The wait is finally over for banking aspirants across India. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially released the RBI Assistant Notification 2026 today, February 16. If you are a graduate looking for a prestigious government job with a great work-life balance, this is your biggest opportunity of the year.
RBI has announced a total of 650 vacancies for the post of Assistant in various offices across the country. The online application link is active starting today, and the preliminary exam is scheduled for April.
Here is everything you need to know about eligibility, exam dates, vacancies, and how to apply.
RBI Assistant 2026: Key Highlights at a Glance
Before we dive into the details, here is a quick summary of the recruitment drive.
EventDetailsOrganizationReserve Bank of India (RBI)Post NameAssistantTotal Vacancies650Application ModeOnline OnlyRegistration DatesFeb 16, 2026 – March 8, 2026Selection ProcessPrelims + Mains + Language Proficiency Test (LPT)SalaryApprox. ₹47,800 – ₹58,500 per month (Gross)Official Websitewww.rbi.org.in
Important Dates for RBI Assistant 2026
Time is short, so you must plan your preparation immediately. The application window is open for only three weeks.
Notification Release Date: February 16, 2026
Online Application Starts: February 16, 2026
Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee: March 8, 2026
Prelims Exam Date (Tentative): April 11, 2026
Mains Exam Date (Tentative): June 7, 2026
Note: RBI rarely changes these dates, so treat April 11 as your final deadline for the first stage of preparation.
Vacancy Details: Which State Has the Most Seats?
This year, RBI has released 650 seats, which is an increase from the 450 vacancies seen in 2023. While seats are distributed across India, the Mumbai office has the highest number of openings.
Mumbai: 249 Vacancies (Highest)
Chennai: 53 Vacancies
Kanpur & Lucknow: 50 Vacancies
New Delhi: 49 Vacancies
Thiruvananthapuram: 6 Vacancies (Lowest)
Why does this matter?
You must be proficient in the local language of the state you apply for. For example, if you apply for Mumbai, you must be fluent in Marathi. If you apply for Ahmedabad, you need to know Gujarati. Choose your zone carefully!
Eligibility Criteria (As of February 1, 2026)
To apply, you must meet the following age and education requirements.
Age Limit
Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 28 Years
Cut-off Date: You must have been born between February 2, 1998, and February 1, 2006.
Age Relaxation:
SC/ST: 5 Years (Up to 33 years)
OBC: 3 Years (Up to 31 years)
PwBD: 10 to 15 Years depending on category.
Educational Qualification
You must have a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, B.Tech, etc.) from a recognized university.
Minimum Marks: You need at least 50% marks in graduation.
Exception: For SC/ST/PwBD candidates, passing marks are sufficient (no 50% rule).
Language Requirement
You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the local language of the region you are applying for. This will be tested in the Language Proficiency Test (LPT) after the Mains exam.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection is done in three stages. You must clear the cut-off for each stage to move to the next.
Phase 1: Preliminary Exam (100 Marks)
This is a speed-based test. You have 60 minutes for 100 questions.
English Language: 30 Questions
Numerical Ability: 35 Questions
Reasoning Ability: 35 Questions
Negative Marking applies (0.25 marks deducted for wrong answers).
Phase 2: Main Exam (200 Marks)
If you clear Prelims, you enter the Mains. This score decides your final selection.
Subjects: Reasoning, English, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge.
Total Time: 135 Minutes.
Phase 3: Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
This is a qualifying test. If you cannot speak/write the local language of your chosen state, you will be disqualified even if you have high marks in Mains.
Salary and Perks
Working as an Assistant in RBI is financially rewarding.
Basic Pay: ₹20,700 per month.
Gross Salary: Approximately ₹47,849 to ₹58,514 per month, depending on the city and HRA allowances.
Read More : RRB NTPC 2026 Latest News
Perks: Housing accommodation (subject to availability), medical reimbursement, newspaper allowance, book grant, and loans at concessional rates.
How to Apply Online
Follow these simple steps to fill out the form before March 8, 2026.
Visit the official RBI website: www.rbi.org.in.
Scroll down and click on “Opportunities” (or look for the “Vacancies” section).
Click on the link “Recruitment for the Post of Assistant – 2026”.
Select “Click here for New Registration”.
Enter your Name, Email, and Mobile Number to get a Registration ID.
Fill in your personal and educational details.
Upload your scanned Photograph and Signature.
Pay the application fee:
₹450 for General/OBC/EWS.
₹50 for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen.
Submit the form and print the confirmation page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When is the exam date for RBI Assistant 2026?
The Preliminary exam is tentatively scheduled for April 11, 2026. The Mains exam is expected on June 7, 2026.
Q2. Can final year students apply for RBI Assistant?
No. You must have your final degree marksheet/certificate on or before February 1, 2026. If your result is pending, you are not eligible.
Q3. Is there an interview for RBI Assistant?
No, there is no interview. Selection is based on the Mains exam marks and the Language Proficiency Test (LPT).
Q4. Can I apply for a state different from my home state?
Yes, you can. However, you must be proficient in the local language of that state. If you fail the language test, you will not get the job.
Q5. What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹450 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. For SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, the fee is ₹50 (plus intimation charges/taxes).