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The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the official notification for the IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI 2026 exam, offering 7,365 vacancies for Probationary Officer and Management Trainee posts in public sector banks across India. The selection process includes a Preliminary exam, Mains exam, Personality Test, and Interview, with the Preliminary exam scheduled for 22–23 August 2026 and the Mains on 4 October 2026.
- Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline and be between 20 and 30 years old, with age relaxation for reserved categories.
- The Preliminary exam is qualifying only and covers English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability, with 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- The Mains exam includes an objective test (210 marks) and a descriptive test (25 marks), testing subjects like Reasoning, Banking Awareness, English, and Data Analysis.
- The final merit list is based on Mains exam and Interview scores; Preliminary exam marks are not counted in the final selection.
- Selected candidates receive an attractive salary package including basic pay, allowances like DA and HRA, and benefits such as job security, career growth, and social prestige.
IBPS PO 2026 Notification: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Selection Process, Salary & Preparation Guide
Published: July 2026
Category: Banking Exams
Exam Conducting Body: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
IBPS PO 2026 Notification Released
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI Notification 2026 for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) in participating Public Sector Banks across India.
IBPS PO is one of the most sought-after banking examinations in India. Every year, lakhs of graduates compete for a limited number of vacancies due to the excellent salary, career growth, job security, and attractive benefits offered by Public Sector Banks.
According to the latest notification, the recruitment drive now offers 7,365 vacancies after the revised corrigendum.
IBPS PO 2026 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI |
| Organization | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) / Management Trainee (MT) |
| Vacancies | 7,365 (Revised) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Age Limit | 20–30 Years |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Personality Test → Interview |
| Preliminary Exam | 22–23 August 2026 |
| Main Examination | 4 October 2026 |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
IBPS PO 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 1 July 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 July 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | 22–23 August 2026 |
| Main Examination | 4 October 2026 |
IBPS PO Vacancy 2026
The initial notification announced 6,715 vacancies. Later, IBPS revised the vacancy count to 7,365 posts, providing more opportunities for banking aspirants.
Participating Public Sector Banks recruit candidates through this examination based on merit and available vacancies.
IBPS PO Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess:
- Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Final-year students are eligible only if they satisfy the notification requirements by the prescribed date.
Age Limit
Applicants should be between:
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 30 Years
Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories according to Government of India rules.
IBPS PO Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of four stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Personality Test
- Personal Interview
Candidates must qualify at every stage to move forward.
IBPS PO Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature.
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Negative Marking
- +1 mark for every correct answer
- 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer
- No negative marking for unanswered questions
IBPS PO Main Examination Pattern
The Main Examination consists of an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test.
Objective Test
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 Minutes |
| General, Economy & Banking Awareness | 35 | 50 | 25 Minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Total | 140 | 210 | 160 Minutes |
Descriptive Test
| Section | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 15 | |
| Letter Writing | 10 | |
| Total | 25 | 30 Minutes |
Total Marks
- Objective Test: 210 Marks
- Descriptive Test: 25 Marks
Grand Total: 235 Marks
Personality Test
Candidates shortlisted after the Main Examination will undergo a Personality Test designed to evaluate:
- Leadership skills
- Communication ability
- Behavioural competencies
- Decision-making
- Professional attitude
Personal Interview
The Interview carries 100 marks.
Questions generally cover:
- Banking Awareness
- Current Affairs
- Personal Introduction
- Graduation Subjects
- Banking Sector Knowledge
- Why Banking?
- Career Goals
- Situational and HR Questions
Final Selection Process
The final merit list is prepared based on:
- Main Examination
- Personality Test
- Interview
Note: Preliminary Examination marks are not included in the final merit list. It is only a qualifying stage for shortlisting candidates to the Main Examination.
IBPS PO Detailed Syllabus
English Language
Topics include:
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para Jumbles
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Sentence Improvement
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Grammar
- Word Swap
Quantitative Aptitude
Important topics:
- Simplification
- Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Partnership
- Average
- Time & Work
- Time & Distance
- Boats & Streams
- Pipes & Cisterns
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Data Interpretation
- Probability
- Permutation & Combination
Reasoning Ability
Major topics include:
- Seating Arrangement
- Floor Puzzle
- Circular Arrangement
- Linear Arrangement
- Blood Relation
- Direction Sense
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogism
- Inequalities
- Input-Output
- Ranking
- Alphabet Test
- Order & Ranking
- Logical Reasoning
Computer Aptitude
Prepare the following topics:
- Computer Fundamentals
- MS Word
- MS Excel
- MS PowerPoint
- Operating Systems
- Internet
- Networking
- Computer Security
- Cyber Security
- Input & Output Devices
Banking Awareness
Study topics such as:
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Monetary Policy
- Banking Acts
- Banking Terminology
- Financial Institutions
- Budget
- Economic Survey
- Government Schemes
- Banking Reforms
- Financial Inclusion
- Current Banking News
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Topics include:
- Table DI
- Bar Graph
- Pie Chart
- Line Graph
- Radar Chart
- Missing DI
- Caselet DI
- Data Sufficiency
IBPS PO Salary 2026
A Probationary Officer receives an attractive salary package including:
- Basic Pay
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Special Allowance
- City Compensatory Allowance
- Medical Benefits
- Leave Travel Concession
- Newspaper Allowance
- Pension Benefits (as applicable)
- Other Bank Perks
The salary varies depending on the bank, city of posting, and applicable allowances.
Why Choose IBPS PO?
IBPS PO is considered one of the best government jobs because it offers:
- Excellent salary package
- Job security
- Fast career growth
- Promotion opportunities
- Work-life balance
- Social prestige
- Transfers across India
- Opportunity to become Branch Manager and higher administrative officers
Best Preparation Strategy for IBPS PO
English
- Read newspapers daily.
- Improve grammar concepts.
- Solve Reading Comprehension passages.
- Learn new vocabulary every day.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Practice arithmetic topics daily.
- Focus on Data Interpretation.
- Learn shortcut techniques.
- Attempt sectional mock tests.
Reasoning
- Solve puzzles every day.
- Practice Seating Arrangement questions.
- Improve logical reasoning speed.
- Learn Input-Output questions.
Banking Awareness
- Read current affairs daily.
- Follow RBI notifications.
- Study Banking Awareness monthly PDFs.
- Revise government schemes regularly.
Mock Tests
Attempt:
- Full-length mock tests
- Sectional tests
- Previous Year Question Papers
Analyze mistakes after every test and improve weak areas.
Preparation Timeline
| Preparation Duration | Recommended For |
|---|---|
| 5–6 Months | Beginners |
| 3–4 Months | Intermediate Aspirants |
| 2 Months | Experienced Banking Aspirants |
Consistency and daily revision play a major role in success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is IBPS PO a government job?
Yes. IBPS PO recruits officers for participating Public Sector Banks.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Is the Preliminary Exam counted in the final merit?
No. Preliminary Examination is only qualifying in nature.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes, provided they meet the eligibility conditions specified in the official notification by the required date.
What is the age limit?
Candidates should be between 20 and 30 years, with applicable relaxations for reserved categories.
How many vacancies are available in IBPS PO 2026?
The revised notification announces 7,365 vacancies.
Final Thoughts
The IBPS PO 2026 Recruitment presents an excellent opportunity for graduates aspiring to build a stable and rewarding career in the banking sector. With 7,365 vacancies, a structured selection process, and attractive salary and growth prospects, competition is expected to be high.
Begin your preparation early, understand the latest exam pattern and syllabus, practice mock tests regularly, and stay updated with banking and current affairs. A disciplined study plan and consistent practice can significantly improve your chances of securing a Probationary Officer position in a Public Sector Bank.