RBI Grade B 2026: 60 Vacancies Open Across Three Cadres

The Reserve Bank of India Services Board has officially released the short notice for RBI Grade B 2026 apply online last date, inviting applications for 60 Officer posts across three specialist cadres – General, DEPR, and DSIM – under Advertisement No. RBISB/BA/01/2026-27. This is one of the most competitive banking-sector recruitments of the year, and with the application window open from April 29 to May 20, 2026, candidates have fewer than four weeks to register. Notably, the board has scheduled both Phase-I examinations within a single week in June, meaning preparation timelines are tighter than in previous cycles.

Based on official short notification by Reserve Bank of India Services Board. Verified: April 2026.

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Quick Eligibility Check

Important Dates

The application window is short at just 21 days. Candidates should register early to avoid last-minute portal congestion, which is common with RBI recruitments.

Vacancy and Category Analysis

The General cadre dominates this cycle with 40 out of 60 vacancies – two-thirds of all available posts – making it the most accessible route for candidates with a generalist graduation or postgraduate background. The DEPR and DSIM cadres carry 10 seats each and are specialist streams: DEPR is primarily for economics graduates and postgraduates, while DSIM targets candidates with a strong statistics or mathematics background. This split matters for competition analysis. The General cadre will attract the highest absolute number of applicants given its broader eligibility base, so the effective competition ratio there will be significantly higher than in DEPR or DSIM despite the larger seat count. For candidates with a relevant economics or statistics postgraduate degree, the specialist cadres represent a strategically smarter target. Category-wise vacancy breakdown (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD) has not been released in this short notice. Based on standard Government of India reservation norms, OBC/SC/ST/EWS reservations typically apply. Candidates should monitor the detailed advertisement on April 29, 2026 for the confirmed category-wise split.

Salary and In-Hand Calculation

Beyond the monthly salary, RBI Grade B officers receive benefits including subsidised staff quarters or leased accommodation, medical facilities for self and family, and defined career progression to Grade C and above. Compared to an IBPS PO officer (approximate in-hand ₹52,000–₹58,000), the RBI Grade B package is notably higher – a key reason this exam draws lakhs of applicants for under 100 seats annually.

Application Fee

Application fee details have not been mentioned in this short notice. Fee structure and payment modes will be published in the detailed advertisement on April 29, 2026. Candidates are advised to check the official notification before proceeding to the payment step.

Age Limit

Age limit details are not mentioned in this short notice. The detailed advertisement due on April 29, 2026 will carry the confirmed age criteria. Based on previous RBI Grade B cycles, the general age range has been 21–30 years with standard GoI relaxations: OBC – 3 years, SC/ST – 5 years, PwD – 10 years. Candidates should verify this against the official detailed notification before confirming eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational qualification, stream requirements, and experience criteria have not been released in this short notice. The DEPR cadre has historically required a postgraduate degree in Economics, and the DSIM cadre has required Statistics or Mathematics at the postgraduate level; however, candidates must confirm this from the detailed advertisement on April 29, 2026 and not rely on previous-year criteria alone, as RBI has revised eligibility norms in past cycles.

Selection Process

Phase-I Online Examination

Phase-I is an objective-type online examination and serves as the preliminary screening stage. For the General cadre, this is scheduled on June 13, 2026; for DEPR and DSIM cadres, it is June 14, 2026. Clearing Phase-I is the gateway to Phase-II and shortlisting is merit-based. Begin with previous-year Phase-I papers to understand the difficulty calibration.

Phase-II Online / Written Examination

Phase-II is scheduled in July 2026 – July 25 for General and July 26 for DEPR/DSIM. This stage includes descriptive and specialist papers and is significantly more demanding than Phase-I. DEPR and DSIM candidates face multiple papers in a single day. Start building answer-writing discipline from day one of preparation.

Your first 7 days after applying:

1. Download the official detailed notification from rbi.org.in on April 29, 2026 and read it fully before starting preparation.
2. Map your cadre – General, DEPR, or DSIM – based on your educational background and lock in your choice.
3. Source RBI Grade B Phase-I previous-year papers (2022, 2023, 2024) and complete one full mock test to establish your baseline score.
4. Note the Phase-I date (June 13 or 14) – you have roughly 6 weeks from application close to exam day, so begin structured daily preparation immediately.
5. Set up fee payment and complete your online application on the first available day to avoid last-minute portal failures that are common on deadline day.

Exam Syllabus

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How to Apply

1. Visit the official RBI website at rbi.org.in from April 29, 2026 onwards when the application link goes live.
2. Click on the recruitment section and locate Advertisement No. RBISB/BA/01/2026-27.
3. Register using a valid email address and active mobile number – these will be used for all future communication.
4. Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, and category details carefully.
5. Upload your passport-size photograph (white background) and signature scan (black ink on white paper) in the prescribed size and format.
6. Pay the applicable application fee or intimation charges online before May 20, 2026, 06:00 PM.
7. Review the complete form before final submission – corrections may not be possible after submission.
8. Save and print the confirmed application form and fee payment receipt for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approximate in-hand salary for RBI Grade B officers after deductions?

Based on the RBI Grade B pay structure under the 7th Pay Commission framework, the estimated in-hand salary is approximately ₹67,000–₹75,000 per month after standard deductions including NPS (~10% of basic pay) and other statutory cuts. The official pay scale will be confirmed in the detailed notification on April 29, 2026. This figure also excludes additional perks like HRA or staff quarters.

What is the last date to apply for RBI Grade B 2026?

The application window closes on May 20, 2026 at 06:00 PM sharp. The application link opens on April 29, 2026 on rbi.org.in. Candidates are advised not to wait until the last day given portal traffic issues common with RBI recruitments.

How many total vacancies are there and which cadre has the most seats?

There are 60 total vacancies: 40 for the General cadre, 10 for DEPR, and 10 for DSIM. The General cadre accounts for two-thirds of all seats and will attract the highest number of applicants. Category-wise breakdown will be published in the detailed advertisement.

What is the difference between RBI Grade B General, DEPR, and DSIM cadres?

The General cadre is a broadly accessible stream for graduates and postgraduates across disciplines. DEPR (Department of Economic and Policy Research) is a specialist stream typically requiring an economics postgraduate degree. DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) targets candidates with a statistics or mathematics background. Each cadre has a separate Phase-I examination date and a separate Phase-II paper pattern.

How many phases are there in the RBI Grade B 2026 selection process?

The selection process has two phases. Phase-I is an online objective examination scheduled in June 2026, and Phase-II is an online or written examination scheduled in July 2026. Candidates must clear Phase-I to appear for Phase-II. Final selection is based on combined Phase-II performance.

Is there a separate exam for DEPR and DSIM or is it common with General?

Yes, DEPR and DSIM have separate examination schedules. While the General cadre Phase-I is on June 13, 2026, the DEPR and DSIM Phase-I is on June 14, 2026. Similarly, Phase-II for DEPR and DSIM is on July 26, 2026, one day after the General cadre Phase-II on July 25. Candidates can only apply to one cadre.