The Central Bank of India (CBI), a prominent public sector bank headquartered in Mumbai with a strong presence across India, has officially announced a recruitment drive for Specialist Officers (SO) in 2026. This recruitment targets experienced professionals for two key roles: Marketing Officer (Scale I) and Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III). The positions are on a regular (permanent) basis, offering job security, competitive salaries, and excellent career progression in public sector banking.
The official notification was released in late January 2026, and due to high demand and requests from candidates, the application deadline has been extended from the original February 3, 2026, to February 15, 2026. This extension provides additional time for eligible candidates to apply online.
Key Highlights
- Total Vacancies: 350 (provisional and subject to final adjustment)
- Marketing Officer (Scale I): 300 posts
- Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III): 50 posts
- Recruitment Type: Regular / Permanent
- Advertisement/Reference: Specialist Officer Recruitment 2026 (details available on official site)
- Application Mode: Online only
- Official Website: centralbankofindia.co.in or centralbank.bank.in → Careers/Recruitments section
(Application link often routed through IBPS portal: ibpsreg.ibps.in or similar) - Eligibility Cutoff Date: January 1, 2026 (for age, experience, etc.)
Also Read Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2026: Detailed News on IT and MSME Professional Roles
Important Dates
- Notification Release: January 20, 2026
- Online Registration / Application Start: January 20, 2026
- Original Last Date to Apply: February 3, 2026
- Extended Last Date to Apply & Fee Payment: February 15, 2026
- Online Exam (Tentative): February / March 2026
- Admit Card Release: To be notified (before exam)
- Personal Interview: March / April 2026 (Tentative)
- Final Result: To be announced later
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is calculated as on January 1, 2026. These are specialist roles, so relevant qualifications and experience are mandatory.
- Marketing Officer (Scale I):
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline + MBA / PGDM with specialization in Marketing (from a recognized university/institute).
- Experience: Relevant experience in marketing, sales, or business development in banking/financial services (exact years vary; often 1–3+ years preferred).
- Age Limit: 22–30 years (relaxations: SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwBD – 10 years, etc.).
- Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III):
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline (preference for additional qualifications like MBA in Finance, CFA, or certifications in forex/trade finance).
- Experience: Minimum experience in foreign exchange operations, trade finance, or related banking areas (typically 5+ years for Scale III).
- Age Limit: 25–35 years (relaxations apply as above).
- Other Requirements: Indian citizen; proficiency in local language may be required for certain postings; physically fit.
Note: Experience must be post-qualification and verifiable through certificates. Freshers are generally not eligible.
Vacancy Distribution (Category-Wise Approximate)
Vacancies follow government reservation norms (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD). Approximate breakup:
- Marketing Officer (Scale I – 300 posts): UR ~122, OBC ~81, SC ~45, ST ~22, EWS ~30 (including PwBD reservations).
- Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III – 50 posts): UR ~22, OBC ~13, SC ~7, ST ~3, EWS ~5.
Exact category-wise and post-wise details are in the official notification PDF on the CBI website.
Salary and Benefits
- Pay Scale (as per 12th Bipartite Settlement):
- Scale I (Marketing Officer): Starting basic pay ~₹48,480 (JMGS-I level), with annual increments.
- Scale III (Foreign Exchange Officer): Starting basic pay ~₹63,840–₹78,230 (MMGS-III level).
- In-Hand Salary: ₹70,000–₹1,10,000+ per month (including Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance, special allowances, etc., depending on posting location).
- Perks: Medical coverage, pension under NPS, leave fare concession, housing/lease facilities, 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 Marks: 100
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Sections: Professional Knowledge (heavy weightage for marketing/forex/banking), Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, General/Banking Awareness.
- No negative marking (confirm in notification).
- Personal Interview: For shortlisted candidates (focus on domain expertise, experience, communication, and banking knowledge).
- Document Verification & Medical Examination: Final stage.
Final merit list combines online exam + interview scores.
Application Process & Fee
- Visit the official CBI website → Careers → Recruitment → Relevant link for Specialist Officers 2026.
- Register with basic details (name, mobile, email) to generate registration ID/password.
- Fill the online application form carefully.
- Upload scanned documents: Photo, signature, 10th/12th/graduation certificates, experience proof, etc.
- Pay the fee online.
- Submit and print the application for records.
Application Fee (approx.):
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹850 + GST
- SC/ST/PwBD/Women: ₹175 + GST (or exempted in some cases)
Preparation Tips
- Marketing Officer: Focus on marketing strategies in BFSI, digital marketing, sales techniques, banking products, current affairs.
- Foreign Exchange Officer: Study FEMA, RBI forex guidelines, trade finance (LCs, remittances), international banking.
- Practice mock tests for banking exams; revise professional knowledge thoroughly.
- Keep experience documents ready for verification.
This recruitment is a golden opportunity to join a legacy public sector bank with strong growth prospects in marketing and forex domains. The extended deadline of February 15, 2026, gives candidates extra time—apply promptly via the official portal!
For the most accurate, updated information—including exact vacancy tables, detailed eligibility, syllabus, and any further changes—always refer to the official notification PDF on the Central Bank of India website: centralbankofindia.co.in or the IBPS-linked application page. Good luck! If you need clarification on specific eligibility or application steps, feel free to share your details.
