The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the IBPS PO 2026 notification, announcing a surge in vacancies to 7,365. Access the latest bank-wise vacancy distribution, critical exam dates, eligibility standards, salary insights, and the direct online application link below.
IBPS PO Notification 2026 Out
IBPS has released the official notification detailing the complete exam schedule, category-wise IBPS PO 2026 vacancies, and the online registration portal. The rigorous selection process comprises four essential stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Personality Test, and Interview. Candidates can download the complete notification PDF via the link provided below.
Download IBPS PO 2026 Official Notification PDF
The deadline to apply online for IBPS PO 2026 has been extended until 26 July 2026. If you haven't finalized your submission, we recommend completing your registration immediately.
IBPS PO 2026 Recruitment: Overview
| 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
|
| Total Participating PSBs | 11 |
| Vacancy | 7365 (Revised) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Dates | 1st to 26th July 2026 |
| Age Limit | 20 to 30 years |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any stream |
| Basic Salary | Rs. 48,480/- (plus allowances and deductions) |
| Selection Process |
Prelims, Mains, Personality Test, Interview
|
| Job Location | Across India |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
What is IBPS PO Exam Date 2026?
IBPS has confirmed the official exam schedule for 2026. The Preliminary Examination is slated for 22nd and 23rd August 2026, while the Main Examination will be conducted on 4th October 2026. Success in the Prelims is mandatory to advance to the Main exam, which is followed by the final Interview and Personality Test stages.
IBPS PO Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 30th June 2026 |
| Apply Online Starts | 1st July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26th July 2026 |
| Application Fee Payment | 26th 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 (Latest Data)
IBPS has released a revised vacancy list for the IBPS PO 2026 recruitment cycle. With the addition of 650 positions from Indian Bank, the total count has increased, significantly enhancing prospects for aspiring bankers. Review the updated bank-wise allocation in the official documentation.
Category-wise Vacancy
| Category | Vacancies |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 1,131 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 562 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 2,015 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 721 |
| UR (Unreserved) | 2,936 |
| Total | 7,365 |
Bank-wise Vacancy
| Sr. No. | Participating Bank | SC | ST | OBC (NCL) | EWS | UR | Total Vacancies |
| 1 | Bank of Baroda | 285 | 142 | 513 | 190 | 770 | 1900 |
| 2 | Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 |
| 3 | Bank of Maharashtra | 165 | 82 | 297 | 110 | 446 | 1100 |
| 4 | Canara Bank | 225 | 112 | 405 | 150 | 608 | 1500 |
| 5 | Central Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 |
| 6 | Indian Bank | 122 | 60 | 199 | 52 | 217 | 650 |
| 7 | Indian Overseas Bank | 84 | 41 | 148 | 54 | 223 | 550 |
| 8 | Punjab National Bank | 76 | 38 | 136 | 50 | 204 | 504 |
| 9 | Punjab & Sind Bank | 24 | 13 | 47 | 15 | 62 | 161 |
| 10 | UCO Bank | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| 11 | Union Bank of India | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Total | All Participating Banks | 1131 | 562 | 2015 | 721 | 2936 | 7365 |
Last 4 Years IBPS PO Vacancy Trends
|
Year
|
Vacancies (Initial)
|
|
2026
|
7,365 |
|
2025
|
5,208
|
|
2024
|
4,455
|
|
2023
|
3,049
|
|
2022
|
6,432
|
IBPS PO 2026 Registration Last Date
The IBPS PO 2026 online application window remains open until 26th July 2026. Interested candidates should visit the official website to complete their registration, upload required documents, and process the application fee payment.
Applicants are strongly advised to complete their forms well before the cutoff to mitigate potential technical glitches. IBPS will facilitate a brief 2-day application correction window following the close of the registration phase.
Apply Online for IBPS PO 2026 – Click Here to Start Your Application
IBPS PO Registration Fee
- SC/ST/PWBD: Rs. 175/-
- Others: Rs. 850/-
How to fill out the IBPS PO Form?
- Visit the official IBPS website and click on the CRP PO/MT XVI link.
- Click on “New Registration” and enter your basic details to create your account.
- Upload a live photo, Signature, and latest passport-size photo.
- Now, fill in your personal, educational, communication, and other required details carefully.
- Preview the application form and verify all the information before final submission.
- Upload left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, and 10th pass/SLCC certificate.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment options.
- Submit the application form and download or print the confirmation page and e-receipt for future reference.
IBPS PO 2026 Eligibility
Before finalizing your application, please verify that you satisfy all eligibility criteria outlined in the IBPS PO 2026 notification. Non-compliance with these requirements at any stage may lead to disqualification. View the comprehensive eligibility criteria below.
Nationality
To be eligible for the IBPS PO examination, applicants 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 must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university or an institution verified by the Government of India.
- 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.
Computer Literacy:
Basic proficiency in computer systems is mandatory, both for effective daily banking operations and for navigating the online examination environment.
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 Number of Attempts
There is no cap on the number of attempts for the IBPS PO exam. Eligible candidates may appear for the recruitment process as many times as they desire, provided they adhere to age-limit guidelines.
IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process
The selection process comprises four stages: Prelims, Mains, Personality Test, and Interview. You must achieve qualifying marks at each stage to progress to the next.
| Stage | Details |
| Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (Qualifying) |
The Preliminary Exam includes English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Candidates must secure both sectional and overall cut-off marks to qualify for the Mains Exam. The marks obtained in the Prelims are not considered for the final merit list.
|
| Stage 2: Mains Exam |
Candidates who qualify the Prelims appear for the Mains Exam, which consists of Objective and Descriptive Tests. Both sectional and overall cut-offs apply. Marks obtained in the Mains are considered for the final merit list.
|
| Stage 3: Personality Test |
Candidates shortlisted after the Mains Exam must appear for the Personality Test (Self-Report). It is mandatory but non-qualifying. The personality profile generated through this test is shared with the Interview Panel to assist in the assessment. Candidates who do not appear for the Personality Test will not be eligible for the Interview.
|
| Stage 4: Interview |
Candidates who qualify the Mains Exam and complete the Personality Test are called for the Interview, conducted by the participating banks. The Interview carries 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks are 40% for General/EWS candidates and 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates. The final merit list is prepared by giving 80% weightage to the Mains Exam and 20% weightage to the Interview.
|
Final selection and provisional allotment to participating banks are contingent upon qualifying in both the Main Examination and the Interview.
IBPS PO 2026 Revised Exam Pattern
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The Prelims exam covers three key areas: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The paper contains 100 questions for 100 marks, with a strict 60-minute time limit. Be aware that each incorrect answer incurs a penalty of -0.25 marks.
| 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 implemented structural changes to the Mains exam pattern. Increased weightage is now assigned to the GA, English, and DI sections, and the total question count has risen to 170 (previously 145). The descriptive assessment format remains unchanged.
| 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
In addition to the primary paper, candidates must complete a descriptive writing 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 scoring engine designed to assess writing proficiency against established quality standards.
What are the Changes Made in Mains Exam Pattern?
The following updates have been integrated into the IBPS PO Mains examination structure:
- The total number of objective questions has been increased from 145 to 170.
- The English Language section now includes more questions, but its maximum marks have been reduced from 40 to 20.
- Banking Awareness and Data Analysis & Interpretation now have greater weightage in the Mains Exam.
Also Check: IBPS PO Personality Test 2026 Guidelines
IBPS PO Bank Preference 2026
When filling out the IBPS PO application, you must list the participating Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in your preferred order of interest. Final allotment is determined by your merit, category, vacancy availability, and your stated preferences. Choose your bank order strategically based on the following considerations:
- 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 the same everywhere; additional benefits may vary.
List of Participating Banks in IBPS PO
The recruitment process covers vacancies across various participating public sector banks, including:
- 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 Salary 2026
The revised IBPS PO pay scale is set at Rs. 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920. Basic pay commences at Rs. 48,480, complemented by additional benefits including DA, HRA, CCA, medical allowances, and various institutional perks.
IBPS PO Probation Period
Successful candidates undergo a 2-year mandatory probation period, during which they receive hands-on training across multiple banking departments. Performance evaluations occur throughout this duration prior to confirmation as a permanent employee.
IBPS PO Career Growth Stages
Probationary Officer (PO)
⇓
Manager
⇓
Senior Manager
⇓
Assistant General Manager
⇓
Deputy General Manager
⇓
General Manager (TEGS-VII)
IBPS PO 2026 Admit Card
IBPS will release the IBPS PO 2026 admit cards online for all verified applicants. Expect your call letter to be available 7–10 days before the Preliminary and Main examinations.
Admit cards can be downloaded using your Registration/Roll Number and Password or Date of Birth. A physical copy of the admit card, alongside a valid government-issued photo ID, is mandatory for entry to the test centre.
IBPS PO Previous Year Question Paper
Practicing IBPS PO previous year question papers is a cornerstone of effective exam preparation. Once the syllabus is complete, utilizing these papers helps gauge your progress and pinpoint weaknesses. Aim to solve these under timed conditions to boost your speed and accuracy.
Explore All Papers: Download IBPS PO PYP PDF
IBPS PO Previous Year Cut Off Marks
The IBPS PO cutoff is set out of 100 for Prelims and 225 for Mains. In the previous year (2025), qualifying marks stood at 49.21 (Prelims) and 75.75 (Mains). While these benchmarks are attainable, they require a disciplined and consistent study approach.
| 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 List (Prelims+Mains)
The Prelims and Mains examinations are conducted at designated centres nationwide. Please select your preferred location carefully, as final allotment follows the choices submitted during registration.
| 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
|
Is IBPS PO Tougher than SBI PO?
Generally, the IBPS PO examination is considered slightly more accessible than the SBI PO. SBI PO maintains a higher level of difficulty and a more intensive selection procedure. Review the comparison table for a detailed breakdown.
| Basis | IBPS PO | SBI PO |
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate to Difficult |
Generally considered more difficult
|
| Vacancy Availability | More vacancies than SBI PO |
Lesser than IBPS PO; hence, high competition
|
| Reasoning & Data Interpretation | Moderate to difficult |
Usually more lengthy and complex
|
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Personality Test, and Interview |
Prelims, Mains, Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview
|
| Competition | High due to recruitment in multiple public sector banks |
Very high because of the popularity and reputation of SBI
|
How to Prepare for IBPS PO Exam?
Achieving success in the IBPS PO exam demands a strategic approach, consistent practice, and efficient time management. Consider these essential tips to enhance your preparation:
- Strengthen your basics first, especially for Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude.
- For English, you can start with reading newspapers or editorials to understand the language flow and how to use it.
- After your basics are clear, you can solve MCQs from the standard books, previous year papers, or mock tests.
- Along with solving MCQs, it is important to analyse your mistakes, weaknesses & strengths, where you need to improve and how to score more.
- Read topper strategies (not too many) and personalise the preparation strategy according to your needs.
- If you are a SC/ST candidate and opted for PET, then appear for the test to get acquainted with the exam.
- Always keep an eye on the IBPS website for daily updates and latest announcements.
FAQs
The IBPS PO Prelims exam is scheduled for 22nd and 23rd August 2026, and the Mains exam is scheduled for 4th October 2026.
The IBPS PO 2026 Mains exam will be held on 4th October 2026.
IBPS has announced 7,365 indicative vacancies for Probationary Officer (PO)/Management Trainee (MT) positions under CRP PO/MT-XVI, representing a 29% increase over the previous year.
The starting basic pay is ₹48,480, with an estimated in-hand salary of ₹74,000–76,000 per month, contingent on your posting location and applicable allowances.
Yes, IBPS has updated the Mains pattern. The question count has increased from 145 to 170, and marks are redistributed across sections. The descriptive paper requirement remains unchanged.
Yes. Basic computer proficiency is mandatory as the exam is computer-based, and modern banking infrastructure is heavily reliant on digital platforms.
Yes. Both the Preliminary and Main examinations include sectional cutoffs. Candidates must meet the minimum requirement for each section to qualify.
Yes, it is possible to pass the IBPS PO exam in 3 months with a dedicated strategy. Focus on core concepts, daily mock tests, current affairs, and consistent sectional practice. Committing 6–8 hours daily is sufficient for a competitive score.
Candidates applying for IBPS PO 2026 must be between 20 and 30 years of age.
The IBPS PO 2026 recruitment covers 11 participating Public Sector Banks (PSBs): 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, and Union Bank of India.