IBPS PO

Overview

IBPS PO is the Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers/Management Trainees (PO/MT) in participating public sector banks, conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). The current cycle, CRP PO/MT-XVI, is for vacancies expected to arise in the 2027–28 financial year. IBPS publishes indicative, State-wise and category-wise vacancy figures separately from the notification, and actual allotment depends on vacancies later reported by the participating banks.

Who can apply

For CRP PO/MT-XVI, the age limit is 20 to 30 years as on 1 July 2026 (born between 2 July 1996 and 1 July 2006), with relaxation for reserved categories as listed in the notification. Candidates need a Bachelor's degree (graduation) in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India, and must have completed graduation on or before the day they register online.

Selection process

The process has three stages: an online Preliminary Examination, an online Main Examination (with an objective and a descriptive component), and a Personality Test (interview). The Personality Test is non-qualifying but mandatory to attend before the interview.

Exam pattern

Preliminary Examination (100 marks, 60 minutes total, each section separately timed)

Main Examination (200 marks objective + 25 marks descriptive, 190 minutes total)

Candidates must clear cutoffs in each Preliminary section to be shortlisted for the Main exam. The Descriptive Paper may be evaluated using an automated scoring mechanism validated for assessing writing proficiency.

Marking, interview weightage and results

The Main examination's objective sections carry negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer, applied to both the Preliminary and Main objective papers. Interview marks total 100, with a minimum qualifying score of 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates). The final selection score combines the Main Examination and Interview in an 80:20 ratio.

Important dates

For CRP PO/MT-XVI, online registration and fee payment ran from 1 to 21 July 2026, with the Preliminary Examination in August 2026 and further stages following. IBPS describes this schedule as tentative and subject to change, to be confirmed on its official website.

Fees

The fee is Rs 175 (inclusive of GST) for SC/ST/PwBD candidates, and Rs 850 (inclusive of GST) for all other candidates, plus any bank transaction charges.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online at ibps.in, under the CRP PO/MT link, where candidates register, fill in personal and academic details, upload documents, and pay the fee during the notified window.

After selection

Candidates who clear the Main Examination and Interview, and rank high enough in the combined merit list, are provisionally allotted as Probationary Officers/Management Trainees in one of the participating public sector banks, based on vacancies reported for the State/UT they applied under.

Preparation tips

Since Preliminary and Main objective sections are all separately timed, practising each section within its own time limit builds the pacing the actual exam demands. Because the interview counts for 20% of the final score with its own minimum qualifying mark, treat interview preparation (communication, awareness of banking/current affairs) as a distinct stage rather than an afterthought once the Main exam is cleared.