The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the IBPS PO Recruitment 2026 Notification under CRP PO/MT-XVI for the recruitment of 6,715 Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) in 11 participating Public Sector Banks across India. This is one of the largest banking recruitment drives of the year, offering graduates an excellent opportunity to secure a prestigious government banking job with an attractive salary, career growth, and long-term job security.
The online application process begins on 1 July 2026 and continues until 21 July 2026.
Eligible graduates between 20 and 30 years of age can apply through the official IBPS website.
The recruitment process consists of the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Personality Test, and Interview.
Candidates who successfully clear all stages will be allotted to participating public sector banks based on merit and preferences.
If you are planning to build a career in the banking sector, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about IBPS PO Recruitment 2026, including vacancy details, eligibility, salary, exam pattern, preparation strategy, best books, application process, and frequently asked questions.
IBPS PO Recruitment 2026 Overview
The Common Recruitment Process (CRP PO/MT-XVI) is conducted annually by IBPS on behalf of participating public sector banks to recruit Probationary Officers and Management Trainees for the financial year 2027–28.
Recruitment Highlights
- Organization: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
- Recruitment Name: CRP PO/MT-XVI
- Post Name: Probationary Officer / Management Trainee
- Total Vacancies: 6,715 (Indicative)
- Job Type: Central Government Banking Job
- Application Mode: Online
- Registration Dates: 1 July 2026 to 21 July 2026
- Selection Process: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Personality Test & Interview
- Official Website: www.ibps.in
IBPS PO 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should complete the registration process within the prescribed schedule.
- Online Registration Starts: 1 July 2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: 21 July 2026
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 21 July 2026
- Pre-Examination Training: August 2026
- Preliminary Examination: August 2026
- Preliminary Result: September 2026
- Main Examination: October 2026
- Main Result: November 2026
- Personality Test: November 2026
- Interview: November/December 2026
- Provisional Allotment: January 2027
IBPS PO Vacancy Details
IBPS has announced 6,715 indicative vacancies across participating public sector banks.
The major participating banks include:
- Bank of Baroda – 1,900 Posts
- Canara Bank – 1,500 Posts
- Bank of Maharashtra – 1,100 Posts
- Indian Overseas Bank – 550 Posts
- Bank of India – 500 Posts
- Central Bank of India – 500 Posts
- Punjab National Bank – 504 Posts
- Punjab & Sind Bank – 161 Posts
The notification also mentions that vacancy details for Indian Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India will be updated later. Additionally, reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) is available as per Government norms.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill both educational qualification and age requirements before applying.
Educational Qualification
Applicants should possess a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
Candidates must possess the degree certificate or valid proof of graduation on or before 21 July 2026 and should correctly mention their graduation percentage while filling out the application form.
Age Limit
As on 1 July 2026:
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 30 Years
Candidates should have been born between 2 July 1996 and 1 July 2006 (both dates inclusive).
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 Years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 Years
- Ex-Servicemen/Commissioned Officers: 5 Years
Age relaxation is applicable according to Government of India guidelines.
Application Fee
The application fee varies according to the candidate's category.
- General, OBC & EWS Candidates: ₹850
- SC, ST & PwBD Candidates: ₹175
The fee can be paid online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, UPI, Mobile Wallets, or other approved digital payment methods.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the recruitment process and is qualifying in nature.
The exam consists of three sections:
- English Language
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning Ability
There are 100 objective questions carrying 100 marks, and candidates get 60 minutes to complete the paper. Each section has a separate time limit. A penalty of 0.25 marks is deducted for every incorrect answer, while unanswered questions do not attract any penalty.
Main Examination
Candidates qualifying in the Preliminary Examination appear for the Main Examination.
The Main Exam includes:
- Reasoning
- General, Economy & Banking Awareness
- English Language
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Descriptive Test (Essay and Comprehension)
The objective paper carries 200 marks, while the descriptive paper carries 25 marks. The total duration for the objective test is 160 minutes, and the descriptive test is conducted separately for 30 minutes. Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies only to objective questions.
Selection Process
The IBPS PO Recruitment 2026 selection process consists of four stages.
Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination
Candidates are shortlisted for the Main Examination based on their performance in the online preliminary test.
Stage 2 – Main Examination
The Main Examination evaluates candidates on banking awareness, reasoning, English, quantitative aptitude, and descriptive writing.
Stage 3 – Personality Test
Candidates clearing the Main Examination must attend a mandatory Personality Test. Although it is non-qualifying, participation is compulsory to become eligible for the interview.
Stage 4 – Interview
The interview carries 100 marks, with minimum qualifying marks of 40% for the General category and 35% for reserved categories. Final merit is prepared using a weightage of 80:20, where 80% weight is given to the Main Examination and 20% to the Interview.
Salary & Benefits
IBPS Probationary Officers receive an attractive salary package along with several allowances.
The basic pay starts at ₹48,480, with a pay scale of:
₹48,480 – 2,000/7 – ₹62,480 – 2,340/2 – ₹67,160 – 2,680/7 – ₹85,920
In addition to the basic salary, selected candidates receive:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)
- Medical Benefits
- Leave Travel Concession
- Provident Fund
- Pension Benefits (as applicable)
- Performance-based incentives
- Career progression opportunities
With regular promotions, an IBPS PO can rise to positions such as Branch Manager, Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager, and General Manager.
Why Choose an IBPS PO Career?
An IBPS PO job is considered one of the best careers in the banking sector due to:
- Excellent starting salary
- Strong job security
- Fast promotion opportunities
- Work in reputed public sector banks
- Transfer opportunities across India
- Attractive retirement benefits
- Professional training and leadership development
How to Apply Online
Candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official IBPS website.
- Click on the CRP PO/MT-XVI recruitment link.
- Register as a new candidate and generate login credentials.
- Fill in personal, educational, and communication details carefully.
- Upload scanned copies of:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Left thumb impression
- Handwritten declaration
- SSC/10th certificate
- Pay the application fee online.
- Verify all details before final submission.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Links -
- Notification PDF - Click Here
- Apply Online - Click Here
- Official Website - Click Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in IBPS PO Recruitment 2026?
A total of 6,715 indicative vacancies have been announced across participating public sector banks.
2. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application is 21 July 2026.
3. What educational qualification is required?
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
4. What is the age limit for IBPS PO 2026?
Applicants should be between 20 and 30 years as on 1 July 2026, with age relaxation available for reserved categories.
5. What is the starting salary of an IBPS PO?
The starting basic pay is ₹48,480, along with allowances and other benefits.
6. Is there negative marking in the IBPS PO exam?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer in the objective examinations.