Punjab National Bank (PNB) invites online applications from eligible candidates for engagement as Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for the Financial Year 2025-26. This is a massive national recruitment drive offering 5,138 apprenticeship positions across 28 states and union territories of India. The apprenticeship provides 12 months of structured training combining classroom instruction and on-the-job training at PNB branches and offices nationwide.
Punjab National Bank Apprentice Recruitment 2026 - Overview
| Bank Name | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Recruitment Type | Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Total Vacancies | 5,138 Apprentice Positions |
| Financial Year | FY 2025-26 |
| States/UTs Covered | 28 States and Union Territories across India |
| Posting Locations | Multiple circles across India (All states with multiple banking circles) |
| Training Duration | 12 Months (2 weeks Basic Training + 50 weeks On-the-Job Training) |
| Application Mode | Online through BFSI SSC portal |
| Start Date for Applications | 08-02-2026 |
| Closing Date for Applications | 24-02-2026 |
| Tentative Exam Date | 1st week of March 2026 (will be intimated) |
| Eligibility Cutoff Date | 01-01-2026 |
| Advertisement Number | HRD/APPRENTICE/ADVT/2025-26 |
| Official Website | https://pnb.bank.in |
Vacancy Details by State/UT
Apprentice positions are available across 28 states and union territories with multiple banking circles in each state. The total 5,138 seats are distributed across states and circles as follows:
Major State Allocations (Sample)
- Delhi: 417 posts (East Delhi, North Delhi, South Delhi, West Delhi)
- Uttar Pradesh: 814 posts (Multiple circles including Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, Varanasi, etc.)
- West Bengal: 532 posts (Kolkata, Durgapur, Kharagpur, Siliguri, etc.)
- Maharashtra: 232 posts (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Thane, etc.)
- Punjab: 462 posts (Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Chandigarh, etc.)
- Rajasthan: 363 posts (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Bikaner, etc.)
- Haryana: 348 posts (Gurugram, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Karnal, etc.)
- Bihar: 310 posts (Patna, Gaya, Arrah, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, etc.)
- Madhya Pradesh: 180 posts (Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain, etc.)
- Andhra Pradesh: 56 posts
- Karnataka: 64 posts
- Tamil Nadu: 121 posts
- Assam: 132 posts
- Uttarakhand: 152 posts
- And more across all other states/UTs
Note: The number of training seats is provisional and may vary at the time of engagement as per Bank's requirement.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality/Citizenship
Candidate must be one of the following:
- Citizen of India, OR
- Subject of Nepal, OR
- Subject of Bhutan, OR
- Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 01-01-1962 with intention of permanent settlement, OR
- Person of Indian origin from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) with intention of permanent settlement
Note: For categories ii-v, certificate of eligibility from Government of India is required.
Age Limit (As on 01-01-2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 years (born not earlier than 02-01-1998)
- Maximum Age: 28 years (born not later than 01-01-2006)
- Upper age limit specified is for Unreserved and EWS categories
- Age Relaxation: As per Government of India guidelines:
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe: 5 years relaxation (upper age up to 33 years)
- Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years relaxation (upper age up to 31 years)
- Persons with Benchmark Disability: 10 years relaxation (upper age up to 38 years)
- Widows, divorced women, legally separated: Age concession up to 35 years (General/EWS), 38 years (OBC), 40 years (SC/ST)
Educational Qualification
- Essential: Bachelor's Degree (Graduate) in any discipline from any Institute/College/University recognized/approved by Government bodies, AICTE, or UGC
- Qualification Date: Result must be declared on or before 31-12-2025
- Certificate Requirement: Mark sheets and Provisional/Degree Certificate must be produced when required by Bank
- NATS Candidates: Graduation date should not be more than 4 years prior to cutoff date (01-01-2026)
- Language Proficiency: For specific state postings, candidates must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of that state's local language
Category-wise Reservation
Total 5,138 seats are allocated as follows across categories:
- General/Unreserved (UR): 2,383 posts
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 887 posts
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 1,110 posts
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 464 posts
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 294 posts
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): Reserved seats available (204 posts across different disability categories)
Note: Exact seat distribution varies by state and circle. Check your specific state/circle allocation on the official notification.
Apprenticeship Training Structure
Duration & Components
- Total Duration: 12 months from date of contract
- Basic Training: 2 weeks of classroom-based basic training
- On-the-Job Training: 50 weeks of practical on-the-job training at PNB branches/offices
- Location: Bank will allot any circle within the state/UT based on administrative and operational convenience
Important Dates
| Event | Date/Timeline |
|---|---|
| Commencement of Online Application | 08-02-2026 |
| Last Date for Application Submission | 24-02-2026 |
| Tentative Date for Online Examination | 1st week of March 2026 (will be intimated to candidates) |
| Eligibility Cutoff Date | 01-01-2026 (for age and qualification) |
| Apprenticeship Commencement | After selection and document verification |
Application Process
How to Apply
- Visit Application Portal: Go to https://bfsissc.com OR https://www.pnb.bank.in/Recruitments.aspx
- Note: Application portal links to BFSI Sector Skill Council of India (BFSI SSC) website for apprentice applications
- Register: Create account with personal and contact details
- Fill Application Form: Complete online application with accurate information:
- Personal information (Name, DOB, Contact details)
- Educational qualifications and marks
- Category (General/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD)
- State/UT and circle preference
- Any other information requested
- Upload Documents: As specified in the application form
- Submit: Review all information and submit application
- Deadline: Submit before 24-02-2026 (last date)
Important Application Instructions
- Online Only: Applications must be submitted ONLY through online portal; hard copies should NOT be sent
- Deadline is Strict: Applications received after 24-02-2026 will NOT be considered
- Accurate Information: All information must be accurate; misstatements may lead to rejection
- Complete Application: Incomplete applications may be rejected
- State/UT Choice: Choose state/UT for which you are eligible (as per local language proficiency)
- Circle Allotment: Bank reserves right to allot any circle within chosen state/UT
- Document Production: Original mark sheets and certificates must be produced when required
Selection Process
Selection Stages
- Stage 1: Online Application Screening
- Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness
- Candidates meeting minimum criteria will be shortlisted for examination
- Stage 2: Online Examination
- Tentative date: 1st week of March 2026 (exact date will be notified)
- Examination format and syllabus details will be provided separately
- Shortlisted candidates will receive admit cards via email/SMS
- Stage 3: Merit List & Selection
- Final selection based on examination performance
- Merit list will be prepared considering category-wise reservations
- Selected candidates will be notified through Bank
- Stage 4: Document Verification
- Original documents will be verified after selection
- All certificates must match information in application form
Terms & Conditions
Apprenticeship Terms
- Nature: Apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961
- Duration: 12 months from date of contract
- Training Location: Bank will allot any circle within state/UT of choice
- Completion Certificate: Upon successful completion, apprentices receive completion certificate from Bank
- Employment After Apprenticeship: No right to employment at PNB after apprenticeship completion
General Conditions
- Caste Certificates: SC/ST/OBC candidates must provide valid caste certificate in prescribed format issued by competent authority
- OBC Non-Creamy Layer: OBC certificate must specifically mention non-creamy layer status
- EWS Certificate: For EWS candidates, valid Income & Assets Certificate per Government of India format required
- Disability Certificate: PwBD candidates must provide disability certificate showing 40% or more disability
- Document Mismatch: Any mismatch between application form and submitted documents will lead to rejection
- False Information: Providing false information will result in disqualification and possible legal action
About Punjab National Bank
Bank Overview
Punjab National Bank (PNB) is one of India's leading public sector banks and is a Maharatna enterprise. PNB is headquartered in New Delhi and operates through extensive network of branches across India. The bank provides comprehensive banking solutions including retail banking, corporate banking, agricultural banking, and various financial services.
Apprenticeship Program
PNB's apprenticeship program is designed to provide young graduates with practical exposure to banking operations, customer service, and financial products. The 12-month structured training combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience at bank branches, helping develop skilled banking professionals.
Contact Information
| Position | Apprentice |
| Bank | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Official Website | https://pnb.bank.in |
| Recruitment Page | https://pnb.bank.in/Recruitments.aspx |
| Application Portal (BFSI SSC) | https://bfsissc.com |
| Advertisement Number | HRD/APPRENTICE/ADVT/2025-26 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
Q: How many apprentice positions are available?
A: Punjab National Bank has invited applications for 5,138 apprentice positions under the Apprentices Act, 1961 for FY 2025-26, distributed across 28 states and union territories.
Q: What is the duration of apprenticeship?
A: The apprenticeship duration is 12 months from the date of contract, including 2 weeks of basic training and 50 weeks of on-the-job training at PNB branches.
Q: When can I apply?
A: Online applications can be submitted from 08-02-2026 to 24-02-2026.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Apply online exclusively through https://bfsissc.com OR https://www.pnb.bank.in/Recruitments.aspx. No hard copies should be sent.
Eligibility Questions
Q: What is the minimum qualification required?
A: Bachelor's Degree (Graduate) in any discipline from a government/AICTE/UGC recognized university or institute, with result declared by 31-12-2025.
Q: What is the age limit?
A: Minimum 20 years and maximum 28 years as on 01-01-2026. Age relaxation available: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwBD, as per Government of India guidelines.
Q: I am 29 years old. Can I apply?
A: For General/EWS category, maximum age limit is 28 years as on 01-01-2026. If you belong to SC/ST (5-year relaxation), OBC (3-year relaxation), or PwBD (10-year relaxation) category, you may be eligible. Check the age relaxation applicable to your category.
Q: Do I need any work experience?
A: No, work experience is not required. You only need a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline.
State & Circle Questions
Q: Can I choose my preferred state/circle for apprenticeship?
A: You can indicate your preference for state/UT during application. However, the Bank reserves the right to allot any circle within the chosen state/UT based on operational needs.
Q: How many apprentice positions are available in my state?
A: Each state has multiple circles with varying numbers of positions. See the vacancy details section above for state-wise allocation. For exact circle-wise details, refer to the official notification.
Q: Do I need to know the local language of the state?
A: Candidates applying for specific state postings must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of that state's local language.
Reservation & Category Questions
Q: What is the total reservation available?
A: Out of 5,138 posts: SC (887), ST (294), OBC (1,110), EWS (464), UR (2,383), plus PwBD reservation.
Q: I belong to OBC category. What documents do I need?
A: You must provide a valid OBC certificate from a competent authority that specifically mentions you do not belong to the creamy layer as per Government of India guidelines.
Q: What is the age limit for SC/ST candidates?
A: SC/ST candidates get 5-year age relaxation, making maximum age limit 33 years as on 01-01-2026.
Selection & Results Questions
Q: When is the online examination?
A: Tentatively in the 1st week of March 2026. Exact date will be intimated to candidates through email/SMS.
Q: How will I receive examination details?
A: Shortlisted candidates will receive admit cards via email and SMS to the contact details provided in the application form.
Q: Will I get job after completing apprenticeship?
A: No, completion of apprenticeship does not guarantee employment at PNB. The apprenticeship provides training and experience only.
Important Links
| Application Portal (BFSI SSC) | Click here |
| PNB Recruitment Page | Click here |
| Official PNB Website | Click here |