The Indian Institute of Banking and Finance conducts the CAIIB exam for banking professionals seeking career growth and better salary benefits. The exam is held twice a year, in the May–June and November–December cycles. The registration process for the May–June cycle has been completed for the year 2026, and the CAIIB registration process for the November–December cycle will start from 1st September 2026. The online application form fill-up process will continue until 21st September 2026. In this blog, we have shared a complete guide to the registration process, including week-wise exam fee details and a direct link to apply online.
When will the CAIIB registration 2026 start?
The CAIIB registration for the 2026 November-December cycle will begin on 1st September 2026. The application process will be conducted online and will remain open until 21st September 2026, giving candidates a limited window to complete their registration within the prescribed dates.
| Fee Structure | December Cycle Registration Dates | May-June Cycle Registration Dates |
|---|
| Normal Examination Fees | 1st September to 7th September 2026 | 4th March to 10th March 2026 |
| Normal Fees + Rs 100/- | 8th September to 14th September 2026 | 11th March to 17th March 2026 |
| Normal Fees + Rs 200/- | 15th September to 21st September 2026 | 18th March to 24th March 2026 |
| Normal Fees + Rs 200/- | TBA | Last Date Extended to 31st March 2026 |
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CAIIB registration 2026 direct link to apply online
The IIBF CAIIB registration process for the November–December 2026 exam cycle will start from 1st September 2026. Interested candidates can complete the application form through the direct link provided below. The online registration link will be activated once the application form is released.
Direct Link to Apply for CAIIB 2026 (Link Inactive)
When will the CAIIB 2026 exams be held?
The CAIIB 2026 registration dates have been released by the IIBF. Candidates must register separately for each exam cycle. For the May–June 2026 cycle, the registration process has been completed, and the exam will be held from 31st May to 21st June 2026. For the November–December 2026 cycle, candidates will be able to register from 1st September to 21st September 2026, and the exam will take place from 6th December to 27th December 2026.
| Event | May-June 2026 | Nov-Dec 2026 |
|---|
| Exam – Advanced Bank Management | 31st May 2026 | 6th December 2026 |
| Exam – Bank Financial Management | 7th June 2026 | 12th December 2026 |
| Exam – Advance Business & Financial Management | 13th June 2026 | 13th December 2026 |
| Exam – Banking Regulations & Business Laws | 14th June 2026 | 20th December 2026 |
Exam – Other Papers (Rural Banking, HR Management, IT & Digital Banking, Risk Management, Central Banking) | 21st June 2026 | 27th December 2026 |
What is IIBF membership and is it important to appear for the JAIIB and CAIIB exam?
IIBF Membership simply means officially registering yourself with the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance the body that conducts banking and finance exams like JAIIB and CAIIB. For most bankers, this involves getting an Ordinary Life Membership, which is given only to employees working in recognized banks or financial institutions that are already registered with IIBF as Institutional Members.
- Type: One-time Ordinary Life Membership for bank/financial institution employees.
- Eligibility: You must be employed in a bank or financial institution that is an Institutional Member of IIBF (e.g., RBI, SBI, nationalized/private sector banks, co-operative banks, etc.).
- Fee: ₹1,770 (₹1,500 membership fee + ₹270 GST).
- Application Process: Online via the IIBF website with scanned photo, signature, employer ID proof, Aadhaar number, contact details, and payment.
- Membership ID: After verification (up to 45 days), you receive a Membership Number and a downloadable soft ID card.
Yes, IIBF Life Membership is mandatory to appear for both the JAIIB (Junior Associate of IIBF) and CAIIB (Certified Associate of IIBF) examinations. Without a valid membership number, bankers cannot register for the JAIIB and CAIIB exams.
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How to apply for CAIIB 2026?
Only candidates who have passed the JAIIB exam are eligible to apply for CAIIB 2026. Since they are already registered with the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF), there is no need to create a new account. They can use their existing IIBF membership details to fill out the CAIIB application form directly. The process involves providing basic personal and educational information, uploading the required documents, and paying the application fee. A complete step-by-step guide to apply for CAIIB 2026 is given below.
| Action | Details |
|---|
| Visit Official IIBF Website | Go to the official site of the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance. |
| Access CAIIB Notification & Apply Link | Navigate to ‘Examinations/Courses', then go to ‘Flagship Courses', select CAIIB, and click on ‘Apply Online'. |
| Login to IIBF Account | Use your Membership Number and Password. If you're new, register to get an IIBF Membership ID. |
| Fill Out the CAIIB Application Form | Enter personal, educational, and employment details. Select exam center, language, and elective paper. |
| Upload Required Documents (if asked) | Upload scanned copies of ID proof, qualification, or membership documents as per guidelines. |
| Make Online Fee Payment | Pay the CAIIB exam fee using Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or other online modes. |
| Submit & Confirm Application | After payment, submit the form. Download and save the confirmation receipt for records. |
How much is the CAIIB application fee?
The IIBF has structured the CAIIB exam fee based on the registration week and attempt number, and candidates are required to register separately for each attempt. For the November–December 2026 cycle, the normal fee is applicable from 1st to 7th September 2026. A late fee of ₹100 is charged for registrations done between 8th and 14th September, while a late fee of ₹200 applies from 15th to 21st September 2026. As of now, there is no update regarding any extension beyond these dates. The exam fee remains ₹5,000 + GST for the first attempt and ₹1,300 + GST for each subsequent attempt.
| Registration Week | November-December 2026 Fee | May-June 2026 Fee |
|---|
| Week 1 | 1st–7th September – Normal Fee | 4th–10th March – Normal Fee |
| Week 2 | 8th–14th September – Normal Fee + ₹100 | 11th–17th March – Normal Fee + ₹100 |
| Week 3 | 15th–21st September – Normal Fee + ₹200 | 18th–24th March – Normal Fee + ₹200 |
Week 4
(Last date extended to 31st March 2026) | TBA | Till 31st March – Normal Fee + ₹200 |
The CAIIB exam fees based on the number of attempts are structured as follows:
| Attempt | Fee (₹) | GST Applicable |
|---|
| First Attempt | ₹5,000 | Yes |
| Second Attempt | ₹1,300 | Yes |
| Third Attempt | ₹1,300 | Yes |
| Fourth Attempt | ₹1,300 | Yes |
| Fifth Attempt | ₹1,300 | Yes |
Know how Sarvesh Cleared CAIIB After 25 Years in Banking
What are the subjects required to appear for the CAIIB exam?
The CAIIB exam consists of a total of 5 papers, with 4 compulsory papers ABM, BFM, ABFM, and BRBL along with one elective paper based on the choice of the aspirant. The details of the papers are as follows:
| Paper Type | Details |
|---|
| Compulsory Papers | Advanced Bank Management (ABM) Bank Financial Management (BFM) Advanced Business & Financial Management (ABFM) Banking Regulations and Business Laws (BRBL) |
| Elective Papers (Choose Any One) | Rural Banking Human Resources Management Information Technology & Digital Banking Risk Management Central Banking |
Note:
- No exemption is granted for any subject based on prior qualifications.
- Candidates can choose their elective based on their current job role or career interests.
- It is recommended to select an elective paper based on your present role for better understanding and skill development.
- Candidates may change their elective paper in any subsequent attempt if desired.
What is the CAIIB exam structure?
The CAIIB exam pattern, as prescribed by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF), consists of a total of five papers, four compulsory papers (ABM, BFM, ABFM, and BRBL), each conducted separately with 100 questions for 100 marks and a duration of 2 hours, and one elective paper, which candidates can choose based on their area of work or personal preference, also conducted with 100 questions for 100 marks and a duration of 2 hours. The details of the CAIIB exam structure are as follows:
| Paper | Type | Questions/Marks | Time Duration |
|---|
| Advanced Bank Management | Compulsory | 100/100 | 2 Hours |
| Bank Financial Management | Compulsory | 100/100 | 2 Hours |
| Advanced Business and Financial Management | Compulsory | 100/100 | 2 Hours |
| Banking Regulations and Business Laws | Compulsory | 100/100 | 2 Hours |
| Elective Paper | To be Chosen From 5 Optional Subjects | 100/100 | 2 Hours |
What are the passing criteria for the CAIIB exam?
To successfully clear the CAIIB 2026 exam, candidates must meet the minimum marks requirement set by the IIBF. The minimum qualifying marks for each paper are 50, with an aggregate of 45% in each paper and a total of 50% overall aggregate. The details of the CAIIB passing criteria are as follows:
- Minimum Marks per Paper: 50 out of 100 marks required to pass each subject.
- Aggregate Pass Rule: 45 marks in each paper with 50% overall aggregate (in a single attempt) also qualifies as pass.
- Credit Retention: Marks obtained in passed subjects are retained until the expiry of the registration validity.
- Validity Period: Credits remain valid within the 3-year period or 5 attempts allowed from the date of registration.
- No Negative Marking: There is no penalty for wrong answers in CAIIB exams.
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Important key points for CAIIB exam
| Key Area | Details |
|---|
| Notification Release | 2nd February 2026 |
| Exam Cycles | May–June 2026, November–December 2026 |
| Registration Dates | May-June: 4th–24th March 2026 Nov-Dec: 1st–21st September 2026 |
| Fee Windows (Late Fees) | Nov-Dec: 1st-7th Sept: Normal Fee
8th-14th Sept - Normal Fee + ₹100
15th-21st Sept - Normal Fee + ₹200 May-June: 4th-10th March: Normal Fee
11th–17th March - Normal Fee + ₹100
18th–24th March - Normal Fee + ₹200 Last date extended to 31st March 2026 - Normal Fee + ₹200 |
| Exam Fees (Per Attempt) | First Attempt – ₹5,000 + GST Subsequent Attempts – ₹1,300 + GST per attempt |
| IIBF Membership | Mandatory for all candidates; Ordinary Life Membership (₹1,770) required to appear in CAIIB |
| Eligibility | Only JAIIB pass candidates can apply for CAIIB |
| Exam Dates | May-June: 31st May - 21st June 2026 Nov-Dec: 6th Dec - 27th Dec 2026 |
| Exam Subjects | Compulsory: ABM, BFM, ABFM, BRBL Elective (Choose 1): Rural Banking, HRM, IT & Digital Banking, Risk Management, Central Banking |
| Exam Structure | 5 papers (4 compulsory + 1 elective), 100 questions/100 marks each, 2 hours per paper |
| Passing Criteria | Minimum 50 marks per paper, 45% in each paper with 50% overall aggregate; credits valid for 3 years/5 attempts |
| Application Process | Online via IIBF portal; upload documents, select exam center & elective, pay fees |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Negative Marking | None |
