IBPS PO 2026 Notification — Dates, Vacancies, Eligibility & Apply Online
IBPS PO 2026 Probationary Officer recruitment notification. Check expected dates, eligibility, vacancies and online application process.
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What is IBPS PO 2026?
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Probationary Officer / Management Trainee (PO/MT) examination annually to recruit officers for 11 participating public sector banks in India. IBPS PO is one of the most sought-after banking exams, offering a direct entry into officer-level positions in nationalized banks.
Important Dates
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | August 2026 (Expected) |
| Online Application Start | August 2026 (Expected) |
| Last Date to Apply | September 2026 (Expected) |
| Prelims Exam | October 2026 (Expected) |
| Mains Exam | November 2026 (Expected) |
| Interview | January–February 2027 (Expected) |
| Provisional Allotment | April 2027 (Expected) |
Note: Dates are tentative based on IBPS annual calendar patterns.
Vacancy Details
Total vacancies are TBA. IBPS PO typically advertises 3,000–6,000 vacancies across 11 participating 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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Indian citizen
- Age Limit: 20–30 years (relaxation: 5 years SC/ST, 3 years OBC, 10 years PwD)
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year students can also apply.
- Computer Literacy: Required (operating and working knowledge)
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹850 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹175 |
How to Apply Online
- Visit ibps.in
- Click on the IBPS PO/MT notification link
- Click "New Registration" and fill basic details
- Log in with registration number and complete the application
- Upload photo and signature (as per specifications)
- Pay the fee online (debit card / credit card / net banking / UPI)
- Submit and print the application for records
Selection Process
- Preliminary Exam: Online objective test — shortlisting for Mains.
- Main Exam: Online objective + descriptive test — merit for interview.
- Interview: Conducted by participating banks.
- Provisional Allotment: Based on combined Mains + Interview score and candidate preferences.
Exam Pattern
Prelims
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
- Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer
Mains
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 min |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 min |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Objective Total | 155 | 200 | 180 min |
| English Language (Descriptive) | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
Syllabus (Brief Overview)
Reasoning: Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Inequality, Direction, Machine Input-Output.
Quantitative Aptitude: Number Series, Data Interpretation, Simplification, Quadratic Equations, Percentage, Ratio, Profit/Loss, CI/SI, Time & Work, Probability.
English: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion, Vocabulary.
General Awareness: Banking Awareness, Financial Awareness, Current Affairs (last 6 months), Static GK, Government Schemes.
Preparation Tips
- Start with banking awareness early — Learn about RBI policies, financial terms, banking operations.
- Master Data Interpretation — This is the highest-scoring section in Mains if you're fast with calculations.
- Practice English descriptive writing — Letter writing and essay in Mains carry 25 marks.
- Solve puzzles daily — Reasoning puzzles (seating, scheduling) are heavily tested.
- Take full-length mock tests — Time management across sections is crucial.
FAQs
Q: What is the salary of an IBPS PO?
A: An IBPS PO starts at a basic pay of ₹36,000 (revised). In-hand salary ranges from ₹45,000–₹55,000+ depending on posting city, plus perks like HRA, DA, medical, and loan facilities.
Q: How many attempts are allowed for IBPS PO?
A: There is no limit on attempts as long as you meet the age criteria.
Q: Can final year students apply?
A: Yes, final year graduation students can apply. They must have the degree by the date specified in the notification (usually by a cut-off date before joining).
Q: Which banks participate in IBPS PO recruitment?
A: 11 public sector banks participate: Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, PNB, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India.
Q: Is there sectional cut-off in IBPS PO?
A: Yes, there are sectional as well as overall cut-offs in both Prelims and Mains. You must clear each section's cut-off separately.
Q: What is the difference between IBPS PO and SBI PO?
A: IBPS PO recruits for 11 public sector banks (excluding SBI). SBI PO is a separate exam conducted by SBI for its own recruitment. Both are officer-level banking exams with similar patterns.
Important Links
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