IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26: Your Ultimate Guide to a Rewarding Banking Career

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is the cornerstone for aspiring bankers in India, conducting recruitment examinations for prestigious roles in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26, officially released on January 15, 2025, provides a clear roadmap for candidates aiming to secure positions such as Probationary Officer (PO), Clerk (Customer Service Associate), Specialist Officer (SO), and RRB Officer Scale I, II, III, and Office Assistants. With thousands of vacancies expected and a competitive selection process, this article offers a comprehensive guide to the IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26, key exam details, preparation strategies, job opportunities, and actionable tips to excel, complete with detailed tables for clarity.

Why the IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26 is a Game-Changer

The IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26, available on the official website (www.ibps.in), outlines tentative dates for notifications, registrations, and examinations for various banking posts. It is an indispensable tool for aspirants to strategize their preparation and stay ahead in the highly competitive banking sector. The calendar covers recruitment for roles in 11 participating PSBs, including Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, and Punjab National Bank, and numerous RRBs across India.

With an estimated 6,000+ vacancies for IBPS Clerk 2025 (based on last year’s 6,128) and significant openings for IBPS PO (3,955 in 2024), SO, and RRB posts, the calendar helps candidates align their study plans with critical deadlines. The tentative nature of the schedule underscores the importance of regularly checking the official IBPS website for updates, as dates may shift due to administrative or unforeseen reasons.

Key Highlights of IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26

Release Date: January 15, 2025.
Major Exams:
IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale I) Prelims: July 27, August 2, and August 3, 2025.
IBPS RRB Clerk (Office Assistant) Prelims: August 30, September 6, and 7, 2025.
IBPS PO Prelims: October 4, 5, and 11, 2025.
IBPS Clerk (CSA) Prelims: December 6, 7, 13, and 14, 2025.
IBPS SO Prelims: November 22 and 23, 2025.
Vacancies (Estimated):
IBPS Clerk: ~6,000+ (based on 2024).
IBPS PO: ~3,500–4,000.
IBPS RRB: Varies by state and post.
IBPS SO: Not yet disclosed.
Application Process: Fully online via www.ibps.in, with separate registrations for each exam.
Selection Process: Varies by post (Prelims, Mains, Interview for PO/SO; Prelims and Mains for Clerk/RRB Office Assistant).

IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26: Complete Schedule

Below is a detailed table summarizing the tentative IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26 for major examinations, including registration and exam dates:

Examination	Notification Date (Tentative)	Registration Dates (Tentative)	Prelims Exam Date	Mains/Single Exam Date
IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale I)	June 2025	June–July 2025	July 27, August 2, 3, 2025	September 13, 2025
IBPS RRB Clerk (Office Assistant)	June 2025	June–July 2025	August 30, September 6, 7, 2025	November 9, 2025
IBPS RRB Officer Scale II & III	June 2025	June–July 2025	–	September 13, 2025
IBPS PO/MT (CRP PO/MT-XV)	August 2025	August 2025	October 4, 5, 11, 2025	November 29, 2025
IBPS SO (CRP SPL-XV)	August 2025	August 2025	November 22, 23, 2025	December 2025
IBPS Clerk (CRP CSA-XV)	October 2025	October 2025	December 6, 7, 13, 14, 2025	February 1, 2026

Table of Contents

Note: Dates are tentative and subject to change. Candidates should visit www.ibps.in for official notifications and updates.

IBPS Examinations 2025-26: In-Depth Details

1. IBPS PO/MT (Probationary Officer/Management Trainee)

Purpose: Recruit Probationary Officers for 11 PSBs.
Vacancies (2024 Reference): 3,955 (updated from 4,455).
Eligibility:
Age: 20–30 years as of August 1, 2025 (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD).
Education: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Nationality: Indian citizen or as per IBPS norms.
Selection Process: Prelims (100 marks), Mains (225 marks), Interview (100 marks).
Exam Pattern:
Prelims: Reasoning (35 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (35 questions), English Language (30 questions).
Mains: Objective (Reasoning, Data Analysis, English, General Awareness) + Descriptive (Essay/Letter Writing).
Salary: Starting basic pay of ₹36,000 + allowances (DA, HRA, CCA).
Key Dates:
Notification: August 2025.
Prelims: October 4, 5, 11, 2025.
Mains: November 29, 2025.
Interview: February 2026.

2. IBPS Clerk (Customer Service Associate)

Purpose: Recruit clerical staff (now termed Customer Service Associates) for PSBs.
Vacancies (2024 Reference): 6,128, with Uttar Pradesh leading at 1,246.
Eligibility:
Age: 20–28 years as of October 1, 2025 (relaxations apply).
Education: Bachelor’s degree.
Selection Process: Prelims (100 marks), Mains (200 marks), no interview.
Exam Pattern:
Prelims: English Language (30 questions), Numerical Ability (35 questions), Reasoning Ability (35 questions).
Mains: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude.
Salary: Starting basic pay of ₹19,900 + allowances.
Key Dates:
Notification: October 2025.
Prelims: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 2025.
Mains: February 1, 2026.

3. IBPS SO (Specialist Officer)

Purpose: Recruit specialists in fields like IT, HR, Law, Marketing, Agriculture, and Rajbhasha.
Eligibility:
Age: 20–30 years.
Education: Relevant professional degree (e.g., B.Tech for IT, LLB for Law).
Selection Process: Prelims, Mains, Interview.
Exam Pattern:
Prelims: Varies by post (includes Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude/General Awareness).
Mains: Professional Knowledge (objective/descriptive).
Salary: Varies by scale, starting at ₹23,700–36,000 + allowances “‘web:8⁊.
Key Dates:
Notification: August 2025.
Prelims: November 22, 23, 2025.
Mains: December 2025.

4. IBPS RRB (Regional Rural Banks)

Purpose: Recruit for Officer Scale I, II, III, and Office Assistants in RRBs.
Eligibility:
Age: Officer Scale I (18–30 years), Office Assistant (18–28 years), Scale II/III (21–40/32 years).
Education: Bachelor’s degree; professional qualifications for Scale II/III.
Selection Process:
Office Assistant/Officer Scale I: Prelims, Mains.
Officer Scale II/III: Single exam, Interview.
Exam Pattern:
Prelims: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude/Numerical Ability.
Mains: Adds General Awareness, English/Hindi, Computer Knowledge.
Salary:
Office Assistant: ~₹15,000–19,000.
Officer Scale I: ~₹29,000–33,000.
Scale II/III: Higher scales.
Key Dates:
Notification: June 2025.
Prelims (Scale I, Office Assistant): July 27–August 7, 2025.
Mains/Single Exam: September 13, November 9, 2025.

Application Process for IBPS Exams 2025-26

The IBPS application process is fully online and requires careful adherence to guidelines:

Visit Official Website: Go to www.ibps.in.
Register: Click on “New Registration” for the desired exam (e.g., IBPS PO, Clerk).
Fill Details: Provide personal, educational, and contact information.
Upload Documents:

Photograph (20–50 KB, JPEG).
Signature (10–20 KB, JPEG).
Thumb Impression (20–50 KB, JPEG).
Handwritten Declaration (50–100 KB, JPEG, as per notification format).
Live photograph (via webcam/mobile during registration).

Pay Application Fee:

General/OBC: ₹850 (PO/Clerk/SO), ₹850 (RRB Officer), ₹175 (RRB Office Assistant).
SC/ST/PwBD: ₹175 (all posts).

Submit and Save: Download the confirmation page for reference.

Important: Separate registrations are required for each exam. The application window typically opens one month before Prelims and closes 20–30 days later.

Preparation Strategies for IBPS Exams 2025-26

Cracking IBPS exams requires a blend of strategic planning, consistent effort, and smart resource utilization. Here are expert tips to excel:

Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern:

Focus on core areas: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General/Financial Awareness, and Professional Knowledge (for SO).
Review previous years’ papers to identify high-weightage topics.

Create a Study Plan:

Allocate 6–8 hours daily, balancing all subjects.
Dedicate time for daily current affairs and weekly revisions.

Leverage Quality Resources:

Books:
- Quantitative Aptitude: R.S. Aggarwal, Arun Sharma.
- Reasoning: M.K. Pandey, B.S. Sijwali.
- English: Wren & Martin, Norman Lewis.
- General Awareness: Lucent’s GK, Banking Awareness by Arihant.
Online Platforms: Testbook, Adda247, PracticeMock, PW Live.
Newspapers: The Hindu, Economic Times for current affairs.

Practice Mock Tests:

Take weekly mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
Analyze performance to identify and address weak areas.

Master Time Management:

Practice solving questions within time limits (e.g., 20 minutes for Prelims sections).
Prioritize easier questions to maximize scores.

Focus on Current Affairs:

Cover banking, economy, and government schemes (last 6 months).
Use monthly magazines like Banking Services Chronicle or Pratiyogita Darpan.

Enhance Descriptive Skills (for PO/SO Mains):

Practice essay and letter writing on banking-related topics.
Maintain clarity, structure, and conciseness.

Stay Updated:

Follow www.ibps.in for notifications and syllabus changes.
Join online communities for tips and updates (e.g., Telegram groups, Apni Pathshala).

Job Opportunities Through IBPS 2025-26

IBPS exams open doors to stable, prestigious, and financially rewarding careers in the banking sector. Below is a table summarizing key roles, responsibilities, and career prospects:

Post	Role Description	Key Responsibilities	Career Prospects
IBPS PO/MT	Probationary Officer/Management Trainee in PSBs	Customer service, loan processing, branch operations	Branch Manager, Regional Manager, GM
IBPS Clerk (CSA)	Customer Service Associate in PSBs	Counter operations, account management, customer queries	Head Clerk, Officer, PO (via promotions)
IBPS SO	Specialist Officer (IT, HR, Law, etc.)	Specialized tasks (e.g., IT system management, legal advisory)	Senior Specialist, Department Head
RRB Officer Scale I	Assistant Manager in RRBs	Rural banking, loan disbursement, community outreach	Branch Manager, Regional Head
RRB Office Assistant	Clerical staff in RRBs	Account maintenance, customer support	Senior Assistant, Officer Scale I
RRB Officer Scale II/III	Senior roles in RRBs	Policy implementation, team management	Senior Manager, Zonal Head

Why Choose an IBPS Career?

Job Security: Permanent roles in government banks.
Lucrative Salary: Competitive pay with allowances (DA, HRA, medical).
Career Growth: Clear promotion paths through exams or seniority.
Social Impact: Contribute to financial inclusion, especially in rural areas (RRBs).
Perks: Pension, gratuity, housing, and travel benefits.

How to Download the IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26

Follow these steps to access the official IBPS Exam Calendar:

Visit www.ibps.in.
Navigate to the “What’s New” or “Exam Notifications” section.
Click on “IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26”.
Download the PDF and save it for reference.
Print and pin it to your study area for quick access.

Direct Link: Check the official IBPS website or trusted sources like GovtJobsAlert.in for the PDF.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

IBPS exams are highly competitive, with challenges including:

High Competition: Lakhs of candidates vie for limited seats (e.g., 3,955 PO vacancies in 2024).
Vast Syllabus: Covers Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and Banking Awareness.
Time Constraints: Strict sectional time limits in Prelims (20 minutes per section).

Solutions:

Early Preparation: Start 6–12 months in advance using the calendar as a guide.
Focused Study: Prioritize weak areas and high-scoring topics (e.g., puzzles in Reasoning, data interpretation in Quant).
Coaching Support: Consider platforms like Physics Wallah, Adda247, or local institutes for structured guidance.
Mental Resilience: Practice mindfulness or join study groups to stay motivated.

Conclusion

The IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26 is your blueprint for securing a prestigious banking career. With key exams like IBPS PO (October 2025), Clerk (December 2025), SO (November 2025), and RRB (July–September 2025), aspirants have a clear timeline to plan their preparation. The estimated 6,000+ vacancies for Clerk, 3,500+ for PO, and numerous RRB opportunities make 2025-26 a golden year for banking aspirants.

Download the calendar from www.ibps.in, create a disciplined study plan, and leverage recommended resources to ace the exams. Stay updated with notifications, practice rigorously, and approach the exams with confidence. Your dream of becoming a Probationary Officer, Customer Service Associate, or Specialist Officer is within reach with the right strategy and dedication.

Gear up, plan smart, and conquer IBPS 2025-26!

Sources:

Official IBPS Website: www.ibps.in
GovtJobsAlert.in: IBPS Exam Calendar 2025-26
Career Power: IBPS PO, Clerk Exam Dates
Times of India: IBPS RRB Exam Calendar 2025-26
Shiksha.com: IBPS Exam Details 2025
Testbook.com: IBPS Calendar and Recruitment
Adda247: IBPS Exam Schedule and Preparation
India Today: IBPS Calendar Release
X Post by @gpurohit41: IBPS PO Exam Announcement

Note: Always verify details on www.ibps.in, as dates and vacancies are subject to change. For the latest updates, follow trusted platforms like GovtJobsAlert.in or join banking preparation communities.