The IBPS 2026 Calendar is one of the most important planning tools for banking aspirants preparing for government bank exams in India. Released by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, the calendar provides a clear overview of upcoming bank exams, notification timelines, exam dates, and recruitment stages for the 2026–27 cycle. Candidates planning to appear for IBPS PO, Clerk, Specialist Officer, and Regional Rural Bank exams depend heavily on this calendar to organize their preparation and avoid missing crucial deadlines.

Understanding the IBPS calendar early helps aspirants manage time efficiently, plan subject-wise preparation, and align revision strategies with exam phases. Since banking exams require consistent preparation over several months, clarity on exam dates reduces stress and improves performance, making the IBPS 2026 Calendar a reliable reference point during preparation.

The IBPS exam system follows a largely predictable annual pattern. While minor changes may occur, the calendar gives aspirants a realistic idea of when preliminary exams, main exams, interviews, and final allotments are expected. For candidates targeting bank jobs in 2026, early awareness of this schedule is essential for disciplined and focused preparation.

Understanding the IBPS Exam Framework for 2026

IBPS conducts multiple recruitment exams every year to fill vacancies in public sector banks and regional rural banks. The major exams conducted under IBPS include IBPS PO for Probationary Officers, IBPS Clerk for clerical roles, IBPS SO for Specialist Officers, and IBPS RRB for Officer Scale and Office Assistant positions.

Each exam follows a structured multi-stage selection process. Most exams begin with a preliminary exam, followed by a main exam. Officer-level posts such as PO, SO, and RRB Officer Scale I also include an interview stage. This systematic approach ensures fair evaluation and transparency in recruitment.

The IBPS calendar acts as a roadmap, showing the order of exams and their expected timelines. This is especially useful for aspirants planning to appear for multiple bank exams in the same year.

IBPS 2026 Notification Timeline

Based on previous years, IBPS notifications for the 2026 cycle are expected to be released between June and August 2026, depending on the exam. The application window usually remains open for three to four weeks, giving candidates enough time to complete registration and payment.

Each notification contains important information such as eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, vacancies, and confirmed exam dates. Aspirants should regularly check official announcements to stay updated.

IBPS 2026 Exam Dates for PO, Clerk, SO, and RRB

As per the officially released IBPS calendar, the following exam dates have been announced for the 2026 recruitment cycle.

IBPS PO 2026 Exam Dates

The IBPS Probationary Officer exam is one of the most competitive bank exams in India.

The IBPS PO Preliminary Exam will be conducted on 22 August 2026 and 23 August 2026.
Candidates who qualify for prelims will appear for the IBPS PO Main Exam on 4 October 2026.
The interview round will be conducted after the declaration of mains results.

IBPS Specialist Officer 2026 Exam Dates

IBPS SO recruitment is conducted for various specialist roles such as IT Officer, HR Officer, Marketing Officer, and Law Officer.

The IBPS SO Preliminary Exam is scheduled for 29 August 2026.
The IBPS SO Main Exam will be held on 1 November 2026.
Candidates shortlisted after mains will be called for interviews.

IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Dates

IBPS Clerk recruitment is for Customer Service Associate positions in public sector banks.

The IBPS Clerk Preliminary Exam will be conducted on 10 October 2026 and 11 October 2026.
The IBPS Clerk Main Exam is scheduled for 27 December 2026.
There is no interview stage for IBPS Clerk recruitment.

IBPS RRB 2026 Exam Dates

IBPS RRB exams are conducted for Regional Rural Banks across India.

The RRB Officer Scale I Preliminary Exam will be held on 21 November 2026 and 22 November 2026.
The RRB Officer Scale I Main Exam is scheduled for 20 December 2026.

For Office Assistant posts, the RRB Office Assistant Preliminary Exam will be conducted on 6 December 2026, 12 December 2026, and 13 December 2026.
The RRB Office Assistant Main Exam will take place on 30 January 2027.

These confirmed dates allow aspirants to plan preparation and revision with accuracy.

Vacancies and Recruitment Trends

Vacancy numbers vary each year depending on banking requirements, retirements, and expansion plans. In previous years, IBPS has announced thousands of vacancies across PO, Clerk, SO, and RRB posts. Clerk and RRB Office Assistant roles usually have higher vacancies, while PO and SO roles have comparatively fewer openings.

Vacancy details for 2026 will be released along with individual notifications. Candidates should focus on preparation rather than vacancy numbers, as competition remains high across all posts.

Will there be IBPS PO in 2026?

Yes, IBPS PO recruitment will take place in 2026. The Probationary Officer role offers strong career growth, leadership opportunities, and long-term job stability. The selection process includes prelims, mains, and interview stages.

With the IBPS PO Main Exam scheduled for 4 October 2026, aspirants should plan intensive revision and mock tests after prelims.

What is the date of IBPS exam 2026?

IBPS exams in 2026 will be conducted from August 2026 to January 2027, depending on the post. Preliminary exams start from August, while main exams extend until January for RRB Office Assistants.

Candidates should note that exam dates differ for each post and plan preparation accordingly.

Which bank exam is coming soon in 2026?

Several bank exams are scheduled in 2026, including IBPS PO, Clerk, SO, and RRB exams. Apart from IBPS, SBI PO and SBI Clerk exams are also expected during the year.

Among IBPS exams, PO and SO prelims occur earlier, followed by clerk and RRB exams later in the year.

Who is eligible for IBPS 2026?

To apply for IBPS exams, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. The general age limit is between 20 and 30 years, with age relaxation for reserved categories as per government rules.

Specialist Officer posts require specific educational qualifications related to the role. Aspirants must read the notification carefully before applying.

Is SBI PO exam 2026 expected?

Yes, the SBI PO exam is expected in 2026. Although SBI conducts its recruitment independently, the syllabus and exam pattern are similar to IBPS PO. Many aspirants prepare for both exams simultaneously to improve their chances.

Preparation Strategy Using the IBPS Calendar

The IBPS calendar should be used as a long-term planning tool. Candidates should divide preparation into concept building, practice, revision, and mock test phases. Knowing prelim and main exam dates helps aspirants schedule revision cycles effectively.

Regular practice, current affairs preparation, and mock test analysis are essential for success in banking exams.

Importance of Staying Updated

While the IBPS calendar provides confirmed exam dates, candidates must regularly check official notifications for updates. Any changes in schedule will be announced officially.

Staying informed ensures confidence and avoids last-minute confusion.

Final Thoughts

The IBPS 2026 Calendar is a must-have guide for banking aspirants. With all IBPS exam dates clearly defined, candidates can now prepare with clarity and confidence. Early planning, disciplined preparation, and consistent practice are the keys to cracking IBPS exams in 2026.

With the right strategy and dedication, aspirants can successfully achieve their goal of securing a government bank job.