Every year, thousands of candidates take exams to get jobs in banks. This page provides all current exam notifications, exam dates, qualifications required, and all other information you need for all bank tests in one location.
Bank Exams 2026: Complete Overview of Exams, Notifications, Syllabus & more
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A banking career is one of the most desirable careers among the aspirants preparing to write government exams. Every year, major organizations like IBPS, SBI, RBI, and NABARD conduct various exams for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, Specialist Officers (SO), and other posts across India.
Bank Exams 2026: Important Highlights
Let me provide you with an overview of the key elements regarding the banking exams across India before going into the details
In addition, this table covers everything from the conducting bodies to salary, so you can get the full picture in one place.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Conducting Bodies | IBPS, SBI, RBI, NABARD, SIDBI |
Posts Available | Probationary Officer (PO), Clerk, Specialist Officer (SO), RBI Grade B, RBI Assistant |
Qualification | Bachelor's degree in any discipline (from a recognised university) |
Age Limit | 20–30 years (General); relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD as per rules |
Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview (for PO/SO); Prelims → Mains (for Clerk) |
Application Fee | Rs. 850 (General/OBC/EWS); Rs. 175 (SC/ST/PwD) - varies by exam |
In-Hand Salary | PO: Rs. 52,000–58,000 / month | Clerk: Rs. 26,000–29,000 / month |
Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
Official Websites |
Bank Exam Notifications 2026
SBI, IBPS, RBI & NABARD exam notifications for 2026 are expected to be released throughout the year. SBIPO, IBPS PO & IBPS Clerk exams will likely begin in August 2026. RBI Grade B & RBI Assistant notifications will most likely occur during the first half of 2026
Exam | Conducting Body | Notification Expected | Official Site |
|---|---|---|---|
IBPS PO 2026 | IBPS | July 2026 | ibps.in |
SBI PO 2026 | SBI | April-June 2026 | sbi.bank.in |
IBPS Clerk 2026 | IBPS | July-Aug 2026 | ibps.in |
RBI Grade B 2026 | RBI | March–April 2026 | rbi.org.in |
IBPS RRB 2026 | IBPS | June-July 2026 | ibps.in |
SBI Clerk 2026 | SBI | July-Aug 2026 | sbi.co.in |
Banking Exam Dates 2026
The significant dates of the banking exams will ensure that you know when to prepare without missing out on any step.
The exam schedule is usually on a strict cycle: notification release, application window, admit card download, exam date, result, and finally the interview
The following are the significant milestones regarding significant bank examinations in 2026. Tentative dates will be finalised after the official announcement is published.
Exam | Application Dates | Exam Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
SBI PO 2026 | April 30 – May 31, 2026 | June–July 2026 | August 2026 (tentative) |
RBI Grade B 2026 | April 2026 | May–June 2026 | July 2026 (tentative) |
IBPS RRB 2026 | June–July 2026 | August 2026 | October 2026 (tentative) |
IBPS PO 2026 | July–August 2026 | October 2026 | December 2026 (tentative) |
IBPS Clerk 2026 | September–October 2026 | November 2026 | January 2027 (tentative) |
Note: Dates are subject to change, always check the website before making any decisions. The above dates are tentative based on previous year trends and 2026 notifications available.
Bank Exam Vacancy 2026
The number of vacancies announced in banking exams varies every year, depending upon the requirements of the bank and government policies.
The vacancies for PO posts usually range between 2000 to 4000, whereas the vacancies for clerks tend to be higher, sometimes touching 8000+ in a single cycle. SBI alone has announced to recruit more than 12,000 employees in the current financial year.
Vacancies are announced in the following categories: General (UR), OBC, SC, ST, and EWS. Knowing how many vacancies there are in your category helps you understand the level of competition and plan accordingly.
Exam | Total Vacancies | UR | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SBI PO 2025–26 | 2,000+ | ~800 | ~540 | ~450 |
IBPS PO 2025–26 | 3,500+ | ~1,400 | ~945 | ~787 |
IBPS Clerk 2025–26 | 6,000+ | ~2,400 | ~1,620 | ~1,350 |
RBI Grade B 2026 | 300+ | ~120 | ~81 | ~67 |
IBPS RRB PO 2026 | 5,000+ | ~2,000 | ~1,350 | ~1,125 |
Eligibility Criteria for Banking Exams
You need to check the basic eligibility criteria before applying for any banking exam. The eligibility criteria is decided by the conducting body, and it varies from exam to exam. But the general requirements for most of the banking exams are similar.
1. Nationality.
You should be an Indian citizen. Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees coming to India before 1st January, 1962 are also eligible, but they must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
2. Age Limit.
For most of the banking exams, the minimum age limit is 20 years, and the maximum is 30 years for general category candidates. However, the age is calculated as on a particular date mentioned in the official notification. Relaxation in the upper age limit is allowed to candidates belonging to reserved categories as under:
Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
SC / ST | 5 years |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
PwD (General) | 10 years |
PwD (OBC) | 13 years |
PwD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
Ex-Servicemen | 3 years (after deducting service period) |
Widows / Divorced Women (General) | 9 years |
3. Eligibility for Education
You should have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university/institution as per UGC Act. Most of the banking exams are not having any minimum percentage requirement, just a passing degree is enough. But for RBI Grade B, you need a minimum 60% marks in graduation (55% for SC/ST/PwD).
The minimum qualification for the post of Specialist Officer (SO) varies as per the area of specialisation. For example, the IT Officer post requires a degree in Computer Science or IT, and the Law Officer requires an LLB degree.
4. Subject-wise Qualification for Bank Exams
The banks may differ, but the core subjects in most of the bank exams might be the same. This means that if you study hard for one exam, you are ready for all of them.
Subject | Topics | Exam Stage |
|---|---|---|
Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, syllogism, direction sense, coding-decoding | Prelims + Mains |
Quantitative Aptitude | Number series, simplification, data interpretation, percentages, time & work, profit & loss | Prelims + Mains |
English Language | Reading comprehension, grammar, fill in the blanks, error detection, vocabulary | Prelims + Mains |
General Awareness | Banking awareness, current affairs (last 6 months), static GK, economy, financial terms | Mains only |
Computer Aptitude | Basic computer knowledge, MS Office, internet, hardware/software, keyboard shortcuts | Mains only |
How to Apply for Banking Exams
The application procedure for bank exams is easy, as it is entirely done online, and there is no need for you to send any physical paper with your application. All registration and payment of fees are done via the official website of the conducting body.
Steps to Fill the Banking Application Form
- Visit the official website of the relevant authority conducting the exam (ibps.in, sbi.co.in, or rbi.org.in).
- Click on the link for registering or ‘Apply Online’ for that particular exam.
- Use your mobile phone number and email address to create a provisional registration number and password.
- Fill out personal information (e.g., name, address, etc.), educational qualifications, and category.
- Scan and upload a passport-sized photograph, your signature, and any other required supporting documentation.
- Use an online payment method to pay the application fee by submitting your completed application form.
- Download or print a copy of your confirmation page for your records.
What Are the Application Fees for Banking Exams?
Exam | General / OBC / EWS | SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|
IBPS PO | Rs. 850 | Rs. 175 |
SBI PO | Rs. 750 | Rs. 0 (Nil) |
IBPS Clerk | Rs. 850 | Rs. 175 |
RBI Grade B | Rs. 850 | Rs. 100 |
SBI Clerk | Rs. 750 | Rs. 0 (Nil) |
It’s important to make sure everything is correct before you submit your application and pay the application fee. Once the application has been submitted and the fee has been paid, there will be no refunds or cancellations.
Banking Exam Admit Card
Your admit card (also commonly referred to as a hall ticket) is required to enter into the Exam Hall/Exam Centre. If you do not have an admit card, you will not be allowed to enter the Exam Hall.
Admit cards are issued on the conducting body’s official website, usually two weeks to three weeks before the Exam date.
No charge is required when downloading the admit card. You can access it and download with your registration number and date of birth or with a password.
How to download your banking admit card
- Visit the official site (ibps.in / sbi.co.in / rbi.org.in).
- Click on the Down Admit card or Call Letter link to your exam.
- Fill in your registration number and date of birth (or password).
- Your admit card will be displayed on the screen. Print and download it.
- Bring 2 printed copies to the exam. Keep one for your records.
What Information Is Included in the Admit Card?
Your admit card will contain your name, roll number, registration number, address of examination centre, reporting time, exam date and shift, and your photograph and signature.
Now examine all these details. In case of any mistake, particularly in your name or exam centre, call the conducting body immediately.
Banking Exam Selection Process 2026
Banking examinations have a general three-stage selection procedure which includes Prelims, Mains and Interview. The first one is the Prelims, which is an objective-type examination. In this stage, candidates have to qualify before they can appear in the next stage.
The second is the Mains exam that consists of an objective and descriptive paper (based on the post). Those who pass the Mains are shortlisted, and the final stage is the Interview or Group Discussion (in some cases).
The conclusion is made on the performance of the candidate in the Mains exam and interview, after which document verification will follow.
Banking Exams Pattern 2026
A list of all 12 major banking exams. For a section-wise topic breakdown, refer to individual exam guides. Grade B Mains of RBI is descriptive (3 papers). IBPS SO / SBI SO Mains tests Professional Knowledge only. RRB Mains have option of Hindi/English Language.
PO / Officer Exams
|
Exam |
Prelims Qs |
Prelims Marks |
Prelims Time |
Mains Qs |
Mains Marks |
Mains Time |
Neg. Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IBPS PO |
100 |
100 |
60 min |
157 |
225 |
210 min |
−0.25 |
|
SBI PO |
100 |
100 |
60 min |
157 |
250 |
210 min |
−0.25 |
|
RRB Officer Sc.I |
80 |
80 |
45 min |
200 |
200 |
135 min |
−0.25 |
|
RBI Grade B |
200 |
200 |
120 min |
- |
300 |
270 min |
−0.25 |
Clerk Exams
|
Exam |
Prelims Qs |
Prelims Marks |
Prelims Time |
Mains Qs |
Mains Marks |
Mains Time |
Neg. Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IBPS Clerk |
100 |
100 |
60 min |
190 |
200 |
160 min |
−0.25 |
|
SBI Clerk |
100 |
100 |
60 min |
190 |
200 |
160 min |
−0.25 |
|
RRB Clerk |
80 |
80 |
45 min |
200 |
200 |
135 min |
−0.25 |
|
RBI Assistant |
100 |
100 |
60 min |
200 |
200 |
135 min |
−0.25 |
Specialist Officer (SO) Exams
|
Exam |
Prelims Qs |
Prelims Marks |
Prelims Time |
Mains Qs |
Mains Marks |
Mains Time |
Neg. Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IBPS SO |
150 |
100 |
120 min |
60 |
60 |
45 min |
−0.25 |
|
SBI SO |
No Prelims |
- |
- |
140 |
140 |
60 min |
−0.25 |
Other Exams
|
Exam |
Prelims Qs |
Prelims Marks |
Prelims Time |
Mains Qs |
Mains Marks |
Mains Time |
Neg. Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NABARD Gr. A |
200 |
200 |
120 min |
— |
200 |
180 min |
−0.25 |
|
LIC AAO |
100 |
100 |
55 min |
120 |
330 |
145 min |
−0.25 |
Banking Exam Salary
The good salary and benefits package is one of the greatest reasons why people target banking jobs. The bank PO in India earns between RS. 52,000 and Rs. 58, 000 per month in pocket (with all allowances), whereas a Clerk makes between Rs. 26,000 and Rs. 29,000 per month. These figures depend on the city where the posting is made and the bank.
IBPS and SBI PO in-hand salary
Post | Basic Pay | Gross (approx.) | In-hand (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
IBPS PO / SBI PO | Rs. 36,000/month | Rs. 63,000–67,000 | Rs. 52,000–58,000 |
IBPS Clerk / SBI Clerk | Rs. 19,900/month | Rs. 30,000–33,000 | Rs. 26,000–29,000 |
RBI Grade B Officer | Rs. 55,200/month | Rs. 1,00,000–1,10,000 | Rs. 85,000–95,000 |
IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) | Rs. 36,000/month | Rs. 60,000–65,000 | Rs. 50,000–55,000 |
City-wise in-hand salary - why it matters
In India, bank employees are given a House Rent Allowance (HRA), which is based on the city the employee is posted in. A PO who is stationed in Mumbai or Delhi is provided with a higher HRA in comparison with someone posted in a smaller town.
City Type | HRA (approx.) | PO In-Hand (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
Metro (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai) | Rs. 10,000–12,000/month | Rs. 56,000–60,000 |
Large City (Pune, Hyderabad) | Rs. 7,000–9,000/month | Rs. 53,000–56,000 |
Small Town / Rural | Rs. 4,000–6,000/month | Rs. 50,000–53,000 |
Additional perks and benefits
- Provident Fund (PF) - the employer gives contributions towards your retirement savings.
- Pension - defined pension scheme for government bank employees.
- Medical benefits - self and family reimbursement.
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC), paid travel expenses.
- Performance-based increment annually.
- Opportunities to grow and advance, PO has a 5-7 year opportunity of becoming the Branch Manager.
- Housing loan at reduced interest rates.
How to Prepare for Bank Exams - Resources & Strategy
It is important that one must work towards a banking career with a consistent effort and an appropriate approach towards study. With such a clear study plan and frequent practice, most people of this field, especially banking, can prepare well within a period of 4-6 months.
Banking preparation books - subject-wise recommendations
Subject | Recommended Book | Author / Publisher |
|---|---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
Reasoning Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
English Language | Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
Banking Awareness | Banking Awareness (for IBPS, SBI, and other bank exams) | Arihant / Adda247 |
General Awareness | Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications |
Computer Knowledge | Objective Computer Awareness | Arihant Publications |
Other preparation resources
- Practice Tests and Test Series:
Regular mock tests are the best preparation. Do at least 30–40 full-length mocks before the exam. Free bank exam tests are available on most of the platforms.
- Previous years’ banking exam question papers:
Solving PYQs (Previous Year Question Papers) familiarises you with the difficulty level, the type of questions asked and the topics that are repeated most.
- Study material for banking exams:
Short notes for GA and Banking Awareness become very useful in the last 2 weeks before the exam. Maintain a personal notebook for banking terms and important schemes.
- Daily Current Affairs:
Read daily current affairs from trusted sources. Concentrate on topics such as RBI policy decisions, government schemes, bank mergers, appointments, and economic news.
- Live test series for bank PO exams:
A good live test series investment will give you regular practice, coupled with detailed analysis of your performance, specifically pinpointing where you are losing marks.
Monthly study plan - how to use your time
Month | Focus |
|---|---|
Month 1–2 | Build basics - cover NCERT Maths (Class 9–10), grammar rules, and basic reasoning concepts. Learn all formulas and shortcuts. |
Month 3–4 | Practice topics one by one. Start attempting sectional tests. Begin daily current affairs. Cover banking awareness fundamentals. |
Month 5–6 | Full-length mocks, revision of all formulas and static GK, previous year paper analysis, and weak area improvement. |
The most searched preparation starting point is banking exams after graduation. To target a banking job after completing your degree, an approach to study 2 to 3 hours daily in Month 1 and gradually increasing to 6 to 8 hours in Month 5 is practical and sustainable.
List of Bank Exams in India 2026
Different bodies conduct several banking exams throughout the year. Here is the complete list of the major exam opportunities you can apply for in 2026 and the posts they recruit for:
Exam | Conducting Body | Posts | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
IBPS PO | IBPS | Probationary Officer | Annual |
IBPS Clerk | IBPS | Clerk | Annual |
IBPS SO | IBPS | Specialist Officer | Annual |
IBPS RRB PO & Clerk | IBPS | Officer Scale I, II, III & Office Assistant | Annual |
SBI PO | State Bank of India | Probationary Officer | Annual |
SBI Clerk | State Bank of India | Junior Associates | Annual |
SBI SO | State Bank of India | Specialist Cadre Officers | As needed |
RBI Grade B | Reserve Bank of India | Officers in Grade B | Annual |
RBI Assistant | Reserve Bank of India | Assistant | Annual |
NABARD Grade A | NABARD | Assistant Manager | Annual |
LIC AAO | LIC of India | Assistant Administrative Officer | Annual |
Final Thoughts
Banking provides stability, a good salary and clear progression from PO to other higher positions. These exams are competitive but can be cracked with consistent preparation and regular mock tests.
If you are targeting to clear a bank exam in 2026, you need to start early, have a study plan in place, practise regularly and keep yourself updated with current affairs. If you have discipline, you can be successful.
FAQs About Banking Exams
Bank exam is a competitive recruitment test conducted by IBPS, SBI and RBI to select candidates for the posts of PO, Clerk and Specialist Officer in all the public sector banks across India.
The best bank exam depends on your objective. Exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B are preferred for better salary, growth and job profile. IBPS Clerk is a good option for the beginners to start with.
The basic salary for an IBPS PO is approximately ₹52,000- ₹55,000 per month (including allowances). With promotions and experience come salary increases.
The candidate must be a graduate from a recognised university and be between 20 to 30 years of age (Age relaxation as per reserved categories).
Most of the banking exams do not have any restrictions on the number of attempts. If you meet the age and eligibility criteria, you can apply.
Yes, most of the bank exams have negative marking. Usually, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
No, the candidates should have completed their graduation at the time of applying. Final year students are generally not eligible unless results are out.