CAIIB Exam 2026- Exam Date Out, Registration Starts on 4th March

The CAIIB Exam 2026 is one of the most awaited professional examinations for bankers who aim to grow into leadership, credit, treasury, risk, and policy-making roles. For 2026, IIBF has planned two CAIIB cycles, in June and December, giving candidates two opportunities in a year to complete or improve their performance. In this article, we provide complete details on the CAIIB Exam schedule for 2026, including eligibility, exam pattern, registration dates, full exam schedule, and more.

CAIIB 2026 Exam

The CAIIB full form is Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. This certification is specifically designed for working professionals in the banking and financial services sector. Only candidates who have qualified for JAIIB and hold an active IIBF membership are eligible to appear for CAIIB. The exam is conducted in online mode and consists of four compulsory papers and one elective paper. Candidates must clear all papers within the allowed attempts to qualify for the CAIIB certification. 

CAIIB Exam 2026 Overview

Refer to the table below for key updates and information regarding the CAIIB Exam 2026:

Who is Eligible for CAIIB 2026?

To appear for the CAIIB Exam 2026, candidates must fulfill the eligibility conditions set by IIBF. These conditions are given below:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed the JAIIB Exam before applying for CAIIB.
• Membership Requirement: Applicant should be a registered member of the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF). The membership must be active at the time of application.
• Age Limit: There is no age limit for the CAIIB exam, as it is intended for working professionals in the banking sector. Anyone who works in the banking and financial sector can apply.

CAIIB Exam 2026 June Cycle

This cycle gives candidates the first opportunity in 2026 to attempt or complete the CAIIB papers, with exams starting from the end of May and continuing through June. The registration and exam dates have been provided below:

Registration Dates (June Cycle)

Candidates must complete their online registration within this window to be eligible for the June 2026 CAIIB examination. A late fee will be levied for late applications. Refer to the table below for more details:

CAIIB Exam Dates (June Cycle)

The June cycle exams are spread across three weeks, starting from late May to late June. Candidates can refer to the table below for the detailed exam schedule for the CAIIB Exam 2026 June Cycle:

CAIIB Exam 2026 December Cycle

The December cycle will provide candidates with a second opportunity to appear for the CAIIB Exam 2026. The registration and exam dates have been provided below:

Registration Dates (December Cycle)

The online registration process opens in September, with the same late fee applied to the late applications. Refer to the table below for more details:

CAIIB Exam Dates 2026 (December Cycle)

These exams will be conducted throughout December, covering all compulsory and elective papers to be completed in a span of 3 weeks. The detailed schedule is given below:

CAIIB 2026 Exam Pattern

The CAIIB Exam has 4 compulsory papers and 1 Elective paper, from which candidates can choose a subject of their choice. Each paper carries 100 marks and 100 questions, and the format is MCQ type. The duration of each paper is 2 hours, and there is no negative marking. Checkthe  CAIIB Exam Pattern 2026 below.

• Passing Criteria: Candidates have a maximum of 5 attempts or 3 years to complete exams like JAIIB, DB&F, SOB, or CAIIB, whichever is earlier. The attempt count begins at registration and includes all applied attempts, even if the candidate doesn’t appear. If they fail to pass within this period, re-enrollment is required, and previously earned credits are lost. Candidates can attempt up to 5 out of 6 exams within the 3-year limit.

Upcoming Bank Exams 2026- Click to Check

CAIIB Exam 2026 Subject Structure

The CAIIB syllabus is divided into four compulsory papers and one elective.

Compulsory Papers:

• Advanced Bank Management
• Bank Financial Management
• Advance Business & Financial Management
• Banking Regulations and Business Laws

Elective Paper:

• Rural Banking
• Human Resources Management
• Information Technology & Digital Banking
• Risk Management
• Central Banking

CAIIB Exam Syllabus

The CAIIB Syllabus for Papers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 is discussed here. Each paper has 4 modules and sub-topics. Candidates must go through these topics in detail and prepare.

• Paper 1: Advanced Bank Management(ABM)
• Paper 2: Bank Financial Management(BFM)
• Paper 3: Advanced Business and Financial Management (ABFM)
• Paper 4: Banking Regulations and Business Laws (BRBL)
• Paper 5: Elective Paper: Rural Banking/Human Resources Management/Risk Management/Central Banking/Information Technology and Digital Banking

How does Qualifying CAIIB Exam Contribute to Career Growth?

Now, after knowing what the CAIIB Exam is and how it is conducted, you must be wondering what benefits you can derive after qualifying for this exam. Well, we will now discuss the perks and benefits in detail:

1. Salary Increment: The primary motive why a huge number of banking professionals give this exam is salary enhancement above the basic pay. For example, employees receive salary increments such as ₹4,000 for Probationary Officers (POs) and ₹2,680 for Clerks, along with annual increments. This helps in increasing the standard of living.
2. Job Growth and Promotions: Well, who doesn’t want to rise above their present job profile and get a promotion? Passing the CAIIB exam will do that for you because, whether you are a Clerk or at an Officer level, you will get a promotion depending on the system. This will boost your confidence and inspire you to aspire for more.
3. Professional Recognition and Eligibility for Specialised Roles: Promotions are only given to those who have achieved a milestone like the CAIIB Exam, which automatically increases your goodwill in the industry, and you are eligible for specialised roles.
4. Job Security: With job growth and enhancement,t you receive additional perks. With advanced certification, professionals are better equipped to handle challenges in banking, adding value to their organisations and enhancing job security.

Preparation Strategy for CAIIB Exam 2026

With the option of having two cycles, candidates appearing for the CAIIB Exam 2026 have the opportunity to choose the cycle that suits them the best. All exams in each cycle are spread across a one-month span, and having the option to improve your score later with the second cycle allows candidates to adopt a smart strategy. This smart strategy approach is:

• Reading IIBF study material
• Practicing mock tests
• Focusing on numericals in finance-based papers
• Revising laws and case studies for Banking Regulations and Business Laws
• Consistent practie and revisions
• Choosing the righ elective paper based on work profile