PNB Apprentice 2026: Exam Date Confirmed — 08 March 2026 (Sunday)
The PNB Apprentice 2026 online exam is confirmed for 08 March 2026 (Sunday). Exam details and link will be sent to your registered email by BFSI SSC. Keep checking your inbox and also visit the official PNB and BFSI SSC websites for updates. Download Exam Date Notice PDF
PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026: 5138 Vacancies, Stipend, Eligibility & Exam Date
The Punjab National Bank (PNB) engaged graduates as apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for FY 2025-26. The notification offered 5138 apprentice seats across 36 States and UTs, with a stipend of ₹12,300 to ₹15,000 per month for one year. Any graduate could apply, and no work experience was needed. The online exam was fixed for 08 March 2026 (Sunday).
The application window ran from 08 February 2026 to 24 February 2026 and is now closed. If you applied, keep your registered email and mobile active until the results, as intimations reach you there. This guide covers seats, eligibility, selection and the exam pattern. For more bank openings, see the latest banking jobs on GovtJobsAlert.in.
PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Key Highlights
PNB is a major public sector bank. Its Human Resource Division, Head Office, New Delhi, issued this notification under Advt No. HRD/APPRENTICE/ADVT/2025-26 on 06.02.2026. Applications were taken through the BFSI Sector Skill Council of India (BFSI SSC) portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Post | Apprentice (Apprentices Act, 1961) |
| Total Seats | 5138 (provisional, may vary at engagement) |
| Stipend | ₹12,300 / ₹15,000 per month |
| Training Period | 1 year (2 weeks Basic Training + 50 weeks On-the-Job Training) |
| Qualification | Graduate in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 years as on 01.01.2026 |
| Mode | Online application and online exam |
| Online Exam | 08 March 2026 (Sunday) |
PNB Apprentice Vacancy 2026: Category and State-Wise Seats
The bank can allot any circle within the State or UT you applied for. The notification also lists circle-wise seats, which you can see in the official PDF. Seat numbers are provisional, and EWS seats are tentative and depend on Government of India directions.
| Category | Seats |
|---|---|
| SC | 887 |
| ST | 294 |
| OBC | 1110 |
| EWS | 464 |
| UR | 2383 |
| Total | 5138 |
PwBD seats are a horizontal reservation counted within the totals above.
| PwBD Type | Seats |
|---|---|
| Visual (VI) | 51 |
| Hearing (HI) | 51 |
| Orthopaedic (OH) | 52 |
| Intellectual (ID) | 51 |
| All PwBD (within the above) | 205 |
The table below shows the State or UT total, then the split in the order SC / ST / OBC / EWS / UR.
| State / UT | Total Seats | SC / ST / OBC / EWS / UR |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar | 1 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 56 | 9 / 2 / 10 / 6 / 29 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 3 | 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 2 |
| Assam | 132 | 9 / 15 / 27 / 10 / 71 |
| Bihar | 310 | 39 / 1 / 69 / 23 / 178 |
| Chandigarh | 58 | 10 / 0 / 16 / 1 / 31 |
| Chhattisgarh | 81 | 10 / 26 / 4 / 5 / 36 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 1 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 |
| Daman and Diu | 1 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 |
| Delhi | 417 | 58 / 28 / 112 / 33 / 186 |
| Goa | 7 | 0 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 5 |
| Gujarat | 138 | 10 / 20 / 38 / 15 / 55 |
| Haryana | 348 | 60 / 0 / 93 / 36 / 159 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 162 | 36 / 3 / 33 / 14 / 76 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 53 | 2 / 4 / 14 / 3 / 30 |
| Jharkhand | 95 | 11 / 13 / 11 / 5 / 55 |
| Karnataka | 64 | 6 / 3 / 14 / 6 / 35 |
| Kerala | 83 | 5 / 0 / 13 / 6 / 59 |
| Ladakh (Leh) | 2 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 180 | 26 / 35 / 26 / 17 / 76 |
| Maharashtra | 232 | 24 / 20 / 64 / 24 / 100 |
| Manipur | 13 | 0 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 9 |
| Meghalaya | 8 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 7 |
| Mizoram | 3 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3 |
| Nagaland | 2 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 |
| Odisha | 142 | 22 / 27 / 14 / 15 / 64 |
| Puducherry | 2 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 |
| Punjab | 462 | 132 / 0 / 96 / 43 / 191 |
| Rajasthan | 363 | 62 / 44 / 69 / 33 / 155 |
| Sikkim | 3 | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3 |
| Tamil Nadu | 121 | 23 / 1 / 28 / 13 / 56 |
| Telangana | 69 | 11 / 5 / 19 / 7 / 27 |
| Tripura | 28 | 5 / 9 / 1 / 3 / 10 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 814 | 167 / 5 / 219 / 78 / 345 |
| Uttarakhand | 152 | 28 / 5 / 13 / 12 / 94 |
| West Bengal | 532 | 122 / 22 / 107 / 54 / 227 |
| Grand Total | 5138 | 887 / 294 / 1110 / 464 / 2383 |
What is the Eligibility for PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Educational Qualification
You needed a graduate degree in any discipline from an institute, college or university recognised or approved by Government bodies, AICTE or UGC. The result must have been declared on or before 31.12.2025. For candidates registered under NATS, graduation must have been passed not more than 4 years before 01.01.2026. You also had to be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the local language of the State or UT you applied for.
Nationality
| Who Could Apply | Condition |
|---|---|
| Citizen of India | None |
| Subject of Nepal or Bhutan | Certificate of eligibility from Government of India |
| Tibetan refugee who came before 1 January 1962 | Certificate of eligibility from Government of India |
| Person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam to settle in India | Certificate of eligibility from Government of India |
Who Was Not Eligible
- Anyone who has already done an apprenticeship in PNB or any other organisation, or is doing one now under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
- Anyone with one year or more of training or job experience after graduation.
- Anyone earlier terminated from apprenticeship training for their own misconduct or fault.
- Ex-servicemen and disabled ex-servicemen, as the bank engages none and gives them no reservation.
- Creamy-layer OBC candidates for OBC seats; they had to apply as Unreserved.
Selected candidates must give an undertaking on the first three points at document verification. A breach or false statement means immediate termination, with no stipend and possible recovery of stipend already paid.
Age Limit
The age limit was 20 to 28 years as on 01.01.2026, so you must be born between 02.01.1998 and 01.01.2006. The upper limit of 28 years is for Unreserved and EWS candidates.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Widows, divorced and legally separated women (not remarried) | Up to 35 years (General/EWS), 38 years (OBC), 40 years (SC/ST) |
Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC is cumulative with only one of the PwBD or women categories. For NAPS applicants the relaxed upper age cannot exceed 34 years as on 01.01.2026.
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
What is the Stipend for PNB Apprentice 2026?
| Branch Category | Stipend per Month |
|---|---|
| Rural / Semi-Urban / Urban | ₹12,300 |
| Metro | ₹15,000 |
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Payment | End of each month, after adjusting unauthorised absence |
| Other allowances | None |
| Labour laws | Provisions on PF, ESI and bonus do not apply |
| Status | Not employees of the bank; no right to a job after training |
| Leave | One casual leave per completed month plus bank holidays |
| Hostel or transport | Not provided |
| Union | Apprentices cannot join or form one |
| Certificate | Apprenticeship Certificate after the final assessment |
What is the Selection Process for PNB Apprentice 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Online Written Test | MCQ test, merit based on marks |
| 2. Document Verification | At a centre in your State or UT, at your own cost |
| 3. Test of Local Language | Waived if your 10th or 12th certificate shows you studied that language |
| 4. Medical Examination | Fitness certificate from a registered physician with at least an MBBS |
Your age, qualification and category are checked only at document verification, after you pass the written test. Failing the language test means no engagement. Missing documents at that stage debars your candidature.
Online Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions / Marks |
|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 25 / 25 |
| General English | 25 / 25 |
| Quantitative & Reasoning Aptitude | 25 / 25 |
| Computer Knowledge | 25 / 25 |
| Whole paper | 100 questions, 100 marks |
The test is 60 minutes in total, in English or Hindi. The notification does not state negative marking or the exam start time. You must score the minimum aggregate percentage set by the bank, with 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD, and there is no sectional minimum. If marks tie at the cut-off, the older candidate ranks higher. You give the exam on your own camera-enabled device and must show the same ID you uploaded. Except PwBD candidates, nobody may sit near you. The Information Handout comes with the call letter. Check the syllabus and exam pattern page for preparation help.
Local Language by State
| State / UT | Local Language |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Hindi / English |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu / Urdu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | English |
| Assam | Assamese / Bengali / Bodo |
| Bihar | Hindi / Urdu |
| Chandigarh | Hindi / Punjabi |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Gujarati |
| Delhi | Hindi |
| Goa | Konkani |
| Gujarat | Gujarati |
| Haryana | Hindi / Punjabi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Urdu / Hindi |
| Jharkhand | Hindi / Santhali |
| Karnataka | Kannada |
| Kerala | Malayalam |
| Ladakh | Urdu / Ladakhi / Bhoti (Bodhi) |
| Lakshadweep | Malayalam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi |
| Maharashtra | Marathi |
| Manipur | Manipuri / English |
| Meghalaya | English / Garo / Khasi |
| Mizoram | Mizo |
| Nagaland | English |
| Odisha | Odia |
| Puducherry | Tamil |
| Punjab | Punjabi / Hindi |
| Rajasthan | Hindi |
| Sikkim | Nepali / English |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil |
| Telangana | Telugu / Urdu |
| Tripura | Bengali / Kokborok |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi / Urdu |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi |
| West Bengal | Bengali / Nepali |
How to Apply for PNB Apprentice 2026 (Application Closed)
Applications are closed, but the process had three parts. Candidates kept Aadhaar front and back, a passport photo, mark sheet or degree, PAN, caste or PwBD certificate if applicable, and an active email and mobile ready.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register on the BFSI SSC portal, fill the form, upload documents, submit and pay the fee online |
| 2 | If not already registered, register as a “Candidate” on the NAPS portal with the same email and mobile, search “Punjab National Bank” and apply |
| 3 | If you passed graduation on or after 1 January 2022 and were not on NATS, register as a “Student” on the NATS portal and apply |
| 4 | Update your NAPS code or NATS enrolment number on the BFSI SSC update portal |
| 5 | PwBD applicants email the scribe’s name, relationship and Aadhaar number to the BFSI SSC help email |
Hard copies were not to be sent to the bank.
Rules Every Candidate Should Know
| Rule | What the Notification Says |
|---|---|
| Incomplete application | Treated as rejected |
| Multiple applications | Only the last valid one counts; other fees are forfeited, and multiple appearances in the exam are summarily rejected |
| Withdrawal and refund | Not allowed once registered; fee not refunded |
| Entire process cancelled by the Bank | Application fees refunded |
| Missing certificates | Candidature liable to be rejected at any stage |
| False information or ineligibility | Candidature cancelled; training terminated without notice if found after engagement |
| Unfair means, impersonation or sharing exam content | Disqualified and debarred from any exam conducted by the Bank, permanently or for a specified period; training terminated if already joined |
| Answer patterns judged copied or shared | Candidature cancelled and result withheld |
| Canvassing in any form | Disqualification |
| Email not received | The bank is not responsible if intimations do not reach you after a change of email or a technical fault |
| Bank’s decision | Final and binding; no correspondence entertained |
| Expenses | You bear your own travel and process costs |
What are the Important Dates for PNB Apprentice 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 06 February 2026 |
| Online Registration Start | 08 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply and Pay Fee | 24 February 2026 |
| Age and Qualification Cut-off | 01 January 2026 |
| Exam Date Notice | 05 March 2026 |
| Online Written Exam | 08 March 2026 (Sunday) |
The advertisement said “1st week of March 2026”; the exam date notice replaced it with 08 March 2026. No admit card date is given. BFSI SSC was to send exam details and the link by registered email; see our admit card updates too.
What was the Application Fee for PNB Apprentice 2026?
| Category | Fee (incl. 18% GST) |
|---|---|
| GEN / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹944 |
| GEN / OBC / EWS (Female) | ₹708 |
| SC / ST / PwBD (Male and Female) | ₹236 |
| Transgender | ₹236 |
The fee was payable online only, from 08.02.2026 to 24.02.2026, and is non-refundable.
PNB Apprentice 2026 FAQs
Is PNB Apprentice a permanent job? No. It is a one-year apprenticeship, and the bank has no obligation to offer regular employment.
Which degree is needed? Any graduate degree with the result declared by 31.12.2025.
Is the application still open? No, it closed on 24 February 2026.
When was the exam? It was scheduled for 08 March 2026 (Sunday), as per the notice dated 05.03.2026.
PNB Apprentice 2026 Essential Links
- Download PNB Apprentice 2026 Original Notification PDF (5138 seats)
- Download PNB Apprentice Exam Date Notice PDF: online exam on 08 March 2026
- PNB Recruitments Page (Official Updates)
- BFSI SSC Portal for PNB Apprenticeship
- NAPS Portal (Apprenticeship India)
- NATS Portal
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you are a graduate looking for more graduate government jobs, the application window closed on 24 February 2026, and the online exam date notified was 08 March 2026. Keep your registered email active until the results, and visit GovtJobsAlert.in for every update. See the exam calendar too.