IBPS PO Recruitment 2026 – Exam Schedule, Registration & Eligibility
IBPS PO 2026 Recruitment – Complete Details
IBPS PO 2026 Notification: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS PO examination annually to recruit eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officers in various public sector banks across India. Introduced in 2011, this examination has become one of the most sought-after banking exams, and the 2026 cycle marks its 16th edition under the CRP PO/MT-XVI recruitment process. The selection procedure consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview.
The examination is conducted in a structured manner, allowing candidates to progress through each stage based on their performance. Detailed information regarding vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and other important aspects will be released along with the official notification. Candidates are advised to stay updated and prepare accordingly for each stage of the selection process.
| IBPS PO 2026 Exam Overview | |
|---|---|
| Details | Information |
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Type | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Vacancies | To be announced |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Websites | www.ibps.in |
IBPS PO 2026 Important Dates
Candidates preparing for the IBPS PO 2026 examination should stay updated with all important events and timelines related to the recruitment process. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection will release the complete schedule along with the official notification. Keeping track of these important dates is essential to ensure timely application, fee payment, and exam preparation without missing any deadlines.
| Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | June 2026 |
| Application Start | June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | July 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay the Fee | July 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date 2026 | 22 and 23 August 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date 2026 | 4 October 2026 |
IBPS PO 2026 Vacancy Details
The IBPS PO 2026 vacancies will be announced along with the official notification. Once released, the complete bank-wise and category-wise vacancy details will be updated here. In the previous recruitment cycle, a total of 6,189 vacancies were announced for Probationary Officer and Management Trainee posts across participating banks.
IBPS PO Previous Year Vacancy (Bank-wise)
| Participating Bank | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | General | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of Baroda | 150 | 75 | 270 | 100 | 405 | 1000 |
| Bank of India | 105 | 53 | 189 | 70 | 283 | 700 |
| Bank of Maharashtra | 150 | 75 | 270 | 100 | 405 | 1000 |
| Canara Bank | 150 | 50 | 200 | 100 | 500 | 1000 |
| Central Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 |
| Indian Bank | 105 | 52 | 189 | 70 | 284 | 700 |
| Indian Overseas Bank | 69 | 33 | 121 | 44 | 183 | 450 |
| Punjab National Bank | 30 | 15 | 54 | 20 | 81 | 200 |
| Punjab & Sind Bank | 53 | 27 | 98 | 36 | 144 | 358 |
| UCO Bank | 15 | 07 | 27 | 10 | 41 | 100 |
| Total | 929 | 437 | 1601 | 618 | 2604 | 6189 |
IBPS PO 2026 Application Fee
Candidates applying for IBPS PO 2026 are required to pay the application fee as per their category. The fee structure is based on the previous recruitment cycle and is subject to change as per the official notification. Once paid, the application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹175/- |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹850/- |
IBPS PO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying online, candidates must carefully review the IBPS PO 2026 eligibility criteria. It is essential to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled, as only eligible candidates will be considered for the recruitment process.
The selection process for IBPS PO consists of three stages - Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview. Candidates must qualify each stage to be considered for final selection. Detailed information regarding nationality, age limit, and educational qualifications is provided below.
IBPS PO Educational Qualification
- Graduation Degree: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, B.Tech, or equivalent) in any discipline from a university recognized by the Government of India. Candidates with equivalent qualifications recognized by the Central Government are also eligible to apply.
- Proof of Qualification: Candidates must possess a valid mark sheet or degree certificate confirming that they are graduates at the time of registration. They must also provide the percentage of marks obtained in graduation while filling out the application form.
- Computer Literacy: Basic working knowledge of computers is essential, as the examination is conducted in online mode and the job also requires computer usage.
- Language Proficiency: Candidates should have proficiency (reading, writing, and speaking) in the official language of the respective State/UT.
IBPS PO Age Limit
Candidates applying for the IBPS PO 2026 examination must meet the prescribed age criteria. Applicants should be at least 20 years old and not exceed 30 years of age. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Maximum Age | 30 Years |
IBPS PO Age Relaxation
Age relaxation is applicable to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government rules. The category-wise relaxation is provided below:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| PwD | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Army Personnel) | 5 Years |
| Widows / Divorced Women | 9 Years |
| Persons with domicile of Jammu & Kashmir (01.01.1980 – 31.12.1989) | 5 Years |
| Persons affected by the 1984 riots | 5 Years |
| Regular employees of Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal (MP State only) | 5 Years |
IBPS PO Nationality
To apply for the IBPS PO examination, a candidate must meet one of the following nationality criteria:
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement
- Person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zaire, with the intention of permanent settlement in India
Candidates belonging to categories 2, 3, and 4 must possess a valid certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process
Candidates aspiring for the IBPS PO position should thoroughly understand the selection process to secure final selection. The recruitment process consists of three stages, and candidates must qualify each stage to move forward.
- Preliminary Examination: An online objective test conducted to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.
- Main Examination: Candidates who qualify the prelims appear for the main exam. Successful candidates are then shortlisted for the interview stage.
- Interview: Conducted by the participating banks, this stage assesses candidates’ personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the role.
To be selected as an IBPS Probationary Officer, candidates must successfully clear all stages of the selection process.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS PO Preliminary Examination is an online objective test comprising 100 questions for a total of 100 marks. The paper is divided into three sections—English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Candidates are given a total duration of 1 hour, with sectional timing for each part.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS PO Mains Examination is conducted online and consists of both objective and descriptive tests. The objective section includes four subjects, while the descriptive section evaluates writing skills. The total marks for the exam are 225 (200 objective + 25 descriptive). Candidates must attempt each section within the allotted time, and qualification in both the Preliminary and Main examinations is required to proceed to the Interview stage.
Objective Test
| S.No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning Ability | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| 2 | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| 3 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 35 | 50 | 25 minutes |
| Total | 145 | 200 | 160 minutes |
Descriptive Test
| Paper | Type | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | Letter Writing & Essay | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
IBPS PO Salary 2026
The IBPS PO offers an attractive salary package along with multiple allowances and career growth opportunities. The starting basic pay is ₹36,000, and the pay scale follows a structured increment system as per banking norms. In addition to the basic salary, candidates are entitled to various allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), and Special Allowances.
Pay Scale
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹36,000/- |
| Pay Scale | ₹23,700 – (₹980 × 7) – ₹30,560 – (₹1,145 × 2) – ₹32,850 – (₹1,310 × 7) – ₹42,020 |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, CCA, Special Allowance and other benefits as per bank rules |
Career Growth
| Level | Position |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | JMGS I (Probationary Officer) |
| Level 2 | Middle Manager (MMGS II) |
| Level 3 | Senior Manager (MMGS III) |
| Level 4 | Chief Manager (SMGS IV) |
| Level 5 | Assistant General Manager (SMGS V) |
| Level 6 | Deputy General Manager (TMGS VI) |
| Level 7 | General Manager (TMGS VII) |
| Top Level | Executive Director / Chairman & Managing Director |
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