Number of Attempts in Bank Exams: IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B & NABARD Grade A Attempt Limits

Many banking aspirants want to know whether they can appear for recruitment examinations multiple times. The Number of Attempts in Bank Exams is not the same for every recruitment authority. While IBPS PO, SBI PO, and NABARD Grade A allow candidates to apply as long as they meet the prescribed age and eligibility conditions, RBI Grade B has a fixed attempt limit for certain categories.

Understanding these rules helps candidates plan their preparation and avoid missing any opportunity because of eligibility restrictions. 

Number of Attempts in Bank Exams

The Number of Attempts in Bank Exams depends on the recruitment authority. Most public sector bank examinations, including IBPS PO and NABARD Grade A, do not specify any limit on the number of attempts. Candidates can continue applying until they cross the prescribed upper age limit or no longer satisfy the eligibility conditions.

However, RBI Grade B has a specific restriction for candidates belonging to the General and EWS categories. Similarly, SBI PO previously counted attempts under an older recruitment system, but the current notification no longer prescribes a numerical attempt limit.

Bank Exam Attempt Limits at a Glance 

Candidates should always verify the latest notification before applying because eligibility conditions may change in future recruitment cycles. The attempt policy for each recruitment is explained below. 

IBPS PO Attempt Limit

IBPS conducts the Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers. This process is called CRP PO/MT. As per the CRP PO/MT-XV notification, there is no separate attempt limit stated in the rules. The only eligibility condition is age. Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years as on the notified date. With age relaxation for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and ex-servicemen (5 years).

This means the IBPS PO attempt limit works differently from some other bank exams. A candidate can apply every year as long as they meet the age criteria. There is no cap on the number of attempts. Age is the only real restriction here. This makes IBPS PO different from examinations that prescribe a fixed attempt limit. across different recruiters.

SBI PO Attempt Limit

Earlier SBI PO recruitments followed a different attempt-counting system because the examination pattern was different. Under the current notification, there is no fixed attempt limit. Candidates can apply as long as they satisfy the prescribed age and eligibility conditions. However, they should always refer to the latest notification because recruitment rules may change.

Today, the SBI PO attempt limit is mostly linked to age criteria as well, similar to IBPS. Candidates should always check the latest SBI PO notification for exact wording, since past attempt-counting rules may not carry over to future cycles. This difference is important when comparing major banking recruitments across public sector banks.

RBI Grade B Attempt Limit

RBI Grade B has one of the clearest attempt rules among bank exams. As per the RBI Grade B 2024-25 notification, General category and EWS category candidates can attempt the Phase-I exam a maximum of six times. Once a candidate has appeared six times, they become ineligible to apply again.

This restriction does not apply to SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates, as long as the post is reserved for them. These candidates can apply without any cap on attempts. This is a key difference in the RBI Grade B attempt limit compared to IBPS PO and SBI PO. Candidates preparing for RBI Grade B should track their attempts carefully from the first year they appear for Phase-I.

NABARD Grade A Attempts

NABARD Grade A recruitment does not set a fixed attempt limit either. Based on the NABARD Grade A 2025 notification, only the age restriction applies to candidates. There is no separate attempt-counting rule like the one used in RBI Grade B. Candidates can apply every year as long as they are within the eligible age band, with relaxations available for reserved categories.

Bank Recruitment Attempt Rules You Should Remember

The following are some general points on bank recruitment attempt rules that every aspirant should keep in mind:

1. Always check the latest official notification before applying. Rules can change from year to year.

2. Age relaxation rules are usually more generous than attempt-limit rules. Reserved category candidates often get both benefits.

3. RBI Grade B is stricter than IBPS PO and NABARD Grade A when it comes to counting attempts for General and EWS candidates.

4. SBI PO candidates should watch for any change in the exam pattern, since past attempt-counting rules were linked to changes in exam structure.

5. PwBD candidates get extra benefits in almost every bank exam, including age relaxation and, in some cases, exemption from attempt limits.

The Number of Attempts in Bank Exams varies across recruiting authorities. IBPS PO, SBI PO, and NABARD Grade A currently do not prescribe a fixed attempt limit, allowing eligible candidates to apply until they exceed the maximum age limit.

In contrast, RBI Grade B permits only six attempts for General and EWS candidates applying for the Grade B (DR) General post, while eligible reserved categories are exempt from this restriction where reservation is applicable. Candidates should always refer to the latest official notification before applying, as eligibility conditions and recruitment rules may be revised.