Punjab and Sind Bank, a Government of India undertaking, has released its official notification for the lateral recruitment of 1,000 Local Bank Officers (LBO) in Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I) for 2026. Serving bank officers in Scheduled Commercial Banks or Regional Rural Banks with at least 18 months of officer-level experience and a graduation degree are eligible to apply. The online application window is open from 31 March to 20 April 2026.
Last verified on: 31 March 2026 (IST)
Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Punjab and Sind Bank |
| Post Name | Local Bank Officer (LBO) – JMGS-I |
| Total Vacancies | 1,000 |
| Recruitment Type | Lateral Entry (Regular Appointment) |
| Application Start Date | 31 March 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 20 April 2026 |
| Age Limit (as on 01.03.2026) | 20 – 30 years |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,480 – ₹85,920 (JMGS-I) + 3 increments at joining |
| Application Fee (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹850 + taxes |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PwBD) | ₹100 + taxes |
| Official Website | punjabandsind.bank.in |
| Apply Portal | ibpsreg.ibps.in/psbmar26/ |
Vacancy Details
The notification announces 1,000 vacancies for the post of Local Bank Officer (JMGS-I) distributed across 17 states and Union Territories. The largest allocations are to Uttar Pradesh (200), Gujarat (125), Punjab (100), Chhattisgarh (80), and Odisha (80). Other states covered include Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. Category-wise breakup per state is available in the official notification PDF.
Each candidate may apply for vacancies in one state only. Current employees of Punjab and Sind Bank are not eligible to apply under this drive.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India. The degree certificate or marksheet must be valid at the time of online registration. Knowledge of computer operations is required.
Age Limit
The minimum age is 20 years and the maximum is 30 years, calculated as on 01 March 2026. Age relaxation in the upper limit applies as follows per government norms: SC/ST candidates – 5 years; OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates – 3 years; PwBD candidates – 10 years; Ex-Servicemen – as per government rules; persons affected by the 1984 riots – 5 years.
Experience and Other Conditions
A minimum of 18 months of post-graduation branch experience as an officer in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank is required. This experience is counted as on 20 April 2026 (the closing date for applications). Experience in other financial institutions or organisations that does not match the profile of a Scale-I Generalist Officer will not be counted.
Candidates must be proficient in the mandatory local language of the state for which they apply — covering reading, writing, and speaking. Additionally, candidates must maintain a minimum CIBIL credit score of 650 at the time of joining. A CIBIL report from the account-holding bank must be submitted during document verification.
Salary and Benefits
Selected officers will be appointed in the JMGS-I pay scale: ₹48,480 – 2,000/7 – 62,480 – 2,340/2 – 67,160 – 2,680/7 – 85,920. Joining will be at the initial JMGS-I pay plus three additional increments, as per the Joint Note applicable at the time of recruitment. If a candidate already holds JAIIB or CAIIB qualifications, the associated increments will be protected and adjusted at the time of joining.
In addition to basic pay, officers receive DA, HRA or leased accommodation (based on posting location and scale), CCA, medical benefits, LTC, terminal benefits, and other perquisites as per bank rules.
A three-year service bond is mandatory. The bond amount is equivalent to three months of gross salary. One surety of equal value must also be provided before joining. Officers who resign before completing the bond period are liable to repay the bond amount.
Until promoted to SMGS-IV or completion of 12 years of service (whichever comes first), officers in this lateral entry batch will not be eligible for inter-state transfers, postings at Zonal Office, Head Office, Currency Chest, ARB, RCC, or deputation to other organisations.
Selection Process
The selection consists of four stages:
- Screening: Applications are screened for eligibility before candidates are called for the written test.
- Online Written Test: A 120-question objective test carrying 120 marks, to be completed in 120 minutes with sectional timing. Sections cover English Language, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness/Economy, and Computer Aptitude. The test is bilingual (English and Hindi), except the English Language section. Negative marking applies at ¼ mark for each incorrect answer. Minimum qualifying marks per section: 40% for General/EWS candidates and 35% for reserved category candidates.
- Local Language Proficiency Test: Conducted alongside the interview. Candidates who have studied Punjabi in Class 10 and 12 are exempt. Candidates applying for Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh and who studied English from a school located in those states are also exempt from the language test for that state.
- Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the written test appear for a personal interview.
Final merit is prepared with 70% weightage to the online written test score and 30% weightage to the personal interview score. The written test score is scaled to 70 marks and the interview score to 30 marks for this calculation.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 30 March 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 31 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee | 20 April 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | Not mentioned in the official notification |
| Interview Date | Not mentioned in the official notification |
Application Fee
The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid through online mode only (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking). Fees are as follows:
- General, OBC, and EWS candidates: ₹850 plus applicable taxes and payment gateway charges
- SC, ST, and PwBD candidates: ₹100 plus applicable taxes and payment gateway charges
How to Apply
- Visit the official Punjab and Sind Bank website at punjabandsind.bank.in and navigate to the Recruitment section, or go directly to the IBPS registration portal at ibpsreg.ibps.in/psbmar26/.
- Click on the relevant notification link for LBO JMGS-I Recruitment 2026.
- Click “New Registration” and complete the registration using a valid personal email ID and active mobile number. Note down the provisional registration number and password sent to your registered contact details.
- Log in using the registration number and password, and fill in the application form completely and accurately.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format and size: recent passport-size photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration.
- Capture and upload a live photograph as required by the portal.
- Select only one state for which you are applying. This cannot be changed after submission.
- Review the application preview carefully before final submission.
- Pay the application fee online through the available payment options.
- After successful payment and submission, take a printout of the system-generated application form for future reference.
No offline applications, applications by email, or applications by post will be accepted.
Documents Required
- Graduation degree certificate or marksheet
- Experience certificate(s) confirming 18 months of officer-level service in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB
- Date of birth proof
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD), if applicable
- Local language proficiency proof (school certificates for states where language test exemption applies)
- CIBIL report from your account-holding bank (required at document verification stage, not at application stage)
- Passport-size photograph and signature in prescribed format
- Left thumb impression and handwritten declaration
Offer and Notice Verification – Scam Warning
Punjab and Sind Bank has not engaged any external agency to conduct this recruitment. The bank will communicate with candidates only via their registered email ID. Call letters, results, and all official updates will be published exclusively at punjabandsind.bank.in.
Do not trust recruitment notices circulated on Telegram channels, WhatsApp groups, or third-party “government job” blogs. These are not official sources. Any message claiming to offer selection, posting orders, or interview calls in exchange for payment is fraudulent.
If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to be from Punjab and Sind Bank or IBPS regarding this recruitment, verify it directly on the official website before taking any action. No corrigenda or revisions to the notification will be published anywhere other than the official bank website.
Official Links
- Punjab and Sind Bank – Official Website (Recruitment Section)
- Apply Online – Punjab and Sind Bank LBO 2026 (IBPS Portal)
Note: The direct PDF link for the official notification is hosted on punjabandsind.bank.in under the Recruitment section. Navigate to the Recruitment page on the official site and download the notification PDF from there. Do not download PDFs from third-party sources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available under Punjab and Sind Bank LBO Recruitment 2026?
A total of 1,000 vacancies have been announced for the post of Local Bank Officer (JMGS-I) across 17 states and union territories.
2. Can a candidate currently working in Punjab and Sind Bank apply?
No. The official notification explicitly states that present employees of Punjab and Sind Bank are not eligible for this recruitment drive.
3. What is the minimum experience required to apply?
Candidates must have a minimum of 18 months of post-graduation branch experience as an officer in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank, counted as on 20 April 2026.
4. Can a candidate apply for more than one state?
No. Each candidate may apply for vacancies in one state only. The state selection cannot be changed after submission of the application form.
5. What is the minimum CIBIL score required?
Candidates must have a minimum CIBIL score of 650 at the time of joining. A CIBIL report from the account-holding bank must be submitted during document verification.
6. What is the service bond condition for selected candidates?
Selected candidates must serve a minimum of 3 years. The bond amount equals 3 months of gross salary, and one surety of equal amount is required before joining. Candidates who resign before completing the bond period must repay the bond amount to the bank.
