The RBI Grade B exam is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India for candidates aspiring to work in the banking and financial services sector. Conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, the exam recruits officers for the General, DEPR, and DSIM streams. As the 2025 recruitment cycle is underway, candidates are keen to know the RBI Grade B Cut Off 2025, along with the previous years’ cut-offs, to evaluate their chances and strategize better.
In this article, we bring you the expected cut-off for RBI Grade B 2025, category-wise previous year cut-offs, selection criteria, and factors influencing the cut-off. Whether you’re a general category aspirant or belong to SC, ST, OBC, or EWS – this comprehensive guide is for you.
Factors Affecting RBI Grade B Cut Off
The RBI Grade B cut off is not fixed and varies each year based on multiple dynamic factors. Understanding these elements helps candidates evaluate the cut-off trend and prepare accordingly. The Reserve Bank of India follows a rigorous process of score normalization and merit-based shortlisting, which is directly influenced by these variables:
- Number of Candidates Appearing:
A higher number of applicants leads to increased competition, often resulting in higher cut-offs, especially in the General and EWS categories. - Difficulty Level of the Exam:
If the question paper is tougher than usual, especially in sections like Quant or GA, the cut-off may be lowered to maintain fairness. - Total Number of Vacancies:
The available seats directly impact the cut-off. For example, in 2023, there were 291 vacancies, which was lower than 2021 (322), affecting the qualifying score. - Normalization Process:
For exams held in multiple shifts, RBI uses score normalization to adjust for differences in difficulty levels, which can influence the final cut-off. - Category-wise Reservation:
RBI follows strict reservation policies for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories. Cut-offs for each category are released separately, and the competition level within each category plays a role in determining the final marks. - Sectional Performance Trends:
Poor performance in a particular section by a majority can sometimes lead to lower sectional cut-offs, especially in Quantitative Aptitude or Reasoning.
RBI Grade B Expected Cut Off 2025 (Phase 1)
Based on the rising number of applicants in recent years and the increasing competition, the expected cut off for RBI Grade B 2025 Phase 1 is projected to rise slightly. In 2023, over 3.5 lakh candidates appeared for the exam, and RBI introduced stricter normalization. The cut-off is also influenced by the number of vacancies, which in 2023 were 291 for General Officers. Considering all these factors, here is the expected category-wise cut-off for 2025.
| Category | Expected Cut-Off (Out of 200) |
|---|---|
| General | 67–72 |
| OBC | 64–68 |
| EWS | 64–69 |
| SC | 58–62 |
| ST | 52–57 |
| PwBD | 45–50 |
RBI Grade B Previous Year Cut Offs
Cut-off trends over the last three years show how competitive the RBI Grade B Officer recruitment has become. With consistent vacancies around 270–300 each year, but growing application numbers (3.5–4 lakh in 2022–2023), the cut-off scores reflect changing dynamics in candidate performance and paper difficulty. Below are official RBI Grade B Phase 1 cut-offs for 2021, 2022, and 2023.
RBI Grade B 2023 Cut Off (Phase 1)
The 2023 RBI Grade B Phase 1 exam was held in July with a slightly easier difficulty level compared to 2022. With over 3.6 lakh candidates competing for just 291 posts, the cut-offs increased marginally in most categories. General Awareness, which carried 80 marks, was a key scoring section for top performers.
| Category | Phase 1 Cut Off |
|---|---|
| General | 66.75 |
| OBC | 63.75 |
| EWS | 64.00 |
| SC | 57.75 |
| ST | 52.75 |
RBI Grade B 2022 Cut Off (Phase 1)
The 2022 cut-off was lower than in 2023, likely due to a tougher paper and more difficult reasoning and quantitative sections. RBI reported 294 vacancies, but the number of shortlisted candidates remained tight, leading to modest scores even for the general category.
| Category | Phase 1 Cut Off |
|---|---|
| General | 63.75 |
| OBC | 60.25 |
| EWS | 62.75 |
| SC | 55.25 |
| ST | 50.75 |
RBI Grade B 2021 Cut Off (Phase 1)
In 2021, the RBI had notified 322 vacancies — slightly higher than usual — but even with more seats, the Phase 1 cut-off remained high. This was due to a well-balanced question paper and a high number of quality candidates. The General Awareness section again played a vital role in pushing the cut-off upward.
| Category | Phase 1 Cut Off |
|---|---|
| General | 66.75 |
| OBC | 63.75 |
| SC | 55.25 |
| ST | 52.75 |
| PwBD | 45.00 |
FAQs on RBI Grade B Cut Off 2025
1. What is the expected RBI Grade B cut off for 2025?
The expected RBI Grade B 2025 Phase 1 cut off for the General category is likely between 67 and 72 marks out of 200. For OBC, it’s expected to be 64–68, while for SC/ST, it may range between 52 and 62, based on previous year trends and exam difficulty.
2. Does RBI release sectional cut offs for Grade B exam?
Yes, RBI releases both overall and sectional cut offs for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Grade B exam. Candidates must clear each section — English, Quant, Reasoning, and General Awareness — in addition to the overall cut-off to qualify.
3. Where can I check the official RBI Grade B cut off marks?
The official RBI Grade B cut off is published on the Reserve Bank of India’s official website: www.rbi.org.in under the “Opportunities at RBI” section. It is released after the final result of each phase.
4. How is the final RBI Grade B merit list prepared?
The final merit list for RBI Grade B is calculated using Phase 2 marks (300) and Interview marks (75), totaling 375 marks. The candidate must qualify each paper individually and score high in the interview to be selected.
5. What factors influence the RBI Grade B cut off each year?
The RBI Grade B cut off varies based on several factors like:
- Number of candidates appearing
- Exam difficulty level
- Total vacancies (e.g., 291 in 2023)
- Performance distribution of candidates
- Normalization (in case of multiple shifts)