The Punjab National Bank (PNB) Apprentice 2026 is a major recruitment drive launched by one of India’s leading public sector banks to offer 5,138 apprenticeship positions to young graduates across the country. This program, released under the Apprentices Act, 1961, invites candidates with a graduate degree in any discipline to apply online between 8 February and 24 February 2026 through the official portal.
Click Here to download Notification PDF
The selection process typically involves an online written examination, document verification, local language proficiency test, and a medical examination. Apprentices selected in this drive will receive hands-on training in real banking operations at various PNB branches and earn a monthly stipend, helping them build practical experience and banking skills.
This apprenticeship presents a valuable opportunity for graduates to enter the banking sector, gain industry exposure, and strengthen their career prospects in finance and customer service.
PNB Apprentice 2026: Overview Table
| Parameter | Details |
| Organization | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Post Name | Apprentice |
| Total Vacancies | 5,138 |
| Notification Release Date | February 05, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | February 08, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February 24, 2026 |
| Exam Date (Tentative) | 1st Week of March 2026 |
| Training Duration | 1 Year |
| Stipend | • Metro Branches: Rs. 15,000/month • Urban/Semi-Urban/Rural: Rs. 12,300/month |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 Years (as on 01.01.2026) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University |
| Selection Process | 1. Online Written Test 2. Local Language Test 3. Medical Examination |
| Official Website | www.pnb.bank.in |
PNB Apprentice 2026: Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The selection process hinges primarily on the Online Written Test. It is crucial to understand the structure as the competition is expected to be high given the number of vacancies.
Exam Pattern :
The online test consists of four sections with a composite time duration of 60 minutes.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Medium |
| General/Financial Awareness | 25 | 25 | Composite Time: 60 Minutes | Hindi/English |
| General English | 25 | 25 | English | |
| Quantitative & Reasoning Aptitude | 25 | 25 | Hindi/English | |
| Computer Knowledge | 25 | 25 | Hindi/English | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.- Qualifying: Candidates must qualify in the written test to proceed to the Local Language Test (unless they have studied the local language in 10th/12th standard).
Detailed Syllabus :
| Section | Topics Covered |
| General / Financial Awareness | Current Affairs (National & International) Banking Awareness (RBI guidelines, PNB news, Bank taglines) Government Schemes (PMJDY, APY) Financial Institutions Static General Knowledge |
| General English | Reading Comprehension Cloze Test Spotting Errors Para Jumbles Fill in the Blanks Synonyms & Antonyms Idioms & Phrases |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data Interpretation (Graphs, Charts) Number Series Simplification / Approximation Arithmetic (Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work) |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles & Seating Arrangement Syllogism Blood Relations Coding–Decoding Inequalities Direction Sense |
| Computer Knowledge | Basic Hardware & Software MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Internet & Networking Keyboard Shortcuts Computer Abbreviations Cyber Security Basics |
Preparation Tips
Table 1: Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy
| Subject | Priority Topics | Detailed Action Plan |
| Quantitative & Reasoning Aptitude | • Data Interpretation • Simplification • Puzzles • Syllogism | • Speed is Key: Practice mental math for calculations. Dedicate 1 hour daily to solving varied DI sets. • Reasoning: Solve at least 5-10 puzzles daily. For non-puzzle topics like inequalities and syllogisms, aim for 100% accuracy as these are scoring. • Mock Strategy: Attempt the easier questions (simplification, quadratic equations) first to build momentum before tackling complex arithmetic problems. |
| General English | • Reading Comprehension (RC) • Grammar Rules • Vocabulary | • Daily Reading: Read one financial editorial daily to improve reading speed and vocabulary simultaneously. • Grammar: Revise standard grammar rules (Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses) and practice “Error Spotting” quizzes. • RC Technique: Read the questions first before reading the passage to scan for answers efficiently. |
| General/Financial Awareness | • Last 6 Months Current Affairs • Banking Terms • Govt Schemes | • Focus Area: Since this is a bank exam, prioritize news related to RBI, monetary policies, and recent banking mergers/appointments. • Revision: Create short notes for static GK (Headquarters, Currencies, National Parks) and revise them every morning. • Resources: Use monthly current affairs capsules (PDFs) rather than daily videos to save time. |
| Computer Knowledge | • MS Office Shortcuts • Internet Terms • Basic Hardware | • Practical Approach: This is often the easiest section. Open MS Word/Excel and physically try out shortcuts to memorize them better. • Quiz Mode: Practice 50-100 computer MCQs daily. Questions are usually direct and basic; don’t overcomplicate this section. |
Trending Links: