IBPS PO Selection Process 2026
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection — Probationary Officer
How selection works
CRP PO/MT-XVI moves from two online examinations to a mandatory Personality Test, Common Interview and merit-cum-preference allotment. Clearing a stage is shortlisting, not a job offer.
Stage-by-stage process
Online Preliminary Examination
The 100-mark prelim is used for shortlisting. Candidates must clear the cut-off in each of the three separately timed tests. Preliminary marks do not form part of the final merit score.
Online Main Examination
Shortlisted candidates take the 200-mark objective test and 25-mark descriptive paper. Main-exam marks are used for shortlisting to the Personality Test and Interview and also contribute to final merit.
Mandatory Personality Test
Main-qualified candidates complete a self-report Personality Test. It is non-qualifying, but attendance is mandatory to remain eligible for the Interview. The personality profile is shared with the interview panel.
Common Interview
Participating Banks conduct the interview, coordinated by a Nodal Bank. Candidates must qualify both the Main examination and Interview. The notification sets a 40% interview minimum, or 35% for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates.
Final score and provisional allotment
The combined final score gives 80% weight to the Online Main examination and 20% to the Interview. Subject to merit, preferences, reservation rules, actual vacancies and document checks, candidates may be provisionally allotted to a participating bank.
What provisional allotment means
Allotment depends on actual vacancies reported by banks and is subject to eligibility and identity verification. It is not itself an appointment offer; joining terms are issued by the allotted participating bank.
Official source
Confirm every stage in the official CRP PO/MT-XVI notification. IBPS may publish later process updates on its website.