RBI Assistant Exam Pattern 2026
The full RBI Assistant exam pattern for 2026 — 3 stages, with the sections, question count, marks, duration and negative marking for each, as set by Reserve Bank of India Services Board. Then take a free RBI Assistant mock in the real pattern below.
Preliminary Examination (Phase I — qualifying / screening only)
- Mode
- Online objective test at RBI/IBPS test centres across India
- Sections
- English Language (30 Q, 30 marks, 20 min) · Numerical Ability (35 Q, 35 marks, 20 min) · Reasoning Ability (35 Q, 35 marks, 20 min)
- Questions
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- Marks
- 100 marks total
- Duration
- 60 minutes total (sectional timing of 20 minutes per section — strictly enforced)
- Negative marking
- 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer; no deduction for unattempted items
Prelims is purely a SCREENING test. Sectional cutoffs apply individually to each of the three sections AND an overall category cutoff applies. Approximately 10x the notified vacancy is shortlisted office-wise / state-wise for Mains. Prelims marks do NOT carry forward into the final merit list.
Main Examination (Phase II — merit-deciding)
- Mode
- Online objective test at RBI/IBPS test centres across India
- Sections
- Reasoning (40 Q, 40 marks, 30 min) · English Language (40 Q, 40 marks, 30 min) · Numerical Ability (40 Q, 40 marks, 30 min) · General Awareness (40 Q, 40 marks, 25 min) · Computer Knowledge (40 Q, 40 marks, 20 min)
- Questions
- 200 multiple-choice questions
- Marks
- 200 marks total
- Duration
- 2 hours 15 minutes total (sectional timing strictly enforced)
- Negative marking
- 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer; no deduction for unattempted items
Sectional cutoffs apply individually in Mains for each of the five sections AND an overall category cutoff applies. Mains score alone determines the final merit list. There is NO interview or Group Exercise round for RBI Assistant — this is a structural difference from SBI PO and IBPS PO.
Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
- Mode
- Conducted at the time of joining at the allotted regional office
- Sections
- Test of reading, writing, speaking and understanding of the official/local language of the state of the allotted RBI office (typically reading + writing + dictation at Class X-level proficiency)
- Questions
- Not applicable — qualifying-only assessment
- Marks
- Qualifying (pass/fail)
- Duration
- Conducted at the allotment stage, before final joining
- Negative marking
- Not applicable
Candidates who studied the specified local language at Class X or above are usually exempt from LPT (proof of mark-sheet/transfer certificate is required). Candidates failing LPT forfeit selection. Choose your preferred RBI regional office carefully at the application stage — the local language of the office's state must be one you can read, write and converse in.
You know the pattern — now practise in it.
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