Complete List of Government Bank Exams in India 2026 (With Conducting Bodies)

Multiple organisations conduct government bank recruitment in India, each responsible for recruiting candidates for different banking institutions and posts. While IBPS conducts the Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for participating Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks, organisations such as SBI, RBI, and NABARD carry out their recruitment independently. 

This guide provides the complete list of Government Bank Exams in India 2026, along with their conducting bodies, recruitment purpose, basic eligibility, and official websites, helping you understand which exam aligns with your career goals and where to find the latest recruitment updates. 

Government Bank Exams in India 2026 at a Glance

Before you start preparing for a government bank exam, it's important to know which organisation conducts each recruitment. While you may assume that every banking exam is conducted by IBPS, that's not the case. 

Most Public Sector Banks recruit through IBPS, whereas SBI, RBI, and NABARD conduct their own recruitment examinations. Understanding this recruitment structure will help you choose the right exam based on the bank and role you want to apply for.

Government Banking Recruitment Structure in India

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) oversees the Public Sector Banking system under the Ministry of Finance. However, DFS does not conduct recruitment examinations directly. Instead, different organisations conduct banking recruitment exams for their respective institutions.

• IBPS conducts the Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for participating Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks.

• State Bank of India (SBI) conducts its own recruitment for PO, Junior Associate, and Specialist Officer posts.

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts recruitment for Grade B Officers and RBI Assistants.

• NABARD independently conducts Grade A and Grade B recruitment.

Government Banking Exams List with Conducting Bodies

Government bank recruitment in India is conducted by different organisations, with each authority responsible for specific banking exams and institutions.

IBPS Exams

The IBPS conducts several recruitment exams every year for vacancies in Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The major IBPS exams are:

• IBPS PO (Probationary Officer): Recruits Probationary Officers/Management Trainees in Public Sector Banks.

• IBPS Clerk: Conducts recruitment for clerical-level posts in participating banks.

• IBPS SO (Specialist Officer): Recruits professionals for posts such as IT Officer, Law Officer, HR Officer, Marketing Officer, and more.

• IBPS RRB: Recruits Office Assistants (Clerk) and Officers Scale I, II, and III in Regional Rural Banks.

Selection Process:

• Prelims: Tests Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language.

• Mains: Includes advanced aptitude, General/Financial Awareness, and professional knowledge (where applicable).

• Interview: Conducted only for Officer-level posts such as IBPS PO and IBPS SO. There is no interview for IBPS Clerk.

SBI Exams

The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts its own recruitment exams every year for different banking posts. The major SBI exams are:

• SBI PO (Probationary Officer): Recruits officers for managerial roles in SBI.

• SBI Clerk (Junior Associate): Conducts recruitment for customer support and clerical posts.

• SBI SO (Specialist Officer): Recruits professionals for specialised roles such as IT, Law, HR, and other departments.

• SBI CBO (Circle-Based Officer): Recruits experienced banking professionals as officers.

Selection Process:

• SBI Clerk: Prelims → Mains → Local Language Test (No Interview)

• SBI PO: Prelims → Mains (Objective + Descriptive) → Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview

• SBI SO/CBO: Selection process varies depending on the post and official notification.

• Negative Marking: Most SBI objective exams have a 1/4 mark deduction for each incorrect answer.

RBI Exams

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts recruitment exams for various posts in the country's central bank. The major RBI exams are:

• RBI Grade B Officer: Recruits officers for managerial roles in departments such as General, DEPR, and DSIM.

• RBI Assistant: Conducts recruitment for clerical and administrative support posts.

• RBI Young Professionals: Recruits qualified candidates for specialised roles in AI, Cyber Security, Policy Research, and other fields.

Selection Process:

• RBI Grade B: Phase 1 (Prelims) → Phase 2 (Mains) → Interview.

• RBI Assistant: Prelims → Mains → Language Proficiency Test (LPT).

• RBI Young Professionals: Selection process varies by post and may include shortlisting and interviews.

• Negative Marking: RBI objective exams generally have a 0.25 mark deduction for every incorrect answer.

NABARD Exams

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) conducts recruitment exams for candidates interested in rural banking and agricultural development. The major NABARD exams are:

• NABARD Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager): Recruits Assistant Managers in various departments.

• NABARD Grade B Officer (Manager): Conducts recruitment for Manager-level posts.

• NABARD Development Assistant: Recruits candidates for clerical and support roles.

Selection Process:

• NABARD Grade A: Prelims → Mains → Psychometric Test & Interview.

• NABARD Grade B: Selection process is notified by NABARD for each recruitment cycle.

• NABARD Development Assistant: Generally includes Prelims and Mains, followed by a Language Proficiency Test (if applicable).

Bank Exam List with Basic Eligibility

Although the detailed eligibility is released with each official notification, the basic requirements are generally as follows:

Candidates should always check the official notification before applying because eligibility, age limit, and post-specific requirements may vary.

Where to Check Banking Recruitment Notifications 2026

Candidates should rely only on official websites for the latest banking exam notifications 2026.