Punjab National Bank
Punjab National Bank interview process guide: application, written exam, personal interview and document verification for banking careers.
- 1 open jobs
- 1894 founded
- New Delhi headquarters
About Punjab National Bank
Punjab National Bank (PNB) is an Indian multinational public sector bank and one of the largest government-owned banks in the country, offering retail, corporate, agricultural and international banking services through a vast branch and ATM network.
As the second largest public sector bank in India, PNB serves a large customer base across urban, semi-urban and rural areas, and continues to expand its digital banking channels alongside its traditional branch presence. The bank plays an important role in government financial inclusion schemes and priority sector lending.
PNB hires probationary officers, clerks, specialist officers and apprentices largely through nationwide banking recruitment examinations, along with campus and lateral hiring for specialist and management roles. It looks for strong numerical ability, integrity, customer service orientation and a genuine interest in public sector banking.
Punjab National Bank hiring process
1. Notification and application
PNB releases recruitment notifications for probationary officers, clerks and specialist officers, often coordinated through common banking recruitment examinations, and candidates apply online within the specified window.
2. Preliminary examination
A preliminary online test covers English language, quantitative aptitude and reasoning ability, acting as a first screening stage for the large number of applicants.
3. Main examination
Shortlisted candidates take a more detailed mains examination covering reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English, general and banking awareness, and for some posts, a descriptive or professional knowledge section.
4. Personal interview
Candidates who clear the mains attend a personal interview with a panel, which discusses banking awareness, current affairs, academic background and situational judgement relevant to banking operations.
5. Document verification and medical check
Selected candidates undergo document verification and a medical fitness check before final selection is confirmed.
6. Allotment and joining
PNB allots the branch or department and communicates the joining date, after which new recruits typically undergo induction training before taking up their role.
Punjab National Bank interview rounds
PNB's selection process for officer and clerical cadres typically follows the standard public sector bank pattern of a written examination followed by an interview, with the exact structure depending on the specific recruitment notification.
Round 1: Preliminary examination
A timed online test of about an hour checks English language, quantitative aptitude and reasoning ability, serving as an initial filter given the very large number of applicants for public sector bank roles.
- Quantitative aptitude and data interpretation
- Verbal and reading comprehension
- Logical and analytical reasoning
Round 2: Main examination
A longer, more detailed test covers reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general and banking awareness, and English, with specialist officer posts also including a professional knowledge section relevant to their domain.
- Banking and financial awareness
- Advanced reasoning and data analysis
- Domain-specific questions for specialist posts
Round 3: Personal interview
A panel interview assesses banking awareness, communication, situational judgement and overall suitability for a customer-facing, trust-based role in public sector banking.
- Current banking sector developments
- Handling a customer service or fraud scenario
- Motivation for a public sector banking career
Round 4: Document verification and medical check
The final stage confirms eligibility through certificate verification and a medical fitness check before the offer and branch allotment are finalised.
- Educational and category certificate checks
- Medical fitness for banking service
Punjab National Bank salaries
| Designation | Average salary |
|---|---|
Branch / Area Manager Experience: 6 - 10 years yrs |
₹ 13.6 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą9.6 L – â‚ą17.6 L/yr |
Credit / Risk Analyst Experience: 2 - 5 years yrs |
₹ 8.4 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą5.6 L – â‚ą11.2 L/yr |
Assistant Manager Experience: 2 - 5 years yrs |
₹ 6.8 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą4.8 L – â‚ą8.8 L/yr |
Relationship Manager Experience: 1 - 4 years yrs |
₹ 4.8 Lakhs /year Typical range â‚ą3.2 L – â‚ą6.4 L/yr |
Figures are estimates based on typical market ranges for this role and sector, not company-published pay. Actual offers vary by location, skills and negotiation.
Punjab National Bank interview questions
Question banks most relevant to roles at Punjab National Bank, with model answers.
Punjab National Bank interview FAQs
Q1How many rounds are there in the Punjab National Bank interview process?
The typical process has three main stages: a preliminary examination, a main examination, and a personal interview, followed by document verification. Some specialist officer posts skip the preliminary stage and go directly to a single written test.
Q2How long does the Punjab National Bank hiring process take?
From notification to final offer, the process usually takes two to four months, since it involves multiple examination stages, an interview and document verification typical of large-scale public sector bank recruitment.
Q3Why do you want to work at Punjab National Bank?
Mention PNB's scale as one of India's largest public sector banks, its role in financial inclusion and priority sector lending, and your interest in a stable, service-oriented banking career that lets you contribute to customers across urban and rural India.
Q4How would you handle a customer complaint about a delayed transaction?
Explain listening carefully to understand the issue, checking the transaction status through proper channels, communicating a realistic timeline for resolution, and escalating to the concerned department if it is a technical or systemic issue, while keeping the customer informed throughout.
Q5What do you know about recent developments in the Indian banking sector?
Prepare a few current points such as digital banking adoption, priority sector lending targets, financial inclusion schemes, and regulatory changes from the Reserve Bank of India, and be ready to relate at least one point to how it affects a public sector bank like PNB.
Q6What is the salary and eligibility for entry-level roles at Punjab National Bank?
Probationary officer and clerical roles follow public sector bank pay scales with standard allowances, revised periodically through industry-wide wage settlements. Eligibility generally requires a graduate degree, with age limits and relaxations as specified in each recruitment notification.
Quick facts about Punjab National Bank
- Is Punjab National Bank a public or private company?
- Ownership: Public Sector.
- Who founded Punjab National Bank?
- Punjab National Bank was founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia.
- Who is the CEO of Punjab National Bank?
- As recorded on this profile, Atul Kumar Goel (MD & CEO) leads Punjab National Bank. Leadership can change - check the company's own site for the current position holder.
- What does Punjab National Bank do?
- Punjab National Bank operates in Banking and Financial Services.
1 open jobs at Punjab National Bank
Apply on Jobaaj, and use this guide to prepare before your first round.
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