Bank Exam Calendar 2026, Check Complete Expected Exam Schedule for SBI, IBPS, RBI & Insurance Exams

With the release of the IBPS Exam Calendar 2026, the bank exam schedule for the entire year has now become much clearer for aspirants. Candidates can now get a fair idea of the tentative timelines for major exams conducted by IBPS, including PO, Clerk, and RRBs. Along with this, the expected exam dates for SBI Clerk and SBI PO have also been indicated, bringing further clarity to the annual banking exam roadmap.

Bank Exam Calendar 2026

As per the officially released exam calendar, the schedule for major banking and insurance examinations is now clearly laid out. SBI PO, SBI Clerk, RBI Exams, and other banking exams are to be conducted between August 2026 and January 2027, following the usual prelims-first and mains-later pattern. Alongside these, examinations conducted by RBI, NABARD, and IRDAI are also planned in a systematic manner, extending into the early months of the year.

IBPS & RRB, SBI Exams – Date-wise Schedule (2026–27)

Below is the exam-wise presentation of the same schedule, rewritten clearly so aspirants can track each exam without switching between months.

IBPS PO 2026 Exam Dates

IBPS PO follows a fixed pattern every year, with prelims in August and mains in October. The gap between stages allows candidates to shift focus from speed-based preparation to in-depth concepts and case-based questions.

IBPS PO Prelims: 22–23 August 2026

IBPS PO Mains: 04 October 2026

IBPS SO 2026 Exam Dates

The Specialist Officer exam is conducted separately for prelims and mains, with a longer preparation window for the professional knowledge section. Candidates from technical and professional backgrounds should utilize this time effectively.

IBPS SO Prelims: 29 August 2026

IBPS SO Mains: 01 November 2026

IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Dates

IBPS Clerk prelims are usually conducted over multiple shifts and days due to high participation. The mains exam is then conducted after about a month, focusing more on accuracy and sectional strength.

IBPS Clerk Prelims: 10–11 October 2026

IBPS Clerk Mains: 27 December 2026

RRB PO 2026 – Expected Exam Dates

RRB Officer Scale I exams are generally held toward the end of the year. The prelims are conducted first, followed by mains within a short span, making focused preparation essential.

RRB PO Prelims: 21–22 November 2026

RRB PO Mains: 20 December 2026

RRB Assistant 2026–27 Exam Dates

RRB Office Assistant exams span across two calendar years, with prelims in December and mains in January. Candidates aiming for regional rural banks should be mindful of this extended cycle.

RRB Assistant Prelims: 6, 12 & 13 December 2026

RRB Assistant Mains: 30 January 2027

RRB Scale II & III 2026 Exam Date

For higher officer scales, RRB conducts a single examination instead of separate prelims and mains. This exam demands strong conceptual clarity and experience-based preparation.

RRB Scale II & III Single Exam: 20 December 2026

SBI PO 2026- Expected Exam Dates

As per the expected schedule, the SBI PO 2026–27 examination will be conducted in two phases. With a short gap between prelims and mains, aspirants should plan an integrated preparation strategy focusing on speed, accuracy, and early mains-level practice.

SBI PO Prelims: 1–2 August 2026

SBI PO Mains: 12 September 2026

SBI Clerk 2026–27 Expected Exam Dates

The SBI Clerk 2026–27 exam is expected to begin with the Prelims phase. The Mains Exam is tentatively scheduled which has been given below. This timeline provides candidates with a reasonable preparation window between prelims and mains, allowing focused revision, mock tests, and strengthening of weak areas before the final stage.

SBI Clerk Prelims: 26, 27 September & 3 October 2026

SBI Clerk Mains: 23 November 2026

RBI Assistant Exam in 2026

RBI exams are considered among the most prestigious in the banking sector and are usually conducted in the early months of the year. Aspirants preparing for the RBI should focus more on conceptual clarity, especially in GA, Economics, and Banking Awareness.

• RBI Assistant – Expected in January / February
• RBI Assistant Prelims: Expected in the 3rd week of February
• RBI Office Attendant – Notification expected soon

Insurance Exams Expected in 2026–27

Insurance sector exams are usually spread across multiple months, giving aspirants the flexibility to attempt more than one recruitment. Most of these exams are expected between December 2026 and February 2027, depending on administrative approvals.

• GIC Assistant Manager – Expected in January / February
• UIIC AO – Expected in January / February (subject to approval)
• UIIC Assistant – Expected in January / February
• NICL Assistant – Expected in January / February
• NIACL Assistant – Expected in January / February
• LBO Exams – Expected in January / February
• IDBI Bank Recruitment – Expected in January / February

RBI, Regulatory & Other Exams Schedule

Regulatory and All India Financial Institution exams are highly competitive and are usually conducted at the beginning of the year. Candidates targeting these exams should plan their preparation well in advance, as the syllabus and level are slightly different from regular bank exams.

• IRDAI Grade A – Expected in January
• NABARD Development Assistant – Expected in January / February / March

How the Clear Exam Dates Help Aspirants

With exam dates now officially available, aspirants can organize their preparation in a more disciplined and effective way. This clarity allows candidates to plan separate strategies for prelims and mains well in advance, manage revision cycles efficiently, and reduce last-minute stress. The structured visibility of exam dates also ensures that aspirants can take advantage of multiple exam opportunities throughout the year without overlapping preparation pressure.

Why the Bank Exam Calendar 2026 Is Important

A well-defined exam calendar helps aspirants structure their study plan in a practical way. It allows candidates to prioritise exams, revise syllabus portions at the right time, and avoid last-minute stress. Since many exams overlap in the syllabus, knowing the timeline helps in smart preparation rather than isolated efforts. For serious aspirants, following the exam calendar is the first step toward disciplined and goal-oriented preparation.