The IBPS PO Notification 2026 has been officially released by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) under the Common Recruitment Process CRP PO/MT-XVI. This recruitment drive is for Probationary Officer/Management Trainee posts in Participating Public Sector Banks, for vacancies belonging to the 2027-28 cycle.
If you’re targeting a banking career, this notification is one of the most important releases of the year. In this post, we break down everything from IBPS PO 2026 important dates and vacancies to eligibility, exam pattern, and the application process all sourced directly from the official notification, dated 01.07.2026.
IBPS PO Notification 2026 Overview
IBPS PO (CRP PO/MT-XVI) is a two-tier online examination process (Preliminary and Main), followed by a Personality Test and Common Interview. As per the official notification, a total of 6,715 vacancies have been announced. Candidates holding a bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) from a university recognised by the Government of India and falling within the age bracket of 20 to 30 years are eligible to apply online. The IBPS PO Apply Online 2026 process begins on 1st July 2026 and will remain open until 21st July 2026. Candidates who clear all stages are provisionally allotted to one of the Participating Banks based on merit-cum-preference,and the Basic pay for IBPS PO will be ₹48,480 Basic Pay + Allowances and additional benefits as per the concerned bank’s rules. in line with government reservation policy.
Key highlights:
- Recruitment cycle: Vacancies of 2027-28
- Conducting body: IBPS (mandate received from Participating Banks)
- Selection stages: Online Prelims → Online Mains (Objective + Descriptive) → Personality Test → Common Interview → Provisional Allotment
- Official website: www.ibps.in
- Grievance portal: cgrs.ibps.in
Provisional allotment is made on a merit-cum-preference basis, keeping reservation policy and administrative needs in view. A reserve list of approximately 20% of vacancies under each category may also be maintained, subject to availability of candidates, and this list is valid for one year from the date of provisional allotment (or until a fresh allotment is made).
Important Dates to Remember
|
Activity |
Tentative Schedule |
|
Online registration & edit/modification of application |
01-07-2026 to 21-07-2026 |
|
Payment of application fee/intimation charges |
01-07-2026 to 21-07-2026 |
|
Edit window for modifying application |
2 days after registration closes (to be notified) |
|
Pre-Examination Training (PET) |
August 2026 |
|
Download of Prelims call letter |
August 2026 |
|
Online Preliminary Examination |
August 2026 |
|
Prelims result |
September 2026 |
|
Download of Mains call letter |
September 2026 |
|
Online Main Examination |
October 2026 |
|
Mains result |
November 2026 |
|
Personality Test |
November 2026 |
|
Interview |
November/December 2026 |
|
Provisional allotment |
January 2027 |
These are tentative dates as per the notification; candidates should keep checking www.ibps.in for updates.
Participating Banks and Vacancies
IBPS PO covers 11 Participating Public Sector 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
The indicative, category-wise IBPS PO vacancies for 2027-28 are as follows:
|
Category |
Vacancies |
|
SC |
1,009 |
|
ST |
502 |
|
OBC |
1,816 |
|
EWS |
669 |
|
UR (General) |
2,719 |
|
Total |
6,715 |
Note: Indian Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India have not reported (NR) vacancy numbers yet. Out of the total, PwBD vacancies are indicated separately — 73 (HI), 70 (OC), 67 (VI), and 77 (ID) across banks. Vacancies mentioned are indicative and subject to change based on actual business needs reported by banks.
IBPS PO Eligibility Criteria
Nationality/Citizenship
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with intent to settle permanently, or
- A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African/other countries, intending to settle in India (with a government eligibility certificate for these categories).
Age Limit and Relaxation (as on 01.07.2026)
- Minimum age: 20 years
- Maximum age: 30 years
- Candidates must be born between 02.07.1996 and 01.07.2006 (both dates inclusive).
Age relaxation:
|
Category |
Relaxation |
|
SC/ST |
5 years |
|
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
3 years |
|
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) |
10 years |
|
Ex-servicemen/Commissioned Officers (min. 5 years service) |
5 years |
Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC is cumulative with only one other applicable relaxation category. The maximum age limit applies to General and EWS candidates. There is no reservation for ex-servicemen in the Officers’ cadre, though age relaxation still applies.
Reservation Categories
The notification covers reservation and relaxation rules for
PwBD candidates (Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Locomotor Disability/Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities),
EWS candidates (family income below ₹8 lakh/year, with specified asset exclusions)
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates, who must submit a valid NCL certificate issued on or after 01.04.2026 up to the date of interview. Compensatory time (20 minutes/hour) and scribe facility are available for eligible PwBD/specified disability candidates, subject to prior declaration in the application form and submission of prescribed certificates.
Educational Qualification (As on 21.07.2026)
Candidates must hold a Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. The result must have been declared on or before 21.07.2026, and candidates must indicate their graduation percentage (or CGPA converted to percentage) while registering online.
Application Fee and How to Apply
Application fee/intimation charges (payable online only, from 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026):
- Rs. 175/- (inclusive of GST) for SC/ST/PwBD candidates
- Rs. 850/- (inclusive of GST) for all other candidates
Bank transaction charges for online payment are to be borne by the candidate.
How to apply for IBPS PO 2026:
- Visit www.ibps.in and open the CRP PO/MT link.
- Click “New Registration” and fill in basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password.
- Upload photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, and SSC/SSLC/10th certificate as per prescribed specifications (Annexure III of the notification).
- Fill in the application form carefully using “Save and Next,” then complete registration and pay the fee online.
- Take a printout of the system-generated application form and e-receipt for future reference.
Note that fields like Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, State/UT, Post, and Nationality cannot be edited after submission. A separate two-day Edit Window (with a Rs. 200/- correction fee) is provided after the registration period closes for other corrections.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS PO exam pattern consists of Preliminary Exam, Main Exam (Objective + Descriptive), Personality Test, and Interview.
Preliminary Exam (Objective, 60 minutes)
|
Test |
Questions |
Marks |
Medium |
Time |
|
English Language |
30 |
30 |
English |
20 min |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
35 |
30 |
English & Hindi |
20 min |
|
Reasoning Ability |
35 |
40 |
English & Hindi |
20 min |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
– |
60 min |
Main Exam (Objective + Descriptive, 160 + 30 minutes)
|
Test |
Questions |
Marks |
Medium |
Time |
|
Reasoning |
40 |
60 |
English & Hindi |
45 min |
|
General/Economy/Banking Awareness incl. RBI circulars |
50 |
60 |
English & Hindi |
35 min |
|
English Language |
40 |
20 |
English |
35 min |
|
Data Analysis & Interpretation |
40 |
60 |
English & Hindi |
45 min |
|
Objective Total |
170 |
200 |
160 min |
|
|
Descriptive Paper (Essay & Comprehension) |
2 |
25 |
English |
30 min |
The Descriptive Paper may be evaluated using an automated scoring mechanism for writing proficiency.
Personality Test and Interview
Candidates shortlisted in Mains appear for a self-report Personality Test, which is non-qualifying but mandatory before the interview. The Interview carries 100 marks, with minimum qualifying marks of 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD). The final weightage is 80:20 (Mains score : Interview score). Only Main exam scores count toward shortlisting for the Personality Test, Interview, and final merit list.
Preparation guideline against the official dates
|
Phase |
Window (per notification’s tentative schedule) |
Focus |
|
Now – 21 July 2026 |
Registration period |
Finish applying early; start daily Quantitative/Reasoning practice alongside registration to avoid a standing start in August |
|
Late July – early August 2026 |
4-5 weeks before Prelims |
Full syllabus coverage + timed sectional mocks for Prelims |
|
Prelims (Aug 2026) – Mains (Oct 2026) |
6-8 weeks |
Shift focus to Mains-only sections (Data Analysis, Banking/Economy awareness, Descriptive writing) since Prelims-only topics (basic English grammar drills) get less time from here |
|
Post-Mains – Interview (Nov/Dec 2026) |
1-2 months |
Personality Test prep, mock interviews, current-affairs refresh focused on RBI circulars and recent banking developments |
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Negative marking: One-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective Tests; unattempted questions carry no penalty.
- Documents: Candidates must carry a valid call letter and original photo ID (matching the name on the application) at every stage; no documents are accepted separately by IBPS.
- Call letters: The Prelims call letter is authenticated/stamped, not collected, at the venue to retain it for the Mains exam along with the stamped ID photocopy.
- Biometric verification: Photograph and biometric (thumb impression) data may be captured/verified at various stages; candidates must not alter their appearance from the uploaded photo.
- Scribe facility: Available only for eligible PwBD/specified disability candidates who declare this in the application form and submit the prescribed medical certificate; compensatory time of 20 minutes/hour applies.
- No change requests: IBPS does not entertain requests for change of exam centre, date, time, venue, or category after submission.
- Prohibited items: Mobile phones, calculators, watches, ornaments, bags, and similar items are not allowed inside the exam hall.
- Unfair means: Any impersonation, use of unfair means, or violation under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, can lead to disqualification and legal action.
Start Your IBPS PO 2026 Preparation
Now that the IBPS PO 2026 notification has been released, it’s the right time to begin your preparation with a structured study plan. Explore our comprehensive IBPS PO preparation resources, including updated syllabus, exam pattern, study materials, mock tests, and expert guidance to boost your chances of success.
Conclusion
The IBPS PO Notification 2026 opens the door to 6,715 indicative vacancies across 11 public sector banks for the 2027-28 cycle. With registration open from 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026, candidates should confirm their eligibility, keep documents ready, and complete the IBPS PO application form well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. Read the official notification carefully, prepare a study plan around the exam pattern shared above, and apply online at www.ibps.in within the given timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the official notification for CRP PO/MT-XVI, inviting applications for Probationary Officer/Management Trainee posts in 11 Participating Public Sector Banks for vacancies of 2027-28.
Online registration and fee payment run from 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026. Prelims are tentatively in August 2026, Mains in October 2026, and provisional allotment in January 2027.
The notification lists 6,715 indicative vacancies (SC: 1,009, ST: 502, OBC: 1,816, EWS: 669, UR: 2,719), though three banks have not yet reported their numbers.
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years as on 01.07.2026, with age relaxation for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and eligible ex-servicemen (5 years).
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years as on 01.07.2026, with age relaxation for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and eligible ex-servicemen (5 years).
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years as on 01.07.2026, with age relaxation for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and eligible ex-servicemen (5 years).
A graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, with results declared on or before 21.07.2026.
Rs. 175/- for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and Rs. 850/- for all other candidates, payable online only.
Prelims (100 marks, 60 minutes covering English, Quant, Reasoning) followed by Mains (200 marks objective + 25 marks descriptive), a Personality Test, and an Interview weighted 80:20 with Mains.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective Tests (both Prelims and Mains).