The IBPS PO 2026 recruitment is one of the most awaited banking examinations for graduates aiming to become Probationary Officers in public sector banks. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts this exam annually to recruit eligible candidates for PO/MT posts across participating banks in India. As per the expected schedule, the IBPS PO Notification 2026 is likely to be released in June 2026, and the selection process will include Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages conducted online.
Is the IBPS PO Notification 2026 released?
No, the IBPS PO Notification 2026 has not been released yet. Based on the previous recruitment cycle, the official notification is expected in June 2026. The notification will provide complete details regarding vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, application process and important instructions. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official IBPS website for the latest updates.
When will the IBPS PO Exam 2026 be conducted?
As per the IBPS Calendar 2026, the IBPS PO prelims and mains exam dates are:
- IBPS PO Prelims Exam 2026 is likely to be held on 22nd and 23rd August 2026
- IBPS PO Mains Exam 2026 is expected to be conducted on 4th October 2026
- The exact exam dates, shift timings, and exam centres will be mentioned in the IBPS PO Admit Card 2026, which will be released a few days before the exam.
What is the IBPS PO Recruitment Process for 2026?
The IBPS PO 2026 selection process will consist of three stages- prelims, mains, and interview. Candidates must clear each stage to move to the next. The final merit list is prepared based on Mains + Interview scores.
- Preliminary Examination – Qualifying in nature
- Main Examination – Marks considered for final merit
- Interview – Final selection stage
How many vacancies are expected for IBPS PO 2026?
The exact number of IBPS PO vacancies for 2026 will be announced with the official notification. However, based on previous trends, around 5,000+ vacancies are expected to be released across participating public sector banks. The final vacancy count may vary depending on bank-wise requirements and government approvals. For your reference, check the previous year's IBPS PO vacancy:
| Participating Banks | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | General | Total |
|---|
| Bank of Baroda | 150 | 75 | 270 | 100 | 405 | 1000 |
| Bank of India | 105 | 53 | 189 | 70 | 283 | 700 |
| Bank of Maharashtra | 150 | 75 | 270 | 100 | 405 | 1000 |
| Canara Bank | 150 | 50 | 200 | 100 | 500 | 1000 |
| Central Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 |
| Indian Bank | 105 | 52 | 189 | 70 | 284 | 700 |
| Indian Overseas Bank | 69 | 33 | 121 | 44 | 183 | 450 |
| Punjab National Bank | 30 | 15 | 54 | 20 | 81 | 200 |
| Punjab & Sind Bank | 53 | 27 | 98 | 36 | 144 | 358 |
| UCO Bank | 15 | 07 | 27 | 10 | 41 | 100 |
| Total | 929 | 437 | 1601 | 618 | 2604 | 6189 |
IBPS PO Important Dates 2026
The IBPS PO 2026 recruitment will follow a structured schedule, starting from the notification release to the final result declaration. Candidates must keep track of all important dates to avoid missing any deadlines. Below is the expected timeline for various stages of the IBPS PO 2026 exam:
| Sr. No. | Activity | Expected Dates 2026 |
|---|
| 1 | IBPS PO Notification Release | June 2026 |
| 2 | Online Application Starts | June–July 2026 |
| 3 | Last Date to Apply Online | July 2026 |
| 4 | Prelims Admit Card | August 2026 |
| 5 | IBPS PO Prelims Exam | 22nd & 23rd August 2026 |
| 6 | Prelims Result | September 2026 |
| 7 | Mains Admit Card | September 2026 |
| 8 | IBPS PO Mains Exam | 4th October 2026 |
| 9 | Mains Result | October 2026 |
| 10 | Interview Call Letter | November 2026 |
| 11 | Interview Round | November–December 2026 |
| 12 | Final Result Declaration | January 2027 |
When will the IBPS PO application process 2026 begin?
The IBPS PO 2026 application process will be conducted online through the official website www.ibps.in after the notification is released. Candidates will need to complete registration, fill out the application form, upload required documents, and pay the application fee within the given timeline. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
What is the application fee for IBPS PO recruitment?
The application fee for IBPS PO 2026 is expected to remain similar to previous years. The fee must be paid online and is non-refundable.
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹175 (Intimation Charges only)
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹850 (Including application fee)
Who is eligible to apply for IBPS PO 2026?
Candidates applying for IBPS PO 2026 must fulfill the eligibility conditions set by IBPS regarding education, age, and nationality. Meeting these criteria is mandatory to proceed through the recruitment process and document verification stages.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have a graduate degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Government of India. The degree should be completed on or before the date mentioned in the official notification. |
| Age Limit | Minimum Age: 20 years
Maximum Age: 30 years |
| Age Relaxation | Applicable for SC/ST, OBC, PwD, Ex-servicemen, and other categories as per government norms |
| Nationality | The candidate must be:
• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee settled in India, or
• A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) as per IBPS rules |
| Document Proof | Valid documents must be produced during the verification process |
What is the selection process for IBPS PO 2026?
The IBPS PO 2026 selection process is conducted in multiple stages to assess candidates' aptitude, knowledge, and suitability for the role of Probationary Officer. Candidates must qualify each stage to move to the next.
- Preliminary Examination – Qualifying in nature
- Main Examination – Marks considered for final merit
- Interview – Conducted by participating banks
- Final Selection – Based on Mains (80%) and Interview (20%)
What is the IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern?
The IBPS PO exam is conducted in two phases—Prelims and Mains—followed by an interview round. Each stage has a distinct exam structure.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO Preliminary Exam is an online test with a total duration of 1 hour, divided into three sections. Each wrong answer leads to a 0.25 mark deduction, and candidates must clear the cut-off in all sections to qualify for the Main exam.
- Duration: 20 minutes per section
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Sections: 3
- Negative Marking: 1/4 of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer
- Qualification: Must clear cut-off in all sections to move to the Main exam
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO Main exam is an online test consisting of five sections, including a descriptive paper, with a total duration of 210 minutes. Candidates must clear both preliminary and mains exams to qualify for the interview.
- Sections: 5 (4 objective + 1 descriptive)
- Total Marks: 225 (200 objective + 25 descriptive)
- Duration: 160 minutes for objective + 30 minutes for descriptive
- Order: Sections must be attempted in the given sequence
- Penalty: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer in objective tests
- No penalty: For unanswered questions
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 35 | 50 | 25 minutes |
| Objective Test Total | 145 | 200 | 160 minutes |
| English Descriptive Test | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Grand Total | — | 225 | 190 minutes |
What is the IBPS PO 2026 Syllabus?
The IBPS PO syllabus is designed to test candidates on banking aptitude, analytical ability, language skills, and awareness of current events.
Prelims Syllabus
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Parajumbles, Error Spotting, Vocabulary
- Quantitative Aptitude: Number Series, Simplification, DI, Ratio & Percentage, Time & Work
- Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Inequality, Coding-Decoding
Mains Syllabus
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Logical Reasoning, Puzzles, Input-Output, Computer Basics
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: Current Affairs, Banking & Financial Awareness, RBI Circulars
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: Caselets, Charts, Tables, Probability, Data Sufficiency
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary
- Descriptive Test: Essay and Letter Writing
What is the salary of an IBPS PO?
The IBPS PO salary is one of the major attractions of the job. A newly appointed probationary officer receives a basic pay of ₹48,480, along with DA, HRA, and other allowances.
- In-hand Salary: ₹65,000–₹70,000 per month (approx.)
- Includes allowances like DA, HRA, Special Allowance, and medical benefits
- Salary may vary based on posting location and bank policies
What is the expected IBPS PO Cut Off 2026?
The IBPS PO cut-off varies each year based on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and vacancies. Candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs in prelims and mains to qualify. Check the previous year's IBPS PO Cut Off below.
| Category | SC | ST | OBC (NCL) | EWS | UR | HI | OC | VI | ID |
|---|
| Maximum Score | 53.87 | 51.44 | 56.36 | 51.89 | 64.64 | 47.60 | 49.04 | 49.64 | 53.20 |
| Minimum Score (Final Cut Off) | 38.53 | 36.73 | 44.04 | 43.64 | 46.11 | 25.98 | 35.60 | 35.29 | 25.71 |
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways for this article:
- IBPS PO 2026 is one of the most popular banking exams for graduates aiming to join public sector banks as Probationary Officers.
- The IBPS PO Notification 2026 is expected in June 2026, with the application process likely to begin shortly after.
- As per the IBPS Calendar 2026, Prelims are expected on 22nd & 23rd August 2026, and the Mains exam on 4th October 2026.
- The selection process will include Prelims, Mains, and Interview, with final selection based on Mains + Interview scores.
- Around 5,000–6,000 vacancies are expected, similar to previous years, across participating public sector banks.
- The in-hand salary ranges between ₹65,000 and ₹70,000, making IBPS PO a highly attractive career option.
