The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) administers the national-level IBPS PO examination annually to recruit Probationary Officers and Management Trainees across participating public sector banks. Specifically, 2026 marks the 16th edition of this prestigious examination (CRP PO/MT-XVI). Tracing its origins back to Personnel Selection Services (PSS) established in 1975 and later restructured into IBPS in 1984 under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, the organization has consistently streamlined banking recruitment.
With over 11 lakh aspirants successfully registered for the current cycle, understanding the nuances of selection stages, vacancy distribution, and eligibility is vital. You can also review details regarding the IBPS PO Prelims Admit Card 2026 schedule and the IBPS PO & SO Application Correction Window 2026.
IBPS PO 2026 Recruitment Overview
The detailed notification window opened on 30th June 2026, followed by the formal notification and online registration launch on 1st July 2026. Following an extension, the final deadline to apply and pay fees concluded on 26th July 2026, with the Download IBPS PO Official Notification 2026 PDF serving as the core reference document.
| Organisation | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
|---|---|
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Exam Name | CRP PO/MT CRP-XVI |
| Vacancy | 7565 |
| Participating Banks | 11 |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based) |
| Exam Dates | Prelims- 22nd and 23rd August 2026 Mains- 4th October 2026 |
| Recruitment Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Education Qualification | Graduate |
| Age Limit | 20 years to 30 years |
| Salary | Rs. 74,000 to 76,000 |
| Official website | www.ibps.in |
Participating Banks & Vacancies Breakdown
Recently, UCO Bank added 200 new vacancies, raising the revised total vacancy count to 7,565 across 11 participating public sector banks. Candidates must note the bank list and category-wise distribution before making their preferences.
Participating Banks
- Punjab National Bank
- Union Bank of India
- Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Canara Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Central Bank of India
- UCO Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- Bank of Maharashtra
| Participating Banks | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | General | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of Baroda | 285 | 142 | 513 | 190 | 770 | 1900 |
| Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 |
| Bank of Maharashtra | 165 | 82 | 297 | 110 | 446 | 1100 |
| Canara Bank | 225 | 112 | 405 | 150 | 608 | 1500 |
| Central Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 |
| Indian Bank | 122 | 60 | 199 | 52 | 217 | 650 |
| Indian Overseas Bank | 84 | 41 | 148 | 54 | 223 | 550 |
| Punjab National Bank | 76 | 38 | 136 | 50 | 204 | 504 |
| Punjab & Sind Bank | 24 | 13 | 47 | 15 | 62 | 161 |
| UCO Bank | 30 | 15 | 54 | 20 | 81 | 200 |
| Union Bank of India | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Total | 1009 | 502 | 1816 | 669 | 2719 | 7565 |
IBPS PO 2026 Important Exam Schedule
Mark your calendars with the complete sequence of events from registration to the final appointment outcome.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Window Notification | 30th June 2026 |
| IBPS PO Notification 2026 (Detailed) | 1st July 2026 |
| Online Registration Process Started | 1st July 2026 |
| Last date for IBPS PO Apply Online | 26th July 2026 (extended) |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | 26th July 2026 |
| IBPS PO & SO Application Correction Window 2026 | 29th and 30th July 2026 |
| Pre-Exam Training | August 2026 |
| IBPS PO Prelims Exam Dates | 22nd and 23rd August 2026 |
| Prelims Result | September 2026 |
| IBPS PO Mains Exam Date | 4th October 2026 |
| Mains Result | November 2026 |
| Personality Test | November 2026 |
| Conduct of Interview | November/December 2026 |
| Final Result | January 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria for IBPS PO 2026
Before planning preparation through IBPS PO Previous Year Question Papers [Click Here], candidates must satisfy the nationality, age, and educational requirements.
Nationality / Citizenship Criteria
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement
- A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or the East African countries of Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, or Malawi, with the intention of permanent settlement in India
Age Limit & Relaxations
Candidates must be between 20 to 30 years as of 01/07/2026 (born between 02.07.1996 and 01.07.2006). No restrictions apply to the total number of attempts.
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST): 5 years
- Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PWD): 10 years
- Ex-servicemen (Army personnel): 5 years
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor's Degree in any discipline as of 21/07/2026 from a recognized university, alongside computer literacy, is mandatory.
Application Fee Details
- SC/ST/PWD: Rs. 175/- (inclusive of GST)
- General and Others: Rs. 850/- (inclusive of GST)
IBPS PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus
A clear layout of the prelims and mains pattern helps design an effective study schedule. For detailed topic breakdowns, check IBPS PO Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 [Click Here] and practice quantitative sections using concepts like Mensuration.
Prelims Exam Pattern
| Name of Tests (Objective) | No. of Questions/Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30/30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35/35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35/35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100/100 | 60 minutes |
Note: A negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to incorrect responses in objective tests.
Mains Exam Pattern
| Name of test | No. of Questions/Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40/60 | 50 minutes |
| English Language | 40/20 | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 40/20 | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness/Digital/Financial Awareness, including RBI circulars | 50/60 | 25 minutes |
| Total | 170/200 | 160 minutes |
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 02 | 30 minutes |
Additionally, a new non-qualifying yet mandatory Personality Test stage has been introduced post-Mains results.
Salary Structure
The starting in-hand salary ranges between Rs. 74,000 and Rs. 76,000 per month. The basic pay scale is Rs. 48,480-2000/7-62,480-2340/2-67,160-2680/7-85,920. For deeper insights, consult the IBPS PO Revised Salary Structure- Click to Check.
Previous Cut-Offs and Exam Centres
Reviewing past benchmarks helps set realistic target scores. Refer to IBPS PO Previous Year Cut-Off [Click Here] and examine location options on the IBPS PO Exam Centre List 2026 Page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Recommended Reads
- IBPS PO Exam Centre List 2026: Prelims & Mains Test Cities
- IBPS Clerk vs IBPS PO: Comprehensive Comparison of Exam, Salary & Career
- IBPS PO & SO Application Correction Window 2026 Opens - Direct Edit Link
- IBPS PO Bank Preference List 2026: Guide to Selecting Your Top 11 Banks
- IBPS PO Prelims Exam 2026: Dates, Admit Card, Shift Timings & Complete Guide
- IBPS PO 2026 Recruitment Guide: Dates, Fees, Vacancies & Application Process
- IBPS PO Cut Off Marks (2019-2026): Prelims, Mains & Interview Breakdown
- Expert IBPS PO Interview Coaching 2023 | Boost Your Selection Chances
- IBPS PO Mock Test 2023: Practice Prelims & Mains (Get 1 Free Mock)
- IBPS PO Prelims Result 2026: Check Scorecard, Dates & Vacancies
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