The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has given banking job aspirants additional time to apply for one of the country's largest recruitment drives. The application deadline for the Common Recruitment Process (CRP) PO/MT-XVI Recruitment 2026 has been extended from July 21 to July 26, 2026, allowing more eligible candidates to complete the online registration process.

This recruitment drive is being conducted for 7,365 vacancies of Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) across participating public sector banks. The online application process began on July 1, 2026, and interested candidates can submit their applications through the official IBPS website before the revised closing date. The extension was announced through an official corrigendum issued by IBPS.

Candidates applying for the recruitment must possess a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university in India. The prescribed age limit is 20 to 30 years as on July 1, 2026, while candidates belonging to reserved categories will be eligible for age relaxation in accordance with Government of India rules.

The application fee has been fixed at ₹850 for candidates belonging to the General, OBC and EWS categories, whereas applicants from SC, ST and PwBD categories are required to pay ₹175. The fee can be paid online through debit card, credit card, internet banking, IMPS and other digital payment options.

According to the official schedule, the Preliminary Examination is expected to be held in August 2026, followed by the declaration of results in September. Candidates who qualify the prelims will appear for the Main Examination, tentatively scheduled for October 2026. The recruitment process will also include a Personality Test, Interview, and Final Allotment, which is expected in January 2027.

The selection process will be conducted in multiple stages to assess candidates' aptitude, reasoning ability, English language proficiency and overall suitability for the Probationary Officer role. Final selection will be based on candidates' performance in the Main Examination and Interview, subject to document verification and eligibility conditions.

IBPS has advised applicants to carefully read the detailed notification before filling out the online form. Candidates should ensure that they satisfy all eligibility conditions, upload the required documents in the prescribed format and complete the registration well before the last date to avoid last-minute technical issues.

The PO recruitment is considered one of the most competitive banking examinations in India, attracting lakhs of graduates every year. With more than 7,300 vacancies and an extended application window, this year's recruitment offers a significant opportunity for candidates seeking a career in the public sector banking industry.

Important Highlights

• Recruitment: IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI 2026
• Total Vacancies: 7,365
• Application Start: July 1, 2026
• Last Date (Extended): July 26, 2026
• Educational Qualification: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline
• Age Limit: 20–30 years (as on July 1, 2026)
• Application Fee: ₹850 (Gen/OBC/EWS), ₹175 (SC/ST/PwBD)
• Selection Process: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Personality Test, Interview and Final Allotment
• Preliminary Exam: August 2026 (Tentative)