Introduction
Every year, the IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) recruitment attracts lakhs of graduates looking to begin their careers in India's public sector banking sector. Apart from offering a stable government-backed banking career, the recruitment is also known for its transparent selection process and opportunities for long-term professional growth. For many banking aspirants, this examination serves as one of the most important entry points into public sector banks.For the 2026 recruitment cycle, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has announced 6,715 indicative vacancies for Probationary Officer (PO) and Management Trainee (MT) posts under CRP PO/MT-XVI. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online within the notified registration period. The recruitment process includes a Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Personality Test and Interview before the final provisional allotment.
Quick Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Probationary Officers / Management Trainees (CRP PO/MT-XVI) |
| Total Vacancies | 6,715 Vacancies |
| Recruitment Cycle | CRP-PO/MT-XVI (Vacancies of 2027-28) |
| Last Date to Apply | 21 July 2026 |
| Application Fees | General/OBC/EWS: ₹850/-SC/ST/PwBD: ₹175/- |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Direct Apply Link | https://www.ibps.in/ |
Important Dates
| Recruitment Stage | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Application & Form Correction | 01 July 2026 – 21 July 2026 |
| Application Fee Payment | 01 July 2026 – 21 July 2026 |
| Pre-Examination Training (PET) | August 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam Admit Card | August 2026 |
| IBPS PO Preliminary Examination | August 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam Result | September 2026 |
| Main Examination Admit Card | September 2026 |
| IBPS PO Main Examination | October 2026 |
| Main Examination Result | November 2026 |
| Personality Test & Interview | November / December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January 2027 |
Vacancy Details
| Participating Bank | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Bank of Baroda | 1,900 |
| Canara Bank | 1,500 |
| Bank of Maharashtra | 1,100 |
| Indian Overseas Bank | 550 |
| Punjab National Bank | 504 |
| Bank of India | 500 |
| Central Bank of India | 500 |
| Punjab & Sind Bank | 161 |
| Indian Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank | Not Reported (NR) |
| Total | 6,715 |
Eligibility Criteria
| Post | Age Limit | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary Officer/Management Trainee | Minimum: 20 years, Maximum: 30 years | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University/Institute |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 3 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Commissioned Officers | 5 Years |
Salary & Pay Scale
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay Scale | ₹48,480 – ₹50,480 – ₹62,480 – ₹67,160 – ₹85,920* |
| Additional Benefits | Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (where applicable), Medical Benefits, Leave Benefits and other allowances as per the rules of the allotted participating bank |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | ₹175/- (Inclusive of GST) |
| All Other Candidates | ₹850/- (Inclusive of GST) |
Important Note: Candidates who make changes to their submitted application during the Edit Window will be required to pay an additional ₹200/- (Inclusive of GST) as the application correction fee. This charge is applicable to all categories as specified in the official notification.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official IBPS website.
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Complete the online application form with the required details.
- Upload the necessary documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway.
- Review the application carefully and submit it.
- Download and print the final application form for future reference.
Documents Required
- Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport or Voter ID)
- Recent Passport-size Photograph (as per the prescribed specifications)
- Candidate's Signature
- Left Thumb Impression
- Class 10 (SSC) Certificate (for date of birth proof)
- Graduation Degree/Marksheet
- Valid Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD), if applicable
- Handwritten Declaration in the prescribed format
- Any other document specified in the official notification
Important Instructions
- The application form can be edited during the Edit Window by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200. However, details such as Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, State/UT, Post and Nationality cannot be changed.
- Biometric verification and photograph may be conducted at different stages of the recruitment process. Candidates should ensure their fingers are clean and free from ink, mehndi or any other substance.
- Carry the original photo ID along with the exam admit card to the examination centre.
- Ration Card and Learner's Driving Licence will not be accepted as valid identity proof.
- Follow all instructions mentioned in the official notification and admit card on the examination day.
Important Web-Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Visit |
| Download Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | Visit |
| Photo & Signature Resizer Tool (Free) | Visit |
Selection Process
The IBPS PO Recruitment 2026 selection process is conducted in multiple stages to shortlist eligible candidates for appointment as Probationary Officers and Management Trainees. Candidates must qualify at each stage to move to the next phase.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Online Preliminary Examination (Objective Test) |
| Stage 2 | Online Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive Test) |
| Stage 3 | Personality Test |
| Stage 4 | Interview |
| Final Selection | Based on Main Examination and Interview performance followed by Provisional Allotment |
Exam Pattern
| Preliminary Examination | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Note: Each section has a separate time limit. Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks decided by IBPS to be shortlisted for the Main Examination.
| Main Examination | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning | 40 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| General, Economy & Banking Awareness/Digital /Financial Awareness | 50 | 60 | 35 Minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 35 Minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 160 Minutes |
Category-wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 2,719 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 1,816 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 1,009 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 669 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 502 |
| Total | 6,715 |
Major Examination Centres
| State / UT | Exam Cities |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam |
| Assam | Guwahati, Silchar |
| Bihar | Patna, Gaya |
| Delhi (NCT) | Delhi / NCR |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siliguri |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for IBPS PO Recruitment 2026?
The online application process, including fee payment, will close on 21 July 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies have been announced?
IBPS has notified 6,715 indicative vacancies for Probationary Officer and Management Trainee posts.
Q3. What is the minimum educational qualification?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university before the prescribed cut-off date.
Q4. Is there any negative marking in the IBPS PO Exam?
Yes. 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer in the objective tests.
Q5. Can I edit my application form after submission?
Yes. IBPS will provide a 2-day Edit Window, during which candidates can make permitted changes by paying a ₹200 correction fee.
Q6. Can I upload my signature or handwritten declaration in capital letters?
No. Both the signature and handwritten declaration must be written in the prescribed format and not in capital letters.
Q7. What documents should I carry to the examination centre?
Candidates must carry the admit card along with the original photo identity proof mentioned in the official notification.
