RBI Grade B Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, Qualification and Attempts

Before you start preparing for RBI Grade B, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria set by the Reserve Bank of India. The rules cover nationality, age, educational qualification and the number of attempts, and they differ slightly between the three streams: DR (General), DEPR and DSIM. A small detail, such as the percentage in your degree or the date on which age is calculated, can decide whether your application is valid.

RBI Grade B Eligibility

Nationality

A candidate must be:

• A citizen of India, or

• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or

• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or

• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries, such as Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka or certain East African countries, with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Candidates in the categories other than Indian citizens need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India before appointment. They may be allowed to take the exam while this is pending.

RBI Grade B Age Limit

The standard age limit is 21 to 30 years.

RBI calculates age as on the 1st of the month in which the notification is released. For the 2026 cycle, which was notified on 29 April 2026, this means 1 April 2026. The exact date of birth range is printed in each notification, so check it carefully.

RBI Grade B Age Relaxation

Relaxation is added to the upper age limit of 30 years:

Relaxations for different reasons are not added together beyond what the notification allows. Keep the certificates for your category, disability, service or degree ready in the prescribed format.

RBI Grade B Educational Qualification

DR (General) Stream

The percentage is usually calculated on the aggregate of all semesters or years. Degrees from universities recognised by the Government of India, including through distance education, are generally accepted.

CGPA conversion used by RBI:

DR (DEPR) Stream

DEPR candidates need a strong economics background. The notification typically accepts:

• A master's degree in Economics, Econometrics, Quantitative Economics, Mathematical Economics, Integrated Economics or Finance, with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD), or

• A PGDM or MBA in Finance, with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD), or

• Other specified combinations listed in the notification.

DR (DSIM) Stream

DSIM candidates need a statistics or quantitative background. The notification typically accepts:

• A master's degree in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics or related fields, with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD), or

• A master's degree in Mathematics with at least 55% plus a specified post-graduate diploma in Statistics, or

• Specified degrees from institutes such as ISI, IITs and IIMs, or eligible four-year bachelor's degrees in specified subjects, as listed in the notification.

The accepted subject list for DEPR and DSIM is long and specific. Match your degree name exactly with the list in the notification before you apply.

Final-Year Students

RBI's eligibility is judged on the qualification you hold, with the result declared, by the date given in the notification. If you are in your final year, check whether your result will be declared by that date and whether your aggregate will meet the minimum percentage.

Number of Attempts

For the DR (General) stream:

An attempt is counted when you appear in Phase I. Simply applying and not appearing does not count as an attempt. If you do appear, it counts even if you leave early or do not qualify.

Other Conditions

• OBC (non-creamy layer): The certificate must be in the prescribed format and reflect the non-creamy layer status as required by the notification.

• EWS: The EWS certificate must be valid for the relevant financial year.

• PwBD: A disability of at least 40%, certified by a competent authority, is required to claim PwBD benefits.

• Ex-servicemen: At least five years of service, as defined in the notification.

• Document verification: Eligibility is checked again at later stages. A candidate found ineligible at any stage can be disqualified even after qualifying the exam.

Documents to Keep Ready

Although you apply online, RBI verifies eligibility documents at later stages. Keep these ready:

• Class 10 certificate or another accepted proof of date of birth

• Degree certificates and year-wise or semester-wise marksheets, with the aggregate percentage

• CGPA conversion certificate from your university, if your marksheet shows only CGPA

• Category certificate (SC, ST, OBC-NCL or EWS) in the prescribed format

• PwBD certificate, discharge certificate or experience certificate, if claiming relaxation

Common Eligibility Mistakes to Avoid

• Rounding off percentages: A score of 59.9% does not meet a 60% requirement unless the notification says otherwise.

• Using the wrong age date: Age is calculated on the 1st of the notification month, not the last date of application.

• Assuming any master's degree works for DEPR or DSIM: Only the subjects listed in the notification are accepted.

• Forgetting the attempt count: General and EWS candidates should keep track of how many times they have appeared in Phase I.

RBI Grade B Eligibility Checklist

Before you submit your application, confirm that:

• You meet the nationality rule.

• Your age is within the limit on the 1st of the month of the notification.

• You have the required percentage in graduation or post-graduation, or the correct degree for DEPR or DSIM.

• You have not already used all your attempts (General and EWS).

• You have valid category, PwBD or experience certificates in the prescribed format, if you are claiming any relaxation.

RBI Grade B eligibility is straightforward if you check the details carefully: age 21 to 30 as on the 1st of the notification month, a degree with the required percentage for your stream, and attempts within the limit for your category. Use the relaxation table if you belong to a reserved category or hold higher qualifications, and always match your details against the official notification before applying.