The IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 has been confirmed through the official IBPS Calendar 2026-27: the Prelims exam will be held on 22nd and 23rd August 2026, and the Mains exam is fixed for 4th October 2026. This is one of the most awaited dates on the banking exam calendar, since IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) recruitment opens entry into 11 participating public sector banks through a single, unified process.
This article gives you the verified IBPS PO 2026 timeline, the full selection process, exam pattern, eligibility, and answers to the questions candidates ask most while planning their preparation. Bookmark this page, since IBPS frequently updates timelines closer to the notification, and we will revise this article the moment new information drops.
IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 — Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | CRP PO/MT-XVI (Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers) |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer / Management Trainee |
| Participating Banks | 11 Public Sector Banks |
| Prelims Exam Date | 22nd & 23rd August 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | 4th October 2026 |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Age Limit | 20 to 30 years |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Date 2026
The IBPS PO Prelims exam date 2026 is scheduled for 22nd and 23rd August 2026, as confirmed in the official IBPS Calendar 2026-27 released in January 2026. The Prelims is conducted online across multiple shifts on both days, and it acts purely as a qualifying round — marks scored here are not added to the final merit list, but candidates must clear the sectional and overall cut-offs to advance.
Since this is a screening-only stage, speed and accuracy under time pressure matter more than depth. Candidates should treat the next two months primarily as a sectional-speed-building phase before shifting focus to Mains-level difficulty.
Take IBPS PO Free Mock Test & Boost Your Performance 10X
IBPS PO Mains Exam Date 2026
The IBPS PO Mains exam date 2026 will be held on 4th October 2026. Only candidates who clear the IBPS PO Prelims cut-off move to this stage. Mains is significantly more comprehensive — it tests conceptual depth across Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language, along with a separate Descriptive Test for Letter and Essay writing.
Unlike Prelims, your Mains score directly feeds into the final merit calculation, so this is the stage that decides your actual selection odds.
IBPS Calendar 2026 PDF Released! Check the Official PDF
IBPS PO 2026 Complete Exam Calendar
| Event | Expected/Confirmed Date |
| IBPS Calendar 2026-27 Released | 16th January 2026 |
| IBPS PO Notification 2026 | June/July 2026 (Expected) |
| Online Application Start | June/July 2026 (Expected) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June/July 2026 (Expected) |
| Application Form Correction Window | July 2026 (Expected) |
| Pre-Examination Training (PET) Call Letter | July 2026 (Expected) |
| Prelims Admit Card | August 2026 (Expected) |
| IBPS PO Prelims Exam | 22nd & 23rd August 2026 (Confirmed) |
| Prelims Result | September 2026 (Expected) |
| Mains Admit Card | September 2026 (Expected) |
| IBPS PO Mains Exam | 4th October 2026 (Confirmed) |
| Mains Result | November 2026 (Expected) |
| Interview Call Letter | November 2026 (Expected) |
| Interview | December 2026 (Expected) |
| Final Result & Provisional Allotment | January 2027 (Expected) |
Note: IBPS reserves the right to revise tentative dates closer to each stage. Always cross-verify against the latest notification on ibps.in before finalizing your travel or leave plans around exam dates.
Also Read: IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern
IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process
IBPS PO 2026 selection process follows a three-stage funnel, and clearing each stage is mandatory to proceed to the next:
- Preliminary Examination — Objective test, qualifying in nature, not counted in final merit.
- Main Examination — Objective + Descriptive test; this score forms 80% weightage of final merit.
- Interview — Personality test conducted by participating banks, coordinated by the nodal bank; this forms the remaining 20% weightage.
Final allotment to a specific participating bank depends on merit-cum-preference, subject to actual vacancies reported by each bank — indicative vacancies announced with the notification are not a guarantee of final numbers.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2026
IBPS PO Prelims Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
IBPS PO Mains Pattern
| Section | Type | Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | Objective | — | — |
| English Language | Objective | — | — |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | Objective | — | — |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | Objective | — | — |
| Objective Total | — | 200 | 160 minutes |
| Letter Writing & Essay | Descriptive | 25 | 30 minutes |
A negative marking of 0.25 marks applies for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains objective sections; unattempted questions carry no penalty.
For a section-wise topic breakdown, refer to our detailed IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern guide.
Also Check: IBPS PO Vacancy 2026
IBPS PO Eligibility Criteria 2026
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university (final-year candidates awaiting results can usually apply provisionally, subject to producing proof by the document verification stage).
- Age Limit: 20 to 30 years as of the notification date, with standard age relaxation for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, and other reserved categories as per government norms.
- Nationality: Indian citizens; Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) may also be eligible subject to government clearance norms.
Download 500+ GA Probable Questions for IBPS PO Mains Exam PDF
IBPS PO 2026 Participating Banks
The CRP PO/MT process recruits Probationary Officers simultaneously for 11 participating public sector banks. Once you clear the Interview, allotment to a specific bank is based on your merit rank and stated preference, not a fixed assignment.
Why the IBPS PO Exam Remains a Top Career Choice
The Probationary Officer role offers an attractive starting package, structured promotion cycles within the public sector banking cadre, and long-term job security — a combination that keeps the IBPS PO exam among the most competitive recruitment drives in India each year, often drawing lakhs of applicants for a few thousand seats. Candidates who plan to compare this opportunity against other banking roles can also check our detailed IBPS PO Salary breakdown for in-hand pay, allowances, and perks.
How to Check the Official IBPS PO Exam Date
- Visit the official IBPS website: www.ibps.in
- Locate the “CRP PO/MT” section on the homepage.
- Click the latest notification link (e.g., CRP PO/MT-XVI).
- Open the detailed notification PDF to confirm exam dates, vacancy numbers, and application timelines.
Also Read
Start More Preparation Banking Exams- Click to Check
IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 FAQs
Q1. What is the IBPS PO Exam Date 2026?
As per the official IBPS Calendar 2026-27, the IBPS PO Prelims exam will be held on 22nd and 23rd August 2026, and the Mains exam is scheduled for 4th October 2026.
Q2. Has the IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 been officially released?
Yes. The exam dates were released as part of the IBPS Calendar 2026-27, published on 16th January 2026. The detailed notification with the application schedule is expected in June or July 2026.
Q3. Is the IBPS PO Calendar date final, or can it change?
IBPS retains the right to revise tentative exam dates if required. Candidates should always cross-check the final schedule once the detailed notification is released.
Q4. How many stages are there in IBPS PO selection, and what is the weightage?
There are three stages: Prelims (qualifying only), Mains (80% weightage in final merit), and Interview (20% weightage in final merit).
Q5. What is the age limit for IBPS PO 2026?
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years of age, with relaxation available for reserved categories as per government rules.
Q6. When will the IBPS PO 2026 notification and application form be released?
The detailed notification and online application window are expected in June or July 2026, based on previous-year patterns.
Q7. Is there negative marking in the IBPS PO exam?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both the Prelims and Mains objective sections. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
- Sign Up on Practicemock for Updated Current Affairs, Topic Tests and Mini Mocks
- Sign Up Here to Download Free Study Material
Free Mock Tests for the Upcoming Exams
- IBPS PO Free Mock Test
- RBI Grade B Free Mock Test
- IBPS SO Free Mock Test
- NABARD Grade A Free Mock Test
- SSC CGL Free Mock Test
- IBPS Clerk Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB PO Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB Clerk Free Mock Test
- RRB NTPC Free Mock Test
- SSC MTS Free Mock Test
- SSC Stenographer Free Mock Test
- GATE Mechanical Free Mock Test
- GATE Civil Free Mock Test
- RRB ALP Free Mock Test
- SSC CPO Free Mock Test
- AFCAT Free Mock Test
- SEBI Grade A Free Mock Test
- IFSCA Grade A Free Mock Test
- RRB JE Free Mock Test
- Free Banking Live Test
- Free SSC Live Test