RBI Internship 2026: Last Call! Apply by Dec 15 for ₹20,000 Stipend

If you are a student aiming for a prestigious career in banking, finance, or legal compliance, the clock is ticking on one of India’s most coveted opportunities. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is closing applications for its Summer Placement Scheme 2026 on December 15, 2025.

This isn’t just an internship; it is a gateway to understanding the financial backbone of the nation. Below is a deep-dive analysis of the eligibility, process, and strategy to secure your spot before the window shuts.

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📊 Quick Snapshot: The RBI Summer Placement 2026

Feature	Details
Official Scheme	RBI Summer Placement Scheme
Application Deadline	December 15, 2025
Internship Period	April 2026 – July 2026 (Summer)
Duration	Maximum 3 Months
Stipend	₹20,000 per month
Location	RBI Offices pan-India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, etc.)
Selection Mode	Shortlisting + Personal Interview

Eligibility: The “Penultimate Year” Rule

The most critical part of this application is the eligibility criteria. The RBI is very specific: You must be in the penultimate (second-to-last) year of your course.

You are eligible to apply ONLY if you fit one of these categories:

Post-Graduate Students (2-year course): You must be in your 1st Year.
Integrated Degree Students (5-year course): You must be in your 4th Year.
Law Students (3-year Professional degree): You must be in your 2nd Year.

Disciplines Accepted:

Statistics

Law (Crucial for legal compliance and regulatory research)

Economics / Econometrics

Commerce / Banking / Finance

Management (MBA)

Note: If you are in your final year or have already graduated, you are NOT eligible for this specific scheme.

The Application Process (Step-by-Step)

Since the deadline is December 15, 2025, you must act immediately. There is no offline mode; everything happens via the RBI web portal.

Visit the Portal: Go to the RBI Opportunities website (opportunities.rbi.org.in) and navigate to “Summer Placement”.

Fill the Web Form:

Control Office: You must select the “Control Office” based on where your college is located. For example, if you study in Pune, you select the Mumbai office. If you study in Patna, you select the Patna office.

Personal Details: Ensure your name matches your 10th-grade mark sheet exactly.

Declaration: You will need to virtually sign a declaration of secrecy (standard for central banking roles).

No Edits: Once submitted, the form cannot be edited. Double-check your CGPA/Percentage conversions.

Selection Criteria: What is RBI Looking For?

This is a highly competitive placement with only 125 seats usually available across India.

Academic Consistency: Shortlisting is primarily based on your marks in 10th, 12th, and graduation/current PG semesters.

The Interview: If shortlisted, you will be called for an interview between January and February 2026.

Tip: Be ready to answer questions on Monetary Policy, Inflation, the latest RBI Circulars, and Constitutional Law (for law students).

Tip: Know the “Why RBI?” answer thoroughly. It shouldn’t just be “for the brand”; link it to public service and economic stability.

Stipend & Perks

Financials: You receive ₹20,000 per month.

Travel: Outstation trainees are eligible for AC II Tier return train fare from their place of study to the RBI location.

Accommodation: Note that RBI generally does not provide accommodation for interns; you must arrange your own stay.

Why You Must Apply Now

Missing this deadline means waiting another full year. An RBI internship on your CV signals to future employers (law firms, banks, corporate houses) that you have been vetted by the apex bank and have exposure to high-level policy frameworks.

Action Item: Stop scrolling. Gather your mark sheets, open the RBI portal, and submit your form before the server potentially slows down on the last day.