CAIIB Exam Date for November-December Session 2026

The CAIIB Exam date 2026 for May-June and November–December 2026 has been announced on 2 February 2026.

CAIIB is a calendar-based professional examination. Exams are held paper-wise on different dates, starting with compulsory subjects and ending with the elective paper. Because of this, most bankers who plan early can manage preparation, office workload, and leave without panic.

This article explains everything related to the CAIIB exam date 2026, CAIIB registration windows, paper-wise gaps, and how exam dates affect attempts and validity.

What is the CAIIB Exam Date 2026 of the November-December Session?

The CAIIB exam date 2026 for the November-December session has been released on 2 February 2026.

Lets look at the CAIIB exam date 2026 for the November-December session

When it’s released, you can check the official CAIIB exam schedule on the official IIBF website. 

What is the CAIIB Exam Fee 2026?

The CAIIB exam fee depends on whether it’s your first or subsequent attempt.

IIBF charges a different amount based on how many attempts you’ve already taken.

• 1st CAIIB attempt: ₹5000
• 2nd CAIIB attempt onwards: ₹1300 per attempt

This pattern has been consistent in recent cycles and is expected to continue in 2026.

IIBF also adds additional charges if you register later in the cycle.

For the November-December session, the registration will start in September and the late fees will be levied as following:

• 13 September to 19 September 2026: Pay only the normal exam fee (₹5000 or ₹1300 per attempt)
• 20 September to 26 September 2026: Normal fee + ₹100
• 27 September to 1 October 2026: Normal fee + ₹200

That means if you delay your CAIIB registration beyond 1st week, you end up paying a little extra.

For a step-by-step explanation, you can check the CAIIB registration process here.

How Frequently is the CAIIB Exam Held?

CAIIB is conducted twice a year, every year. The two cycles are:

• May-June session (exams in May and June)
• November-December session (exams in November and December)

This has been consistent since IIBF restructured the exam. The pattern gives every candidate two shots each year.

With a 5-attempt limit over 3 years, a candidate who registers in Year 1 gets up to 6 exam cycles to clear all 5 papers.

Is the CAIIB Exam Conducted on Weekends?

Yes. CAIIB exam dates are always on weekends: Saturdays and Sundays.

The exam is for working banking professionals. Banks operate on weekdays. Scheduling on weekends means candidates do not need to take leave from work. It also prevents operational disruption at branches.

Banks are closed on Sundays. Some banks operate on Saturdays, but the exam date is known months in advance.

Most banks accommodate their employees for this exam. If your bank works on Saturdays, apply for leave well in advance, citing the CAIIB exam schedule.

Are the CAIIB Exam Dates the Same Across India?

Yes. All centres across India hold the exam on the same date. There is no regional difference in exam dates.

The only variable is the shift timing assigned to you, which is mentioned on your CAIIB admit card.

When Does IIBF Release the CAIIB Exam Schedule?

The IIBF releases the CAIIB exam date for both full-year cycles in one go, typically in January or February of each year.

For 2026, both the May-June and November-December schedules were released together on 2 February 2026. This gives candidates almost a full year of advance notice.

Does IIBF Release the CAIIB Exam Schedule in the Same Month Every Year?

Yes. The pattern is almost consistent every year. Here is a reference from recent years:

The exact dates shift year to year within the same months. They are never fixed to a specific calendar date, but the months remain stable.

What are the CAIIB Exam Shifts, Timings, and Duration?

IIBF conducts CAIIB in multiple shifts per day because thousands of bankers appear simultaneously across hundreds of centres.

Each CAIIB exam date typically runs 3 shifts.

Here is the standard shift structure based on recent cycles:

Exact timings vary by half an hour to an hour and are confirmed on your admit card.

Your shift is assigned by IIBF based on your exam centre and candidate volume. You cannot choose your preferred shift.

What is the Reporting Time for CAIIB Exam?

Candidates are advised to report at least 30 minutes before their shift start time. The gate typically closes 15 minutes before the exam starts. Late entry is not permitted.

What is the Exam Duration for CAIIB Exam Papers?

Each paper runs for exactly 2 hours (120 minutes). This applies to all 5 papers, both compulsory and elective.

What is the Time Period Between Registration Close and CAIIB Exam Date?

For the May-June 2026 cycle:

• Registration Closed: 24 March 2026
• ABM Exam (First Paper): 31 May 2026
• Gap: ~68 days (approximately 10 weeks)

For the December 2026 cycle:

• Registration Closes: 1 October 2026
• ABM exam (First Paper): 6 December 2026
• Gap: ~76 days (approximately 11 weeks)

This gap is the window between your registration and your first paper. Use it fully. Eleven weeks of disciplined preparation is enough to clear a paper if you are consistent.

When is the CAIIB Admit Card Released?

As per IIBF’s 2026 notification, the admit card for the May-June cycle is released 10 to 15 days before the exam.

For the December 2026 cycle, the admit card is expected in mid-November 2026. Keep checking the IIBF website from early November.

Can You Change Your CAIIB Exam Date, Shift, or Centre?

No. You cannot get your CAIIB Exam Date, Shift or Exam Centre changed.

Your CAIIB exam date is fixed based on the paper you are appearing for. IIBF does not offer alternative exam dates for the same paper.

Shifts are system-assigned. IIBF does not accept shift change requests from candidates.

If you talk about requests for the CAIIB centre change, IIBF generally does not accept centre change requests after the admit card is released.

Centre preference is submitted during registration. If you have a genuine emergency, contact the IIBF helpdesk immediately, but there is no formal centre change facility.

What if You Miss a CAIIB Exam Date?

You do not get another chance if you miss the CAIIB exam date. Once the CAIIB exam date passes and you have not appeared, you have missed that attempt for that cycle.

The next opportunity is the following cycle i.e. June or December.

Does Missing the CAIIB Exam Date Count as an Attempt?

Yes. An attempt is counted the moment you register for that cycle, not based on whether you actually appear.

Attempts will be counted when you apply for the exam, irrespective of whether you appear for any examination or not.

Is the CAIIB Fee Refunded for Missing the Exam?

No. IIBF does not refund the registration fee under any circumstances, including illness, emergency, or non-appearance.

This is another reason not to register impulsively. The fee is non-refundable once paid.

Do CAIIB Exam Date Affect the Validity of Passed Papers?

No. The CAIIB exam date or exam cycle does not affect the validity of papers you have already passed.

Your passed papers remain valid as long as you complete the CAIIB examination within the limits set by IIBF.

Your passed papers remain valid until either of these happens:

• You complete 5 attempts, or
• 3 years pass from the date of your first CAIIB registration,

whichever happens first.

It does not matter whether you appeared in the June or December cycle.

Changing the exam cycle or taking a gap between cycles does not cancel the papers you have already cleared. The only conditions that matter are the 5-attempt limit and the 3-year validity period.

Example:

Suppose you clear ABM in the June 2026 cycle. You can appear for the remaining papers in later June or December cycles.

Your ABM result will continue to remain valid until you either complete 5 attempts or 3 years from your first CAIIB registration, whichever comes first.

Is it Better to Appear in the June Cycle or the December Cycle?

There is no better or easier CAIIB cycle. Both the May-June and November-December cycles follow the same syllabus, pattern, and difficulty level.

The only real difference is your readiness.

If you are prepared early, the June cycle helps you finish CAIIB sooner.

If you need more time or have a heavy workload, the December cycle might be ideal for you.

CAIIB is designed to give you two chances every year for a reason. Pick the cycle that fits your preparation, not the calendar.

When you plan around the cycle instead of waiting for dates, CAIIB preparation becomes far more manageable. All the Best!

Is There a Possibility of CAIIB Exam Date Overlapping with Other IIBF Exams?

Usually, No. IIBF schedules its flagship exams in separate exam cycles, so JAIIB and CAIIB do not normally overlap. However, some certificate courses such as AML/KYC, Digital Banking, and other IIBF certification exams may be scheduled close to CAIIB dates.

For example:

• JAIIB November 2026: 1 to 29 November 2026
• CAIIB December 2026: 6 to 27 December 2026

These schedules do not overlap, allowing candidates to appear for both exams.

If you are planning to take multiple IIBF exams in the same year, check the official IIBF exam calendar before registering.

What are the Sources to Stay Updated on the CAIIB Exam Schedule?

The official IIBF website should always be your primary source for the latest CAIIB exam schedule, registration dates, and important announcements. IIBF publishes the exam calendar, notifications, exam notices, and any changes to the schedule on its official portal.

You can also stay updated through these sources:

• Official IIBF Exam Calendar for upcoming exam dates and registration schedules.
• IIBF Exam Notices for updates such as revised schedules, change of exam centres, or other important announcements.
• Your IIBF Candidate Login to download admit cards and check exam-related updates after registration.
• Trusted banking exam websites such as EduTap, which provide timely updates, expected timelines, historical trends, and simplified explanations of the official schedule.

Can the CAIIB Exam Schedule Change or Get Postponed?

IIBF rarely postpones CAIIB. The exam runs on a tight professional schedule. Bankers plan their leaves and preparation around announced dates.

Circumstances where Postponement may occur:

• Major national events (elections, natural disasters, public emergencies)
• Technical failures at a large number of exam centres simultaneously
• Public holidays that were not anticipated when the schedule was drafted

In most of these cases, postponement affects specific centres or a small subset of candidates, not the entire exam.

If CAIIB exam date changes, IIBF publishes a notice on the IIBF official website and communicates via email and SMS to registered candidates.