To secure a seat in the Reserve Bank of India, understanding the RBI Assistant Recruitment 2026 Exam pattern is the first step towards success. The official notification for 650 vacancies has confirmed a three-stage selection process: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and a Language Proficiency Test (LPT) .
Unlike many other banking exams, RBI Assistant has specific sectional timings and a unique Language Proficiency Test that candidates must clear. Below is the detailed breakdown of the exam structure, marking scheme, and duration for all phases.
Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying Nature)
The first stage of the RBI Assistant Recruitment 2026 Exam pattern is the Preliminary Exam. It is an objective type test conducted online.
- Total Time: 60 Minutes (1 Hour)
- Total Marks: 100
- Sectional Timing: Yes (20 minutes for each section)
| Sr. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
| 1. | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| 2. | Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| 3. | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| TOTAL | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Note: Marks from the Prelims are NOT counted for the final merit list; they are only used to shortlist candidates for the Main Exam (approx. 10 times the vacancies).
Phase 2: Main Examination (Merit Decider)
The Main Examination is the most critical part of the RBI Assistant Recruitment 2026 Exam pattern as your final selection depends on these marks.
- Total Time: 135 Minutes
- Total Questions: 200
- Total Marks: 200
| Sr. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
| 1. | Test of Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 30 Minutes |
| 2. | Test of English Language | 40 | 40 | 30 Minutes |
| 3. | Test of Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 30 Minutes |
| 4. | Test of General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 25 Minutes |
| 5. | Test of Computer Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 20 Minutes |
| TOTAL | 200 | 200 | 135 Minutes |
Phase 3: Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
The third stage is often overlooked but is a mandatory part of the RBI Assistant Recruitment 2026 Exam pattern.
- Who takes it? Candidates shortlisted from the Main Exam.
- Nature: Qualifying Only (No marks added).
- Rule: The test is conducted in the Official / Local Language of the state you applied for. If you are not proficient (cannot read, write, speak, and understand), you will be DISQUALIFIED, regardless of your Mains score.+1
List of Local Languages (Select Offices):
- Ahmedabad: Gujarati
- Bengaluru: Kannada
- Mumbai: Marathi / Konkani
- Chennai: Tamil
- New Delhi / Jaipur / Bhopal: Hindi
Key Marking Rules You Must Know
To master the RBI Assistant Recruitment 2026 Exam pattern, keep these rules in mind:
- Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 0.25 marks (1/4th) for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains .
- Sectional Cut-offs: You must qualify in EACH part of the objective test separately. Failing in any one section (e.g., Computer Knowledge) will disqualify you even if your total score is high.
- Normalization: Since the exam is held in multiple shifts, scores will be equated using the Equipercentile Method to adjust for difficulty levels .
- Language of Exam: Tests (except English Language) are available in English, Hindi, and regional languages as per the state applied for
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