Upcoming Banking Exam Calendar 2026-27: Dates, Syllabus, and Salary Guide

• Pooja Singh
• February 17, 2026

There are so many banks in India which provide great services to their customers. A lot of people want to work for them, but only a few get a chance to do so. Our team understands that you prepare for bank exams which are held quite often. The calendar of 2026 banking exams is now available, so let’s draw your attention to the section below and get to know the Upcoming Banking Exam Calendar 2026-27 in detail.

The calendar of banking exams in India has been finalized by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and the State Bank of India (SBI). The 2026 cycle kicks off with the SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) exam. While candidates should monitor the NRA portal for Common Eligibility Test updates, SBI is currently expected to notify March 2026 Prelims under the existing standalone pattern. This is followed by the IBPS RRB cycle in August. The Probationary Officer (PO) exam is the gateway to becoming an Assistant Manager (Scale-I), while the Clerk/Junior Associate exams are the entry points for frontline staff. If you are aspiring for a career in the Reserve Bank, you must target the RBI Grade B or Assistant notifications.

Upcoming Banking Exam Calendar 2026-27

The banking sector is one of the most competitive sectors in the Indian job market. I believe it not only offers good financial rewards but also provides much-needed mental stimulus. In order to crack the banking exams, you need a clear idea of the syllabus, timings, and exam pattern. Further, you also need to have a good idea of the topics that will be covered in the exam.

Aspirant’s Guide for Banking Exam Calendar 2026-27

According to the Banking Exam Calendar 2026, the expected exam dates are officially projected. Those aspirants who’re looking to opt for a reputed bank job this year should go through a reliable source. As of early 2026, candidates must monitor the NRA portal for the potential implementation of the Common Eligibility Test (CET), though IBPS and SBI continue to conduct independent Tier-1 exams for the current cycle.

Waitlist Insight: Did you know? Most major banks maintain a reserve list valid for one year. Even if you miss the initial cut-off by a narrow margin, you may still receive an appointment letter later in the cycle!

Expected Vacancy Trends

While competition is high, vacancies remain steady. For the 2026-27 cycle, we expect approximately 15,000+ total roles across major banks. This typically includes around 8,000 vacancies for IBPS Clerk and 2,000 for SBI PO. Stay focused on your primary target to maximize your selection chances.

Eligibility Criteria

• An applicant must be a citizen of India and should carry legal proof of Indian citizenship.
• A graduation degree from any UGC-recognized university is the sole requirement; institutional ranking does not affect eligibility or selection.
• Age Bracket: For IBPS/SBI PO, the age is usually 20–30 years. For RBI Grade B, the limit is 21–30 years.
• OBC category receives an age relaxation of up to 3 years; SC/ST receives 5 years.

Salary & Stipend Reality Check (Post-12th Bipartite)

The 12th Bipartite Settlement has significantly boosted the pay structure for 2026. A newly appointed SBI PO can now expect a gross CTC of ₹1.10 Lakhs+, with a net in-hand salary of approximately ₹80,000 – ₹82,000 per month (post-NPS/tax deductions). For SBI Clerks, the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹42,000 – ₹46,000, depending on the city of posting.

Digital Banking & Fintech Updates in Syllabus

Modern exams now prioritize Digital Literacy. We highly recommend you focus on these evolving topics:

• Digital Banking: UPI, NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS infrastructure.
• CBDC & Blockchain: Central Bank Digital Currency (e-Rupee) and Account Aggregator (AA) frameworks.
• AI in Banking: Basics of machine learning in fraud detection and customer service.
• Green Finance: Climate risk and sustainable banking initiatives.

Points to Remember Before Applying

1. Sectional Timing: Unlike school exams, you cannot switch between sections freely. Most exams lock you into a 20-minute window per section.
2. Sectional Cut-offs: You must note that while IBPS retains sectional cut-offs, SBI PO generally does not have sectional cut-offs for the Prelims; only the overall score matters at that stage.
3. Interview & GE: SBI includes a Psychometric Test and Group Exercise (GE) after the Main exam, whereas IBPS PO focuses on a Personal Interview.
4. Language Proficiency Test (LPT): For Clerk and RRB positions, you must be fluent in the local language; failing the LPT means immediate disqualification.

Syllabus For Upcoming Bank Exams 2026

Quantitative Aptitude

• Data Interpretation (Caselets, Radar, Tabular), Data Sufficiency, Quantity Comparison, and high-level Arithmetic Word Problems.

General Awareness (Evolving Focus)

• Banking Awareness: RBI monetary policy, Basel Norms, and 2026-27 Union Budget highlights.
• Current Affairs: National and International summits from the last 6-8 months.

Significant Tactics To Prepare

Leverage quality mock test apps and digital PDF resources, but ensure you use ‘Focus Mode’ to eliminate distractions. Go through previous year papers to understand the format and solve at least 2 full-length mocks per week to master time management.

References & Official Sources:

• Official IBPS Portal (Exam Calendar 2026-27)
• Reserve Bank of India Recruitment Notifications
• Official NIRF 2025 University Rankings
• DFS Streamlines Banking Recruitment Cycle (PIB 2025)