Banking exam guide
IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI): Exam Pattern, Vacancies and Dates
By Chayantra Editorial · Facts checked against the official sources on
Quick answer
IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI) recruits Probationary Officers and Management Trainees for public sector banks for 2027-28, with 7,565 indicative vacancies as updated on 27 August 2026. Prelims is 100 questions in 60 minutes across three separately timed tests; mains is 170 objective questions for 200 marks plus a 25-mark descriptive paper. Prelims results were released on 23 September 2026 and main-exam call letters on 24 September 2026.
Key facts
- Conducting body
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
- Vacancies
- 7,565 indicative, as updated on 27 August 2026 (Union Bank of India not reported)
- Eligibility
- Graduate in any discipline; aged 20–30 on 1 July 2026
- Prelims
- 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes
- Mains
- 170 objective questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, plus a 25-mark descriptive paper
- Negative marking
- One quarter of the marks for the question, in prelims and mains
- Application fee
- ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD; ₹850 for all others (including GST)
- Current status
- Prelims result out (23 September 2026); mains call letters out (24 September 2026)
Dates, pattern and eligibility
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online registration and fee payment | 1–21 July 2026 |
| Preliminary exam | August 2026 |
| Prelims result status | Released 23 September 2026 |
| Main exam call letters | Released 24 September 2026 |
| Main exam | October 2026 (tentative) |
| Main result, personality test and interview | November–December 2026 (tentative) |
| Provisional allotment | January 2027 (tentative) |
| Test | Questions / marks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 / 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 / 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 / 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 / 100 | 60 minutes |
| Test | Questions / marks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 / 60 | 45 minutes |
| General, Economy, Banking, Digital and Financial Awareness (including RBI circulars) | 50 / 60 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 40 / 20 | 35 minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 40 / 60 | 45 minutes |
| Objective total | 170 / 200 | 160 minutes |
| Descriptive paper: essay and comprehension (English) | 2 / 25 | 30 minutes |
- Candidates must clear the cut-off in each of the three prelims tests to be shortlisted for mains.
- Mains qualifiers take a personality test and then a common interview conducted by the participating banks.
- Age limits: born not earlier than 2 July 1996 and not later than 1 July 2006, before category relaxations.
- Vacancies are indicative. Final numbers depend on what the participating banks report.
Practise for IBPS PO
Rehearse the timing you will face: Chayantra mock tests apply each exam's sectional timers and negative marking, and you can start with two free guest attempts.
Common questions
What is the IBPS PO 2026 prelims exam pattern?
100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes: English Language (30 questions, 30 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (35 questions, 30 marks) and Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 40 marks), each separately timed at 20 minutes.
How many vacancies are there in IBPS PO 2026?
7,565 indicative vacancies for 2027-28, as updated by IBPS on 27 August 2026. Union Bank of India had not reported its vacancies.
What is the negative marking in IBPS PO?
For each wrong answer, one quarter of the marks assigned to that question is deducted, in both prelims and mains. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Who is eligible for IBPS PO 2026?
Graduates in any discipline from a recognised university who are 20 to 30 years old on 1 July 2026, with relaxations for reserved categories as set out in the notification.
Official sources
This page summarises official notices for preparation. It is not an eligibility decision; later official notices and corrigenda take precedence.