RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026 for Phase 1, Phase 2 & Interview

The RBI Grade B Notification 2026 has been released on 29th April 2026. As per the official notice issued by the Reserve Bank of India, the exam will be conducted in 3 phases. Phase 1 includes objective questions and is scheduled to be held on 13th and 14th June 2026. Phase 2 consists of both objective and descriptive papers and will be conducted on 25th and 26th July 2026. Candidates who are shortlisted will appear for the interview, which is the final stage of the selection process. 

In this blog, we have provided the complete exam pattern for Phase 1, Phase 2, and the interview, including the number of questions, marking scheme, duration, and other key details.

What is the RBI Grade B exam pattern 2026?

The RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026 consists of 3 stages Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and Interview. Phase 1 is qualifying, while Phase 2 and Interview determine the final selection.

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When are the RBI Grade B phase 1 and phase 2 exams scheduled?

The Reserve Bank of India has released the RBI Grade B Exam 2026 Phase 1 and Phase 2 dates along with the official notification PDF. Phase 1 (Prelims) will be held in June 2026, while Phase 2 (Mains) is scheduled for July 2026. The exact dates vary for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. Candidates should note these dates carefully and plan their preparation in advance, as timely preparation is important to perform well in both stages.

What is the RBI Grade B phase 1 exam pattern? 

The RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam is conducted online by the Reserve Bank of India. It is an objective-type exam that includes four sections: Reasoning Ability, General Awareness, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. The exam carries a total of 200 marks and is held for 120 minutes, with separate timing for each section. Phase 1 is qualifying in nature, and candidates must clear both the sectional and overall cut-off marks to qualify for Phase 2.

What are the sectional timings in RBI Grade B phase 1?

The sectional timings in RBI Grade B Phase 1 are fixed and vary by section. Reasoning has 45 minutes, while General Awareness, English, and Quantitative Aptitude get 25 minutes each. The exam has a total duration of 120 minutes with strict sectional limits, meaning candidates cannot switch between sections once time is over.

Also Check - RBI Grade B Selection Process

What is the negative marking in RBI Grade B phase 1?

In the RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. There is no penalty for questions that are left unanswered. This means each incorrect response reduces your score by one-fourth of the marks given to that question, so maintaining accuracy is important while attempting the exam.

What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 exam pattern?

The RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam consists of three papers Economic and Social Issues (ESI), English (Writing Skills), and Finance & Management (FM). Conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, the exam is held online and includes both objective and descriptive questions. It carries a total of 300 marks, and each paper tests candidates' subject understanding, analytical thinking, and writing skills. Since Phase 2 plays a major role in the final selection, it is considered the most important stage of the RBI Grade B exam process.

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What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 1 (ESI) pattern?

The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 1 (ESI) pattern includes both objective and descriptive questions from Economic and Social Issues. It carries a total of 100 marks, with 30 objective questions and descriptive questions where candidates must attempt 4 out of 6.

What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 2 (English) pattern?

The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 2 (English) is a descriptive test that checks a candidate's writing skills. It carries 100 marks and includes questions like essay writing, precis writing, and reading comprehension. The paper is for 90 minutes, and answers must be typed in English using a keyboard. It mainly tests clarity, proper structure, and how well you express your ideas.

Also Download RBI Grade B Previous Year Papers

What is the RBI Grade B phase 2 paper 3 (FM) pattern?

The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 3 (Finance & Management) is a 100-mark paper with both objective and descriptive questions. It includes 30 objective questions and descriptive questions where candidates must attempt 4 out of 6. The duration of the paper is 120 minutes.

Is there sectional timing in RBI Grade B phase 2?

Yes, RBI Grade B Phase 2 does have paper-wise timing, but it does not have strict sectional timing within the entire phase across papers. Each paper is allotted a fixed duration ESI and FM are 120 minutes each, while English is 90 minutes. Within Papers 1 and 3, there is a suggested split between objective (30 minutes) and descriptive (90 minutes), but candidates can manage time freely within the paper.

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Is the RBI Grade B exam bilingual?

Yes, the RBI Grade B exam is bilingual, meaning it is available in both Hindi and English for most sections. However, the English Language section in Phase 1 and the English (Writing Skills) paper in Phase 2 are conducted only in English. Other sections such as General Awareness, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Economic and Social Issues (ESI), and Finance and Management can be attempted in either Hindi or English. This gives candidates the flexibility to choose their preferred language, helping them attempt the exam with better comfort and accuracy.

Is phase 1 qualifying in RBI Grade B?

Yes, RBI Grade B Phase 1 is qualifying in nature, and its marks are not considered for the final merit list. It is only used for shortlisting candidates for Phase 2. However, candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs in Phase 1 to move to the next stage. This makes it an important screening round despite not contributing to final selection.

How is the RBI Grade B interview conducted?

The RBI Grade B interview, conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, is the final stage of the selection process and carries 75 marks. Candidates are shortlisted based on their total marks in Phase 2 (Paper 1, 2, and 3). The cut-off for shortlisting depends on the number of vacancies. The list of selected candidates is published on the official website, and interview call letters are sent via email. Candidates can choose to give the interview in Hindi or English. The final merit list is prepared based on Phase 2 and interview marks.

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What is the RBI Grade B Interview pattern?

The RBI Grade B interview is the final selection stage and carries 75 marks. It is a face-to-face interaction conducted by a panel to assess a candidate's personality, communication skills, and subject knowledge. Candidates are evaluated on confidence, clarity of thought, and awareness of current affairs and banking concepts. The interview can be given in Hindi or English, and final selection is based on Phase 2 plus interview marks.

Is there a psychometric test in RBI Grade B?

Yes, a psychometric test may be conducted before the RBI Grade B interview to assess a candidate's personality and behavioral traits. It is not a scoring component and does not carry any marks. Its purpose is to help the panel understand decision-making style, attitude, and suitability for the RBI officer role. The test is only evaluative in nature and does not affect the final merit list.

Also Check: RBI Grade B Syllabus

How is the final selection done in RBI Grade B?

The final selection in RBI Grade B is based on the marks obtained in Phase 2 and the Interview. Phase 1 is only qualifying and is not included in the final merit list. The merit list is prepared out of a total of 375 marks, where Phase 2 carries 300 marks and the Interview carries 75 marks. Candidates are ranked based on their combined performance in these two stages.

What is the total marks and weightage of each phase in RBI Grade B?

RBI Grade B exam is held in three stages. However, only Phase 2 and the Interview are counted for the final selection. Phase 1 is of 200 marks, but it is only qualifying in nature and is not included in the final merit list. Phase 2 is the most important stage as it carries 300 marks. After this, candidates appear for the Interview, which is of 75 marks. The final selection is based on a total of 375 marks, which makes Phase 2 the most important stage in the selection process.

What is the RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern 2026?

The RBI Grade B DEPR exam pattern 2026 is designed for candidates applying under the Department of Economic and Policy Research of the Reserve Bank of India. This stream is meant for candidates with a strong background in economics and focuses on testing knowledge of economic concepts, policy understanding, and English language skills. The selection process includes Phase 1, Phase 2, and Interview stages.

What is the RBI Grade B DSIM exam pattern 2026?

The RBI Grade B DSIM exam pattern 2026 is meant for candidates applying under the Department of Statistics and Information Management of the Reserve Bank of India. This stream is suitable for candidates with a background in statistics, mathematics, or data analysis. The exam evaluates statistical understanding, analytical ability, and English writing skills through a structured three-stage selection process.