The Central Bank of India (CBI), a major public sector bank with a vast network across India, has announced a recruitment drive for Specialist Officers (SO) in 2026. This recruitment focuses on two key roles: Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III) and Marketing Officer (Scale I). The notification aims to strengthen the bank’s expertise in forex operations, trade finance, and business/marketing functions.
A total of 350 vacancies have been released (provisional and subject to change). The recruitment is on a regular basis, offering job security, competitive pay, and growth opportunities in a reputed government bank.
Key Highlights
- Posts:
- Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III) – 50 posts
- Marketing Officer (Scale I) – 300 posts
- Total Vacancies: 350
- Advertisement/Notification: Released in January 2026 (exact ref. available on official site)
- Application Period: Started January 20, 2026; Last Date: Originally February 3, 2026 (extended to February 15, 2026 in some updates – confirm on official site)
- Official Website: https://www.centralbankofindia.co.in or https://centralbank.bank.in (Careers/Recruitment section)
- Application Mode: Online only (likely through IBPS or direct CBI portal)
Important Dates
- Notification Release: January 20, 2026
- Online Registration Start: January 20, 2026
- Last Date for Online Application & Fee Payment: February 3, 2026 (extended to February 15, 2026 as per recent updates)
- Online Exam (Tentative): February/March 2026
- Admit Card Release: To be notified (before exam)
- Interview: March/April 2026 (Tentative)
- Final Result: To be announced later
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is calculated as on the cutoff date mentioned in the notification (typically January 1, 2026). This is a specialist role, so specific qualifications and experience are required.
- Educational Qualification:
- Marketing Officer (Scale I): Graduate in any discipline + MBA/PGDM with specialization in Marketing (from a recognized university/institute).
- Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III): Graduate in any discipline (preference for additional qualifications like CFA/CA/MBA or certification in forex/trade finance).
- Work Experience:
- Marketing Officer: Relevant experience in marketing/BFSI sales (exact years vary; often 1–3 years preferred).
- Foreign Exchange Officer: Minimum experience in foreign exchange, trade finance, or related banking operations (typically 5+ years for Scale III).
- Age Limit (as on cutoff date): Generally 21–35 years (relaxations: SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwBD – 10 years, etc.).
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
- Other: Proficiency in local language may be required for certain postings.
Note: Experience must be post-qualification and verifiable. Freshers are generally not eligible for these specialist roles.
Vacancy Distribution
Vacancies are category-wise (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) and provisional. Approximate breakup:
- Marketing Officer (Scale I): 300 posts (major share, e.g., UR ~122, OBC ~81, SC ~45, etc.)
- Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III): 50 posts (smaller, specialized cadre)
Exact category-wise and post-wise details are in the official notification PDF.
Salary and Benefits
- Pay Scale:
- Scale I (Marketing Officer): Starting basic pay around ₹48,480 (JMGS-I level), with increments.
- Scale III (Foreign Exchange Officer): Higher scale, starting around ₹63,840–₹78,230 (MMGS-III level).
- In-Hand Salary: Approximately ₹70,000–₹1,00,000+ per month (depending on scale, location, and allowances like DA, HRA, CCA, special allowances).
- Perks: Medical coverage, pension (NPS), leave fare concession, housing/lease, performance incentives, and other PSU bank benefits.
- Probation: Typically 1–2 years.
Selection Process
The process is competitive and merit-based:
- Online Written Examination (Objective type):
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Sections: Professional Knowledge (heavy weightage for banking/forex/marketing), Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness/Banking.
- Negative Marking: Usually none (confirm in notification).
- Personal Interview: For candidates shortlisted from the online exam. Focus on domain knowledge, experience, communication, and banking awareness.
- Document Verification & Medical Examination: Final stage.
Final merit list combines online exam + interview scores.
Application Process
- Visit the official website: centralbankofindia.co.in → Careers/Recruitment.
- Click on the relevant link: “Recruitment of Specialist Officers – Foreign Exchange Officer & Marketing Officer 2026”.
- Register with basic details (name, email, mobile) to get registration ID/password.
- Fill the online form, upload scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates, experience proof).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit and print the application for records.
Application Fee:
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹850 + GST (approx.)
- SC/ST/PwBD/Women: ₹175 (approx.) or exempted in some cases.
How to Prepare
- Study professional topics: Forex regulations (FEMA, RBI guidelines), trade finance, marketing strategies in BFSI, banking awareness.
- Practice previous SO papers/mock tests (focus on professional knowledge).
- Stay updated on current affairs, especially economy and banking.
- Prepare resume highlighting relevant experience.
This recruitment offers a strong career path in India’s public sector banking with stability and prestige. Apply promptly via the official portal, and always refer to the latest official notification PDF on the Central Bank of India website for accurate details, syllabus, vacancy tables, and any extensions/changes (e.g., deadline extension to Feb 15).
If you’re eligible, this is an excellent opportunity—good luck! For specific queries like syllabus breakdown or circle preferences, feel free to provide more details.