IBPS PO 2026 Notification: Exam Dates, Vacancies, Eligibility & Application
The official IBPS PO 2026 Notification is now live, inviting applications for Probationary Officer (PO) roles in top public sector banks. Access the notification PDF, detailed eligibility criteria, age limits, updated exam pattern, salary structure, and the direct application link here.
IBPS PO Notification 2026 Out
The IBPS PO recruitment is a premier banking examination in India, paving the way for a prestigious career as a Probationary Officer. The online application portal for IBPS PO 2026 is open from 1st July to 21st July 2026.
The selection process follows a three-tier structure: Preliminary exam, Main exam, and Interview. We encourage all aspiring candidates to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria before proceeding. Access the comprehensive recruitment notification below:
Download IBPS PO 2026 Notification PDF
What’s New in IBPS PO 2026?
- 6,715 vacancies announced, around 1,507 more vacancies than last year.
- 2-day application correction window introduced after the registration process closes.
- IBPS PO Mains pattern revised with 170 objective questions (earlier 145).
- Banking Awareness and Data Interpretation sections now carry higher weightage.
- English Language section has reduced marks and exam duration.
- Credit History clause is not mentioned in this year’s notification.
- All other eligibility criteria and selection stages remain unchanged.
IBPS Recruitment 2026: Overview
Refer to the following table for essential recruitment details and key updates:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | IBPS PO 2026 |
| Conducting Body |
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
|
| Post Name |
Probationary Officer (PO)/Management Trainee (MT)
|
| Recruitment Cycle |
CRP PO/MT-XVI
|
| Participating Banks |
11 Public Sector Banks
|
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process |
Prelims, Mains, Interview
|
| Job Location | Across India |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
IBPS PO 2026 Important Dates
Stay organized by noting these critical dates for the IBPS Recruitment 2026 cycle:
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 30th June 2026 |
| Apply Online Starts | 1st July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 21st July 2026 |
| Application Fee Payment | 21st July 2026 |
| Application Correction/Modification window | TBA |
| Pre-Exam Training | August 2026 |
| Prelims Admit Card | August 2026 |
| IBPS PO Prelims Exam Date |
22 & 23 August 2026
|
| Prelims Result | September 2026 |
| Mains Admit Card | September 2026 |
| IBPS PO Mains Exam Date | 4 October 2026 |
| Interview |
November/December 2026
|
| Final Result |
January 2027
|
IBPS PO Vacancy 2026
IBPS has released category-wise and bank-wise vacancy data for the Probationary Officer post. A total of 6,715 vacancies have been confirmed for the IBPS PO 2026 cycle, marking a significant 29% increase (1,507 additional seats) compared to last year.
Category-wise Vacancy Distribution:
- SC: 1009
- ST: 502
- OBC: 1816
- EWS: 669
- UR: 2719
|
IBPS PO 2026 Bank-wise Vacancy Distribution (Indicative)
|
|||||||||||
| Sr. No. | Participating Bank | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | Total | HI | OC | VI | ID |
| 1 | Bank of Baroda | 285 | 142 | 513 | 190 | 770 | 1,900 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| 2 | Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | Bank of Maharashtra | 165 | 82 | 297 | 110 | 446 | 1,100 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| 4 | Canara Bank | 225 | 112 | 405 | 150 | 608 | 1,500 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 5 | Central Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Indian Bank | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| 7 | Indian Overseas Bank | 84 | 41 | 148 | 54 | 223 | 550 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| 8 | Punjab National Bank | 76 | 38 | 136 | 50 | 204 | 504 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 9 | Punjab & Sind Bank | 24 | 13 | 47 | 15 | 62 | 161 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| 10 | UCO Bank | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| 11 | Union Bank of India | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Total | All Participating Banks | 1,009 | 502 | 1,816 | 669 | 2,719 | 6,715 | 73 | 70 | 67 | 77 |
Note: Certain banks, including Indian Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India, have currently listed vacancies as "NR" (Not Reported). Expect potential upward revisions in total vacancies as these banks provide updates.
Last 4 Years Vacancy Trends
|
Year
|
Vacancies (Initial)
|
|
2026
|
6715 |
|
2025
|
5,208
|
|
2024
|
4,455
|
|
2023
|
3,049
|
|
2022
|
6,432
|
IBPS PO 2026 Application Form
The application window for IBPS PO 2026 is active from 1st July to 21st July 2026 via the official portal at www.ibps.in. Ensure all personal and educational details are accurate before final submission to prevent complications.
Apply Online for IBPS PO 2026 – Direct Link Here
IBPS PO Bank Preference 2026
During the application process, you must submit bank preferences. Your final allotment is determined by your merit rank, category, available vacancies, and your selected bank order. Choose your preferences based on the following criteria:
- Branch Network & Preferred Location
- Transfer Policy of the Banks. Candidates who prefer job stability should research properly.
- Career Growth & Promotions. Compare the promotion policies of participating banks
- Check the work culture, workload, business targets, and work-life balance of the bank you want to consider and read employee experiences.
- Salary, Perks, and Allowances play a great role in your overall well being. The basic pay is same everywhere additional benefits may vary.
List of Participating Banks in IBPS PO 2026
The recruitment drive covers openings in the following major participating public sector banks:
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
IBPS PO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Strict adherence to IBPS eligibility criteria is mandatory to avoid application rejection. Please review the detailed requirements for the 2026 cycle below:
Nationality
Candidates applying for this exam must meet the following criteria:
- A Citizen of India
- The subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who permanently settled in India before January 1, 1962
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zaire, or Zambia, intending to reside in India permanently.
Educational Qualification
Candidates are required to hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a government-recognized university.
- Applicants must possess a valid mark sheet or degree certificate proving their graduate status on the day of registration and must provide the percentage of marks obtained in their graduation while registering for the IBPS Bank-PO exam.
Essential Computer Literacy:
Basic computer proficiency is a prerequisite, as both the job functions and the recruitment examination are conducted in an online digital format.
Age Limit (1/7/2026)
| Criteria | Age |
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Maximum Age | 30 Years |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 Years |
| Persons affected by 1984 riots | 5 Years |
|
Widows/Divorced Women
|
9 years
|
|
Persons with Domicile of Jammu &Kashmir during the period of 1-1-1980 to 31-12-1989
|
5 years
|
|
Regular Employees of Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal, retrenched from service(for the MP state only)
|
5 years
|
IBPS PO Exam Number of Attempts
There is no cap on the number of attempts for the IBPS PO exam, provided you remain within the specified age limit.
IBPS PO Selection Process 2026
The IBPS PO recruitment comprises three core selection stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
Candidates must clear both sectional and overall cutoff marks to qualify for the Mains.
Stage 2: Main Examination
The Mains is critical to your final selection and features a mix of objective and descriptive assessments.
Stage 3: Interview
Qualified Mains candidates proceed to an interview round. The final merit list is determined by the combined performance in the Mains and the Interview.
IBPS PO Revised Exam Pattern 2026
Final selection depends solely on your scores from the Main Exam and the Interview. IBPS has updated the Mains examination pattern for this cycle. Review the latest pattern details below.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The Preliminary exam includes three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The 100-mark paper must be completed in 60 minutes, with a negative marking of 0.25 for every incorrect answer.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern (Latest)
IBPS has revised the Mains pattern: the total number of questions has increased from 145 to 170, with weightage adjusted for GA, English, and Data Interpretation sections. The descriptive section remains consistent.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|
Reasoning
|
40
|
60
|
45 minutes
|
|
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness / Digital/ Financial Awareness, including RBI circulars
|
50 |
60
|
35 minutes
|
|
English Language
|
40 |
20
|
35 minutes
|
|
Data Analysis & Interpretation
|
40 |
60
|
45 minutes
|
| Total | 170 | 200 | 160 minutes |
Descriptive Test
Along with the objective Mains paper, candidates must appear for a descriptive test worth 25 marks.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
| (Essay and Comprehension) | 2 | 25 | 30 Minutes |
Note: The Descriptive paper may be evaluated via an automated system designed to score candidates on specific writing quality parameters.
For deep dives into the updated exam structure, click here: IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026.
IBPS PO Personality Test + Interview (Final Stage)
The Personality Test (Self-Report) evaluates essential behavioral traits, leadership potential, decision-making, and general suitability for banking.
Candidates clearing the personality assessment advance to the 100-mark interview. Final scores are calculated using an 80:20 weightage ratio between the Mains exam and the Interview.
Also Check: IBPS PO Personality Test 2026
IBPS PO Salary 2026
Successful recruits will earn a revised pay scale of approximately ₹48,480 – ₹85,920, plus additional allowances like DA, HRA, CCA, and medical benefits.
IBPS PO Probation Period
Selected Probationary Officers must complete a 2-year probation period. During this time, officers undergo intensive on-the-job training and performance evaluation before securing permanent placement.
IBPS PO Career Growth Stages
Career Progression Path:
Probationary Officer (PO) ➔ Manager ➔ Senior Manager ➔ Assistant General Manager ➔ Deputy General Manager ➔ General Manager (TEGS-VII)
IBPS PO Admit Card 2026
Admit cards will be available on the official IBPS website for eligible candidates. Expect the call letters to be released 7–10 days prior to the Prelims and Mains exams.
Download your admit card using your registration credentials. Ensure you carry a physical copy along with a government-issued photo ID to your test center.
IBPS PO Previous Year Question Paper
Leverage IBPS PO Previous Year Question Papers to refine your strategy. Mastering the syllabus and practicing with past papers are essential steps toward exam readiness.
IBPS PO Previous Year Cut Off Marks
The IBPS PO Cut-off trends show that success requires consistency. With 2025 thresholds set at 49.21 (Prelims) and 75.75 (Mains), strategic preparation makes these scores highly attainable.
| Category | Prelims Cut Off (Out of 100) | Mains Cut Off (Out of 225) |
| General (GEN) | 49.21 | 75.75 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 49.21 | 75.75 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 49.21 | 72.5 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 45.96 | 59 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 40.96 | 51.75 |
| Hearing Impaired (HI) | 20.61 | 38.75 |
| Orthopaedically Challenged (OC) | 33.57 | 50.75 |
| Visually Impaired (VI) | 21.65 | 45 |
| Intellectual Disability (ID) | 21.83 | 35.75 |
IBPS PO Exam Centre 2026
The exams will be held at various regional centers. Choose your center preference carefully during the application process, as changes are limited.
| State/UT/NCR | Preliminary Centres |
Main Centres
|
| Andaman & Nicobar | Port Blair | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Ananthapur, Chirala, Guntur/Vijayawada, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram |
Guntur/Vijayawada, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram
|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Naharlagun | Naharlagun |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur |
Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar
|
| Bihar | Arrah, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea |
Arrah, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea
|
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh/Mohali |
Chandigarh/Mohali
|
| Chhattisgarh | Bhilai/Bhilai Nagar, Bilaspur, Raipur |
Bhilai/Bhilai Nagar, Bilaspur, Raipur
|
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Surat | Surat |
| Delhi/NCR | Delhi/New Delhi/Delhi NCR, Faridabad, Ghaziabad |
Delhi/New Delhi/Delhi NCR, Faridabad, Ghaziabad
|
| Goa | Panaji | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Anand, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat/Bardoli, Vadodara |
Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat/Bardoli, Vadodara
|
| Haryana | Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Kurukshetra |
Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Kurukshetra
|
| Himachal Pradesh | Hamirpur, Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, Una |
Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Una
|
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Samba, Srinagar |
Jammu, Samba, Srinagar
|
| Jharkhand | Bokaro, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi |
Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
|
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Belagavi (Belgaum), Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Dharwad/Hubballi (Hubli), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mysuru (Mysore), Shivamogga (Shimoga), Udupi |
Bengaluru, Belagavi (Belgaum), Dharwad/Hubballi (Hubli), Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mysuru (Mysore), Shivamogga (Shimoga), Udupi
|
| Kerala | Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kannur, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur |
Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur
|
| Ladakh | Leh, Kargil | Leh, Kargil |
| Lakshadweep | Kavaratti | Kavaratti |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain |
Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Satna, Ujjain
|
| Maharashtra | Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai/Thane/Navi Mumbai/MMR, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Sangli, Satara |
Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Mumbai/Thane/Navi Mumbai/MMR, Nagpur, Nanded, Pune
|
| Manipur | Churachandpur, Imphal, Kakching, Thoubal |
Churachandpur, Imphal, Kakching, Thoubal
|
| Meghalaya | Shillong, Tura | Shillong, Tura |
| Mizoram | Aizawl | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima, Dimapur |
Kohima, Dimapur
|
| Odisha | Balasore, Berhampur (Ganjam), Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur |
Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur
|
| Puducherry | Puducherry | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Bathinda, Mohali, Patiala, Phagwara |
Amritsar, Bathinda, Mohali, Patiala, Phagwara
|
| Rajasthan | Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur |
Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Udaipur
|
| Sikkim | Gangtok | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Namakkal, Nagercoil/Kanyakumari, Salem, Thanjavur, Thiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Virudhunagar, Tiruppur |
Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Namakkal, Salem, Thiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Virudhunagar
|
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Warangal |
Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal
|
| Tripura | Agartala | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Ayodhya, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida/Greater Noida, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Varanasi |
Ghaziabad, Noida/Greater Noida, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Varanasi
|
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee |
Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee
|
| West Bengal | Asansol, Burdwan, Hooghly, Kalyani, Durgapur, Kolkata/Greater Kolkata, Siliguri |
Asansol, Durgapur, Kalyani, Kolkata/Greater Kolkata, Siliguri
|
FAQs
Mark your calendars: IBPS PO Prelims are set for 22nd–23rd August 2026, and the Mains is scheduled for 4th October 2026.
Yes, with a focused 3-month strategy, clearing the IBPS PO is realistic. Prioritize your basics, maintain a rigorous daily mock test schedule, and devote 6–8 hours to focused study daily.
While many view SBI PO as more challenging due to unconventional reasoning and banking awareness questions, both exams demand high-level preparation and competitive edge.
IBPS has announced 6,715 indicative vacancies for CRP PO/MT-XVI, representing a robust 29% increase from the previous year.
With a basic pay starting at ₹48,480, the total in-hand salary generally ranges between ₹74,000–₹76,000 monthly, subject to posting location.
Confirmed: The Mains exam pattern has been updated, increasing the question count to 170 and adjusting marks across key sections.
Yes, digital proficiency is mandatory for both the online examination and modern core banking operations.
Yes, sectional cutoff marks apply to both the Preliminary and Main examinations; you must qualify in every individual section.