IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale I)
What is the IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale I) exam, who can apply, and how do the prelims, mains and interview lead to an Assistant Manager post in a Regional Rural Bank?
IBPS RRB PO is the Officer Scale I (Assistant Manager) post, a Group A officer job in the Regional Rural Banks (Gramin Banks). It is part of the same yearly Common Recruitment Process as the Office Assistant post, run by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection for 28 RRBs. You apply for one state's vacancies, sit an online preliminary exam and an online main exam, face an interview coordinated by a nodal RRB with NABARD and IBPS, and are provisionally allotted to an RRB of that state. This page follows IBPS's revised notification for CRP RRBs-XV dated 1 September 2026 and the corrigendum of 21 September 2026 that extended registration to 27 September 2026.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 31 March 2027. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
Registration for CRP RRBs-XV closed on 27 September 2026. The notification gives tentative months for the later stages (prelims November or December 2026, interviews January or February 2027, allotment February or March 2027); check ibps.in for call letters and exact dates.
Exam at a glance
- Conducted by
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS); interviews coordinated by nodal RRBs with NABARD and IBPS[1]
- Post
- Officer Scale I (Assistant Manager), Group A, in 28 Regional Rural Banks (one per listed state or UT)[1]
- Education
- A bachelor's degree in any discipline, result declared by 21 September 2026, plus the local language of the state's RRB[1]
- Age limit
- Above 18 and below 30 on 1 September 2026 (born between 2 September 1996 and 1 September 2008, both dates included)[1]
- Stages
- Online preliminary exam, online main exam, interview, provisional allotment[1]
- Final score
- Main exam and interview in the ratio 80:20[1]
- Application fee
- Rs 850 including GST (Rs 175 for SC, ST and PwBD)[1]
- Registration
- 1 to 27 September 2026 (extended from 21 September by the corrigendum of 21.09.2026)[2]
Final score: main exam 80, interview 20
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 25 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 80 | 80 | 45 minutes |
You must clear the cut-off in both tests. IBPS then shortlists enough candidates in each category for the mains.[1]
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 20 | 15 minutes |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 15 minutes |
| English Language or Hindi Language (you pick one) | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Each test has a minimum score. A wrong answer costs one fourth (0.25) of that question's marks; a blank costs nothing. Main exam scores are not shared with candidates until the interviews are over.[1]
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC and ST | 5 years |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with benchmark disabilities | 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen commissioned officers, including ECOs and SSCOs, with at least 5 years of military service, released on completion of assignment | 5 years |
SC, ST and OBC relaxation adds to only one of the other relaxations. The base limit applies to General and EWS candidates. The relaxation for widows and divorced or separated women is for the Office Assistant post only.[1]
You need a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, with the result declared on or before 21 September 2026. The notification gives preference to degrees in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Engineering, Pisciculture, Agricultural Marketing and Cooperation, Information Technology, Management, Law, Economics or Accountancy, but any degree is enough to apply. Working knowledge of computers is desirable.
Proficiency in the local language prescribed by the state's RRB is essential. Studying that language in Class 8 or above at a recognised board or school counts. If you lack it when selected, you get six months from joining to acquire it, which the RRB's board may extend within the probation period.
You can apply for only one officer post (Scale I, II or III) in a cycle; IBPS rejects applications for more than one. You may also apply for the Office Assistant post, with a separate application and fee.[1]
- Preliminary exam: two tests, a cut-off in each. It only shortlists for the mains.
- Main exam: five tests with a minimum score in each. Up to three times the declared vacancies in each category of each state are called for interview.
- Interview: 100 marks, coordinated by a nodal RRB with NABARD and IBPS. You need at least 40% (35% for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD).
- Final score: main exam and interview weighted 80:20. Ties go to the older candidate.
- Provisional allotment to an RRB of the state you applied for, on merit and the vacancies the banks report. The allotted RRB checks your documents and makes the offer.
Source[1]
The interview is also the document check. The notification asks for originals and self-attested copies, in order: the interview call letter, the printout of your online application, proof of date of birth, a photo identity proof, your graduation mark sheets or certificates, and category certificates where you claim one. Without valid documents you may not be allowed to sit the interview.
OBC candidates need a non-creamy layer certificate in the Government of India format issued on or after 1 April 2026. The photo, signature and document uploads for the form are covered on CorrectForm.[1]
- 1 to 27 September 2026: online registration and fee payment (extended from 21 September).
- November 2026: pre-exam training, online, for a limited number of SC, ST, OBC and minority candidates who opted for it.
- November or December 2026: preliminary exam; result in December 2026 or January 2027.
- December 2026 or January 2027: main exam; result in January 2027.
- January or February 2027: interviews.
- February or March 2027: provisional allotment. All these months are tentative; exact dates come with the call letters on ibps.in.
Source[1]
Tips and tricks
- Work out your graduation percentage the notification's way: total marks in all subjects and all years or semesters, divided by the total maximum, times 100, with fractions ignored. If you have a CGPA, get the university's conversion rule in writing for the interview.[1]
- Your main exam score stays hidden until the interviews end, so prepare for the interview as soon as the mains are over instead of waiting for marks.[1]
- Keep the stamped prelims call letter. Candidates called for the mains must bring it with the mains call letter and one extra photograph matching the one on it.[1]
- If you claim OBC, check the date on your non-creamy layer certificate. It must be issued on or after 1 April 2026.[1]
Questions people ask
What is the age limit for IBPS RRB PO?
For CRP RRBs-XV, above 18 and below 30 on 1 September 2026, so you must be born between 2 September 1996 and 1 September 2008. SC and ST candidates get 5 more years, OBC (non-creamy layer) 3 and PwBD 10.[1]
Is there an interview in IBPS RRB PO?
Yes. Candidates shortlisted from the main exam face a 100-mark interview coordinated by a nodal RRB with NABARD and IBPS. The final score weights the mains and the interview 80:20.[1]
Do prelims marks count in the IBPS RRB PO final result?
No. The prelims only shortlist for the mains. The final merit uses the main exam and the interview.[1]
Is an agriculture degree needed for IBPS RRB PO?
No. A degree in any discipline is enough to apply. The notification gives preference to degrees such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Science, IT, Management, Law, Economics or Accountancy.[1]
Can I apply for RRB PO and RRB Office Assistant together?
Yes. You can apply for the Office Assistant post and one officer post, with a separate application and fee for each. You cannot apply for more than one officer post.[1]
What is the minimum interview mark for IBPS RRB PO?
At least 40% of the 100 interview marks, or 35% for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates.[1]
Connected pages
- Related · ExamIBPS RRB Clerk (Office Assistant Multipurpose)IBPS RRB Office Assistant (CRP RRBs-XV) from the official notice: the 18-28 age band, prelims and mains pattern, local-language rule and allotment.
- Related · ExamIBPS PO (Probationary Officer / Management Trainee)IBPS PO/MT (CRP-XVI) from the official IBPS notification: the graduate rule, 20-30 age band, prelims and mains pattern, interview and bank allotment.
- Related · DegreeB.Sc (Bachelor of Science)How long a B.Sc takes, the honours and research year, the CUET tests that get you in, and M.Sc at IITs through JAM. From UGC and NTA.
- Related · DegreeB.Com (Bachelor of Commerce)How long a B.Com takes, the 4-year honours option, how central universities admit, and the CA, CS and SSC routes after it. From UGC, ICAI, ICSI and NTA.
- Related · ExamLIC AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer, Generalist)LIC AAO (Generalist) from the official notice: the 21-30 age rule, prelims, mains and interview, basic pay of Rs 88,635, the bond and LIC's own cut-offs.
Official and partner links
Sources
- CRP RRBs XV: Common Recruitment Process for Recruitment of Officers (Scale-I, II & III) and Office Assistants (Multipurpose) in Regional Rural Banks, revised detailed notification dated 01.09.2026, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. Important dates, Introduction, Table A, sections B.I, B.II, B.VI, C, D, E, F, G, I, J and K, and How to Apply note 6 (printed pp. 1-29, 36). Accessed 31 October 2026.
- Corrigendum dated 21.09.2026: extension of online registration for CRP RRBs XV, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. p. 1. Accessed 31 October 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 31 October 2026.