Public Sector Bank · Nationalised Bank
PNB Local Bank Officer (LBO) Recruitment 2026
545 Vacancies across 17 States — JMGS-I Scale
Total Vacancies
545
Apply By
9 Aug 2026
Age Limit
20–30 years
Pay Scale
₹48,480/mo
Vacancy Details
- Organisation
- Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- Post Name
- Local Bank Officer (LBO)
- Grade / Scale
- Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I)
- Total Vacancies
- 545
- Qualification
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
- Experience
- Min. 1 year post-qualification in Clerical/Officer cadre in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB
- Apply Start
- 20 July 2026
- Last Date
- 9 August 2026
- Application Fee
- ₹59 (SC/ST/PwBD) · ₹1,180 (All Others, incl. GST @18%)
- Age Limit
- 20 – 30 years as on 01.07.2026
- Pay Scale
- ₹48,480 – ₹85,920
- Bond
- ₹2 lakh · Minimum 3 years of service after joining
- CIBIL Score
- Min. 680 required at the time of joining (not a pre-condition to apply)
- Probation Period
- 2 years from date of joining
- Posting
- Within applied State for 9 years or until promotion to SMG Scale IV
- Apply Mode
- Online only — pnb.bank.in under Recruitments/Careers
What is a Local Bank Officer (LBO)?
Unlike a regular PO who can be posted anywhere in India, an LBO is a state-specific officer. Selected candidates stay posted within the state for which they applied for a period of 9 years (or until promotion to SMG Scale IV, whichever is earlier). They must be proficient in the mandatory local language of that state. This role is designed to serve local communities with deep regional expertise.
State-wise Vacancies
| State | Language | Total | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | 77 | 15 | 8 | 22 | 10 | 22 |
| Karnataka | Kannada | 78 | 13 | 7 | 17 | 9 | 32 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | 67 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
| Telangana | Telugu | 41 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 20 |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 51 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 22 |
| West Bengal | Bengali | 80 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 10 | 28 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Urdu / Dogri / Kashmiri | 9 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Ladakh | Urdu / Purgi / Bhoti | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | English | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Assam | Assamese / Bodo | 85 | 13 | 7 | 22 | 9 | 34 |
| Manipur | Manipuri / Meitei | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Meghalaya | Garo / Khasi | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Mizoram | Mizo | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Nagaland | English | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Sikkim | Nepali / Sikkimese | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Tripura | Bengali / Kokborok | 18 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Total | — | 545 | 93 | 44 | 99 | 66 | 193 |
PwBD horizontal reservation included within the above. Candidates can apply for one state only. Merit list is drawn state-wise and category-wise.
Eligibility Criteria
Age
Minimum 20 years · Maximum 30 years (as on 01.07.2026)
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 years |
| PwBD | +10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | +5 years |
| 1984 Riot Victims | +5 years |
Educational Qualification
Graduation in any discipline from a University/Institution recognised/approved by Government of India or its regulatory bodies. The result must have been declared on or before 09.08.2026.
Work Experience (Mandatory)
- • Minimum 1 year post-qualification experience in Clerical or Officer cadre in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB (Second Schedule of RBI Act, 1934)
- • Experience in other financial institutions will not be considered unless the job profile matches a Scale-I Generalist Officer of PNB
- • Reckoned as on the closing date of registration: 09.08.2026
- • Experience certificate must be submitted in the prescribed format (annexure attached to the advertisement)
Local Language Proficiency
Candidates must be proficient (reading, writing & speaking) in the specified local language of the state they apply for (see state table above). The Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) is conducted by an external agency and is mandatory qualifying. Candidates who studied the local language in 10th or 12th standard are exempt from LLPT but must submit documentary proof.
Advance Increment for Prior Experience
- • Officers in Scheduled Commercial Banks: 1 advance increment per completed year of service · maximum 2 increments
- • Officers in subsidiaries of SCBs: 1 increment only
- • Applicable only if job profile substantially matches a Scale-I Generalist Officer of PNB
- • No prior service considered for seniority purposes
Selection Process
Online Written Test
150 questions · 150 marks · Negative marking (¼ mark per wrong answer) · Sectional time limits apply
Qualifying marks: 40% for UR/EWS · 35% for Reserved categories (per section)
Document Screening
Applications and documents of written test qualifiers scrutinized by the Bank to verify eligibility
Candidates found ineligible at this stage are rejected and not considered further
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Qualifying in nature · Assesses reading, writing, and speaking in the state language
Candidates who studied the language in 10th/12th are exempt (must submit proof). Failing LLPT = ineligible for final selection
Personal Interview
50 marks · Minimum qualifying: 22.50 (45%) for SC/ST · 25 (50%) for others
Final merit = Online Written Test score + Interview score (state-wise & category-wise ranking)
Online Written Test Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 35 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 25 | 25 | 35 min |
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 25 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 35 min |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 50 | 50 | 50 min |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 3 hrs (180 min) |
Negative marking: ¼ mark deducted per wrong answer. Sectional time limits are strictly enforced.
Important Dates
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹59 (Postage charges only + GST @18%) |
| All Others (UR / EWS / OBC) | ₹1,180 (₹1,000 + GST @18%) |
Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment must be made online (Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking, IMPS, Mobile Wallets).
Documents to Upload (Online Application)
- ·Recent passport-size photograph (4.5cm × 3.5cm) · 20kb–50kb
- ·Signature on white paper with black ink · 10kb–20kb
- ·Left-hand thumb impression (3cm × 3cm) · 20kb–50kb
- ·Handwritten declaration in English (10cm × 5cm) · 50kb–100kb
- ·Caste / Disability Certificate (PDF, max 500kb) — if applicable
- ·Educational qualification documents: Xth, XIIth mark sheets + graduation marks/degree (PDF, max 500kb)
- ·Work experience certificate in prescribed format (PDF, max 500kb)
Handwritten declaration text: “I, [Name], hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required.”
Key Points to Remember
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PNB LBO and how is it different from PNB PO?
LBO (Local Bank Officer) is a state-specific officer in JMGS-I scale who remains posted within the applied state for 9 years. Unlike a regular PO (who can be transferred anywhere in India), LBOs serve local communities with knowledge of the regional language. Experience is mandatory for LBO; PO is entry-level.
Is bank experience mandatory for PNB LBO 2026?
Yes. A minimum of 1 year post-qualification work experience in Clerical or Officer cadre in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank is mandatory. Applications without this experience will be rejected.
What is the last date to apply for PNB LBO 2026?
9 August 2026. Online registration opened on 20 July 2026. Apply at pnb.bank.in under Recruitments/Careers.
What is the application fee for PNB LBO 2026?
₹59 for SC/ST/PwBD (postage only + GST) and ₹1,180 for all other categories (₹1,000 + GST @18%). Fee is non-refundable.
What is the exam pattern for PNB LBO 2026?
Online Written Test: 150 questions, 150 marks in 5 sections — Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (25Q/25M/35min), Data Analysis (25Q/25M/35min), English Language (25Q/25M/25min), Quantitative Aptitude (25Q/25M/35min), and General/Economy/Banking Awareness (50Q/50M/50min). Negative marking: ¼ per wrong answer.
What is the LLPT (Language Proficiency Test) in PNB LBO?
LLPT tests a candidate's reading, writing, and speaking proficiency in the state's mandatory language. It is qualifying — failing LLPT disqualifies the candidate from final selection even if they performed well in the written test and interview. Candidates who studied the language in 10th or 12th standard are exempt.
What is the salary of PNB LBO after joining?
Basic pay starts at ₹48,480/month (JMGS-I). Candidates with prior officer experience in SCBs get up to 2 advance increments. In addition to basic pay, LBOs receive DA, HRA/Leased Accommodation, CCA, LFC, Medical Insurance, and Retirement Benefits.
What is the service bond for PNB LBO?
Selected candidates must execute an Indemnity Bond undertaking to serve the Bank for at least 3 years. If they resign before completing 3 years, they must pay ₹2,00,000 (Rupees Two Lakh) to the Bank.