Build a career as a IIBF DRA
The certificate RBI requires every bank and NBFC loan-recovery agent to hold before collecting dues.
Know the IIBF DRA before you start
1 (100 MCQs, 2 hours)
Number of Papers
50 out of 100
Pass Mark
48.77% of 1,01,983 candidates
Pass Rate (2024-25)
₹1,200 + GST per attempt
Fee
Roles & salary as you grow
The IIBF DRA opens an entry role that promotes upward: here's the ladder and what each rung pays.
Stage 1
Debt Recovery Agent
Mandatory to work for banks/NBFCs
Banks and NBFCs may only use certified agents for recovery, so the certificate is the entry ticket to field collection work.
Stage 2
Recovery Telecaller
Collection call-centre roles
Collection agencies and BPOs handling bank portfolios need certified staff; the DRA certificate covers this work, as IIBF's separate DRA-TC telecaller variant was discontinued from 1 April 2024.
Stage 3
Collection Agency Supervisor
Team-lead roles in recovery agencies
Agencies empanelled with lenders must employ only trained and certified personnel, so supervisors are expected to hold it too.
Stage 4
DSA / DMA Professional
Wider lender empanelment
Direct selling and marketing agents who also recover dues for a bank fall under the same certification requirement.
*Indicative ranges from public data; actual pay varies by employer, city and cycle.
Are you eligible?
Education
10th standard (SSC) pass or above, plus mandatory training at an IIBF-accredited institute: 100 hours for candidates who are 10th pass up to undergraduate, 50 hours for graduates and above.
Age
At least 18 years old on the date of applying for the training.
Nationality
Offered within India, in English, Hindi and 9 regional languages.
How the IIBF DRA is structured
The DRA certificate is a single online exam of 100 MCQs for 100 marks in 2 hours. There is no negative marking and the pass mark is 50/100. It is offered in 11 languages (English, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Assamese). Candidates get three attempts within nine months of completing their training; after that the training has to be repeated. (IIBF's separate DRA-TC certificate for recovery telecallers was discontinued from 1 April 2024.)
Certificate Examination for Debt Recovery Agents
What you'll study
menu_bookModule A: Basics of Banking
menu_bookModule B: Loan Products & Legal Aspects of Recovery
menu_bookModule C: Role in Loan Recovery & Soft Skills
menu_bookModule D: NBFCs
How to crack the IIBF DRA
Check eligibility
You need to be 18 or older and have passed 10th standard (SSC).
Complete the mandatory training
Train at an IIBF-accredited institute or your bank/NBFC's notified training centre: 100 hours if you are below graduation, 50 hours if you are a graduate.
Get registered for the exam
Your training institute registers you with IIBF after the training. The fee is ₹1,200 plus GST per attempt.
Study the courseware
Prepare with IIBF's Debt Recovery Agents courseware (published by Taxmann), RBI's recovery guidelines and mock tests.
Take the online exam
Attempt the 100-MCQ, 2-hour paper in your chosen language. Score at least 50/100; there is no negative marking.
Download your certificate
IIBF emails a digitally signed certificate to your registered email within about 3 weeks of the result.
The IIBF DRA cycle
Online exams on pre-announced dates, at least once a month
3 attempts within 9 months of completing training
Emailed within about 3 weeks of the result
Prep for IIBF DRA with PrepClever
Launching 2026. Create a free account now for mock tests and a personalised study plan across the exams we already cover — and this one the day it lands.
See the full IIBF DRA guide arrow_forwardStart free today
One account covers every exam on this pathway that's already live.
Free to start. No card required.
IIBF DRA: common questions
Is the DRA certificate mandatory?
Yes, for anyone recovering loans for a bank or NBFC. RBI requires lenders and their recovery agencies to use only agents who have completed the training and passed the IIBF exam. Banks may exempt retired bank officers aged 60+ with recovery experience at their discretion.
What is the eligibility for the DRA exam?
10th standard (SSC) pass, at least 18 years old, and completion of the mandatory training at an IIBF-accredited institute (100 hours below graduation, 50 hours for graduates).
What are the passing marks and is there negative marking?
You need 50 out of 100 to pass, and there is no negative marking.
How many attempts are allowed?
Three attempts within nine months of completing the training. If you don't pass in that time, you must redo the training before you can register again.
What is the exam fee?
₹1,200 plus GST per attempt (about ₹1,416), the same for every attempt. A late fee of ₹200 plus taxes applies in the extended registration window.
How difficult is the DRA exam?
Harder than its 50% pass mark suggests: IIBF's 2024-25 annual report shows 49,739 of 1,01,983 candidates passed, a pass rate of 48.77%.
In which languages can I take the exam?
English, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Assamese.
More IIBF Certifications pathways
JAIIB
IIBF's flagship banking certification that bank staff clear to earn increments and career credibility.
CAIIB
IIBF's advanced banking certification that unlocks extra increments and faster managerial progression.
IIBF AML/KYC
IIBF's compliance certification that makes bankers job-ready for AML, KYC and anti-money-laundering roles.
IIBF Certified Credit Officer
Advanced certification that builds skilled bank credit officers across appraisal, monitoring and risk management.