Punjab National Bank (PNB) has invited online applications for 545 posts of Local Bank Officer (LBO) in Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I). The vacancies are spread across 17 states and UTs, and candidates can apply online from 20 July 2026 to 9 August 2026 at pnb.bank.in.
Two features make this recruitment different from a standard PO drive, and both decide whether you are even eligible: you must be proficient in the mandatory local language of the state you apply for, and you need at least one year of post-qualification experience in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB. Below is the complete state-wise vacancy table, eligibility, age relaxation, fee, pay scale and selection process.
PNB LBO Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organisation | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Post Name | Local Bank Officer (LBO) – Post Code 01 |
| Grade / Scale | JMGS-I |
| Total Vacancies | 545 Posts |
| Qualification | Graduate in any discipline + 1 year banking experience |
| Age Limit | 20 to 30 Years (as on 01.07.2026) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | 20.07.2026 to 09.08.2026 |
| Tentative Online Test | August / September 2026 |
| Selection Process | Online Written Test + Screening + Language Proficiency Test + Interview |
| Official Website | pnb.bank.in |
Important Dates
| Opening Date for Online Registration | 20 July 2026 |
| Closing Date for Online Registration | 9 August 2026 |
| Tentative Date of Online Test | August 2026 / September 2026 |
| Cut-off Date for Age | 1 July 2026 |
| Cut-off Date for Qualification & Experience | 9 August 2026 |
The exact date, centre and venue of the Online Written Test will be communicated through the Call Letter, downloadable from the Bank’s website.
PNB LBO State-wise Vacancy Details 2026
Candidates must apply for only one state and must be proficient in the mandatory local language specified for that state.
| S.No. | State | Mandatory Language | Vacancies |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Telugu | 4 |
| 2 | Gujarat | Gujarati | 77 |
| 3 | Karnataka | Kannada | 78 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | Marathi | 67 |
| 5 | Telangana | Telugu | 41 |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 51 |
| 7 | West Bengal | Bengali | 80 |
| 8 | Jammu & Kashmir | Urdu / Dogri / Kashmiri | 9 |
| 9 | Ladakh | Urdu / Purgi / Bhoti | 2 |
| 10 | Arunachal Pradesh | English | 4 |
| 11 | Assam | Assamese / Bodo | 85 |
| 12 | Manipur | Manipuri / Meitei | 6 |
| 13 | Meghalaya | Garo / Khasi | 8 |
| 14 | Mizoram | Mizo | 5 |
| 15 | Nagaland | English | 5 |
| 16 | Sikkim | Nepali / Sikkimese | 5 |
| 17 | Tripura | Bengali / Kokborok | 18 |
| Total | 545 | ||
Assam (85), West Bengal (80), Karnataka (78) and Gujarat (77) carry the largest shares. Gujarat aspirants in particular should note that 77 officer-grade vacancies in a single state is an unusually strong opening.
Key Points on Vacancy Distribution
- Candidates belonging to reserved categories for which no vacancy is announced in a state may apply against Unreserved (UR) vacancies of that state, if they meet UR eligibility.
- Applying for one state makes a candidate ineligible to apply for any other state.
- The merit list is drawn state-wise and category-wise.
- Selected candidates are posted within the selected state until completion of nine years of service or promotion to SMG Scale IV, whichever is earlier.
- PwBD reservation is horizontal; selected PwBD candidates are placed in their applicable category and posted within the state applied for.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification & Age
| Post | Scale | Age | Qualification |
| Local Bank Officer (LBO) | JMGS-I | Min 20, Max 30 years | Graduate in any discipline from a recognised University/Institution |
Candidates must possess a valid mark sheet/degree certificate confirming graduate status on the day of registration, and must indicate their graduation percentage to two decimals. CGPA/OGPA must be converted using the university’s official formula, and fractions are ignored (59.99% is treated as 59%).
Post-Qualification Experience (Mandatory)
- Minimum one year of post-qualification work experience in Clerical/Officer cadre in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank listed in the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934.
- One advance increment is payable for each completed prior year as an Officer in a Scheduled Commercial Bank (maximum 2 increments), if the job profile matches a PNB Scale-I Generalist Officer.
- Candidates from subsidiaries of Scheduled Commercial Banks (Officer cadre) are eligible for only one advance increment.
- Proof of experience must be submitted in the prescribed format, certified by the previous employer.
- Experience in other financial institutions is not considered if the job profile does not substantially match.
- No prior service is counted for seniority purposes.
Local Language Requirement
Candidates must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking the specified local language of the state applied for. A Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) is conducted by an external agency as part of the selection process — failing it disqualifies a candidate regardless of written test performance.
Nationality
An applicant must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. The last categories require a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe | 5 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen / ECOs / SSCOs (min. 5 years military service) | 5 Years |
| Persons affected by 1984 riots | 5 Years |
The maximum age limit applies to UR and EWS candidates. Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC(NCL) is cumulative with only one of the remaining categories.
Application Fee
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹50 + GST 18% = ₹59 (postage charges only) |
| UR / OBC (NCL) / EWS | ₹1,000 + GST 18% = ₹1,180 |
Payment is accepted online only (Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Mobile Wallets or UPI). Bank transaction charges are borne by the candidate, and the fee is non-refundable.
Salary and Perquisites
Selected candidates draw pay in the JMGS-I scale of ₹48,480 – 2000/7 – 62,480 – 2340/2 – 67,160 – 2680/7 – 85,920. In addition to Basic Pay, officers receive Dearness Allowance (DA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), HRA/lease accommodation and other allowances as per Bank rules.
Selection Process
- Online Written Test
- Screening / Shortlisting
- Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
- Personal Interview
The merit list is prepared state-wise and category-wise, so your competition is limited to applicants of the same state and category — another reason the choice of state matters strategically.
How to Apply for PNB LBO Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official PNB website pnb.bank.in and open the Recruitment / Careers section.
- Read the detailed LBO notification carefully, especially the state-wise language requirement.
- Click the online application link and complete registration with your email ID and mobile number.
- Select the one state you wish to apply for — this cannot be changed later.
- Fill in personal, educational and experience details, and enter your graduation percentage to two decimals.
- Upload photograph, signature and the prescribed experience certificate.
- Pay the application fee online and submit the form.
- Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for the wrong state: You get one choice only. Pick the state whose language you can genuinely clear the LLPT in — not simply the one with the most vacancies.
- Assuming experience is optional: One year in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB is mandatory, not preferred.
- Submitting salary slips as experience proof: The experience certificate must be in the prescribed format and certified by the employer.
- Rounding up your percentage: Fractions are ignored — 59.99% counts as 59%.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification (PDF) | Click Here |
| Official Website | pnb.bank.in |
Prepare for the Exam
The PNB LBO online test follows the standard bank officer pattern — reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English and general/banking awareness. Since you already have banking experience, prioritise speed and accuracy over concept-building. Our curated Best Books for Government Exams 2026 lists the standard banking-exam titles for each of these sections.
Related Bank Recruitment 2026
- Union Bank of India SO Recruitment 2026 – 395 Posts
- Central Bank of India PSB Officer Recruitment 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for PNB LBO Recruitment 2026?
The online registration window closes on 9 August 2026. Registration opened on 20 July 2026.
Q2. Can I apply for more than one state in PNB LBO 2026?
No. Candidates can apply for a vacancy in one state only. Applying against one state makes you ineligible to apply against any other state.
Q3. Is work experience mandatory for PNB Local Bank Officer?
Yes. A minimum of one year of post-qualification experience in Clerical or Officer cadre in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank is mandatory, reckoned as on 9 August 2026.
Q4. What is the salary of a PNB Local Bank Officer?
The JMGS-I pay scale is ₹48,480 – 85,920, plus DA, CCA, HRA/lease accommodation and other allowances as per Bank rules.
Q5. What is the application fee for PNB LBO 2026?
₹59 (inclusive of GST) for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹1,180 (inclusive of GST) for UR/OBC(NCL)/EWS candidates. The fee is non-refundable.
Q6. What is the selection process for PNB LBO Recruitment 2026?
Online Written Test, followed by screening, a Local Language Proficiency Test conducted by an external agency, and a Personal Interview. The merit list is drawn state-wise and category-wise.
Q7. Which state has the most PNB LBO vacancies in 2026?
Assam has the highest with 85 vacancies, followed by West Bengal (80), Karnataka (78) and Gujarat (77).
Source & Verification
All details above — state-wise vacancies, eligibility, experience conditions, fee, pay scale and selection stages — are taken from the official PNB Local Bank Officer Recruitment 2026 notification published on pnb.bank.in. This page was last verified on 21 July 2026.
Disclaimer: Sarkari Job Wale compiles this information from the official PNB notification and reliable sources for the convenience of aspirants. The Bank reserves the right to change the number of vacancies or any recruitment term at any stage. Candidates must read the official notification PDF on pnb.bank.in before applying. We are not affiliated with Punjab National Bank.