The IBPS PO 2026 notification for CRP PO/MT-XVI has been released for vacancies of 2027–28. While the basic recruitment structure remains the same, this year’s notification includes some important changes in vacancies, Mains exam distribution, application correction process, EWS/PwBD rules, and candidate verification requirements. Below is a detailed comparison of the IBPS PO 2026 notification with the previous IBPS PO 2025 notification.
Major Changes in IBPS PO 2026 Notification
The overall IBPS PO recruitment process continues to include Prelims, Mains, Personality Test, Interview, and provisional allotment. However, the 2026 notification introduces a higher number of vacancies, a revised Mains section-wise question distribution, a new application edit window, and stricter verification rules for PwBD/PwSD candidates.
IBPS PO Vacancy 2026: Vacancy Increased Significantly
One of the biggest changes in the IBPS PO 2026 notification is the increase in the number of vacancies. The previous notification had 5,208 indicative vacancies, whereas the 2026 notification lists 6,715 indicative vacancies. This means there is an increase of 1,507 posts compared to the previous notification. The vacancies are still indicative and may include backlog vacancies, as mentioned in the notification.
| Category | IBPS PO 2025 Vacancies | IBPS PO 2026 Vacancies | Change |
| SC | 782 | 1,009 | +227 |
| ST | 365 | 502 | +137 |
| OBC | 1,337 | 1,816 | +479 |
| EWS | 520 | 669 | +149 |
| UR | 2,204 | 2,719 | +515 |
| Total | 5,208 | 6,715 | +1,507 |
Bank-wise IBPS PO Vacancy Comparison
The bank-wise vacancy distribution has also changed. Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Overseas Bank, and Punjab National Bank have reported higher vacancies in the 2026 notification. Some banks such as Indian Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India continue to show “NR”, meaning vacancies were not reported at the time of notification.
| Participating Bank | IBPS PO 2025 Vacancy | IBPS PO 2026 Vacancy | Change |
| Bank of Baroda | 1,000 | 1,900 | +900 |
| Bank of India | 700 | 500 | -200 |
| Bank of Maharashtra | 1,000 | 1,100 | +100 |
| Canara Bank | 1,000 | 1,500 | +500 |
| Central Bank of India | 500 | 500 | No change |
| Indian Overseas Bank | 450 | 550 | +100 |
| Punjab National Bank | 200 | 504 | +304 |
| Punjab & Sind Bank | 358 | 161 | -197 |
| Indian Bank | NR | NR | Not reported |
| UCO Bank | NR | NR | Not reported |
| Union Bank of India | NR | NR | Not reported |
| Total | 5,208 | 6,715 | +1,507 |
IBPS PO Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age and Graduation Cut-off Updated
The core IBPS PO eligibility criteria remain broadly the same. Candidates must still have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, and the age limit remains 20 to 30 years. However, the relevant cut-off dates have been updated for the 2026 cycle.
| Eligibility Parameter | IBPS PO 2025 | IBPS PO 2026 | Change |
| Age reckoning date | 01.07.2025 | 01.07.2026 | Updated by one year |
| Minimum age | 20 years | 20 years | No change |
| Maximum age | 30 years | 30 years | No change |
| Date of birth range | 02.07.1995 to 01.07.2005 | 02.07.1996 to 01.07.2006 | Updated by one year |
| Educational qualification | Graduation in any discipline | Graduation in any discipline | No change |
| Graduation result cut-off date | On or before 21.07.2025 | On or before 21.07.2026 | Updated by one year |
Application Edit Window Added in IBPS PO 2026
A notable administrative change in the IBPS PO 2026 notification is the introduction of an edit window for modifying or correcting the IBPS PO 2026 application form. The notification states that the edit window will remain available for 2 days after the closure of registration, and the exact dates will be notified on the official IBPS website. This was not separately listed in the 2025 important dates table.
| Application Detail | IBPS PO 2025 | IBPS PO 2026 | Change |
| Edit window | Not separately listed | 2 days after registration closes | New addition |
| Edit window notification | Not applicable | To be notified on IBPS website | New process |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026: Objective Questions Increased
The biggest exam-pattern change is in the IBPS PO Mains objective paper. The total marks and total time remain the same, but the number of objective questions has increased from 145 to 170. This means candidates will have to attempt more questions within the same 160-minute objective-test duration. The section-wise distribution has also changed.
| Section | IBPS PO 2025 | IBPS PO 2026 | Major Change |
| Reasoning | 40 Qs, 60 marks, 50 min | 40 Qs, 60 marks, 45 min | Time reduced by 5 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking/Digital/Financial Awareness including RBI Circulars | 35 Qs, 50 marks, 25 min | 50 Qs, 60 marks, 35 min | Questions, marks, and time increased |
| English Language | 35 Qs, 40 marks, 40 min | 40 Qs, 20 marks, 35 min | Questions increased, marks reduced, time reduced |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 Qs, 50 marks, 45 min | 40 Qs, 60 marks, 45 min | Questions and marks increased |
| Total Objective Paper | 145 Qs, 200 marks, 160 min | 170 Qs, 200 marks, 160 min | Questions increased by 25 |
IBPS PO Descriptive Test 2026: Letter Writing Removed
The IBPS PO 2026 Descriptive Test has an important change for candidates. Earlier, aspirants generally prepared for essay and letter writing as part of the descriptive section. However, in the 2026 notification, the descriptive paper is mentioned as essay and comprehension, with no mention of letter writing. This means candidates should now give more focused attention to essay-based writing, comprehension-based descriptive practice, and topics related to banking, economy, technology, ethics, and current events.
| Descriptive Test Detail | IBPS PO 2025 | IBPS PO 2026 | Major Change |
| Descriptive Paper type | Essay and Comprehension | Essay and Comprehension | Letter Writing not mentioned |
IBPS PO Selection Process 2026: Personality Test Clarification Added
The selection process continues to include Prelims, Mains, a personality test, an interview, and provisional allotment. In both notifications, the personality test is non-qualifying but mandatory for candidates who qualify the mains exam. The key addition in 2026 is that the personality test may be conducted through proctored mode or at identified examination centres, as decided by IBPS.
| Stage | IBPS PO 2025 | IBPS PO 2026 | Change |
| Prelims | Yes | Yes | No change |
| Mains | Yes | Yes | No change |
| Personality Test | Mandatory, non-qualifying | Mandatory, non-qualifying | No structural change |
| Personality Test mode | Not clearly specified in the same way | May be proctored or centre-based | New clarification |
| Interview | Yes | Yes | No change |
| Final allotment | Based on Mains + Interview | Based on Mains + Interview | No change |
Credit History Clause Removed from Main Eligibility Index
The IBPS PO 2025 notification had a separate “Credit History” clause under the eligibility section. It stated that candidates should maintain a healthy credit history at the time of joining and that the minimum credit score would be as per the policy of participating banks. In the IBPS PO 2026 notification index, this separate “Credit History” clause is not listed.
| Detail | IBPS PO 2025 | IBPS PO 2026 | Change |
| Separate credit history clause | Present | Not listed as a separate clause | Removed from eligibility index |
| Healthy credit history requirement | Mentioned at joining stage | Not separately listed in the same way | Candidate-facing clause reduced |
| Pre-condition to apply | Not a pre-condition | Not separately listed | No direct application-stage impact |
PwBD/PwSD Verification Rules Strengthened
The IBPS PO 2026 notification adds stricter verification-related language for PwBD/PwSD candidates. It mentions authentication of UDID cards and disability certificates through the UDID portal or the concerned state issuing authority. It also mentions the possibility of fresh medical assessment by a bank-appointed medical board and strict action against fraudulent disability certificates or UDID cards.
| PwBD/PwSD Rule | IBPS PO 2025 | IBPS PO 2026 | Change |
| Disability certificate verification | Mentioned generally | UDID/disability certificate authentication may be done | Verification strengthened |
| UDID portal reference | Not highlighted in the same way | Specifically mentioned | New clarification |
| Fresh medical assessment | Not highlighted in the same way | May be conducted by bank medical board | New verification layer |
| Fraudulent certificate action | General process rules | Strict action under RPwD Act sections mentioned | Stronger warning |
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Hi, I’m Tripti, a senior content writer at Oliveboard, where I manage blog content along with community engagement across platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. With 3+ years of experience in content and SEO optimization related to banking exams, I have led content for popular exams like SSC, banking, railway, and state exams.