IBPS PO/MT 2026 – Complete Guide, Eligibility, Dates & Preparation
Dreaming of a career in banking? Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the notification for Probationary Officer/Management Trainee (PO/MT) 2026. This is your chance to join as a PO in Public Sector Banks across India. IBPS PO is one of the most prestigious banking exams in India.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | August 2026 |
| Application Start | August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 2026 |
| Prelims Exam | October 2026 |
| Mains Exam | November 2026 |
| Interview | January-February 2027 |
| Final Result | March 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor degree in any discipline from recognized university
- Should have valid mark sheet for graduation
- Computer literacy mandatory
Age Limit
- General Category: 20-30 years
- OBC: 20-33 years
- SC/ST: 20-35 years
- PwD: 20-37 years
Percentage Requirement
- Minimum 60% in Graduation (or equivalent) for General category
- 55% for SC/ST/PwD/OBC
Exam Pattern
Prelims (Objective – 100 Marks)
| Section | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Mains (Objective + Descriptive – 225 Marks)
| Section | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 Minutes |
| General Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 35 Minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 35 | 45 Minutes |
| English Descriptive (Essay/Letter) | 25 | 30 Minutes |
| Total | 225 | 210 Minutes |
Interview (100 Marks)
Personal interview to assess communication skills, leadership qualities, and banking awareness.
Best Books for IBPS PO Preparation
Quantitative Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by S. Chand
- Puzzle Mania by Bankersadda
English
- English Grammar and Composition by Arihant
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
General Awareness
- Banking Awareness by Disha Publication
- Lucent General Knowledge
- Current Affairs – Bankersadda, Gradeup
Online Resources
- Bankersadda – Free tests and notes
- Gradeup – Mock test series
- Oliveboard – Full-length mocks
- Testbook – Daily quizzes
Application Fee
| Category | Fees |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | Rs 850 |
| SC/ST/PwD | Rs 175 |
Selection Process
- Step 1: Online Application
- Step 2: Preliminary Examination (Screening)
- Step 3: Main Examination (Merit list)
- Step 4: Interview
- Step 5: Document Verification
- Step 6: Final Merit List
Participating Banks in IBPS PO 2026
- State Bank of India
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
- and more
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is IBPS PO 2026 salary?
The starting basic salary is approximately Rs 36,000 per month (including allowances). After 2 years of probation, salary increases to Rs 50,000+.
2. How many vacancies are expected in IBPS PO 2026?
Expected around 4,000-5,000 vacancies. Official number will be in the notification.
3. What is the age limit for IBPS PO?
For General category, the age limit is 20-30 years. Age relaxation is 3 years for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST.
4. Is there negative marking in IBPS PO?
Yes, there is negative marking of 0.25 marks (1/4) for each wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains.
5. What is the selection ratio for IBPS PO?
Approximately 1-2% of applicants get selected. Competition is very high with 10+ lakh candidates applying.
6. What is the sectional cutoff in IBPS PO Prelims?
There is no fixed sectional cutoff. Overall cutoff is the criteria. However, you need to clear the individual section cutoffs set by IBPS.
7. Can I apply for IBPS PO if I have backlog in graduation?
No, you must have passed graduation without any backlogs at the time of document verification.
8. Is there sectional timing in IBPS PO Prelims?
Yes, each section has a separate time limit of 20 minutes in Prelims.
9. What is the marking scheme for IBPS PO Mains?
Mains has 225 marks with 190 questions and 2 essay/letter writing. Negative marking is 0.25 for wrong answers in objective tests.
10. What is the IBPS PO interview process?
The interview carries 100 marks. It tests your communication, banking awareness, current affairs knowledge, and personality.
How to Apply
- Visit Official IBPS Portal: ibps.in
- Click on IBPS PO 2026 link
- Register with valid email and mobile
- Fill application form with personal and educational details
- Upload photograph and signature
- Pay application fee through online mode
- Submit and take printout
Official Website: ibps.in
Stay tuned to FreeJobsAlerts.org for more updates on IBPS PO 2026 notification, admit card, result, and cut-off marks.
