The RBI Grade B examination is one of the most competitive banking and regulatory examinations in India. Every year, thousands of candidates apply for the post of Officer Grade B in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to secure a position in the General, DEPR and DSIM cadres. The total number of applications received provides a useful idea of the competition level and candidates’ interest in the exam.
How many candidates applied for the RBI Grade B 2026 exam?
As per the available RTI-based information, approximately 1,14,260 candidates applied for the RBI Grade B 2026 General Cadre. Out of these applicants, 69,915 candidates appeared for the Phase 1 exam. The recruitment notification 2026 released 60 vacancies across all 3 cadres, including 40 vacancies for the General Cadre.
| Particulars | RBI Grade B 2026 |
|---|---|
| General Cadre applications | 1,14,260 |
| Candidates appeared in Phase 1 | 69,915 |
| General Cadre vacancies | 40 |
| DEPR vacancies | 10 |
| DSIM vacancies | 10 |
| Total vacancies | 60 |
What is the year-wise RBI Grade B application trend from 2021 to 2026?
The number of candidates applying for the RBI Grade B exam has changed over the years. In 2021, around 1.88 lakh candidates applied, while the number decreased to 1.30 lakh in 2022. Applications increased to 1.50 lakh in 2023, followed by a decline in 2024. In 2025 and 2026, the number of applicants increased again.
| Year | Total applications received |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,14,260 |
| 2025 | 1,07,045 |
| 2024 | 1,00,296 |
| 2023 | 1,50,000 |
| 2022 | 1,30,000 |
| 2021 | 1,88,522 |
How many candidates appeared for the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam?
The total number of applications does not represent the actual number of candidates who appear for the exam. Some applicants may not attend Phase 1 due to various reasons, including preparation status, personal circumstances or other commitments. Therefore, Phase 1 attendance is another important indicator when understanding the competition in the RBI Grade B exam.
| Year | Total applications received | Appeared for the Exam (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,14,260 | 69,915 |
| 2025 | 1,07,045 | 72,000 |
| 2024 | 1,00,296 | 67,000 |
| 2023 | 1,50,000 | 1,00,000 |
| 2022 | 1,30,000 | 91,000 |
| 2021 | 1,88,522 | Unknown |
How many vacancies were announced in the RBI Grade B exam from 2021 to 2026?
The number of vacancies is another important factor when analysing the competition in the RBI Grade B examination. The RBI releases vacancies separately for the General, DEPR and DSIM cadres through its recruitment notifications. The total vacancies have varied considerably over the years, with a notable decline after 2023.
| Year | General Cadre | DEPR | DSIM | Total vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 40 | 10 | 10 | 60 |
| 2025 | 83 | 17 | 20 | 120 |
| 2024 | 66 | 21 | 7 | 94 |
| 2023 | 222 | 38 | 31 | 291 |
| 2022 | 238 | 31 | 25 | 294 |
| 2021 | 270 | 29 | 23 | 322 |
How many candidates actually appear for the RBI Grade B exam?
The total number of applications received for the RBI Grade B examination does not represent the actual number of candidates competing for the available vacancies. Based on the available figures, approximately 60%–70% of registered candidates appear for the Phase 1 examination in a recruitment cycle.
For example, in 2026, around 69,915 candidates appeared out of 1,14,260 General Cadre applicants, representing an attendance rate of approximately 61.2%. This means nearly 39% of registered candidates did not appear for the exam.
What are the key highlights of the RBI Grade B application trend?
The year-wise application statistics show that the RBI Grade B exam attracts a large number of candidates every year. However, the number of applications and candidates appearing for the exam varies across recruitment cycles.
- Highest applications in 2021: The RBI Grade B 2021 recruitment recorded approximately 1,88,522 applications, the highest figure in the available data.
- Decline in 2022: The total applications decreased to around 1,30,000 compared to the previous year.
- Increase in 2023: Applications increased to approximately 1,50,000, showing renewed interest in the examination.
- Fewer applications in 2024: The reported applications declined to 1,00,296.
- Increase in 2025: The number of applications increased to approximately 1,07,045.
- Growth in 2026: Around 1,14,260 candidates applied for the General Cadre, indicating continued interest in RBI Grade B recruitment.
- Variation in exam attendance: The number of candidates appearing for Phase 1 also changes every year. For example, approximately 70,000 candidates appeared in 2026, compared to around 1 lakh in 2023.
How much competition should you expect in the RBI Grade B exam?
Candidates should prepare for strong competition rather than focus only on the number of serious applicants. For the 2026 General Cadre, approximately 1,14,260 applications were reported against 40 vacancies. This gives an indicative ratio of around 2,857 applications per vacancy. However, only 69,915 candidates reportedly appeared for Phase 1.
Therefore, the actual competition is different from the application count. Instead of worrying about how many candidates are serious, focus on completing the syllabus, improving accuracy, practising mock tests and analysing previous-year cut-offs. A consistent preparation strategy can help you perform better in this highly competitive examination.
FAQs
Approximately 1,14,260 candidates applied for the RBI Grade B 2026 General Cadre.
A total of 69,915 candidates appeared for the General Cadre Phase 1 examination.
Approximately 61.2% of registered General Cadre candidates appeared for Phase 1 in 2026.
There were approximately 2,857 General Cadre applications per vacancy against 40 vacancies in 2026.
No, some registered candidates do not appear for the Phase 1 exam.
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