The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has extended the registration deadline for the 2026 Probationary Officer (PO) and Specialist Officer (SO) recruitment drive to July 26, 2026. Check revised dates, vacancies, eligibility, application process, and official links.

In a major relief for banking job aspirants, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has extended the last date to apply for the Probationary Officer (PO)/Management Trainee (MT) and Specialist Officer (SO) recruitment examinations for 2026. Eligible candidates can now complete their online applications until July 26, 2026, instead of the earlier deadline. The extension provides additional time for thousands of candidates aspiring to secure careers in India’s public sector banks.

Candidates can submit their applications through the official IBPS portal.

Important Dates

Event	Revised Date
Online application begins	July 1, 2026
Last date to apply	July 26, 2026
Application fee payment	July 26, 2026
Preliminary Examination (PO)	August 22 & 23, 2026
Main Examination (PO)	October 4, 2026

The revised schedule has been published by IBPS through an official corrigendum on its website.

Recruitment Drive Covers PO and Specialist Officer Posts

The recruitment drive aims to fill vacancies for:

• Probationary Officers (PO)/Management Trainees (MT)
• Specialist Officers (SO) in various disciplines, including:
  • IT Officer
  • Agricultural Field Officer
  • Rajbhasha Adhikari
  • Law Officer
  • HR/Personnel Officer
  • Marketing Officer

These positions are offered across participating public sector banks through the Common Recruitment Process (CRP).

Who Can Apply?

Candidates must satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in the official notification.

Educational Qualification

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is required for PO/MT posts.
• Specialist Officer posts require discipline-specific educational qualifications depending on the post.

Age Limit

• Minimum age: 20 years
• Maximum age: 30 years
• Age relaxation is available for reserved categories as per Government of India norms.

Selection Process

The selection process for IBPS PO consists of:

1. Preliminary Examination
2. Main Examination
3. Personality Test and Interview

For Specialist Officers, candidates will undergo:

1. Preliminary Examination
2. Main Examination (Professional Knowledge)
3. Personality Test and Interview

Final selection will be based on performance in the later stages of the recruitment process as prescribed by IBPS.

How to Apply

Candidates can complete the application process by following these steps:

1. Visit the official IBPS website.
2. Click on the relevant CRP PO/MT-XVI or CRP SPL-XVI recruitment link.
3. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
4. Fill in personal, educational and communication details.
5. Upload the required documents, photograph, signature and handwritten declaration.
6. Pay the application fee online.
7. Submit the application and save a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.

Why the Extension Matters

The extension gives candidates additional time to:

• Complete registration without last-minute technical issues.
• Correct and verify application details.
• Arrange required documents and certificates.
• Make online fee payments before the revised deadline.

It is particularly beneficial for applicants who were unable to complete the process within the original application window.

Official Links

• IBPS Official Website: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
• PO Recruitment Notification: CRP PO/MT-XVI Notification

Conclusion

The extension of the registration deadline for the IBPS PO and Specialist Officer Recruitment 2026 offers banking aspirants another opportunity to apply for one of India’s largest public sector bank recruitment drives. Candidates should use the extended timeline wisely, verify their eligibility, complete the online application process, and begin their exam preparation well in advance. With the preliminary examinations scheduled for August 22 and 23, 2026, timely registration remains the first step towards a rewarding banking career.