Punjab National Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026 for 5138 Posts
Notification No: HRD/APPRENTICE/ADVT/2025-26: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has invited online applications for the engagement of 5138 Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. This is a massive opportunity for graduates to gain hands-on banking experience. The online registration process is open from February 08, 2026, to February 24, 2026.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has released a detailed notification for the engagement of Apprentices for the Financial Year 2025-26. The bank aims to fill 5138 training seats across all states and union territories in India. This one-year apprenticeship program offers young graduates a chance to learn the nuances of banking operations, customer service, and financial products directly from industry professionals.
The selection process involves an Online Written Test followed by a Test of Local Language and a Medical Examination. Selected candidates will be paid a monthly stipend ranging from ₹12,300 to ₹15,000 depending on the branch category. The application process is entirely online through the PNB and BFSI SSC portals. This engagement is strictly for training purposes and does not guarantee permanent employment in the bank.
PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 (Important Points)
Candidates must carefully review the key dates and details. The online exam is tentatively scheduled for the first week of March 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Organization | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Post Name | Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 5138 |
| Application Start Date | 08 February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 24 February 2026 |
| Online Exam Date (Tentative) | 1st week of March 2026 |
| Training Duration | 1 Year (12 Months) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Job Type | Apprenticeship Training |
| Official Website | www.pnb.bank.in |
Complete State-wise Vacancy Details
The 5138 seats are distributed across various states and union territories. Candidates can apply for vacancies in one state only. Below is the complete list:
| State/UT | Total Seats | State/UT | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | 1 | Lakshadweep | 1 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 56 | Madhya Pradesh | 180 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 3 | Maharashtra | 232 |
| Assam | 132 | Manipur | 13 |
| Bihar | 310 | Meghalaya | 8 |
| Chandigarh | 58 | Mizoram | 3 |
| Chhattisgarh | 81 | Nagaland | 2 |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 1 | Odisha | 142 |
| Daman & Diu | 1 | Puducherry | 2 |
| Delhi | 417 | Punjab | 462 |
| Goa | 7 | Rajasthan | 363 |
| Gujarat | 138 | Sikkim | 3 |
| Haryana | 213 | Tamil Nadu | 121 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 162 | Telangana | 69 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 53 | Tripura | 28 |
| Jharkhand | 95 | Uttar Pradesh | 814 |
| Karnataka | 64 | Uttarakhand | 152 |
| Kerala | 83 | West Bengal | 415 |
| Leh | 2 | Grand Total | 5138 |
Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
- For General/OBC/EWS Candidates: ₹800/- + GST (Total ₹944/-)
- For Female (All Categories)/SC/ST/PwBD Candidates: ₹600/- + GST (Total ₹708/-) for Female, ₹200/- + GST (Total ₹236/-) for SC/ST/PwBD
The fee includes application processing, examination, and intimation charges. It must be paid online.
Eligibility Criteria (as on 01.01.2026)
Candidates must fulfill the age, educational qualification, and local language proficiency criteria to be eligible.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Must possess a Graduate Degree in any discipline from a recognized University/Institute. The result must have been declared on or before 31.12.2025. Candidates registered under NATS must have passed graduation not more than 4 years before the cut-off date. |
| Age Limit |
Age Relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 years for PwBD candidates. |
| Local Language | Candidates applying for a particular state should be proficient (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) in the local language of that state. (See Annexure in notification for state-wise languages). |
Selection Process
The selection process consists of multiple stages:
- Online Written Test: All eligible candidates will have to appear for an online objective-type examination.
- Test of Local Language: Candidates who qualify in the written test and do not have evidence of studying the local language in 10th/12th standard will have to undergo a language proficiency test.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates will be called for verification of their original documents.
- Medical Examination: Final engagement is subject to being declared medically fit.
Exam Pattern
The online written examination will consist of objective-type questions.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 25 | 25 | 60 Minutes (Composite Time) |
| General English | 25 | 25 | |
| Quantitative & Reasoning Aptitude | 25 | 25 | |
| Computer Knowledge | 25 | 25 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- Medium of Test: English and Hindi (except for the General English section).
- Negative Marking: There is no mention of negative marking in the summary, but candidates should check the detailed instructions in the exam call letter.
Stipend Details
Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend based on the branch category where they are posted.
| Branch Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Rural / Semi-Urban / Urban Branches | ₹12,300/- |
| Metro Branches | ₹15,000/- |
How to Prepare for the Exam
A balanced preparation strategy covering all four sections is essential.
- Financial Awareness: Focus on banking terms, RBI policies, PNB's products, and current financial news.
- Reasoning & Quant: Practice standard banking exam questions on puzzles, seating arrangement, data interpretation, and arithmetic. Speed is key.
- English: Brush up on grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
- Computer Knowledge: Study basic computer concepts, MS Office, and internet usage.
Best Books for Preparation
Candidates can refer to standard banking preparation books.
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How to Apply Online
The application process involves registration on the apprenticeship portal and the BFSI SSC portal.
- NAPS Registration: Register on the NAPS portal (www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) as a candidate. Note down your registration number.
- Apply for Exam: Visit the BFSI SSC website (www.bfsissc.com) or click the link on the PNB website.
- Register for the PNB Apprenticeship Program 2025-26.
- Fill in your personal and educational details and upload the required documents (photo, signature, caste certificate).
- Enter your NAPS registration number.
- Pay the examination fee online.
- Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
Documents Needed to Apply (for Uploading)
Candidates must have scanned copies of the following documents ready:
- Recent passport-size photograph (JPEG, <1 MB).
- Aadhaar Card (Front & Back) (JPEG, <1 MB).
- PAN Card (JPEG, <1 MB).
- Qualifying Degree Marksheet/Certificate (PDF, <1 MB).
- Caste Certificate (if applicable) (PDF, <1 MB).
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable) (PDF, <1 MB).
Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online (BFSI SSC Portal) | Click Here |
| NAPS Registration Portal | Click Here |
(FAQs)
- Q1: Is this a permanent job in PNB?
No, this is a one-year apprenticeship training program. The bank has no obligation to offer regular employment after the completion of the training.
- Q2: Can I apply for multiple states?
No, a candidate can apply for training seats in one state only.
- Q3: Is the local language test mandatory?
It is mandatory only if you cannot produce a 10th or 12th standard mark sheet evidencing that you have studied the specified local language of the applied state.
- Q4: What is the training duration?
The total duration of the training is 1 year, which includes 2 weeks of basic training and 50 weeks of on-the-job training.
