Bank Exams 2026: Top 10 Banking Exams In India
Are you dreaming of a safe and rewarding career in banking? In 2026, India’s banking sector is booming and is all set to offer numerous career opportunities through exams held by major banks like RBI, SBI, and other top public sectors like the Bank of Baroda. And every year, there are millions of students who sit in bank exams organised by the government, regulatory authorities like RBU, and separate public sector banks.
So, whether you are preparing for a Clerk, SO or any other specific officer role. This comprehensive blog will offer you the complete bank exam list to kickstart your career. Let’s get started.
Table Of Content
Best 10 Bank Exams in 2026
Wrapping Up
Frequently Asked Questions
Best 10 Bank Exams in 2026
Aspirants who want to get a reputed bank job in a bank should go through the bank exam list, ongoing and upcoming bank exams in 2026, here. We have shared here the detailed information of the top bank exams conducted by the IBPS, SBI and RBI, such as IBPS PO/Clerk/SO/RRB, SBI, and so on.
1. SBI PO
The SBI PO is one of the most sought-after competitive bank exams in India, attracting thousands of aspirants. It is conducted by the State Bank of India, which leads to the prestigious career opportunities that also blend growth, financial stability, and job security. The exam is conducted in three main phases:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Main Examination
- Personal interview
For the examination, candidates are required to prepare for the English language, quantitative aptitude, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and reasoning ability.
2. SBI Clerk
The SBI clerk is another highly demanding bank exam in India, which is organised by the State Bank of India annually. It is done to recruit candidates for the position of Junior Associate, such as customer support and sales for their branches across the country. The job profile involves direct data entry and direct interaction with the customers.
The exam is divided into three categories:
- Prelims
- Mains
- LLPT
The students need to prepare for the following things:
- English Language
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness
3. IBPS PO
The IBPS PO bank exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) every year for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO)/Management Trainees (MT) in public sector banks.
The Exam Stages are divided into three categories:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Interview
Candidates are required to prepare for the:
- English Language
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness (with special focus on banking & economy)
4. IBPS RRB
Every year, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) opens applications for aspiring candidates who wish to build a career in the banking sector. The recruitment process for this bank exam is conducted for multiple posts in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across the country, including Probationary Officer (PO), Officer Scale II & III, and Office Assistant (Clerk).
The selection is carried out for the following positions:
- Office Assistant (Clerk)
- Officer Scale – I (PO)
- Officer Scale – II (General Banking Officer, Agriculture Officer, Law Officer, Treasury Manager, Marketing Manager, IT Officer, Chartered Accountant)
- Officer Scale – III
To fill all these roles, IBPS organises the IBPS RRB banking exam every year. This is considered to be a national-level banking exam, which is mainly designed for candidates who are passionate about working with Regional Rural Banks and work mainly in rural financial growth in India.
5. IBPS Clerk
The IBPS Clerk banking exam is conducted to recruit candidates for the clerical position in public sector banks. The job profile involves customer interaction, data entry work, and supporting the senior officers. Even then, it is one of the most preferred exams for graduates who look to enter the banking domain. The person hired for this sector can expect a salary in the range of ₹28,000–₹32,000/month.
The IBPS clerk bank exam is categorised into two stages:
- Preliminary Exam
- Main Exam
6. IBPS SO (Specialist Officer)
The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) banking exam is conducted to recruit professionals in specialised fields such as IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Law Officer, and Rajbhasha Adhikari. Those working in this sector can expect a salary starting from ₹55,000/month.
The Selection Process for IBPS SO is divided into three phases:
- Prelims
- Mains
- Interview
7. NABARD
NABARD stands for the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. The banking exam is held every year, which is a general computer-based online examination. It is divided into two categories: Grade A and Grade B. The NABARD Grade A bank exam is held once a year to recruit eligible candidates for Assistant Manager posts in various disciplines.
On the other hand, the Development Assistant is a Grade B post in the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). It is one of the popular job profiles for those who wish to work in the banking sector.
8. RBI Grade B
RBI Grade B is one of the toughest and most prestigious banking exams in India, which is conducted by the Reserve Bank of India. This examination helps to recruit eligible candidates for the post of Officers in Grade B (General), Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR), and Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM).
Although this exam is one of the most challenging to crack, the pride, salary, and growth it brings make it a worthwhile position to go for.
The exam for RBI Grade B is conducted in three stages:
- Phase I (Prelims)
- Phase II (Mains)
- Interview
9. RBI Assistant
In addition to Grade B, the RBI also hires Assistants through a different exam. Professionals working in this sector are mainly responsible for handling clerical tasks such as keeping records, examining documents, performing transactions, and supporting the senior officer. It is an excellent entry-level opportunity for candidates to start their career in the central banking sector.
10. Bank of Baroda/Union Bank & Other Bank-Specific Exams
Apart from IBPS and SBI, some individual public sector banks like Bank of Baroda, Union Bank, and IDBI conduct their own recruitment drives for POs, SOs, and Clerks.
These bank exam list usually follow a similar pattern of:
- Online Written Exam (Prelims & Mains)
- Interview or Group Discussion
Wrapping Up
In 2026, bank exams will still lead to some of the most promising, stable and fulfilling careers in the financial sector in India. Thus, candidates must prepare practically and engage with qualified guidance to crack exams. For this, if you require any personalised career guidance, Jaro Education has got you covered.
As a leading online higher education and upskilling platform, we offer support to participants through academic guidance and career counselling. We also bring several online programmes and degree courses that can help you strengthen your knowledge, enhance your skills, and stay ahead in the competitive job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
The top exams include the SBI PO, SBI Clerk, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, IBPS SO, IBPS RRB, RBI Grade B, RBI Assistant, NABARD Grade A/B, and bank-specific exams such as Bank of Baroda and Union Bank.
Candidates must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognised university/college. The age limit varies between 20 – 30 years on average, with relaxation available for reserved categories.
Most banking exams involve a three-stage process: The Prelims, Mains, and Interview/Local Language Proficiency Test.
