The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, has undertaken several key initiatives aimed at streamlining the timelines for recruitment examinations and declaration of their results. This includes recruitment to State Bank of India (SBI), Nationalised Banks (NBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). Additionally, these initiatives seek to enhance transparency in examinations conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).

Recruitment in SBI, NBs and RRBs is conducted through the IBPS process, in accordance with the mandates of the respective banks. Typically, examinations for RRBs are administered prior to those for NBs and the SBI. The results are subsequently announced in a similar sequence. Nevertheless, a notable trend has emerged wherein newly recruited candidates frequently transition from RRBs to NBs, and subsequently to SBI. This migration has resulted in significant attrition within the banks and has posed operational challenges.

Taking cognisance of the above issue, the DFS reviewed the comprehensive process of recruitment examinations and the pattern of result declarations, advising the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to implement a standardised and logical sequence for announcing recruitment results across all three categories of banks. Consequently, a revised framework has been established, which stipulates that results will now be announced first for the SBI, followed by NBs, and subsequently for RRBs. Additionally, results for all officer-level examinations within these categories will be declared initially, with clerical-level examination results announced subsequently in the same order. This systematic sequencing is designed to assist candidates in expressing their preferences promptly and making well-informed decisions. This approach will enhance predictability for candidates, improve recruitment stability, substantially reduce industry attrition and enable more effective workforce planning across the banking sector.

Furthermore, to enhance transparency, IBPS will provide candidates with login-based access to their response sheets and correct answer keys from the upcoming 2026-27 Common Recruitment Process cycle, thereby reinforcing transparency in public recruitment examinations.

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NB/PK