IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 Out: Check Prelims & Mains Exam Dates

The IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 has been officially announced along with the IBPS PO Notification 2026 for the CRP PO/MT-XVI recruitment cycle on June 30, 2026. Candidates aspiring to become Probationary Officers in participating public sector banks should be aware of the complete examination schedule to plan their preparation effectively. According to the official notification, The IBPS PO Preliminary Examination for 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 22nd and 23rd August 2026 by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, while the IBPS PO Mains Exam 2026 is scheduled for 4 October 2026.

Apart from the exam dates, candidates should also keep track of the IBPS PO registration date 2026, application deadline, admit card release, and selection process. This article provides the latest official schedule, important dates, eligibility overview, and preparation timeline to help you stay ahead throughout the recruitment process.

IBPS PO 2026 Exam Date

The IBPS PO 2026 Exam Date timeline covers everything from notification to provisional allotment, spread across nearly seven months. Before you plan your study schedule, here’s a quick summary of the IBPS PO 2026 Exam Calendar: registrations are already open, and Prelims are just weeks away, so early preparation genuinely pays off now.

IBPS PO Exam Notification and Registration 2026

The IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 notification was released on 30 June 2026 by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection at www.ibps.in, kicking off the CRP PO/MT-XVI cycle. 

• This is the 16th edition of the exam since it began in 2011, and it’s being conducted to fill 6,715 indicative Probationary Officer/Management Trainee posts across 11 participating public sector banks.
• Online registration opened on 1 July 2026 and will close on 21 July 2026. IBPS has also introduced a two-day correction window after registration closes, so double-check your form before that window shuts too.
• The application fee is ₹850 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates, payable online via debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking.

IBPS PO Exam Date: Eligibility and Age Limit

The IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 notification also lays out clear IBPS PO eligibility conditions that every applicant must meet before hitting submit. Getting this wrong can mean disqualification even after clearing the exam, so it’s worth reading twice.

• Educational qualification: A graduation degree in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India (or an equivalent qualification). No minimum percentage is required, and there’s no restriction on stream; engineers, commerce graduates, and arts students are all eligible.
• Final-year students: Can apply, but their result must be declared on or before 21 July 2026.
• Age limit: Minimum 20 years, maximum 30 years, as on 1 July 2026. Candidates must be born between 2 July 1996 and 1 July 2006 (both dates inclusive).

Category-wise age relaxation:

IBPS PO Selection Process Explained

The exam cycle follows a four-stage selection process, and each stage builds on the last, so skipping preparation for any one of them is risky. Here’s how the IBPS Selection Process breaks down, phase by phase:

1. Preliminary Examination – Qualifying in nature; 100 objective questions (English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning) for 100 marks in 60 minutes, with sectional timing of 20 minutes each.
2. Main Examination – 170 objective questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, plus a 25-mark descriptive paper (Essay & Letter Writing) in 30 minutes. This year’s Mains pattern has been revised, with more weightage to General/Economy/Banking Awareness and Data Analysis.
3. Personality Test – A newly introduced, non-qualifying but mandatory round for interview-shortlisted candidates.
4. Interview – Conducted by participating banks; candidates need at least 40% marks (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) to qualify. Final merit is based on Mains and Interview scores in an 80:20 ratio. Prelims marks are used only for shortlisting.

IBPS PO Step-by-Step Application Guide

Applying for the IBPS PO 2026 cycle is a fully online process, and it takes less time than most candidates expect if the documents are ready in advance. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Visit the official website, www.ibps.in.
2. Click on “CRP PO/MT” under the Careers section, then select “Apply Online.”
3. Register with your name, mobile number, and email ID to generate a provisional registration number and password.
4. Fill in personal, educational, and category details accurately.
5. Upload your photograph, signature, and other required documents in the prescribed format.
6. Pay the application fee online and review your form using “Save and Next” before final submission.
7. Download and save a copy of the completed application for future reference.

IBPS PO Admit Card and Exam Day Checklist

Once registration closes, the IBPS PO Exam process moves quickly into the admit card and exam phase. 

• The Prelims admit card is expected roughly 10–15 days before 22 August, typically in the first week of August 2026, and will be available for download from the official portal using your registration number and date of birth.

Documents to Carry in the IBPS PO Exam Hall

On exam day, carry your admit card, a valid original photo ID, and a passport-size photograph. Reach your centre well before the reporting time, since late entry is not permitted for CBT exams. The Mains admit card will follow a similar release pattern closer to 4 October 2026.

IBPS PO Exam Date 2026: Is It Confirmed?

There’s often confusion around whether the IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 schedule is final or subject to change, and it’s a fair question given how often government exam calendars shift. As of now, IBPS has confirmed Prelims for 22–23 August and Mains for 4 October 2026 through its official notification and exam calendar, and no postponement has been announced. That said, IBPS reserves the right to revise dates due to unforeseen circumstances, so keep checking ibps.in for shift-related updates closer to the exam.

Final Word on IBPS PO Exam Date 2026

With the IBPS PO Exam Date 2026 now locked in, the real work begins: structured revision, regular mock tests, and staying updated on any official corrigendum. Bookmark the official IBPS website, set reminders for your admit card release, and use the roughly six weeks left before Prelims wisely. A clear timeline is half the battle won; the rest comes down to consistent practice.

FAQs on IBPS PO Exam Date

Q1. When is the IBPS PO Prelims exam 2026 scheduled? 

The IBPS PO Prelims Exam 2026 is scheduled for 22 and 23 August 2026, conducted online across multiple shifts. Candidates should download their admit cards about 10–15 days before the exam from the official IBPS website, www.ibps.in.

Q2. What is the IBPS PO Mains exam date 2026? 

The IBPS PO Mains Exam 2026 will be held on 4 October 2026. It includes 170 objective questions for 200 marks plus a 25-mark descriptive paper, testing reasoning, awareness, English, and data analysis skills.

Q3. What is the last date to apply online for IBPS PO 2026? 

The last date to apply online for IBPS PO 2026 is 21 July 2026. Candidates must complete registration and fee payment before this deadline on www.ibps.in to avoid missing the CRP PO/MT-XVI cycle.

Q4. Is the IBPS PO 2026 exam date postponed or changed? 

No official postponement has been announced. As per the IBPS Calendar 2026–27, Prelims remain fixed for 22–23 August and Mains for 4 October 2026, though candidates should regularly verify updates on ibps.in.

Q5. Where can I download the IBPS PO Notification 2026 PDF? 

The detailed IBPS PO Notification 2026 PDF is available on the official website, www.ibps.in, under the “CRP PO/MT” section. It contains complete details on vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, and selection process.