Banking Exams

List of Banking Exams in India

IBPS

IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) was established in 1975. It is an autonomous body responsible for recruiting banking personnel for national and public sector banks. When the banks were nationalized, there was no proper system of recruitment for the candidates, after which IBPS was established. IBPS helps in the recruitment of candidates in all government banks except SBI. The governing body of IBPS involves the nominees from RBI, the Ministry of Finance of Govt. of India, IIT Mumbai, and other esteemed financial institutions.

When IBPS conducts exams, candidates can choose the bank they want to apply to. Banks that participate with IBPS in conducting various exams are:

• Bank of Baroda
• Indian Overseas Bank
• Bank of India
• Punjab National Bank
• Bank of Maharashtra
• Punjab and Sind Bank
• Canara Bank
• UCO Bank
• Central Bank of India
• Union Bank of India
• Indian Bank

IBPS conducts most of its exams in two phases — preliminary and main. Most of the banking exams of IBPS also have interviews.

IBPS PO

IBPS PO is a national-level exam conducted online. The recruitment process includes Preliminary exam, Mains exam, and Interview. The IBPS PO prelims exam is scheduled for 11th October 2025, while the Mains exam will take place on 29th November 2025. Candidates interested in applying must hold a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized university in any discipline.

The IBPS PO Exam syllabus includes a general examination of the candidate's logical and general knowledge. The IBPS PO (probationary officer) exam syllabus covers many subjects such as Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness. The exam syllabus varies in terms of the degree of difficulty for each phase.

Salary – INR 57,289 per month

IBPS SO

To fill positions with several Public Sector Banks, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) holds an IBPS Specialist Officer Recruitment. The positions for which vacancies are released include: Rajbhasha Adhikari Scale I, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, IT Officer Scale I, and Law Officer.

The recruitment process includes Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview. The IBPS SO prelims exam is scheduled for 22nd and 23rd November 2025, while the Mains exam will be held on 4th January 2026.

Salary – INR 38,000 – INR 39,000 per month

IBPS RRB

IBPS holds an annual national banking exam called the IBPS RRB for applicants who wish to work for the Regional Rural Banks. Around 43 RRB banks participate in the recruitment process.

IBPS RRB Scale 2

Every year, all of the participating Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in the nation issue invitations to banking hopefuls who want to apply for IBPS RRB Officers Scale II positions. The exam is responsible for recruitment for Treasury, Marketing, Agriculture Officer, and Information Technology positions. The selection phase includes a Single level Exam and Interview. The IBPS RRB Scale 2 exam will take place on 13th September 2025, with eligibility criteria requiring candidates to be between 21 and 32 years old.

Subjects: Reasoning Paper, General Awareness Paper, Numerical Ability Paper, English/Hindi Language Paper, Computer Knowledge.

Positions offered: Branch Management, Loan Processing, Business Development, Relationship Management, Risk Management.

Salary – INR 75,000 – INR 77,000 per month

IBPS RRB Scale 3

IBPS RRB Scale 3 is a national-level banking exam. The exam conducts Group A and B employment and takes place for the recruitment of Senior Managers. The selection criteria include a Single level Exam and Interview. The IBPS RRB Scale 3 exam will be held on 13th September 2025, with an age requirement of 21 to 40 years for eligibility.

Salary – INR 75,000 – INR 90,000 per month

IBPS RRB Clerk

An IBPS RRB Clerk is responsible for updating account holders' passbooks, accounting for keys, various critical documents, and bank currency, Demand Draft (DD) issuance, customer bank accounts, cash receipts, etc. The exam is conducted in two stages: Preliminary Exam and Mains Exam. The IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims exam is scheduled for September 2025, while the Mains exam will take place in November 2025. Candidates must be between 18 and 28 years old to be eligible.

Subjects: Reasoning Paper, Numerical Ability, Computer Knowledge, English/Hindi, General Awareness.

There won't be any interviews to choose candidates for the position of office assistant. Selection will be based solely on the candidate's performance in the Main Examination.

Position – Clerical  |  Salary – INR 21,000 – 23,000 per month

IBPS RRB PO

IBPS conducts the IBPS RRB PO Exam each year to select candidates for the positions of Assistant and Officer Cadre in the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). Selected candidates will be responsible for various office duties, including passbook printing, account opening, fund/balance transfers, cash transactions, payment withdrawals, and cash counter administration.

The exam is conducted in three phases: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. The subjects evaluated for prelims and mains include Reasoning, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, English, Hindi, and Computer Knowledge. To qualify in the interview, applicants for the position of PO must be fluent in the language of the State or UT where the RRB is located.

Salary – INR 36,000 per month

SBI Recruitment Exams

SBI is the largest Indian multinational bank and ranks 43 on the world's largest banks list. It is a national public sector bank and holds 23% of the market share. SBI was established as the Bank of Calcutta in 1806, making it the oldest bank in the Indian subcontinent. Over the years, various banks merged into it, making SBI the largest bank in the country.

• State Bank of India has more than 10 foreign subsidiaries, including Australia SBI, Nigeria SBI, and China SBI.
• It also has non-banking subsidiaries such as SBI Capital Market and SBI Life Insurance Company Limited.
• The current governing body of SBI consists of Mr. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty as the Chairman of the board.
• SBI has 4 managing directors and 8 directors. It is a government-owned cooperation.
• The SBI headquarters is in Mumbai.

SBI conducts its own SBI Recruitment exams. Every year, lacs of candidates apply for various positions and posts. SBI conducts banking exams for positions like clerks, PO/MT, SO, and circle officers. It has 6 Apex Training Institutes and 51 State Bank Institutes of Learning and Development spread all across the country.

SBI PO

SBI conducts the SBI PO bank examination each year to choose candidates for the Probationary Officer (PO) position. Responsibilities include assisting in the issue of ATM Cards, Cheque books, and Demand Drafts, handling customer queries, looking into complaints regarding bank services, and rectifying undue charges and discrepancies in accounts.

The exam is conducted in three phases: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. Objective-type questions (MCQs) are included in the SBI PO Prelims and Mains tests. The SBI PO 2024-25 Prelims exam is scheduled for March 2024, while the Mains exam will take place in April or May 2025. Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years old to be eligible.

Subjects: English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability. The selected candidate will have to undergo a training period of 6 months.

SBI SO

Candidates who desire to serve as SBI specialized officers in a variety of sectors, including law, customer service, engineering, etc., are eligible to apply for this exam. Recruitment is for Deputy Manager, Chief Officer, and Data Analyst positions. The selection process includes an Online Test and Interview. As per the latest notification, the SBI SO exam for Manager and Deputy Manager positions is expected to be held in April 2025. The applying candidate must have working experience of 2 years as a Graduate and 1 year as a Postgraduate.

SBI Clerk

The SBI Clerks are in charge of opening bank accounts, managing NEFT/RTGS transactions, issuing demand drafts, issuing bank statements, transferring money using various payment methods, handling requests for cheque books, etc. The Prelims were held in February and March 2025, while the Mains is scheduled for April 2025.

Bank of Baroda Recruitment

BOB PO

Bank of Baroda is the Indian nationalized bank that recruits candidates every year. BOB releases the online BOB Probationary Officer exam for applicants who desire to work in the banking industry. This exam mainly focuses on recruiting officers for the junior management grade. Subjects covered in the syllabus include: Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Awareness, and Computer Awareness.

Perks and benefits apart from salary: Transportation Allowance, Medical Insurance, DA, Compensatory Allowance, Good Work Environment, HRA. The age limit required for application is between 21 years – 30 years.

Position – Probationary Officer  |  Salary – INR 28,321 – INR 33,986 per month

BOB SO

BOB recruits various professionals for the banking field every year. The exam is conducted in three phases: Online test, Group discussion, and Interview. The SBI SO exam took place on 16th March 2025.

• Specialist Officer at Scale 1 level – INR 42,990 per month
• MMGS II Salary – INR 69,180 per month
• MMGS III Salary – INR 78,230 per month
• SMG/S – IV Salary – INR 89,890 per month

Canara Bank PO

Canara Bank was founded by Shri Ammembal Subba Rao Pai in the year 1906 in Mangalore, Karnataka. The exam for Canara Bank PO is conducted in two stages: Online Exam and Group Discussion & Personal Interview. Canara Bank is expected to announce the official notification for the Canara Bank PO 2024. In the previous recruitment cycle, a total of 800 vacancies were released.

Educational Qualification: Candidates for the general category must have graduated with at least 60% from an authorized university with a degree in any discipline. A designated category such as SC, ST, or PWD requires 55% of the highest grades from any accredited institution or university.

Salary – INR 40,239 per month

Indian Bank PO

Indian Bank was established on 05th March 1907. The bank commenced its business from 15th August 1907. Thousands of applicants apply every year. The selection process includes an Online Test and Interview. The IBPS PO Prelims Exam is scheduled for October 2025, while the Mains Exam will take place on 29th November 2025. The age requirement for Indian Bank PO is between 20 and 28 years.

Eligibility: Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a minimum overall GPA of 55% (or 50% for SC/ST applicants) and must be Indian citizens.

Subjects: Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge.

Salary – INR 23,700 per month

Syndicate Bank PO

Syndicate Bank was one of India's largest and most well-known banks. Following its merger with Canara Bank, Canara Bank became its parent company. Since Syndicate Bank merged with Bank of India in 2019, there will be no Syndicate Bank PO recruitment in 2025. Instead, candidates should focus on the Bank of India PO recruitment.

JK Bank PO

J&K Bank was incorporated in the year 1938 and is one of India's oldest private sector banks. The selection process includes Preliminary, Main, and Interview rounds. Both Prelims and Mains are conducted online and consist of objective-type questions. The final stage of the JK Bank PO Recruitment process is the personality test/interview round.

Position – Probationary Officer  |  Salary – INR 36,000 – INR 38,000 per month

Federal Bank PO

Federal Bank has been in existence in India before independence. The Travancore Federal Bank Limited was established on 23rd April 1931 in Nedumpuram. Eligibility: Candidates must be a citizen of India and not older than 27 years. Federal Bank is expected to conduct its Probationary Officer (PO) recruitment in 2025, with the online exam likely in June and applications opening in May.

Position – Federal Bank Probationary Officer  |  Salary – INR 65,500 per month

NABARD Grade A & NABARD Grade B

With its headquarters in Mumbai and branches nationwide, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is a significant financial organization supporting development in India. NABARD's primary goal is to provide agricultural and other economic strategies, operations, and planning tailored to the needs of India's rural areas. The government of India holds a 100% ownership stake in NABARD.

NABARD conducts the NABARD Grade A Exam to hire Assistant Managers and Grade B Exam to hire Managers. The selection process includes Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. The NABARD Assistant Manager (Grade A) and (Grade B) recruitment notification for 2025 has not been released yet. For Grade A, applicants must be between 21–30 years; for Grade B, between 25–35 years.

NABARD Grade A Officer Salary – INR 44,500 per month  |  NABARD Grade B Salary – INR 35,150 per month

LIC ADO and LIC AAO

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) is a state-owned insurance and investment organization in India. The selection process includes Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The exam is conducted in two phases including Prelims and Mains. Subjects include: Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, English Language, and Insurance and Financial Market Awareness.

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a university approved by the Indian government. LIC also conducts LIC HFL (Life Insurance Corporation Housing Finance Limited) recruiting to find people for Associate, Assistant, and Assistant Manager positions.

LIC ADO Salary – INR 21,865 per month  |  LIC AAO Salary – INR 53,600 per month

NIACL Recruitment

The New India Assurance Company Limited (NIACL) is one of the biggest insurance providers in the nation with locations all over the world. It was established in 1919 by Sir Dorabji Tata with its headquarters in Mumbai. The selection process includes Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The NIACL Assistant Recruitment 2025 Prelims was held on January 27, 2025, and Mains on March 2, 2025. Candidates must be 21–30 years old and hold a Graduate/Postgraduate degree.

NIACL AO Salary – INR 51,000 per month  |  NIACL Assistant Salary – INR 23,500 per month

RBI Exam

RBI is the regulatory body and central bank of the country and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance. It manages the country's main payment system and aims to work toward the country's development. Established in 1939, RBI became a nationalized body after independence. The board of RBI consists of 12 directors, governors, and four deputy governors.

RBI Assistant

The RBI Assistant Exam recruits candidates for clerical duties and daily operations. The 2025 notification is expected soon, with Prelims in April and Mains in May. The selection process includes Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and Language Proficiency Test. Subjects: English Language, Numerical Ability, Computer Awareness, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude. Candidates must be between the ages of 20 and 28 and possess a graduate degree with a minimum GPA of 50%.

RBI Assistant Salary – INR 45,050 per month

RBI Grade B Officer

The RBI Grade B Notification recruits candidates for Grade B, DEPR, and DSIM posts under the General Cadre, Economic Policy & Research, and Statistics & Information Management. The 2025 notification is expected in April/May, with Phase 1 (Prelims) in July and Phase 2 (Mains) in August/September. Age: Minimum 21 years, Maximum 30 years.

The three stages of selection are Phase I, Phase II, and Interview. Phase I covers English language, numeric ability, reasoning, and general awareness. Phase II consists of three papers covering finance and management, English writing abilities, and economic and social topics.

RBI Grade B Officer Salary – INR 80,000 per month

SEBI Grade A

The Securities and Exchange Board of India was founded on 12th April 1992. SEBI is a reputable body that safeguards the interests of stockholders and controls the securities market. The SEBI Grade A 2025 notification is yet to be released. The selection process is based on three phases: Phase I, Phase II, and Interview. The maximum age limit prescribed for the role is 30 years.

SEBI Grade A Salary – INR 44,500 per month

South Indian Bank Clerk and South Indian Bank PO

South Indian Bank is the first private sector bank in Kerala to be designated as a scheduled bank under the RBI Act in 1946. As of March 20, 2025, the South Indian Bank PO and Clerk exam dates for the 2025 cycle have not been officially confirmed. The selection process has two steps: Online examination and Individual interview. Subjects: Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, General Awareness (Economy/Banking/Finance), English Language, Data Interpretation and Analysis.

South Indian Bank Clerk Salary – INR 17,900 – INR 47,920  |  South Indian Bank PO Salary – INR 36,000 per month

IDBI Recruitment

The Industrial Development Bank of India is a development finance organization that offers financial services to the industrial sector. It was renamed as IDBI Bank Limited in 1964 and is a division of Life Insurance Corporation.

ESIC Recruitment

Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) administers a nationwide entrance exam for the positions of clerk, UDC, paramedical, MTS, and stenographer. ESIC was founded in 1952 to offer social security and health insurance for Indian workers. ESIC's corporate headquarters are in New Delhi.

Banking Exams Preparation Tips

Millions of people take various banking tests each year depending on the number of openings. The top ten preparation tips include:

• Prepare a schedule – Make a schedule that is devoted to 7 to 8 hours of studying per day.
• Cover the entire syllabus – Before 2–3 months of the exams, try to complete the entire syllabus and spare the remaining months for revision.
• Stay updated – Keep checking the official website of the applied exam to stay updated and not to miss any important update.
• Continuous practice – Practice at least 6 days a week for the exam so that you can derive the best from yourself.
• Previous years' paper analysis – Look for past papers on the commission's official website. Analyze the papers to see what type of questions were asked and the weightage of each question.
• Attempting mock tests – Look for online mock tests available for free by various websites. Attempt a mock test at the end of every week to understand where you stand.
• Self-made notes – At the time of studying, keep a separate notebook for preparing short notes. These notes will be helpful at the time of revision before the exam.
• Revision before exams – Revision before exams is mandatory. It brushes up all the things read in the entire year.
• Healthy plans – Build a healthy lifestyle. Take ample sleep and a proper diet to keep the body and mind healthy.
• Eliminate overstudying – Do not dedicate the whole year to continuously studying. Taking short breaks, talking to friends, and going out for a walk is important to refresh the mind.

Banking Exam Books

Books play an important role in bank exam preparations. Here is the list of most referred books by banking aspirants:

Why Banking Exams?

Today, banking activities also have a bigger societal impact. The banking industry is the most alluring to young graduates in our nation because of its benefits and job security. There are several reasons for choosing banking exams as it provides ample growth opportunities.

• Secure and Reliable Industry – One of the main benefits of choosing the banking industry is job security. Banks are crucial organizations at the center of the world economy, and they are not going to go away any time soon. With a respectable salary, your career and future are secure.
• High Demand for Professionals with Skills – Professionals with a variety of talents, such as finance, accounting, marketing, customer service, and operations, are needed in banks. If you work for a bank, you gain social status and a high-profile position.
• Competitive Benefits and Salaries – The banking sector often offers better salaries compared to many other industries, as well as the possibility of receiving bonuses and other financial incentives.
• Opportunities for Growth – There is no limit to career growth after joining the banking sector. Employees can move up the ranks in banks' usual hierarchical structures by taking on additional responsibility and showcasing their abilities.
• Work-Life Balance – Many banks provide flexible work schedules to help workers balance their personal and professional life, including job sharing, flexible work arrangements, and telecommuting.
• Global Possibilities – Banking is pervasive and present in practically every nation on the planet, offering many opportunities to work with foreign clients or abroad.
• Numerous Positions and Specializations – Banking offers diverse positions and specializations across a wide range of departments and functions.
• Job Contentment – Bank personnel can have a significant impact on people's financial destiny. The banking industry presents the opportunity to assist people with their financial concerns and collaborate on fascinating projects.
• Create a positive impact in society – Banks offer crucial services like lending and investment that assist people and businesses in reaching their financial objectives, and have the potential to be extremely important in fostering economic development.
• Paid leaves and holidays – Banks provide a reasonable number of holidays, maternity and paternity leaves, allowing staff members to maintain a healthy balance between business and personal life.

A career in banking provides a wide range of prospects as well as the chance for quick, professional advancement. Pay is competitive, along with additional benefits that can be obtained from the Clerical level up to the General Manager level.