IBPS PO 2026 Notification — Everything You Need to Know
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) officially released the IBPS PO 2026 notification on 1 July 2026 for 6,715 Probationary Officer / Management Trainee (PO/MT) vacancies under CRP PO/MT CRP-XVI. If you are aiming for a banking career, this is the single biggest recruitment opportunity of the year — and the application window closes on 21 July 2026. Do not miss it.
This guide covers every critical detail: vacancy breakdown, eligibility, exam dates, the updated exam pattern, and a focused preparation strategy so you can hit the ground running.
IBPS PO 2026 — Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 1 July 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 1 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 21 July 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | August 2026 (as per official schedule) |
| Mains Exam Date | 4 October 2026 |
| Interview / Personality Test | November–December 2026 |
Official portal to apply: www.ibps.in
IBPS PO 2026 — Vacancy Details
A total of 6,715 vacancies have been announced across 11 participating public sector banks. These include leading banks such as 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, and Union Bank of India.
Category-wise allocation follows the standard government reservation norms (UR / OBC / SC / ST / EWS). Candidates must check the official notification PDF at ibps.in for the bank-wise and category-wise breakdown.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university recognised by the Government of India. Final-year students awaiting results are not eligible at the time of application — the degree must be complete.
Age Limit
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years of age as on 1 July 2026. Age relaxation applies as per government norms: SC/ST — 5 years; OBC — 3 years; PwBD — 10 years; Ex-Servicemen — as applicable.
Nationality
Indian citizens, or candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, or certain categories of persons of Indian origin, as specified in the official notification.
IBPS PO 2026 — Updated Exam Pattern
IBPS has revised the Mains exam pattern for CRP-XVI. Here is what you must know:
Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
Mains Exam Pattern (Revised for 2026)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 |
| GA / Banking / Digital Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language | 40 | 40 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 |
| Total | 170 | 200 |
Note: The Mains exam now carries 170 objective questions for 200 marks — a key change from the earlier pattern. There is no descriptive paper mentioned in early reports; confirm the final pattern in the official notification PDF.
Selection Process
The IBPS PO selection process has three stages:
- Prelims — qualifying stage; shortlists candidates for Mains
- Mains — competitive stage; shortlists candidates for interview
- Interview / Personality Test — final merit = 80% Mains + 20% Interview
How to Prepare — A No-Nonsense Strategy
You have roughly 6–7 weeks before the Prelims. Here is how to use them:
Week 1–2: Build the Base
- Master number series, simplification, and percentage for Quant
- Reading comprehension and error detection for English
- Syllogism, inequalities, and coding-decoding for Reasoning
Week 3–4: Sectional Speed Drills
- Timed 20-minute sectional tests — aim for 80%+ accuracy before speed
- Use our Drishti English Language module for targeted English prep
- Track your weak areas on the My Progress dashboard
Week 5–6: Full-Length Mocks
- Attempt 2–3 full-length Prelims mocks per week under timed conditions
- Analyse each mock: which questions cost you time? which were avoidable errors?
- Practice on our NTA-Spec CBT mock engine — the interface mirrors the actual exam
Ongoing: Current Affairs & Banking Awareness
- GA/Banking Awareness is a Mains differentiator — start now, 20 min/day
- Check the Govt Exam Calendar 2026–27 to time your preparation milestones
- Unlimited access to mock papers, daily practice sets, and live classes via the GEG All-Access Pass
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last date to apply for IBPS PO 2026?
The last date to submit the IBPS PO 2026 online application is 21 July 2026. Applications must be submitted on the official IBPS portal at ibps.in. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
How many vacancies are there in IBPS PO 2026?
IBPS has announced 6,715 vacancies for Probationary Officer / Management Trainee posts under CRP PO/MT CRP-XVI. These vacancies are distributed across 11 participating public sector banks as per the official notification.
What is the eligibility for IBPS PO 2026?
Candidates must hold a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university and must be between 20 and 30 years of age as on 1 July 2026. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories as per government norms.
What is the IBPS PO 2026 Prelims exam date?
The IBPS PO Prelims exam is scheduled for August 2026, as per the official IBPS exam calendar. The exact date will be confirmed on the admit card. Candidates should begin preparation immediately given the short window available.
Has the IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern changed?
Yes. The Mains exam pattern has been revised for CRP-XVI. The Mains will now have 170 questions for 200 marks across four sections — Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, GA/Banking/Digital Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation. Candidates should refer to the official notification PDF at ibps.in for the authoritative pattern.
Sources: ibps.in (official IBPS portal) | IBPS CRP PO/MT CRP-XVI official notification (released 1 July 2026)
