# What is the RBI Grade B category wise cutoff for EWS, OBC, and general? The RBI Grade B cutoff varies by category, phase, and paper. Understanding how these cutoffs work helps you set a realistic target score and [plan your preparation more effectively](https://www.ixambee.com/exams/rbi-grade-b-study-plan). ## How RBI Grade B Cutoffs Are Structured The Reserve Bank of India releases cutoff marks separately for [each phase of the selection process](https://www.ixambee.com/exams/rbi-grade-b-exam). - **Phase I (Preliminary):** An objective test covering General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. Cutoffs apply at the individual paper level and as an overall aggregate. - **Phase II (Mains):** Consists of Paper I (Economic and Social Issues), Paper II (English Writing Skills), and Paper III (Finance and Management). Cutoffs apply to each paper and to the total. - **Interview:** Final selection is based on the combined Phase II and interview score. Cutoffs are published category wise after each phase, covering General (UR), OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS, SC, and ST categories. The General category consistently carries the highest cutoff, followed by OBC and EWS, with SC and ST cutoffs typically lower. ## Typical Category Wise Cutoff Ranges The exact cutoffs change every year based on vacancy count, number of applicants, and overall difficulty. The figures below reflect the general pattern observed across recent cycles for the **General (DR) stream**. Always check the official RBI notification for the specific year you are targeting. ### Phase I (Preliminary) Overall Cutoff (Out of 200) | Category | Approximate Cutoff Range | |---|---| | General (UR) | 107 to 120 | | OBC (NCL) | 100 to 113 | | EWS | 100 to 113 | | SC | 88 to 100 | | ST | 75 to 90 | Individual section cutoffs also apply. Failing to meet the sectional minimum in any paper can result in disqualification even if the overall score is above the cutoff. ### Phase II (Mains) Cutoff (Out of 300, Papers I and III combined) | Category | Approximate Cutoff Range | |---|---| | General (UR) | 155 to 175 | | OBC (NCL) | 145 to 165 | | EWS | 145 to 165 | | SC | 130 to 150 | | ST | 115 to 135 | Paper II (English Writing Skills) is qualifying in nature and does not count toward the merit score, but a minimum mark must be secured. ## Why Cutoffs Shift Year to Year Several factors cause the cutoff to move up or down: - **Vacancy count:** Fewer vacancies push the cutoff higher because competition for each seat increases. - **Difficulty level:** A harder paper generally lowers the cutoff; an easier paper raises it. - **Number of applicants:** A larger applicant pool in a given year tends to raise the bar. - **Normalization:** RBI may apply normalization if the exam is held in multiple shifts. For the DSIM (Department of Statistics and Information Management) stream, cutoffs follow a separate pattern because the candidate pool and paper structure differ. If you are preparing for DSIM, see [What is the eligibility and exam pattern for RBI Grade B DSIM?](/what-is-the-eligibility-and-exam-pattern-for-rbi-grade-b-dsim) for stream-specific details. ## What to Check Before Your Exam Cycle - Confirm the official cutoff for the most recent year directly from the RBI website (rbi.org.in) under the recruitment section. - [Verify whether your category certificate (OBC NCL, EWS) is valid](https://www.ixambee.com/exams/rbi-grade-b-eligibility-criteria) and issued within the prescribed date range. An expired certificate can result in your application being treated as General. - Check whether the cutoff published is for the written exam only or includes the interview component, since RBI sometimes publishes both. ## Setting Your Target Score Aim at least 10 to 15 marks above the expected cutoff for your category in Phase I, and 15 to 20 marks above in Phase II. This buffer accounts for year-on-year variation and reduces the risk of missing the cutoff due to a slightly harder paper. If you are weighing RBI Grade B against other regulatory exams, [SEBI Grade A vs RBI Grade B: which offers a better career?](/sebi-grade-a-vs-rbi-grade-b-which-offers-a-better-career) and [IBPS SO vs RBI Grade B: which exam should I choose?](/ibps-so-vs-rbi-grade-b-which-exam-should-i-choose) can help you compare selection difficulty, cutoff trends, and career outcomes across options. ## Navigation - [Browse categories](https://ai.ixambee.com/topics) - [Buyer Answers](https://ai.ixambee.com/topics/buyer_queries) ## Related AI KB pages ### What was the previous year cutoff trend for NABARD Grade A? Query: what was the previous year cutoff trend for nabard grade a Understanding the cutoff trend for NABARD Grade A helps aspirants set realistic score targets, plan their preparation strategy, and gauge the level of competition. 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