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New Delhi, June 13, 2026: The Central Bank of India (CBI) has officially released its highly anticipated recruitment notification for the engagement of apprentices for the financial year 2026–27. This year, the prominent public sector bank has announced a massive total of 4,500 vacancies distributed across various states and Union Territories in India. Designed under the Apprentices Act of 1961, this one-year program offers fresh graduates an exceptional gateway to step into the banking sector, acquire hands-on operational experience, and build a foundational understanding of commercial banking.
The official application window opened on June 12, 2026. Aspirants looking to leverage this massive opportunity must act quickly, as the registration timeline is exceptionally short. The final date to complete online registration, upload required documents, and submit application fees is June 22, 2026. According to the early schedule released by the bank, the tentative date for the online selection examination is set for the first week of July 2026, meaning applicants have just a few weeks to align their preparation strategies.
State-Wise Vacancy Distribution
The 4,500 posts are strategically allocated throughout the bank’s national network to support local branch operations. While vacancies are open in nearly every region, states with a high density of Central Bank of India branches have received the largest allocations. Candidates can choose their region of preference during the application process, provided they meet the local language criteria.
Eligibility Criteria & Requirements
The Central Bank of India has laid down specific eligibility baselines concerning educational qualifications, age limits, and technical registrations that all applicants must strictly clear as of the cut-off date, which is May 31, 2026.
1. Educational Qualifications
Candidates must hold a valid Graduation Degree in any discipline from a government-recognized university or institution. However, there are crucial clauses designed to keep this opportunity strictly for freshers:
- Completion Window: The graduation degree must have been completed on or after January 1, 2022. Anyone who graduated before this date is ineligible.
- No Prior Experience: Candidates who possess one year or more of formal work experience or professional training after completing their graduation are not eligible to apply.
- No Prior Apprenticeship: If you have already undergone or are currently pursuing apprentice training in any other bank or organization, your application will be rejected.
2. Age Limits & Relaxations
Applicants must be between 20 and 28 years of age as of May 31, 2026. This means candidates must have been born no earlier than May 31, 1998, and no later than May 31, 2006 (both dates inclusive). Standard government relaxations apply to reserved categories:
- SC / ST: 5 years of relaxation (up to 33 years)
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years of relaxation (up to 31 years)
- PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): 10 to 15 years of relaxation depending on the specific sub-category.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
Securing an apprentice position requires clearing a multi-tiered selection system managed by the BFSI Sector Skill Council (BFSI SSC). The initial filtration is done through a computer-based objective test, followed by regional competency checkpoints.
The Written Examination Structure
The online examination is a 60-minute objective test consisting of 100 questions, with each question carrying one mark. Crucially, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers, giving candidates the confidence to attempt the complete paper. The exam is divided equally across five distinct sections:
- Quantitative & Reasoning Aptitude (20 Questions / 20 Marks)
- Computer Knowledge (20 Questions / 20 Marks)
- General English (20 Questions / 20 Marks)
- General / Financial Awareness (20 Questions / 20 Marks)
- Central Bank of India Products & Services (20 Questions / 20 Marks)
Local Language Proficiency Test
Upon qualifying the online written test, candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in the local language of the state they applied for. This ensures smooth, direct interaction with rural and semi-urban banking customers.
Stipend, Work Hours, and Fees
Selected apprentices are signed under a binding contract for a fixed duration of 12 months. During this period, apprentices receive a consolidated monthly stipend of ₹15,000. Because this is a training engagement under the Apprentices Act rather than permanent employment, candidates are not entitled to any additional allowances, fuel reimbursements, medical benefits, or housing perks.
Apprentices observe the same working hours and operational calendar as regular clerical staff and are permitted one day of casual leave per calendar month. It is also explicitly stated by the management that completing this 1-year training block does not guarantee or grant any right to permanent recruitment within the Central Bank of India.
Structure of Application Fees
The non-refundable online registration fees vary significantly based on category and gender. Please note that an 18% GST charge is bundled into the final amounts:
- General / EWS / OBC (Male Candidates): ₹944
- General / EWS / OBC (Female Candidates): ₹708
- SC / ST (Male & Female Candidates): ₹236
- PwBD & Transgender Candidates: ₹236
Step-by-Step Application Process
The application workflow requires mandatory registration across dual portals. Follow these sequential steps to ensure your registration is processed without errors:
1.Enroll on the NATS Portal:Prerequisite Step.
Visit the official National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal at nats.education.gov.in. Click on the student registration tab, fill in your foundational graduation details, and generate your unique 16-digit NATS Enrollment ID.
2.Navigate to the Bank Portal:Application Initialization.
Go to the official Central Bank of India homepage at centralbank.bank.in. Click on the “Careers” section and find the active link titled “Engagement of Apprentices under Apprentices Act 1961 for F.Y. 2026-27”.
3.Fill the Form & Select Preferences:Data Entry.
Log in using the specialized BFSI portal link provided within the notification. Input your NATS Enrollment ID, choose your target state and preferred training districts, and fill out your academic details.
4.Upload Documents & Pay Fee:Final Submission.
Upload clear, scanned copies of your graduation certificate, passport photo, and signature according to the specified file sizes. Proceed to the integrated payment gateway to submit your category-specific application fee. Save the digital receipt and print the final application form for exam verification.