Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Last Date: 21 July 2026

IBPS has opened the CRP PO/MT-XVI notification for Probationary Officer and Management Trainee posts across 11 public sector banks. A total of 6715 vacancies have been announced for the 2027-28 recruitment year, and online registration runs from July 1 to July 21, 2026.

IBPS Probationary Officer / Management Trainee Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

IBPS Probationary Officer / Management Trainee Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts one common exam every year on behalf of 11 public sector banks, and CRP PO/MT-XVI is this year's edition for the Probationary Officer and Management Trainee post. Instead of each bank running a separate recruitment drive, IBPS handles the preliminary exam, main exam and personality test centrally, and the participating banks step in only for the interview and final posting. This keeps the process uniform for lakhs of candidates appearing from every state.

The previous cycle, CRP PO/MT-XV, opened with just over 5,200 vacancies and was later imcreased to around 6,200 after final reporting from banks. The cycle before that had close to 5,900 posts. Therefore,  this year's vacancy of  6715 is the highest opening number in the last three recruitment cycles.

But the fact is bigger vacancy doesn't mean that the exam will be easier because in previous recruitment cycles IBPS PO has consistently received applications well above 10 lakh and most of them were serious, repeat aspirants who already understand the exam pattern. 

Vacancy Details

The Total currently available vacancy is 6715, and the category-wise split is Unreserved 2719, OBC 1816, SC 1009, EWS 669 and ST 502. Within this, 287 vacancies are also reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, divided across Hearing Impairment, Locomotor Disability, Visual Impairment and Intellectual Disability categories. A complete Bank and Category wise breakdown is as follows:

Note: Bank of Baroda alone accounts for 1900 of these posts which is the highest among all participating banks, followed by Canara Bank at 1500 and Bank of Maharashtra at 1100. It is also important to note that Indian Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India, have not reported their numbers yet and are marked as Not Reported in the Annexure I (page no.33 of the official notification). This means the final allotment vacancies could increase once these banks confirm their figures.

The total Unreserved 2719 posts and OBC 1816 posts combined with open eligibility (any graduation stream qualifies), generally attracts candidates from engineering, commerce and even from arts backgrounds in roughly equal numbers. 

Application Fee

The fee is Rs 175 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates, and Rs 850 for everyone else, payable only online between July 1 and July 21, 2026. Bank transaction charges on top of this fee are borne by the candidate.

Note: the fee is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to any other exam, even if the application is later rejected on scrutiny. Also a separate Rs 200 fee applies if a candidate uses the two-day edit window after registration closes to correct any field in the form, and this correction fee is also non-refundable regardless of category.

Age Limit

The minimum age is 20 years and the maximum is 30 years, calculated as on July 1, 2026. This means candidates must be born between July 2, 1996 and July 1, 2006, both dates included. Category wise relaxation of Upper Age Limit is shown below:

Note: A candidate can combine the SC/ST/OBC relaxation with only one other relaxation category such as PwBD or Ex-Servicemen, not both at once. Candidate should also note that they need to submit/show their category/caste certificates (original and xerox copies) During the interview and subsequent stages of this recruitment. 

Educational Qualification

Any graduation degree from a university recognised by the Government of India makes a candidate eligible, regardless of stream or specialisation. The qualifying date for having the degree in hand is July 21, 2026, the same date as the application deadline, so final-year students awaiting results this cycle are not eligible unless their result is officially declared by that date.

It is also important to that candidates with a CGPA or OGPA instead of a direct percentage need to convert it using their university's own conversion formula and carry proof of that formula to the interview stage. This open-eligibility structure is the main reason why IBPS PO consistently get a huge number of applications among central recruitment exams every year.

Selection Process

The selection process runs through four stages: an online Preliminary exam, an online Main exam, a non-qualifying but mandatory Personality Test, and a face-to-face Interview conducted by the participating bank.
The Preliminary exam carries 100 marks and alloted time for exam is 60 minutes (1 hour): 

The Main exam is consist of 200 + 25 = 225 total marks and total alloted time is 160 + 30 = 190 total minutes:

Note: Main Examination will be tough if you compare it with the Prelims as its syllabus includes Reasoning, General and Banking Awareness, English Language and Data Analysis & Interpretation worth 200 marks combined, plus a 25-mark Descriptive Paper covering essay and comprehension writing. There is a quarter-mark (0.25 marks) penalty for every wrong answer in the objective sections, while unattempted questions carry no penalty at all.

> The Prelims exam is only qualifying in nature meaning you just need to clear it to move to the next stage but the marks you score in the Prelims will not be counted while preparing the final merit list. Only Main exam marks and Interview marks decide your rank, combined in an 80:20 ratio. 

Salary, Job Location and Service Conditions

A Probationary Officer (PO) receives a starting basic salary of ₹48,480, which increases gradually through regular increments up to ₹85,920 as per the pay scale. Along with the basic pay, selected candidates also receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other benefits as per the rules of the allotted bank.
> This is an All India cadre, and provisionally allotted candidates can be posted anywhere in India, and in principle outside India too, entirely at the discretion of the participating bank.

> The official notification does not mention any probation period or service bond for this recruitment. However, newly selected Probationary Officers (POs) are usually posted to semi urban or rural branches in the beginning and they handle responsibilities such as loan processing, customer service, account management, and implementing government schemes before getting opportunities for postings in larger branches.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official IBPS website at www.ibps.in
2. Open the CRP PO/MT-XVI link on the homepage and click the option to apply online
3. Click on New Registration and enter basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password
4. Upload photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration and the SSC or 10th standard certificate as per the specified format and file size
5. Capture a live photograph through webcam or mobile during registration
6. Fill in personal, educational and category details carefully using the Save and Next option to review before final submission
7. Select bank preference order, since no changes are allowed once submitted
8. Pay the application fee online through debit card, credit card, UPI, net banking or mobile wallet
9. Download and save the system generated application form and e-receipt for future reference

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep the below mentioned documents ready before starting the form:
= a recent passport-style colour photograph,
= a scanned signature on white paper in black ink,
= a left thumb impression,
= a handwritten declaration in English (not in capital letters),
= and the SSC or 10th standard certificate as PDF.
= Category certificates for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) or EWS, if applicable, are needed only at the interview stage, not at registration.

A few Important instructions for the candidates:
> Ration cards and learner's driving licenses are not accepted as photo ID proof anywhere in this recruitment process.
> Signatures in capital letters will be rejected, both at registration and at the exam centre.
> Ex-servicemen candidates who fail to submit a service relieving certificate by July 20, 2027 face automatic disqualification, with no waiver possible under any circumstance.
> Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and any kind of metallic items are not allowed inside the exam hall. IBPS has also stated that it will monitor candidates' response patterns to identify any unfair practices or answer sharing.

Candidates should also note that IBPS will verify Aadhaar details and biometric data at different stages of the recruitment process, not just during the exam. Therefore, It is important to keep your registered mobile number and email ID active throughout the entire CRP process, as all official updates and communication will be sent only through these.

These practical insights can help candidates understand the recruitment process better:

Why the Main Exam Needs More Preparation Than the Prelims

The Main exam deserves more attention because it plays the biggest role in the final selection. The Descriptive Paper and General, Economy & Banking Awareness together carry 85 out of 225 marks, which makes them an important part of the exam. Therefore, dont just spend your time preparing Reasoning and Quant for the Prelims. A better approach is to start reading RBI updates, banking news, and current economic developments from the beginning of the application period instead of relying on last minute preparation before the Main exam.

What "All India Cadre" Means for Bank Preferences

While filling out the application form, candidates should choose their bank preferences carefully. The bank allotted through the provisional allotment process is final, and changes are generally not allowed later. It is also important to note Probationary Officers (POs) can be posted anywhere in India, and your posting location will depend on the bank you are allotted. Being ready to work in any state is an important part of this job, so keep this in mind while selecting your bank preferences.

Also Check:

• State Bank of India Apprentice 2026: 7150 Training Seats, Online Exam in July, Last Date June 15 [Online Exam Admit Card Out]*
• RBI Grade B 2026 Recruitment 2026 – 60 Posts Official Notification Out. [Phase-I (General) 2026 Result Out]*
• SBI PO Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1500 Probationary Officer Posts, Last Date July 08

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are there in IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI 2026?

A total of 6715 indicative vacancies have been announced across 11 participating banks, though three banks are yet to report their final numbers.

What is the last date to apply for IBPS PO 2026?

Online registration and fee payment both close on July 21, 2026, with a two-day edit window opening shortly after.

Who is eligible to apply for this recruitment?

Indian citizens (along with specified categories of Nepal, Bhutan and certain Indian-origin migrants) holding a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university can apply.

What is the age limit for IBPS PO 2026?

Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years as on July 1, 2026, with relaxations of up to 10 years for PwBD candidates and 5 years for SC/ST and Ex-Servicemen.

What qualification is required for this post?

A degree in any discipline is sufficient, and the final result must be declared on or before July 21, 2026.

What does the IBPS PO selection process involve?

Candidates go through a Preliminary exam, a Main exam, a mandatory Personality Test and a final Interview, with only Main and Interview marks counting toward the merit list.

What is the salary for IBPS Probationary Officer?

The starting basic pay is ₹48,480, rising to ₹85,920 through the pay scale, along with allowances as per the allotted bank's rules.

What is the application fee for IBPS PO 2026?

The fee is Rs 175 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates and Rs 850 for all other categories, payable online only.

How can candidates apply for IBPS PO 2026?

Applications must be submitted online through www.ibps.in by registering, uploading the required documents and paying the fee before the deadline.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

The official website is www.ibps.in, and all updates, call letters and results are published there.

Why have three participating banks not reported their vacancy numbers yet?

Indian Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India are marked Not Reported in the official annexure, and their final vacancy figures may be added before provisional allotment.

Does the Prelims score count toward the final merit list?

No, the Preliminary exam is only qualifying in nature, and final selection depends entirely on Main exam and Interview marks combined in an 80:20 ratio.

Conclusion

After reading all the information provided above you should now have a clear understanding of the recruitment process, therefore the best step you can take now is to complete your registration as early as possible because applying early gives you more time to focus on your Prelims preparation without worrying about last minute application issues. Also do remember, keeping your photograph, signature, and other required documents ready in the correct file size and format to avoid any issues during the application process.
After the application window closes, regularly check the official IBPS website for updates on the application correction window and the Preliminary Exam admit card, which is expected to be released in August 2026. (you can also bookmark this page and follow our social media handles such as telegram and WhatsApp for quick updates)
At last, if you are aiming to clear this recruitment, start preparing for the Main exam from now itself. Make it a habit to read banking, economic, and current affairs news daily, as this section carries significant weight in the Main exam therefore consistent preparation can give you an advantage over others.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.