Everything you should know before preparing or applying for the IBPS Probationary Officer / Management Trainee Examination. This page summarizes important information from the official CRP-PO/MT-XVI notification in a simple and structured manner.
Important IBPS PO details at a glance.
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Probationary Officer / Management Trainee
Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University
20–30 Years
(as prescribed in the notification)
Prelims → Main → Personality Test → Interview → Provisional Allotment
Online Computer Based Examination
11 Public Sector Banks under the CRP
₹48,480
Plus applicable allowances & perquisites
Important information regarding IBPS CRP-PO/MT-XVI.
| Full Name | Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers / Management Trainees |
|---|---|
| Exam | IBPS PO / MT |
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Recruitment | CRP-PO/MT-XVI |
| Vacancy Cycle | 2027–28 |
| Total Indicative Vacancies | 6,715 |
| Educational Qualification | Degree (Graduation) in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 20–30 Years, subject to applicable relaxation |
| Selection Process | Online Preliminary → Online Main → Personality Test → Common Interview → Provisional Allotment |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Preliminary Exam | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes |
| Main Examination | Objective Tests: 170 Questions | 200 Marks | 160 Minutes + Descriptive: 25 Marks | 30 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 mark (one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question) for each wrong answer in objective tests |
| Interview | 100 Marks |
| Final Weightage | Online Main Examination : Interview = 80 : 20 |
IBPS PO / MT recruitment is conducted for Probationary Officer / Management Trainee positions in participating Public Sector Banks.
The CRP recruits candidates for the Probationary Officer / Management Trainee post in participating Public Sector Banks.
Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India.
The notified basic pay scale starts at ₹48,480 with applicable increments and allowances / perquisites according to the rules of the participating bank.
The recruitment process provides entry into the officer cadre of participating Public Sector Banks through a common selection process.
Pay scale notified for Probationary Officer / Management Trainee.
| Post | Basic Pay Scale | Starting Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary Officer / Management Trainee | ₹48,480-2,000/7-₹62,480-2,340/2-₹67,160-2,680/7-₹85,920 | ₹48,480 |
The official is eligible for allowances and perquisites as per the rules of the participating bank in force from time to time.
Basic eligibility requirements prescribed in the official notification.
A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Eligible candidates include citizens of India and the other categories of persons specified in the official notification, subject to the prescribed certificate of eligibility where required.
Minimum 20 years and maximum 30 years, subject to the applicable upper-age relaxations.
The final graduation result must have been declared by the prescribed cut-off date and the candidate must possess the required marksheet / degree proof.
A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by the Central Government is required.
The candidate must possess a valid marksheet / degree certificate showing that he or she is a graduate on the day of registration and must indicate the percentage of marks obtained in Graduation in the online application.
The final result of the qualifying degree must have been declared by the date prescribed in the notification. Proper documentary proof from the University / Institution has to be produced at the interview when required.
Graduation percentage is to be calculated to the nearest two decimals. Where CGPA / OGPA is awarded, it must be converted into percentage according to the conversion criteria of the University / Institution and the required proof must be produced when asked.
Candidates awaiting final results of the qualifying graduation examination on the prescribed eligibility date are not eligible under the notification.
The prescribed minimum age is 20 years and the maximum age is 30 years, subject to the applicable category-wise upper-age relaxation rules.
For the notification's stated age reckoning, the candidate must satisfy the prescribed date-of-birth conditions. Reserved and other eligible categories receive relaxation as specified by IBPS.
Upper-age relaxation available to eligible categories.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe | 5 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | 10 Years |
| Eligible Ex-Servicemen / Commissioned Officers and specified categories | 5 Years, subject to the conditions and ceiling prescribed in the notification |
Age relaxation is subject to the detailed conditions of the official notification. Candidates claiming relaxation must produce the prescribed certificates at the interview / subsequent recruitment stage.
Tentative schedule given in the official CRP-PO/MT-XVI notification.
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Registration / Edit / Modification | 01 July 2026 to 21 July 2026 |
| Online Payment of Application Fee / Intimation Charges | 01 July 2026 to 21 July 2026 |
| Pre-Examination Training | August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | August 2026 |
| Preliminary Result | September 2026 |
| Main Examination | October 2026 |
| Main Result | November 2026 |
| Personality Test | November 2026 |
| Interview | November / December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January 2027 |
Fee prescribed in CRP-PO/MT-XVI. Payment is online.
| Category | Fee / Intimation Charges |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | ₹175 (inclusive of GST) |
| All Other Candidates | ₹850 (inclusive of GST) |
| Bank Transaction Charges | To be borne by the candidate |
The application fee / intimation charges once paid are not refundable and are not kept in reserve for another examination. Candidates should complete the payment carefully and retain the system-generated application details for future reference.
The IBPS PO / MT recruitment process consists of Online Preliminary Examination, Online Main Examination, Personality Test, Common Interview and Provisional Allotment.
The Preliminary Examination is an objective test used to shortlist candidates for the Online Main Examination.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes | English |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 Minutes | English & Hindi |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 Minutes | English & Hindi |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes | — |
Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing the minimum cut-off marks decided by IBPS. An adequate number of candidates in each category are shortlisted for the Online Main Examination according to IBPS requirements.
Subject-wise structure of the IBPS PO Preliminary Examination.
30 questions, 30 marks and 20 minutes. The test is conducted in English.
35 questions, 30 marks and 20 minutes. The test is available in English and Hindi.
35 questions, 40 marks and 20 minutes. The test is available in English and Hindi.
The Main Examination contains objective tests followed by a descriptive paper. The objective tests are separately timed.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 60 | 45 Minutes | English & Hindi |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness / Digital / Financial Awareness including RBI circulars | 50 | 60 | 35 Minutes | English & Hindi |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 35 Minutes | English |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | 45 Minutes | English & Hindi |
| Objective Total | 170 | 200 | 160 Minutes | — |
| Descriptive Paper — Essay & Comprehension | 2 | 25 | 30 Minutes | English |
The Main Examination therefore has an objective component of 170 questions for 200 marks and a descriptive paper of 25 marks. The notification states that the descriptive paper may broadly cover economic and social issues, emerging trends in banking and technology, current events, ethics and related areas.
Major sections included in the Online Main Examination.
40 questions, 60 marks and 45 minutes.
50 questions, 60 marks and 35 minutes, including Digital / Financial Awareness and RBI circulars.
40 questions, 20 marks and 35 minutes.
40 questions, 60 marks and 45 minutes.
Essay and Comprehension: 2 questions, 25 marks and 30 minutes in English.
The Personality Test is conducted after qualification in the Main Examination.
The Personality Test is a self-report assessment and the candidate's personality profile is placed before the Interview panel.
The Personality Test is non-qualifying in nature.
Appearing in the Personality Test is mandatory for being eligible for the Interview process.
It may be conducted through proctored mode or at identified examination centres as decided by IBPS.
Shortlisted candidates after the Main Examination and Personality Test are called for Interview.
| Interview Marks | 100 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 40% for General candidates; 35% for SC / ST / OBC / PwBD candidates |
| Main : Interview Weightage | 80 : 20 |
| Conducting Arrangement | Participating Banks, coordinated by the Nodal Bank in each State / UT / Region with the help of IBPS |
| Final Score | Based on Online Main Examination and Interview scores according to the prescribed 80:20 weightage |
Three objective tests are conducted separately within a total duration of 60 minutes.
Objective tests followed by a descriptive English paper.
Non-qualifying but mandatory for candidates proceeding to the Interview stage.
Interview carries 100 marks and is conducted by participating banks with IBPS coordination.
Successful candidates are provisionally allotted to participating banks according to vacancies and applicable conditions.
Application is submitted online through the official IBPS website.
Visit the official IBPS website and register for CRP-PO/MT using the prescribed online application process.
Fill personal, educational, category and other required details carefully. Certain fields cannot be changed after submission.
Upload the prescribed photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration and applicable certificate.
Pay the applicable application fee / intimation charges through the online payment facility.
Submit the completed application and retain the system-generated application form, Registration Number and Password.
Important items required during online registration and subsequent stages.
A recent, recognisable photograph of the prescribed size must be uploaded. Candidates must retain copies for later stages.
Signature should be clear, appropriately sized and consistent throughout the recruitment process. Signature in CAPITAL LETTERS is not accepted.
The prescribed left thumb impression must be scanned and uploaded clearly without smudging or blurring.
The declaration must be in the candidate's own handwriting and in English, and should not be written in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Valid marksheet / degree certificate and proof of percentage / CGPA conversion where applicable.
SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS / PwBD and other applicable certificates must be produced in the prescribed format when required.
Training may be arranged for eligible candidates who opt for it.
Limited candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC and Minority Communities may be provided Pre-Examination Training.
Pre-Examination Training may be arranged in online mode.
Eligible candidates who wish to avail the facility should indicate it in the relevant column of the online application.
Attending Pre-Examination Training does not give a candidate any right to selection or appointment.
Special provisions are available to eligible candidates as prescribed by the notification.
Eligible candidates may use a scribe subject to the conditions, declarations and documentation prescribed by IBPS.
Eligible candidates using a scribe and specified categories are entitled to compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour or otherwise advised.
Eligible VI candidates may opt for magnified font and are entitled to the applicable compensatory-time provision.
Disability certificates and other prescribed documents must be produced / uploaded wherever required.
Banks listed in the CRP-PO/MT-XVI notification.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
IBPS PO refers to the Common Recruitment Process for recruitment of Probationary Officers / Management Trainees in participating Public Sector Banks.
A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government is required.
The prescribed age is 20 to 30 years, subject to applicable upper-age relaxations for eligible categories.
₹175 inclusive of GST for SC / ST / PwBD candidates and ₹850 inclusive of GST for all other candidates. Online payment transaction charges are borne by the candidate.
The Preliminary Examination has 100 questions for 100 marks: 30 English, 35 Quantitative Aptitude and 35 Reasoning Ability questions.
The objective Main Examination has 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, followed by a 25-mark descriptive paper of 30 minutes containing Essay and Comprehension.
Yes. One-fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer in the objective tests of the Preliminary and Main Examination.
No. The Personality Test is non-qualifying, but appearing in it is mandatory for being eligible for the Interview process.
The Interview carries 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks are 40%, with 35% for SC / ST / OBC / PwBD candidates.
The relative weightage of the Online Main Examination and Interview is 80:20.
The notification lists Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India.
No. More than one application should not be submitted. If multiple applications are submitted, only the latest valid completed application is retained and fees paid for the other registrations are forfeited.