Overview
Central Bank of India (CBI), one of India's prominent public sector banks, has announced a large-scale apprenticeship drive for the financial year 2026–27 under the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961. A total of 4,500 apprenticeship seats are on offer, making this one of the most significant banking apprenticeship programmes in the country. Selected candidates will undergo a 12-month paid training programme across CBI's extensive network of over 4,500 branches spread throughout India. During the training period, apprentices will receive a monthly stipend of ₹15,000. The online application process commenced on June 12, 2026 and closes on June 22, 2026. Importantly, applicants are required to register on both the NATS government portal and the BFSI SSC portal to complete their application.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | June 12, 2026 |
| Online Registration Opens | June 12, 2026 |
| Online Registration Closes | June 22, 2026 |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | June 22, 2026 |
| Online Written Examination (Tentative) | First week of July 2026 |
Note: An application is considered complete only upon successful payment of the prescribed fee. Submissions without fee payment will be summarily rejected.
Vacancy Details
The 4,500 seats are distributed across states and union territories throughout India. The category-wise breakup is as follows:
| Category | Seats |
|---|---|
| UR (General) | 1,903 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 1,049 |
| SC | 701 |
| EWS | 454 |
| ST | 393 |
| PwBD – Visually Impaired | 45 |
| PwBD – Hearing Impaired | 45 |
| PwBD – Orthopaedically Handicapped | 45 |
| PwBD – Intellectual Disability | 45 |
| Total | 4,500 |
Among the states, Maharashtra leads with 586 seats, followed by Uttar Pradesh (580), Madhya Pradesh (459), Bihar (433), and West Bengal (315). State-wise and district-wise breakdowns are available in Annexure I of the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens. Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries with the intent to permanently settle in India, are also eligible, subject to producing a valid eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
Age Limit (as on May 31, 2026)
The minimum age is 20 years and the maximum age is 28 years for General/EWS candidates. This means applicants must have been born between May 31, 1998 and May 31, 2006 (both dates inclusive). Age relaxation is applicable as per government norms for reserved categories.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess a graduate degree in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India. The graduation must have been completed on or after January 1, 2022. Original mark sheets and degree/provisional certificates will be mandatory at the document verification stage.
NATS Registration
Registration on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal at nats.education.gov.in is a mandatory prerequisite before applying. Candidates without a valid NATS enrolment will not be eligible to proceed.
Other Conditions
- Candidates who have previously completed or are currently engaged in any apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, 1961 with any organisation are not eligible.
- Those who have accumulated one year or more of post-qualification training or work experience are also ineligible.
- No reservation or eligibility is available for Ex-Servicemen or Disabled Ex-Servicemen under this recruitment.
Application Fee
| Category | Total Fee (incl. 18% GST) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC (Male) | ₹944 |
| General / EWS / OBC (Female) | ₹708 |
| SC / ST (Male / Female) | ₹236 |
| PwBD (Any Category) | ₹236 |
| Transgender (Any Category) | ₹236 |
Payment must be made exclusively through online mode. The fee is strictly non-refundable under all circumstances.
Selection Process
The selection of apprentices will be carried out through the following stages:
- Online Written Examination: A computer-based test tentatively scheduled for the first week of July 2026, assessing aptitude and general banking awareness.
- Language Proficiency Test: Candidates will be evaluated on their proficiency in the local/regional language of the state applied for.
- Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must produce all original certificates and supporting documents for scrutiny.
- Medical Fitness Check: Final selection is subject to passing a medical fitness assessment as per prescribed standards.
How to Apply
The application process for Central Bank of India Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is entirely online and involves two separate portals:
- Step 1 – NATS Portal Registration: Visit nats.education.gov.in, navigate to the 'Student Register/Login' section, and complete your registration. Keep your NATS Enrolment ID handy.
- Step 2 – BFSI SSC Portal Application: Log on to the BFSI SSC portal and complete the application form using your NATS Enrolment ID and personal details.
- Step 3 – Fee Payment: Pay the applicable application fee online before the deadline of June 22, 2026.
- Step 4 – Confirmation: Download and save the confirmation page and fee payment receipt for future reference.
Candidates are advised to carefully read the official notification available on centralbank.bank.in before initiating the application process.