The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the Online Preliminary Examination Call Letter (Admit Card) for the recruitment of Probationary Officers and Management Trainees under CRP PO/MT-XVI. Candidates who successfully registered can now download their admit card from the official banking recruitment portal at ibps.in ahead of the nationwide examination scheduled for August 22 and 23, 2026.
IBPS PO Prelims 2026 Examination Highlights & Important Dates
The preliminary examination serves as the first elimination round for thousands of banking aspirants across India. Key examination highlights are summarized below:
- Conducting Organization: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
- Recruitment Drive: Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers (CRP PO/MT-XVI)
- Official Website: ibps.in
- Admit Card Release Date: August 14, 2026
- Admit Card Download Closure Date: August 23, 2026
- Preliminary Exam Dates: August 22 and August 23, 2026
- Exam Shifts: 4 Daily Shifts (Morning to Evening)
- Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT Online)
- Main Examination Schedule: October 2026 (Tentative)
IBPS PO Preliminary Exam Pattern & Sectional Timing
The preliminary exam consists of an objective online test comprising 100 questions carrying 100 marks with strict 20-minute sectional timers:
- English Language: 30 Questions | 30 Marks | 20 Minutes
- Quantitative Aptitude: 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes
- Reasoning Ability: 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes
- Total Duration: 60 Minutes (1 Hour) | Total Marks: 100
- Negative Marking: 0.25 (1/4th) mark will be deducted for every incorrect response.
- Sectional Cut-off: Candidates must clear both individual sectional cut-offs and the overall category-wise aggregate cut-off to qualify for IBPS PO Mains.
Mandatory Checklist of Documents to Carry to the Exam Centre
Candidates must carry the following items to their assigned examination centre:
- Printed Copy of IBPS PO Prelims Admit Card: A clear printout with a recent passport-size photograph firmly pasted in the designated space.
- Original Photo Identity Proof: Valid government ID such as PAN Card, Passport, Permanent Driving License, Voter’s Card with photograph, or Aadhaar Card with photo. (Ration Card and Learner’s Driving License are not accepted).
- Photocopy of Photo ID Proof: A clear xerox copy of the same photo ID submitted alongside the call letter.
- Additional Passport-Size Photographs: Two additional identical color photos for attendance sheet verification in the exam hall.
- Blue / Black Ballpoint Pen: For rough sheets and biometric signature.
Step-by-Step Guide to Download IBPS PO Prelims Call Letter 2026
Follow these steps on the official IBPS portal to download your admit card PDF:
- Visit the official website of IBPS at ibps.in.
- On the homepage, click on the banner reading "Online Preliminary Exam Call Letter for CRP-PO/MT-XVI".
- In the login window, select your preferred language (English or Hindi).
- Enter your Registration Number / Roll Number.
- Enter your Password / Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY).
- Enter the Captcha code shown on the screen and click on "Login".
- Your IBPS PO Prelims Admit Card 2026 will appear on screen showing your allotted test venue, date, shift timing, and reporting time.
- Download the call letter PDF and take multiple printouts for examination day and future recruitment stages.