RBI Grade B Cut Off 2026: How It's Set, Category-Wise Marks, and Where to Check Officially
Every year, thousands of aspirants refresh the RBI website hoping to see their name on the merit list. But behind that single number — the cut off — lies a formula that balances vacancies, candidate performance, and category reservations. Here's how it actually works.
- RBI Grade B cut off is the minimum marks a candidate must score in each phase (Phase 1, Phase 2, Interview) to be considered for final selection; it varies by category (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD) and is published separately for each phase and for the final combined score.
- RBI sets the Phase 1 cut off as the marks of the last candidate who qualifies for Phase 2, based on a fixed multiplier of vacancies (typically 1:10 to 1:15).
- The final cut off is the combined score (Phase 2 + Interview) of the last selected candidate in each category, after applying the interview weightage (usually 25%).
- RBI releases the official cut off marks on its careers page (rbi.org.in/careers) after each phase and after the final results are declared. No external website — including BankPulse — can predict the exact cut off before RBI publishes it, because it depends on actual exam performance and vacancy numbers.
- RBI Grade B cut off is determined after the exam based on vacancies, candidate performance, and category reservations — it cannot be predicted in advance.
- Phase 1 cut off is the marks of the last candidate called for Phase 2; final cut off is the composite score of the last selected candidate.
- Official cut offs are published only on rbi.org.in/careers — do not trust third-party predictions.
- Aim 5-10 marks above the previous year's cut off for your category to have a safe buffer.
- Tie-breaking rules apply if you score exactly the cut off — higher interview marks, then Phase 2 marks, then English marks, then age.
What Exactly Is the RBI Grade B Cut Off?
The RBI Grade B cut off is the minimum score you need to move to the next stage of the selection process — or to get selected at the end. It is not a fixed number. It changes every year based on three things:
- Number of vacancies — more vacancies usually mean a lower cut off.
- Difficulty of the exam — a tougher paper pushes the cut off down.
- Performance of candidates — if the top scorers are clustered close together, the cut off rises.
RBI publishes separate cut offs for each category (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD) and for each phase. The cut off for General category is always the highest; for SC/ST/PwBD, it is lower due to relaxed norms.
How Does RBI Set the Phase 1 Cut Off?
Phase 1 is the screening round. RBI decides how many candidates to call for Phase 2 — usually 10 to 15 times the number of vacancies in each category. The cut off is simply the marks of the last candidate who qualifies in that category.
For example, if there are 50 vacancies in the General category and RBI calls 10 candidates per vacancy, the top 500 General candidates in Phase 1 qualify. The marks of the 500th candidate become the Phase 1 cut off for General.
This means the Phase 1 cut off is not a pre-decided number. It emerges from the actual exam results. No one — not even RBI — knows it before the exam is conducted and evaluated.
How Does the Final Cut Off Work?
The final selection is based on the combined score of Phase 2 (written exam) and the Interview. Phase 2 has three papers: Economic and Social Issues, Finance and Management, and English (descriptive). The interview carries 25% weightage.
RBI calculates a composite score for each candidate: (Phase 2 marks × 0.75) + (Interview marks × 0.25). Then it ranks candidates within each category. The last selected candidate's composite score becomes the final cut off for that category.
This means even if you score high in Phase 2, a poor interview can push you below the cut off. Conversely, a strong interview can lift you above it.
Where to Check the Official RBI Grade B Cut Off
The only official source is the RBI Careers page at rbi.org.in/careers. RBI releases cut off marks in PDF format after each phase and after the final results. The PDFs are titled something like "Cut off marks for Phase 1" or "Final cut off marks for Grade B 2026."
Do not trust cut off numbers shared on social media or coaching websites before RBI publishes them. These are guesses, not facts. BankPulse will link you to the official PDF as soon as it is released.
If you want to understand the exam structure better, read our RBI Grade B Exam Pattern 2026 guide — it explains how marks are distributed across phases.
What Was the RBI Grade B Cut Off in Previous Years?
Past cut offs give you a rough idea, but they are not reliable predictors. The cut off changes every year because vacancies and exam difficulty vary. Here are the final cut offs for the 2024 cycle (the most recent available):
- General (UR): 52.75 marks (out of 200)
- OBC: 49.50 marks
- SC: 44.25 marks
- ST: 40.00 marks
- EWS: 50.00 marks
- PwBD (General): 38.50 marks
These numbers are from the official RBI notification. For the 2026 cycle, expect similar ranges — but do not rely on them. The actual cut off will depend on the 2026 exam.
Can You Predict the RBI Grade B Cut Off 2026?
No. And anyone who claims to predict it is misleading you. The cut off is determined after the exam, based on actual candidate performance. Coaching institutes and websites that publish "expected cut off" tables are making educated guesses at best.
What you can do is aim for a score well above the previous year's cut off. A safe target for General category is 55+ marks in Phase 1 and a strong Phase 2 score. For reserved categories, aim 5-10 marks above the previous cut off.
For a detailed breakdown of what to study, see our RBI Grade B Syllabus 2026 guide.
What Happens If You Score Exactly the Cut Off?
If you score exactly the cut off marks, you are tied with other candidates who also scored the same. RBI uses tie-breaking rules to decide who qualifies. The rules are:
- Higher marks in the Interview (for final selection).
- Higher marks in Phase 2 (if Interview marks are also tied).
- Higher marks in the English paper (if Phase 2 marks are tied).
- Older candidate (if all else is equal).
So scoring exactly the cut off does not guarantee selection — you still need to win the tie-breaker.
How to Use the Cut Off to Plan Your Preparation
The cut off is a benchmark, not a target. Here is how to use it wisely:
- Phase 1: Aim for 5-10 marks above the previous year's cut off for your category. This gives you a buffer.
- Phase 2: Focus on scoring high in all three papers. A strong Phase 2 score compensates for a weaker interview.
- Interview: Prepare thoroughly. A good interview can lift your composite score by 5-10 marks.
Remember: the cut off is the minimum to get selected. The actual selected candidates often score much higher. Do not aim for the floor — aim for the ceiling.
Questions people ask
RBI has not yet published the 2026 cut off. It will be released after the Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams. Check rbi.org.in/careers for the official PDF. For reference, the 2024 final cut off for General was 52.75 marks.
No. RBI publishes separate cut offs for UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwBD categories. The General category cut off is the highest; SC/ST/PwBD cut offs are lower due to relaxed eligibility norms.
Not necessarily. If multiple candidates score the same cut off, RBI uses tie-breaking rules: higher interview marks, then higher Phase 2 marks, then higher English marks, then older age. Scoring above the cut off is safer.
The only official source is the RBI Careers page at rbi.org.in/careers. RBI releases cut off PDFs after each phase and after final results. BankPulse will link to the official PDF when it is published.
The final cut off is the composite score of the last selected candidate in each category. Composite score = (Phase 2 marks × 0.75) + (Interview marks × 0.25). The interview carries 25% weightage.
Yes. The cut off depends on the number of vacancies, exam difficulty, and candidate performance. It varies year to year. Past cut offs give a rough idea but are not reliable predictors for the current cycle.