Exam questions answered · Bank exams

Can I apply for IBPS RRB PO and Office Assistant together?

By the PrepMatic team · Updated 9 Oct 2026 · 2 min read

Yes. In the IBPS RRBs-XV recruitment, you can apply for the Office Assistant (the "RRB clerk" post) and for one officer post, which can be Scale I (the "RRB PO"), Scale II or Scale III. Each needs its own application and fee.

The rule in the notification

You may apply for Office Assistant and for only one officer post. You cannot apply for both Scale I and Scale II, for example. Because each is a separate application, you pay separate fees:

Do the exam dates clash?

In IBPS's tentative calendar for 2026-27 they do not, if you pick Office Assistant plus Scale I:

Scale II and III are a single exam on the same day as the Scale I Mains, which is another reason you can hold only one officer application. All dates are tentative. Registration for this cycle ran from 1 September 2026 to 21 September 2026 and was extended to 27 September 2026, so it has closed as of 9 October 2026.

Eligibility differs by post

Both Office Assistant and Scale I need a bachelor's degree in any discipline, and local language proficiency is an essential qualification; see local language in IBPS RRB.

Is it worth applying for both?

The Prelims for both posts has the same structure (Reasoning and Numerical or Quantitative Aptitude), and the Mains papers are alike, so one preparation serves both. Office Assistant ends with the Mains, while Scale I adds an interview. The question which bank exam is easiest compares stages across exams, and the IBPS RRB PO and clerk guide covers both patterns.

Source

• IBPS CRP RRBs-XV notification (revised, 2026)
• IBPS Tentative Calendar 2026-27

Check the notification for the latest fee and date details; see also the IBPS RRB notification page.

← All exam questions answered