Table of ContentsClick to view all sections
- PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026: key details
- Vacancy breakdown by category and State/UT
- Eligibility for PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026: qualification, age and nationality
- Stipend and training conditions
- Selection process and online exam pattern
- Important dates and application fee for PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026
- Application process: what applicants had to do
- Documents and checks for the next stage
- Common application and selection pitfalls
- Final takeaway
- Official and apprenticeship links
PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offered 5,138 apprenticeship seats for graduates under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Applications ran from 8 to 24 February 2026 and are now closed. The online examination was scheduled for Sunday, 8 March 2026. This guide brings together the published vacancy, eligibility, stipend, selection and application details for candidates checking their next step.
PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026: key details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Post | Apprentice under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Vacancies | 5,138 provisional seats; numbers could change at engagement |
| Training duration | One year: two weeks of basic training and 50 weeks of on-the-job training |
| Stipend | ₹12,300 per month in rural, semi-urban and urban branches; ₹15,000 per month in metro branches |
| Minimum qualification | Graduation in any discipline, subject to the notification’s conditions |
| Age range | 20 to 28 years as on 1 January 2026, before applicable relaxation |
| Application mode | Online; closed on 24 February 2026 |
| Online examination | Scheduled for 8 March 2026 |
The notification was issued by PNB’s Human Resource Division under advertisement number HRD/APPRENTICE/ADVT/2025-26. The engagement is for apprenticeship training, not a permanent bank appointment.
Vacancy breakdown by category and State/UT
The category totals below add up to 5,138. PwBD reservations are horizontal and included within these category and State/UT totals, not additional seats. State-wise figures were provisional. The split column follows the order SC / ST / OBC / EWS / UR.
| Category | Seats |
|---|---|
| SC | 887 |
| ST | 294 |
| OBC | 1,110 |
| EWS | 464 |
| UR | 2,383 |
| Total | 5,138 |
| 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 | 5,138 | 887 / 294 / 1,110 / 464 / 2,383 |
The notification listed 205 PwBD seats within the overall vacancies: 51 for visual impairment (VI), 51 for hearing impairment (HI), 52 for orthopaedic disability (OH) and 51 for intellectual disability (ID). Candidates were subject to the applicable category and disability rules in the official notice.
Eligibility for PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026: qualification, age and nationality
Education and local-language requirement
- A degree in any discipline from a university or institution recognised or approved by the relevant government, UGC or AICTE was required.
- The graduation result had to be declared on or before 31 December 2025.
- Applicants had to be able to read, write, speak and understand a specified local language for the State/UT applied for.
- For applicants registered under NATS, the notification required graduation to have been completed no more than four years before 1 January 2026.
Age limit and relaxation
The standard age range was 20–28 years on 1 January 2026. For candidates without relaxation, the notification described the corresponding birth-date range as 2 January 1998 to 1 January 2006.
| Category | Upper-age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years |
| Widowed, divorced or legally separated women who have not remarried | Up to 35 years for General/EWS, 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC/ST |
The notification limited the applicable combination of relaxations: SC/ST/OBC relaxation could be combined with only one of the PwBD or eligible-women provisions. For NAPS applicants, the relaxed upper age could not exceed 34 years as on 1 January 2026. Check the notification’s detailed conditions before relying on a relaxation.
Nationality and eligibility exclusions
Indian citizens could apply. The notification also listed subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before 1 January 1962, and certain persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries to settle in India. Applicants in those groups needed a Government of India eligibility certificate where required by the notice.
The following restrictions also applied:
- Applicants who had completed or were currently undertaking an apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961, with PNB or another organisation were not eligible.
- Applicants with one year or more of training or job experience after graduation were not eligible.
- Applicants whose earlier apprenticeship had been terminated for their own misconduct or fault were excluded.
- OBC creamy-layer candidates could not claim OBC reservation and had to apply as Unreserved if otherwise eligible.
- The notice stated that ex-servicemen and disabled ex-servicemen would not be engaged and would not receive reservation under this intake.
Selected candidates were required to make declarations about relevant prior apprenticeship, experience and termination conditions at document verification. False information or a breach could lead to cancellation or termination.
Stipend and training conditions
| Branch location | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| Rural, semi-urban or urban | ₹12,300 |
| Metro | ₹15,000 |
The apprenticeship lasted one year, comprising two weeks of basic training and 50 weeks of on-the-job training. The notification stated that stipend would be paid at the end of each month, adjusted for unauthorised absence. It did not provide additional allowances, hostel accommodation or transport.
Apprentices were not employees of PNB and had no entitlement to a regular job after training. The notice also stated that PF, ESI and bonus provisions did not apply to this engagement. Eligible leave included one casual leave for each completed month, in addition to bank holidays. A certificate was to be issued after final assessment.
Selection process and online exam pattern
The published selection stages were an online written test, document verification, a local-language test where applicable and a medical fitness check. Candidates had to meet the bank’s minimum aggregate score; the notice provided a 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates and did not set a separate sectional minimum. If candidates tied at the cut-off, the older candidate was to rank higher.
| Test section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| General English | 25 | 25 |
| Quantitative and Reasoning Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| Computer Knowledge | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
The test duration was 60 minutes, with English and Hindi listed as the test languages. The notification did not specify negative marking or an exam start time. The exam was to be taken on a candidate’s own camera-enabled device, with the same identity document used during application. The call-letter information handout was the reference for exam-day instructions. PwBD candidates were subject to the stated accommodation provisions; other candidates were not permitted to have anyone seated nearby.
Local-language test
Language ability was tied to the State/UT applied for. Candidates who could show through a Class 10 or Class 12 certificate that they had studied the relevant language were exempt from the separate language test, according to the notice. Otherwise, failure to qualify in the test meant no engagement.
| State / UT | Language(s) listed in the notification |
|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Hindi / English |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu / Urdu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | English |
| Assam | Assamese / Bengali / Bodo |
| Bihar | Hindi / Urdu |
| Chandigarh | Hindi / Punjabi |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli; Daman and Diu | Gujarati |
| Delhi | Hindi |
| Goa | Konkani |
| Gujarat | Gujarati |
| Haryana | Hindi / Punjabi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi |
| Jammu and 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 |
Important dates and application fee for PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date or status |
|---|---|
| Notification | 6 February 2026 |
| Online applications opened | 8 February 2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay | 24 February 2026 |
| Age and qualification cut-off | 1 January 2026 |
| Exam-date notice | 5 March 2026 |
| Online examination | Scheduled for 8 March 2026 (Sunday) |
The original advertisement referred to the first week of March for the examination; a later notice specified 8 March 2026. The reference information does not give an admit-card release date or exam start time. Since the scheduled exam date has passed, candidates should check official channels for any result or subsequent-stage announcement rather than assume an outcome.
| Applicant category | Fee, including 18% GST |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS male | ₹944 |
| General / OBC / EWS female | ₹708 |
| SC / ST / PwBD, male or female | ₹236 |
| Transgender | ₹236 |
Payment was online only, during the application window, and the fee was non-refundable except where the entire process was cancelled by the bank, as described in the notice.
Application process: what applicants had to do
Applications are closed, so a new form cannot be submitted for this intake. For PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026, the notified process involved the BFSI Sector Skill Council of India (BFSI SSC) application portal and the relevant apprenticeship registrations.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register on the BFSI SSC portal, complete the application, upload the required documents, submit and pay the applicable fee. |
| 2 | If not already registered, create a candidate profile on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal, search for Punjab National Bank and apply using the same email and mobile number. |
| 3 | Where required by the notice, graduates who passed on or after 1 January 2022 and were not registered on NATS had to register as a student on the NATS portal and apply. |
| 4 | Update the NAPS code or NATS enrolment number on the BFSI SSC update portal. |
| 5 | PwBD applicants requiring a scribe had to send the requested scribe details to the BFSI SSC help contact specified in the notification. |
The application checklist included Aadhaar details, a passport-size photograph, graduation marksheet or degree, PAN, an applicable caste or PwBD certificate, and an active email address and mobile number. Applicants were told not to send hard-copy documents to the bank.
Documents and checks for the next stage
For document verification, candidates should rely on the call letter and official instructions for the exact documents and format. Keep the following records accessible if they apply to your case:
- Proof of identity matching the details used in the application.
- Graduation certificate or marksheets showing that the result was declared by the specified cut-off.
- Class 10 or 12 certificate, particularly if using it to establish study of the local language.
- Category, PwBD or other relaxation certificate, where claimed.
- NAPS code or NATS enrolment details, if applicable.
- Any declarations or eligibility certificates required by the notification.
The notice placed the cost of attending verification and other selection stages on the candidate. It also required a medical fitness certificate from a registered physician with at least an MBBS qualification. Missing required documents at verification could lead to disqualification.
Common application and selection pitfalls
- Assuming the role is permanent: This was a one-year apprenticeship and did not guarantee a PNB job.
- Overlooking the degree-result cut-off: The result had to be declared by 31 December 2025; the date the course was completed alone may not establish eligibility.
- Ignoring the local-language condition: Check the language listed for the applied State/UT and whether a school certificate proves prior study.
- Claiming an incorrect category: OBC reservation applied to non-creamy-layer candidates; certificates and other claims were subject to verification.
- Using different contact details across portals: The process required consistent email and mobile details for related apprenticeship registrations.
- Submitting more than one form: The notice said only the last valid application would be considered; other fees could be forfeited. Multiple exam appearances were not allowed.
- Missing communications: Candidates were responsible for keeping registered contact details active and checking the inbox, including spam folders.
- Sharing exam content or using unfair means: The notice warned that violations, impersonation or copied answer patterns could lead to disqualification and debarment.
Final takeaway
PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 offered 5,138 provisional places, a one-year training period and a monthly stipend determined by branch location. The application window has closed and the notified online exam date was 8 March 2026. Applicants should use official channels to verify any result, document-verification notice or later update; do not rely on an old application page as proof of current status.
Official and apprenticeship links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) portal | https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal | https://nats.education.gov.in |
Use these portals for apprenticeship-related records. For PNB-specific notices or results, consult PNB’s official recruitment communications and the contact or portal details stated in the original advertisement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PNB Apprentice Recruitment 2026 still open?
No. The application period ended on 24 February 2026.
How many apprentice seats were announced?
The notification listed 5,138 provisional seats across States and Union Territories. The bank could revise the number at engagement.
What was the PNB Apprentice exam date?
The later exam-date notice scheduled the online examination for Sunday, 8 March 2026. Candidates should check official channels for any subsequent result or stage notice.
What degree was required?
A degree in any discipline from a recognised or approved institution was required, with the result declared on or before 31 December 2025. Other eligibility conditions also applied.
What was the monthly stipend?
The stipend was ₹12,300 for rural, semi-urban and urban branches and ₹15,000 for metro branches, according to the notification.
Does completing the apprenticeship guarantee a PNB job?
No. The apprenticeship was not regular employment, and the notice did not promise a permanent appointment after training.
Was there a local-language test?
A local-language test applied unless the candidate could establish through a Class 10 or 12 certificate that they had studied the relevant language, as specified in the notice.
Where can candidates check later updates?
Check PNB’s official recruitment communications and the portal or contact details identified in the original notification. The NAPS and NATS links above are apprenticeship portals, not confirmation of a PNB result.
Comments