The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially announced the IBPS PO 2026 exam dates for both Prelims and Mains. Candidates can now access the official schedule, admit card release updates, PET, and other critical recruitment details.
IBPS PO Exam Date 2026
IBPS has officially released the exam calendar for the 2026 Probationary Officer recruitment. The Preliminary examination is set for 22 and 23 August 2026, followed by the Main Examination on 4 October 2026. Successful candidates will advance from the Preliminary stage to the Main exam, culminating in a mandatory Personality Test and Interview round.
| 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 | 29th to 30th July 2026 |
| 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 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 | 7565 (Revised) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Dates | Over |
| 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 |
IBPS PO Notification 2026 PDF
The latest official IBPS PO 2026 notification contains the complete exam schedule, category-wise vacancy breakdown, and the direct online application portal link. The selection process comprises four essential stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Personality Test, and Interview. Download the official PDF via the link provided below to begin your application process.
Download Official IBPS PO 2026 Notification PDF
IBPS PO Vacancy 2026 (Latest Data)
IBPS has issued a revised vacancy list for the 2026 recruitment cycle. With the addition of 650 new vacancies from Indian Bank, the total count has increased, significantly boosting selection prospects. Candidates should review the updated bank-wise vacancy distribution available in the official notification.
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 | 7565 |
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 Eligibility
Before submitting your application, please ensure you satisfy all eligibility conditions specified in the IBPS PO 2026 Notification. Failure to meet these criteria at any point during the recruitment process will lead to immediate disqualification. Review the complete IBPS PO Eligibility Criteria below.
Nationality
To be eligible for the IBPS PO 2026 exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- 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 stream from a government-recognized university or an equivalent institution approved 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 Requirement:
Basic proficiency in computer systems is mandatory, as both the job responsibilities and the IBPS PO examination are conducted in a digital/online 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 Number of Attempts
There is no limit on the number of attempts for the IBPS PO exam. Candidates are eligible to appear as many times as they wish, provided they remain within the prescribed age limit and fulfill other eligibility criteria.
IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process follows a four-stage structure: Prelims, Mains, Personality Test, and Interview. You must qualify in every stage to progress to the final selection round.
| 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 for the Mains Exam and complete the Personality Test are called for the Interview, which is 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.
|
To secure a provisional allotment in any participating bank, candidates must successfully clear both the Main Examination and the subsequent Interview process.
IBPS PO 2026 Revised Exam Pattern
In accordance with the official notification, IBPS has introduced updates to the Main exam pattern. While the fundamental structure remains largely the same, adjustments have been made to the marking scheme. Review the updated details here to align your strategy.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The Prelims consist of three core sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The exam features 100 questions for 100 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes. Be mindful of the negative marking policy, where 0.25 marks are deducted 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 modified the Mains exam pattern. The marks allocated to General Awareness, English, and Data Interpretation have been increased, and the total question count has risen to 170 (previously 145). The descriptive section 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 main objective examination, candidates must complete a descriptive test carrying 25 marks.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
| (Essay and Comprehension) | 2 | 25 | 30 Minutes |
Note: The Descriptive Paper is evaluated via a validated automated scoring system that assesses writing proficiency based on specific quality parameters.
What are the Changes Made in Mains Exam Pattern?
Below are the specific changes implemented by IBPS in the Mains exam structure for the Probationary Officer post:
- 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
List of Participating Banks in IBPS PO
The recruitment drive covers openings across various 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 updated pay scale for an IBPS PO is Rs. 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920. Starting basic pay is Rs. 48,480, complemented by additional benefits including DA, HRA, CCA, medical insurance, and other standard perks.
IBPS PO Probation Period
Selected candidates will undergo a 2-year probation period, during which they receive hands-on training in various banking sectors. Performance is monitored throughout this period to determine suitability for permanent appointment.
IBPS PO Career Growth Stages
Probationary Officer (PO)
↓
Manager
↓
Senior Manager
↓
Assistant General Manager
↓
Deputy General Manager
↓
General Manager (TEGS-VII)
IBPS PO Previous Year Question Paper
Solving IBPS PO previous year papers is a highly effective strategy for exam preparation. Once you complete the core syllabus, use these papers to gauge your progress, identify weak areas, and practice time management to maximize your speed and accuracy.
Access All Question Papers: IBPS PO PYP PDF Collection
IBPS PO Previous Year Cut Off Marks
The IBPS PO Prelims cut-off is calculated from 100 marks, whereas the Mains cut-off is based on 225 marks. In 2025, the minimum qualifying marks were 49.21 (Prelims) and 75.75 (Mains). Achieving these targets is realistic with consistent, strategic preparation.
| 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 |
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 Registration Fee
- SC/ST/PWBD: Rs. 175/-
- Others: Rs. 850/-
IBPS PO Exam Centre List (Prelims+Mains)
The Prelims and Mains exams will be conducted at multiple designated centers nationwide. Please select your preferred center carefully during application, as allotments are based on availability and candidate choice.
| 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, IBPS PO is considered slightly more accessible than SBI PO. SBI PO is frequently rated as tougher due to its higher difficulty level and more rigorous selection process. Refer to the comparison table for further details.
| 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?
Mastering the IBPS PO exam requires a focused strategy, consistent practice, and effective time management. Implement these expert tips to enhance your preparation and performance:
- 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 officially scheduled for 22nd and 23rd August 2026, and the Mains examination is scheduled for 4th October 2026.
The IBPS PO 2026 Mains exam will be held on 4th October 2026.
IBPS has announced 7,565 indicative vacancies for the Probationary Officer/Management Trainee positions under CRP PO/MT-XVI, representing a 29% increase in openings compared to last year.
The starting basic salary for an IBPS PO is ₹48,480, with an in-hand monthly salary typically ranging between ₹74,000–₹76,000, depending on the posting location and applicable allowances.
Yes, the IBPS has revised the Mains exam pattern, increasing the question count from 145 to 170 and adjusting the marking distribution. The descriptive paper component remains unchanged.
Yes, basic computer proficiency is essential, as the examination is fully computer-based and day-to-day banking operations rely heavily on digital systems.
Yes, both the Preliminary and Main examinations include sectional cut-offs. You must meet the minimum qualifying marks in each individual section to clear the exam.
Yes, it is entirely possible to clear the IBPS PO exam in 3 months with a disciplined study plan. Focus on mastering the basics, taking daily mock tests, keeping up with current affairs, and practicing sectional tests. Dedicating 6-8 hours daily will significantly improve your chances of success.
Candidates applying for the IBPS PO 2026 recruitment must fall within the age bracket of 20 to 30 years.
The IBPS PO 2026 recruitment drive 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.