IBPS PO Eligibility: Who Can Apply
A bachelor's degree in any discipline and the right age window. That is most of it; the details are below.
IBPS PO eligibility rests on three checks: a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, an age between 20 and 30 years (with category relaxations), and Indian citizenship or membership of the specified categories. There is no minimum percentage requirement stated for the degree and no restriction by stream, an arts graduate and an engineer apply on identical terms.
The rest of this page unpacks each check, the age relaxations by category, and the question that follows immediately for most people: how many attempts do you get.
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Eligibility at a Glance
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| Age | 20-30 years |
| Age relaxation | SC/ST: +5 years, OBC: +3 years, PwD: +10 years |
| Nationality | Citizen of India / specified categories |
The Age Window and Category Relaxations
The base window is 20 to 30 years. SC and ST candidates get 5 extra years (upper limit 35), OBC candidates get 3 (upper limit 33), and PwD candidates get 10. The lower limit of 20 applies to everyone.
Because the age window is the binding constraint for most aspirants, it effectively sets your number of realistic cycles. A general-category candidate starting at 27 has three notifications left; one starting at 22 has eight. That maths should shape how aggressively you prepare for the current cycle.
How Many Attempts Do You Get?
There is no official limit on the number of IBPS PO attempts. The only ceiling is the upper age limit: 30 years for general category, 33 for OBC, and 35 for SC/ST. As long as you remain inside your age window, you can appear in every annual cycle.
See the question style before you commit to a cycle.
Confirm Against the Current Notification
Eligibility conditions, cut-off dates for age calculation, and category definitions are set by IBPS in each year's official notification and can change between cycles. Treat this page as orientation and the notification on ibps.in as the final word before you apply.
Which Banks Are You Applying To?
One application covers the participating public sector banks, 11 of them, including Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India. You do not apply to a bank; you apply to the common recruitment process and are allotted a bank based on your rank and preferences.
FAQs
What is the age limit for IBPS PO?expand_more
20 to 30 years for general category. SC/ST candidates get a 5-year relaxation, OBC candidates 3 years, and PwD candidates 10 years on the upper limit.
Can a final-year student apply for IBPS PO?expand_more
The stated requirement is a completed bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Whether provisional or final-year applications are accepted in a given cycle is defined by that year's official notification, so check it before applying.
Is there a percentage requirement in graduation for IBPS PO?expand_more
No minimum percentage is part of the stated eligibility. The requirement is a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
How many attempts are allowed in IBPS PO?expand_more
There is no official attempt limit. The practical cap is the upper age limit: 30 years for general category, 33 for OBC, and 35 for SC/ST.
Do engineering or commerce graduates have an advantage?expand_more
Eligibility is identical across streams. Quant-heavy backgrounds may find Data Interpretation more familiar, but the exam itself makes no distinction by degree subject.
Next steps
Start free IBPS PO practiceFree study material and a free diagnostic, before you apply.