:
- Official Website: RBI Opportunities
- Direct Link to Check Vacancies: Click Here
- Apply Online Link: (Will be active on April 29, 2026)
Applicants are strongly advised to apply well before the closing date of May 20, 2026, to avoid any last-minute technical issues. The RBI Services Board reserves the right to make changes to any of the dates mentioned above, so candidates should regularly check the official website for the latest updates.
