Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), a prominent Public Sector Bank headquartered in Chennai with a nationwide and international presence, has released a notification for the recruitment of Local Bank Officers (LBOs) in the Junior Management Grade Scale I (JMGS – I). This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 400 vacancies across specific states, with selected candidates being posted exclusively within the state they apply for.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the IOB Local Bank Officer recruitment process, including eligibility criteria, important dates, vacancy details, the selection process, salary structure, application procedure, and other crucial information as outlined in the official advertisement number HRDD/RECT/01/2025-26, dated May 12, 2025.
Aspiring candidates who meet the specified eligibility requirements are invited to submit their applications online via the bank’s official website, www.iob.in. No alternative methods of application will be considered. It is strongly recommended that candidates thoroughly review this notification before applying to ensure they fulfill all conditions. Please note that application fees or intimation charges, once paid, are non-refundable and cannot be adjusted for any other recruitment initiatives. Candidates must accurately fill in their personal details online.
Key Dates: #
The crucial dates for this recruitment process are as follows:
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Commencement of Online Registration | 12.05.2025 |
| Last Date for Online Registration | 31.05.2025 |
| Payment of Application Fee / Intimation Charges | 12.05.2025 to 31.05.2025 |
Vacancy Details: State-wise Distribution
A total of 400 positions for Local Bank Officers (JMGS-I) are available. These vacancies are distributed across specific states, and candidates must possess proficiency in the mandatory local language of the state they apply for. The breakdown of vacancies by state and category is as follows:
| S.No. | State | Mandatory Language Proficiency | Total Vacancies | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR (GEN) | Out Of Which (PwBD) – VI | Out Of Which (PwBD) – HI | Out Of Which (PwBD) – OC | Out Of Which (PwBD) – ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 260 | 39 | 19 | 70 | 26 | 106 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | Odisha | Odia | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Maharashtra | Marathi | 45 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Gujarat | Gujarati | 30 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | West Bengal | Bengali | 34 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Punjab | Punjabi | 21 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 400 | 60 | 30 | 108 | 40 | 162 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
(Note: SC – Scheduled Caste, ST – Scheduled Tribe, OBC – Other Backward Classes, EWS – Economically Weaker Section, UR (Gen) – Unreserved (General), PWBD – Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, VI – Visually Impaired, HI – Hearing Impaired, OC – Orthopedically Challenged, ID – Intellectual Disability)
Important Notes on Vacancies:
- Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) is horizontal. Selected PwBD candidates will be accommodated within their respective social categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/UR).
- The number of vacancies listed is provisional and may undergo changes based on the Bank’s actual requirements.
- Candidates are permitted to apply for vacancies in only one state. Applying for multiple states will lead to disqualification.
- Selected candidates will be compulsorily posted within the state for which they were selected for a minimum period of 12 years or until their promotion to SMGS-IV Grade, whichever occurs earlier.
- Proficiency in the specified local language of the applied state (reading, writing, speaking) is mandatory. Candidates shortlisted for the Personal Interview stage will undergo a Language Proficiency Test (LPT). Failure to qualify the LPT will result in the cancellation of candidature. However, candidates who have studied the specified local language as a subject in their 10th or 12th standard and provide documentary proof will be exempted from the LPT.
Eligibility Criteria: #
Candidates must meet the following criteria as of the cut-off date, which is May 1, 2025, for both age and educational qualification:
- Nationality/Citizenship:
- Must be a Citizen of India.
- Alternatively, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee arriving before January 1, 1962 with the intent of permanent settlement in India, or a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from specified East African countries, Pakistan, Burma, or Sri Lanka with the intent of permanently settling in India. Candidates falling under categories ii to v must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India before the notification date.
- Age Limit (as on 01.05.2025):
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Candidates must have been born not earlier than 02.05.1995 and not later than 01.05.2005 (both dates inclusive).
- Educational Qualification (as on 01.05.2025):
- A Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognized by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
- Candidates must possess a valid Mark-sheet or Degree Certificate confirming their graduate status on the day of online registration. The percentage of marks obtained in Graduation must be accurately indicated during online registration.
- Relaxation in Upper Age Limit:
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe: 5 years
- Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: 10 years
- Persons affected by 1984 riots: 5 years
- Eligible Ex-servicemen (including ECOs/SSCOs) who have served at least 5 years in the military and released on completion of assignment: 5 years (subject to government guidelines and conditions outlined in the official notification).
- Note: Maximum age limit for General/EWS candidates is 30 years. Cumulative age relaxation is available to SC/ST/OBC candidates, with a maximum upper age limit of 50 years. To claim age relaxation, candidates must present necessary certificates during the Personal Interview. OBC candidates belonging to the creamy layer or whose caste is not in the Central List must apply under the General category. Ex-servicemen who have joined a government job on the civil side after availing ex-servicemen benefits are generally not considered ex-servicemen for further employment, though age relaxation may still apply.
- Credit History: Candidates selected for appointment are expected to maintain a healthy Credit history with a minimum CIBIL score of 650 or higher at the time of joining. This minimum score is subject to the Bank’s policy changes.
Reservation and Special Provisions #
Detailed provisions are in place for reserved categories as per Government of India guidelines:
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Reservation is provided as per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Posts are identified as suitable for specific disability categories:
- Orthopedically Challenged (OC): Covers locomotor disability including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Muscular Dystrophy, Acid Attack Victims, Spinal Deformity/Injury. Requires not less than 40% disability. Specific sub-categories like OA, OL, OAL, BL are mentioned.
- Visual Impairment (VI): Covers Blindness (total absence of sight, specific visual acuity/field of vision limitations) and Low Vision (specific visual acuity/field of vision limitations after best correction). Requires not less than 40% disability.
- Hearing Impaired (HI): Covers Deaf (70 DB loss in speech frequencies) and Hard of Hearing (60-70 DB loss in speech frequencies) in both ears. Requires not less than 40% disability.
- Intellectual Disability (ID): Covers Intellectual disability itself, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), and Mental Illness (MI). Requires not less than 40% disability.
- Multiple Disabilities: Refers to the combination of disabilities from the above categories.
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): Candidates not covered under existing reservations (SC/ST/OBC) with a gross annual family income below Rs. 8.00 lakh (Rupees eight lakh only) are eligible, provided their family does not own specified assets (5+ acres agricultural land, 1000+ sq ft residential flat, 100+ sq yards residential plot in notified municipalities, 200+ sq yards residential plot elsewhere). Family includes the applicant, parents, siblings below 18, spouse, and children below 18. EWS reservation benefit requires an Income and Asset Certificate from a Competent Authority (District Magistrate, Tahsildar, etc.). EWS vacancies are provisional.
- Competent Authorities for Certificates: The official notification lists the designated authorities authorized by the Government of India to issue certificates for SC/ST/OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories. Candidates must obtain their certificates from these authorities and present them during the Personal Interview for verification.
- Guidelines for PwBD Using a Scribe: Visually impaired candidates or those with permanently affected writing speed may use their own scribe for the online examination at their own expense. The scribe must be from a different academic stream than the stipulated qualification for the post and cannot be a candidate for the same recruitment process. Both the candidate and scribe must provide an undertaking. Eligible candidates using a scribe will receive compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of the examination. Registration for compensatory time is mandatory beforehand.
Compensation and Benefits #
- Emoluments (as on 01.05.2025):
- The basic pay scale for Local Bank Officers (Assistant Manager, Scale I) is $48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920.
- Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), and other allowances will be paid as per the Bank’s rules in force from time to time.
- Probation Period: Selected candidates will undergo a probation period of 2 years of active service from their joining date. Confirmation will be based on the Bank’s Officers’ Service Regulations (OSR).
- Bond: Appointed candidates are required to sign a Financial Service Indemnity Bond of Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs) undertaking to serve the Bank for a minimum duration of 3 years.
- Leave and Travel Allowance: Governed by the Bank’s Service Rules applicable at the time of appointment.
- Experience Increments: Candidates with prior completed years of service as an Officer in Scheduled Commercial Banks may be granted one advance increment per year, up to a maximum of 2 increments. This is applicable only if their previous job profile substantially matches that of a Scale-I Generalist Officer in IOB. Candidates must submit a certified job profile from their previous employer. Service in subsidiaries of Scheduled Commercial Banks is eligible for only one increment. Prior experience will not be considered for service seniority.
Selection Process #
The selection process involves the following stages:
- Online Examination: Candidates will first appear for a computer-based online test.
- Language Proficiency Test (LPT): Candidates who qualify in the Online Examination will be called for the LPT (unless exempted).
- Personal Interview: Candidates who qualify both the Online Examination and the LPT will be called for a Personal Interview.
Merely meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee a call for any stage of the selection process. The Bank reserves the right to screen and shortlist candidates based on various factors including qualifications and profile relative to job requirements.
Structure of the Online Examination #
The Online Examination will be an objective-type test comprising 140 questions with a total maximum score of 200 marks. The total duration of the examination is 3 hours, with separate timed sections:
| Topic | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 30 | 60 | English & Hindi | 60 minutes |
| General / Economy/ Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 30 | 60 | English & Hindi | 60 minutes |
| English Knowledge | 40 | 40 | English | 30 minutes |
| Total | 140 | 200 | 3 hours |
- Marking Scheme: For each question with a wrong answer, one-fourth (0.25) of the marks allocated for that question will be deducted as a penalty. There is no penalty for questions that are not attempted.
- Qualifying Marks: Candidates must achieve sectional qualifying marks (30% for Reserved categories, 35% for Unreserved categories). The Bank will determine the overall minimum qualifying marks for the Online Examination and the minimum qualifying marks for the Personal Interview.
- Syllabus & Exam Pattern: The exam pattern is detailed above by section. The syllabus areas are indicated by the section names (e.g., covers logical reasoning, computer fundamentals, current affairs, economics, banking, data interpretation, graphs, tables, English grammar, vocabulary, comprehension). A detailed topic-wise syllabus is not provided in the official notification, but preparation should focus on these broad areas at a level appropriate for a Scale-I officer recruitment test. The Bank may modify the structure of the online examination, with updates published on the official website.
Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
As mentioned under vacancy details, proficiency in the local language of the chosen state is mandatory. Candidates shortlisted for the Personal Interview must qualify the LPT. Those who fail to qualify will not proceed to the Personal Interview stage. Exemption from LPT is granted if the 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/certificate confirms the local language was studied as a subject.
Personal Interview
Candidates who clear the Online Examination and (if applicable) the Language Proficiency Test will be called for the Personal Interview. The minimum qualifying marks for the interview will be decided by the Bank.
Final Selection
The final selection will be based on the combined scores obtained by candidates in the Online Examination and the Personal Interview. The weightage ratio for the Online Examination and Personal Interview is 80:20, respectively. A state-wise and category-wise merit list will be prepared based on the combined final scores, and selection will be made from the top-ranked candidates on these lists.
How to Apply Online #
Candidates must apply only through the online mode via the Bank’s official website within the specified dates (May 12, 2025, to May 31, 2025). Applications submitted through any other mode will not be accepted. Candidates must apply for only one state. If multiple applications are submitted for the same state, only the last completed application will be considered valid.
Pre-requisites Before Applying Online:
- Read the official detailed advertisement available on the IOB website under the “Careers” section titled “RECRUITMENT OF LOCAL BANK OFFICERS – 2025-26”.
- Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
- Scan your photograph and signature adhering to the specifications provided in Annexure I of the detailed advertisement (not provided in the user text, but mentioned as a requirement).
- Have a valid personal email ID that must remain active throughout the recruitment process. The Bank will use this email ID for communication.
Procedure for Applying Online:
- Visit the official Indian Overseas Bank website: www.iob.in.
- Navigate to the “Careers” page.
- Find the link for “Recruitment of Local Bank Officers – 2025-26” and click on it.
- Click on the “Register Online” link.
- Complete the initial registration by clicking “Click here to Register Online”.
- Upon successful registration, you will receive an E-mail and SMS containing your Registration Number and Password. Keep these details safe for future login.
- Log in using your Registration Number and Password.
- Upload your scanned photograph and signature as per the guidelines (referencing Annexure I).
- Fill in all the required details accurately in the online application form. Ensure names (candidate’s, father’s, husband’s) match exactly with certificates.
- Click on the “COMPLETE REGISTRATION” button after filling all details.
- Take a printout of the system-generated submitted online application form and save it for your records.
- Upload your Left Thumb Impression and Handwritten Declaration under the designated “Uploads” menu.
- Proceed to pay the Application Fee/Intimation Charges through the online payment gateway.
Application Fee / Intimation Charges (Non-Refundable):
| Category of Applicant | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹175/- (Rupees One Hundred Seventy-Five Only) inclusive of GST |
| GEN / EWS / OBC | ₹850/- (Rupees Eight Hundred and Fifty Only) inclusive of GST |
Payment can be made using Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, BHIM, UPI, etc. Upon successful payment, an e-receipt will be generated. Candidates must take a printout of this e-receipt.
General Instructions and Other Important Points:
- The information provided in the online application form is binding, and candidates may face consequences if details are found to be false later.
- Candidates shortlisted for document verification or Personal Interview will need to present original documents along with photocopies supporting their identity, eligibility, category, age, qualification, experience, etc.
- No request for change of category or state applied for will be entertained after online registration.
- Candidates should regularly visit the Bank’s official website www.iob.in for updates and announcements regarding the recruitment process.
- The Bank reserves the right to modify the selection process, change the number of vacancies, or cancel the recruitment process at any stage without prior notice.
- Candidates must ensure they meet the mandatory language proficiency requirement for the state they apply for.
- The minimum CIBIL score requirement is applicable at the time of joining.
- Application once submitted cannot be withdrawn, and the fee is non-refundable.
Candidates are strongly advised to download and read the complete detailed advertisement from the official IOB website (www.iob.in) before proceeding with the online application to understand all instructions and requirements thoroughly.
