The IBPS PO 2026 exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection to recruit Probationary Officers (PO) in public sector banks across India. It is one of the most competitive banking exams, offering a stable career, attractive salary, and growth opportunities.
The selection process consists of Prelims, Mains, and Interview, and candidates must qualify each stage to secure final selection.
IBPS PO 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IBPS PO 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Participating Banks | 11 |
| Age Limit | 20 Years to 30 Years |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Qualification | Graduate |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Salary | ₹74,000 to 76,000 |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
Also Read – IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Date Out, Notification, Vacancies, Eligibility
IBPS PO 2026 Notification
The IBPS PO 2026 notification will be released on the official website of IBPS. The notification includes all important details such as exam dates, eligibility, vacancy, syllabus, and application process.
IBPS PO 2026 Exam Date
Candidates must carefully read the notification before applying to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria.
The IBPS PO exam is conducted in multiple stages. The expected exam schedule is given below:
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | August 2026 |
| Online Application Start | August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 22nd and 23rd August 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | 4th October 2026 |
| Interview | December 2026 / January 2027 |
IBPS PO 2026 Vacancy
The IBPS PO vacancy is released along with the official notification. Vacancies vary every year depending on participating banks.
Last year, thousands of vacancies were announced across multiple public sector banks, making it a great opportunity for banking aspirants.
| Participating Bank | 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 2026 Application Fee
The category-wise application fee for IBPS PO 2026 is outlined below. Once paid, the fee or intimation charges are non-refundable and cannot be carried forward for any other examination or recruitment process. Candidates are required to pay the application fee through online mode only. For detailed information, refer to the complete guide on the IBPS PO application fee.
| SNo. | Categories | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | SC/ST/PWD | Rs. 175/- |
| 2. | General and Others | Rs. 850/- |
IBPS PO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria to apply for IBPS PO 2026:
Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal/Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee (as per rules)
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Educational Qualification
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| University | Recognized by Govt. of India |
| Computer Knowledge | Required |
Age Limit
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 years |
| Maximum Age | 30 years |
Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government norms.
IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process
The IBPS PO selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Interview
The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in Mains and Interview.
IBPS PO 2026 Exam Pattern
Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Sectional timing is applicable
Main Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 min |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 min |
| Total (Objective) | 155 | 200 | 180 min |
Descriptive Test
| Type | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay & Letter | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
IBPS PO 2026 Syllabus
The IBPS exam syllabus is largely similar to that of other banking exams. Although IBPS outlines only the main subjects, these can be further broken down into specific topics based on the questions asked in previous years. The IBPS PO syllabus is categorized into two sections:
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Syllabus 2026
| Reasoning | Quantitative Aptitude | English Language |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | Simplification | Reading Comprehension |
| Alphanumeric Series | Profit & Loss | Cloze Test |
| Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Mixture & Allegations | Para jumbles |
| Data Sufficiency | SI & CI & Surds & Indices | Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting |
| Coded Inequality | Work & Time | Fill in the blanks |
| Seating Arrangement | Time & Distance | Miscellaneous |
| Puzzle | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Paragraph Completion |
| Tabulation | Data Interpretation | |
| Syllogism | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage | |
| Blood Relations | Number System | |
| Input-Output | Sequence & Series | |
| Coding-Decoding | Permutation, Combination & Probability |
IBPS PO Prelims Cut-Off 2025- Category-wise
| Category | Cut Off (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| GEN | 49.21 |
| SC | 45.96 |
| ST | 40.96 |
| OBC – Non creamy layer | 49.21 |
| EWS | 49.21 |
| HI | 20.61 |
| OC | 33.57 |
| VI | 21.65 |
| ID | 21.83 |
IBPS PO Prelims Cut-Off 2025- Section-wise
| Subject | Max. Marks | Cut-Off Marks (GEN) | Cut Off (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 4.25 | 6.25 |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 5.50 | 9.75 |
| English Language | 30 | 9.75 | 13.25 |
Major Banks Participating in IBPS PO Recruitment 2026
Let’s explore the list of participating banks involved in this year’s IBPS PO recruitment process:
- Punjab National Bank
- Union Bank if India
- Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Canara Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Central Bank of India
- UCO Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- Bank of Maharashtra
IBPS PO 2026 Salary
The IBPS PO salary is one of the major attractions of this exam.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹ 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920 |
| Gross Salary | ₹74,000 to 76,000 |
IBPS PO 2026 Preparation Strategy
Preparing for IBPS PO requires a balanced approach that includes conceptual clarity, regular practice, and time management. Since the exam tests both speed and accuracy, candidates must focus on mock tests and previous year papers.
Consistency is key, especially for sections like Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, which require continuous practice. Staying updated with current affairs is equally important for the General Awareness section.
IBPS PO 2026 Admit Card and Result
The admit card for each stage of the IBPS PO exam is released separately on the official IBPS website. Candidates must download their admit card using their registration credentials.
Results are declared after each stage, and only those who qualify are allowed to proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – IBPS PO 2026
| Q1. What is IBPS PO 2026? |
| IBPS PO 2026 is a national-level banking exam conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection to recruit Probationary Officers in public sector banks. |
| Q2. What is the age limit for IBPS PO 2026? |
| The age limit is 20 to 30 years with relaxation for reserved categories. |
| Q3. What is the educational qualification required? |
| Candidates must have a graduation degree from a recognized university. |
| Q4. What is the selection process of IBPS PO? |
| The selection process includes Prelims, Mains, and Interview. |
| Q5. Is there negative marking in IBPS PO exam? |
| Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. |
| Q6. What is the salary of IBPS PO? |
| The starting salary is approximately ₹52,000 to ₹55,000 per month. |
| Q7. How many attempts are allowed in IBPS PO? |
| There is no attempt limit; candidates can apply until they reach the maximum age. |
| Q8. What is the IBPS PO exam pattern? |
| The exam consists of Prelims, Mains (objective + descriptive), and Interview. |
| Q9. What subjects are included in IBPS PO syllabus? |
| English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, General Awareness, and Descriptive English. |
| Q10. When will IBPS PO 2026 notification be released? |
| It is expected to be released in August 2026. |
| Q11. What is the mode of IBPS PO exam? |
| The exam is conducted in online mode. |
| Q12. What is the duration of IBPS PO Prelims exam? |
| The total duration is 60 minutes with sectional timing. |
| Q13. What is the duration of IBPS PO Mains exam? |
| The objective test duration is 180 minutes plus 30 minutes descriptive test. |
| Q14. Is IBPS PO exam tough? |
| Yes, due to high competition, but it is manageable with proper preparation. |
| Q15. Can final year students apply? |
| Yes, if they can provide proof of graduation during verification. |
| Q16. What is the cut-off for IBPS PO? |
| Cut-off varies every year based on difficulty level and vacancies. |
| Q17. Is there sectional cut-off in IBPS PO? |
| Yes, candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs. |
| Q18. What is IBPS PO job role? |
| A Probationary Officer handles banking operations, customer service, and managerial tasks. |
| Q19. Which banks participate in IBPS PO recruitment? |
| Public sector banks such as PNB, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, and others participate. |
| Q20. How to prepare for IBPS PO 2026? |
| Focus on concepts, practice mock tests, and stay updated with current affairs. |
| Q21. Is IBPS PO a government job? |
| Yes, it is a public sector bank job under government control. |