The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially published its exam calendar for the 2026–27 recruitment cycle. This release marks a crucial step for countless banking aspirants across India. The calendar provides tentative dates for all major IBPS examinations, including Probationary Officer (PO), Clerk (Customer Service Associate), Specialist Officer (SO), and Regional Rural Banks (RRB) positions.
Why This Calendar Matters for Aspirants
For students aiming for a career in public sector banks, this calendar is a vital planning tool. It allows candidates to structure their study schedules months in advance. The exams are scheduled to run from August 2026 through January 2027, offering clear timelines for preparation. The schedule covers both preliminary and main examination stages for each post. All tests will be conducted in online mode. However, IBPS emphasizes that these dates are provisional and may be subject to revision.
Complete Tentative Exam Schedule for 2026-27
Here is the full list of tentative IBPS exam dates for the upcoming recruitment cycle, presented for easy reference.
- IBPS Probationary Officer (PO): Preliminary exam on August 22 and 23, 2026; Main exam on October 4, 2026.
- IBPS Specialist Officer (SO): Preliminary exam on August 29, 2026; Main exam on November 1, 2026.
- IBPS Clerk (Customer Service Associate): Preliminary exam on October 10 and 11, 2026; Main exam on December 27, 2026.
- IBPS RRB Officer Scale I: Preliminary exam on November 21 and 22, 2026; Main exam on December 20 or December 27, 2026.
- IBPS RRB Office Assistant: Preliminary exam on December 6, 12 and 13, 2026; Main exam on January 30, 2027.
IBPS has made the tentative exam calendar available as a downloadable PDF on its official portal. Candidates are advised to access it directly from the source.
Next Steps for Banking Candidates
After reviewing the IBPS exam calendar, aspirants should kickstart a systematic preparation strategy. First, note down the specific exam dates you plan to attempt and mark them prominently on your personal calendar. This simple act fosters better time management. Next, gain a thorough understanding of the exam pattern and prescribed syllabus for each test.
Do not depend solely on this tentative calendar. Once released, the official notification for each exam must be read meticulously. The notification will contain the final exam dates, application window details, eligibility requirements, and list of exam centers. Recognizing the difference between tentative and final dates helps avoid last-minute confusion and keeps you fully prepared.
With the roadmap now available, disciplined and early preparation is the key to success in these competitive banking examinations.
