Becoming an RBI Grade B Officer is a prestigious goal for many banking and government job aspirants. However, before starting the preparation journey, it is essential to understand the RBI Grade B eligibility criteria prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India. As per the latest RBI Grade B notification PDF, candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age and should hold either a bachelor's or master's degree from a recognized university with at least 60% marks to be eligible. Along with this, applicants must ensure that they possess valid documents to support their eligibility claims. Without proper documentation, candidates may face disqualification during the selection process.
In this blog, we have provided the details of the RBI Grade B eligibility criteria, including the age limit, age relaxation criteria, stream-wise educational qualifications, and more.
What are the eligibility criteria to appear for RBI Grade B 2026?
Candidates interested in applying for the RBI Grade B exam must check the complete eligibility criteria before filling out the application, as this helps prevent rejection due to ineligibility. To appear for the RBI Grade B 2026 exam, candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age and should hold a graduation degree with the minimum required marks as per their category. They must also meet RBI's nationality rules and follow the attempt limit applicable to them. Reviewing these conditions beforehand ensures that the application is accepted without any issues.
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years for General category candidates
- Educational Qualification: Graduation degree with at least 60% marks for General/OBC/EWS candidates and 50% marks for SC/ST/PwBD candidates
- Number of Attempts: Maximum 6 attempts for General category; no attempt limit for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD candidates
- Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen or meet the nationality conditions mentioned under RBI rules
Attempt RBI Grade B Mock Test
What educational qualifications must RBI Grade B officers have?
To apply for the RBI Grade B Officer posts, candidates must meet the educational requirements set by the Reserve Bank of India for each cadre. For the Generalist post, applicants need a graduation or post-graduation degree with the required minimum marks. For specialised streams like DEPR and DSIM, candidates must hold a master's degree in the relevant subject areas such as Economics, Finance, Statistics, or Data Science. These qualifications must be from recognised universities, and candidates with higher research degrees like M.Phil or Ph.D also receive certain benefits such as age relaxation or added preference.
| Cadre | Educational Qualification | Minimum Marks | Additional Requirements / Desirable |
|---|
| Generalist (DR – General) | Graduation in any discipline OR equivalent technical/professional degree; OR Post-Graduation in any discipline | Graduation: 60% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) Post-Graduation: 55% (Pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD) | Graduation must be minimum 3 years; Post-Graduation minimum 2 years |
| DEPR Officer | Master's Degree in Economics / Econometrics / Finance / Financial Economics / Quantitative Economics / International Economics / related fields | 55% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) | Economics/Finance must be the principal subject; Desirable: Ph.D, research/teaching experience, published work; Age relaxation: 2 years (M.Phil), 4 years (Ph.D) |
| DSIM Officer | Master's Degree in Statistics / Mathematics / Econometrics / Data Science / AI / ML / Big Data, etc. OR Four-year Bachelor's Degree in the same fields | PG: 55% UG (4-year): 60% SC/ST/PwBD: 50% | Desirable: Ph.D, research/teaching experience, publications; Age relaxation: 2 years (M.Phil), 4 years (Ph.D) |
The degree must be from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central/State Legislature, or from an institution declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
What is the RBI Grade B educational qualification required for a Generalist Officer?
To apply for the RBI Grade B (Generalist) Officer post, a candidate must have either a graduation degree with the required minimum percentage or a post-graduation degree with the prescribed marks. At the graduation level, candidates need 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD), and for post-graduation, 55% marks (pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD) are required. The degree must be obtained from a recognised university, and the course duration should meet the minimum requirement (3 years after Class 12 for graduation and 2 years after graduation for post-graduation). Equivalent technical or professional qualifications recognized by the Government are also acceptable.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Post | RBI Grade B (DR) – General |
| Graduation | Minimum 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) in any discipline / equivalent technical or professional qualification |
| Post-Graduation | Minimum 55% marks (pass marks for SC/ST/PwBD) in any discipline / equivalent technical or professional qualification |
| Course Duration | Graduation – minimum 3 years; Post-Graduation – minimum 2 years |
| Recognition | Degree must be from recognised University/Institute |
| Note | Marks are calculated in aggregate of all semesters/years |
What is the RBI Grade B educational qualification required for a DEPR Officer cadre?
For the RBI Grade B (DEPR) post, candidates must hold a Master's Degree in Economics or Finance-related fields with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD). Degrees must include Economics or Finance as the principal constituent, meaning at least half of the total subjects must belong to these areas. Qualifications such as MA/MSc in Economics, Econometrics, Financial Economics, International Economics, Quantitative Economics, or various Finance specialisations are acceptable. Candidates with M.Phil/Ph.D in relevant disciplines receive age relaxation, and research or publications are considered desirable.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Post | RBI Grade B (DR) – DEPR |
| Essential Qualification | MA/MSc in Economics or related specialisations OR MA/MSc in Finance or related fields |
| Minimum Marks | 55% (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) in aggregate |
| Desirable | Ph.D. in Economics / Research or teaching experience / Published work |
| Age Relaxation | M.Phil – 2 years; Ph.D – 4 years |
| Requirement | Economics/Finance must be the principal constituent of the programme |
Explore RBI Grade B Courses
What is the RBI Grade B educational qualification required for a DSIM Officer cadre?
For the RBI Grade B (DSIM) post, candidates can qualify through a Master's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Econometrics, Data Science, AI/ML, or related fields with 55% marks, or through a four-year Bachelor's Degree in the same specialisations with 60% marks. SC/ST/PwBD candidates receive relaxation to 50% marks for both graduation and post-graduation routes. Doctorate degrees and research/teaching experience in relevant subjects are considered desirable, and candidates with M.Phil or Ph.D also receive age relaxation.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Post | RBI Grade B (DR) – DSIM |
| Option 1 (PG) | Master's Degree in Statistics/Mathematics/Econometrics/Data Science/AI/ML/Big Data, etc. with 55% marks |
| Option 2 (PG) | Master's Degree in Data Science/AI/ML/Big Data with 55% marks |
| Option 3 (UG) | Four-year Bachelor's Degree in relevant fields with 60% marks |
| Relaxation | SC/ST/PwBD – 50% marks |
| Desirable | Ph.D., research experience, publications |
| Age Relaxation | M.Phil – 2 years; Ph.D – 4 years |
What are the important considerations for the RBI Grade B exam?
Before applying for the RBI Grade B exam, candidates must keep a few important points in mind to ensure their application is accepted without any issues. These considerations relate to educational recognition, document requirements, reservation rules, and age relaxation conditions. Reviewing these points in advance helps applicants avoid mistakes and stay compliant with RBI's guidelines throughout the selection process.
- Candidates must have a degree from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature.
- Degrees from institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared Deemed Universities under Section-3 of the UGC Act, 1956 are also valid.
- Women who have changed their name or surname after marriage must submit a Gazette Notification, marriage certificate, or affidavit (original and photocopy).
- SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/EWS/Ex-servicemen candidates must provide valid certificates in the prescribed format to claim reservation or relaxation benefits.
- Candidates with officer-level experience in a Commercial Bank, Public Sector Bank, or RBI can avail age relaxation up to three years.
- Widows are not eligible for any form of age relaxation under RBI Grade B rules.
Attempt RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers
How to convert CGPA to percentage for RBI Grade B?
Some institutes/ universities grant CGPAs, so for those who define the criteria for conversion of CGPA to percentage, the same will be accepted. Those who have not defined the criteria can follow the below-mentioned criteria:
| CGPA/ OGPA/ CPI on 10 point scale | Aggregate Percentage |
|---|
| 6.75 | 60% |
| 6.25 | 55% |
| 5.75 | 50% |
What is the age limit for RBI Grade B?
The minimum age limit to appear for the RBI Grade B is 21 years, and the maximum is 30 years. Candidates interested to appear for the RBI Grade B must meet the age criteria set by the Reserve Bank of India. The upper and lower Grade B age limits may vary depending on the candidate's educational qualification and category.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years (Reference date as per the Notification) |
| Maximum Age | 30 years (Reference date as per the Notification) |
| With M.Phil. | Up to 32 years |
| With Ph.D. | Up to 34 years |
What is the RBI Grade B age relaxation for different categories?
RBI provides age relaxation to help candidates from different categories and backgrounds apply for the Grade B exam. Candidates from OBC categories get a relaxation of 3 years, while SC/ST candidates get 5 years. For persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD), the relaxation is higher 10 years for General, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST applicants. Ex-Servicemen also receive a relaxation of 5 years. Candidates who hold higher qualifications like M.Phil. and PhD can apply till 32 years and 34 years, respectively.
Those with professional experience in RBI, Scheduled Commercial Banks, Public Sector Insurance Companies, or All India Financial Institutions can get up to 3 years of relaxation, allowing them to apply up to 33 years. These relaxations ensure that eligible candidates from various groups and professions get a fair chance to appear for the RBI Grade B exam.
| Category | Age Relaxation | Maximum Age After Relaxation |
|---|
| General (UR) | – | 30 years |
| OBC | 3 years | 33 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years | 35 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years | 40 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years | 43 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years | 45 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years | 35 years |
| Candidates with M.Phil. | 2 years | 32 years |
| Candidates with PhD | 4 years | 34 years |
| Candidates with experience in RBI/Banks/FIs | Up to 3 years | 33 years |
Know about personalized guidance from AIR-1
What are the RBI Grade B nationality requirements?
The RBI Grade B Nationality requirements for candidates are from the following:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of settling permanently, or
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanent settlement in India.
What is the maximum number of attempts to appear for the RBI Grade B exam?
The RBI allows a fixed number of attempts for General and EWS category candidates, whereas candidates from SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD categories have no attempt limit (only age limit applies). General/EWS candidates can appear a maximum of six times in the Phase 1 examination for RBI Grade B (DR)–General. Once six attempts are exhausted, they cannot apply again. These limits apply only to the Generalist post, as DEPR and DSIM do not have attempt restrictions based on attempts.
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
|---|
| General | 6 attempts |
| EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC | No limit (subject to age limit & reservation) |
| SC/ST | No limit |
| PwBD | No limit |
| Note | Attempt limit applies only to Grade B (Generalist) |
Download RBI Grade B 2024 AIR 1 Handwritten Notes
Is there any medical examination process in RBI Grade B?
Yes, candidates selected for the RBI Grade B post must undergo a medical examination as part of the final selection process. This health check is conducted at an RBI-approved medical centre to ensure the candidate is physically fit to take up the responsibilities of the role. The examination includes basic physical assessments, laboratory tests, and other routine evaluations, and additional tests may be advised if any concerns are identified.
- Physical assessment: height, weight, and blood pressure
- Blood tests: CBC, blood sugar, liver function, and other essential parameters
- Urine test: includes a pregnancy test for married female candidates
- Chest X-ray for respiratory and structural evaluation
- ECG for heart health
- Eye test to check vision and overall eye condition
Which language must be known to appear for the RBI Grade B exam?
The RBI Grade B exam is conducted online across India, and both the Prelims and Mains papers are available in English and Hindi. However, the English Language section must be attempted only in English. This bilingual format helps candidates from different regions attempt the exam in the language they are most comfortable with.
Also Check: RBI Grade B Syllabus
What are the RBI Grade B eligibility and documentation guidelines?
As per the last notification PDF, aspirants interested in applying for the RBI Grade B 2026 exam must first ensure that they meet the basic eligibility conditions related to age, nationality, and educational qualifications. Applicants are generally required to have a Bachelor's degree with at least 60% marks (50% for reserved categories) and should fall within the age limit of 21 to 30 years. Age relaxation is available for candidates belonging to reserved categories, ex-servicemen, and those holding M.Phil or Ph.D qualifications. Along with eligibility, candidates must also keep essential documents ready for verification to ensure a smooth application and selection process.
- Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID)
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Educational certificates and mark sheets
- Category or reservation certificates, if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
Key Takeaways
Check the below RBI Grade B Eligibility Key Takeaways Table for better understanding:
| Category | Key Points | Important Notes |
|---|
| Age Limit | Minimum age: 21 yearsMaximum age: 30 years | With M.Phil: 32 yrsWith Ph.D: 34 yrs |
| Age Relaxation | OBC: +3 yearsSC/ST: +5 yearsPwBD: 10–15 yearsEx-servicemen: +5 years | Candidates with RBI/Bank/FI experience: up to 3 years |
| Educational Qualification (Generalist) | Graduation with 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD)OR Post-graduation with 55% marks | Degree must be from a recognised University (UGC Act, State/Central Legislature, or Deemed University) |
| Educational Qualification (DEPR) | Master's in Economics/Finance-related fields with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) | Economics/Finance must be the principal subject; Ph.D/M.Phil gives age relaxation |
| Educational Qualification (DSIM) | Master's in Statistics/Maths/Data Science/AI/ML/Econometrics with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD)OR 4-year Bachelor's in same fields with 60% marks | Ph.D/M.Phil and research experience preferred |
| Nationality | Indian citizen, or eligible candidates from Nepal/Bhutan/Tibetan refugee/PIO as per RBI rules | Must meet nationality clauses exactly as stated in the notification |
| Attempt Limit | General/EWS: 6 attempts | No attempt limit for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD (only age limit applies) |
| Medical Examination | Mandatory after final selection at an RBI-approved centre | Includes physical test, blood tests, ECG, X-ray, urine test, and eye check-up |
| Language Requirement | Exam available in English & Hindi | English Language section must be attempted only in English |
| Important Considerations | Degree must be from recognised institutionsFemale name change requires supporting documents | Widows do not get age relaxation |
| Documents Required | Photo ID, photographs, educational certificates, category certificates, PwBD certificate (if applicable) | Must match the eligibility claims in application |
