Central Bank of India FLC Counsellor Recruitment 2026 – Apply Offline for 3 Posts

Understanding the Application Window and Age-Related Eligibility

Strategic Timeline Management for Offline Application Submission

The Central Bank of India has announced a short application window for the FLC Counsellor posts. The notification was issued on 21 January 2026, and applications are accepted from the same day. The final date for your application to reach the Regional Office in Siwan is 06 February 2026, before 5:00 PM. Since this is an offline process involving postal or in-person submission, candidates must account for potential delays. A common mistake is to post the application close to the deadline, risking non-delivery. It's strongly advised to dispatch your application via speed post or registered post by 01 February 2026 at the latest. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered under any circumstances. There is no online application facility, so planning for physical document preparation and submission is crucial.

Precise Age Criteria and Calculation for Applicants

This contractual position is designed for experienced professionals. The age bracket is fixed: you must be above 45 years and below 65 years as on the advertisement date of 21 January 2026. The notification does not mention any age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, or EWS categories, which suggests the criteria are uniform for all applicants. For precise calculation: if your date of birth is 22 January 1981, you will be 44 years and 364 days old on 21 January 2026, making you ineligible as you have not attained the minimum age of 45 years. Conversely, if you were born on or before 21 January 1961, you would exceed the 65-year limit. This role is ideal for officers who took VRS or retired recently and wish to contribute their expertise in a community-facing role. Candidates must ensure their age falls strictly within this range on the reference date.

Decoding the Eligibility: A Role for Seasoned Professionals

Preference for Retired Bank Officers

The position shows a clear preference for retired Scale-I officers from nationalized banks, including the State Bank of India (SBI) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). This is an important factor and may influence the shortlisting process. The logic is that such individuals already possess deep knowledge of banking products, procedures, and regulatory frameworks. They require minimal training to start counseling citizens on savings, loans, and government schemes. If you retired under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) or superannuation from such a bank, you are in a strong position. You must have a clean and satisfactory service certificate from your former employer, confirming an unblemished record. This certificate is crucial; its absence or any adverse remark can lead to disqualification.

Alternative Pathway for Government Retirees

For candidates who are not retired bank officers, there is an alternative route. The notification considers retired employees from other government or semi-government organizations, such as school teachers, who have knowledge of banking and financial services. However, there is a key condition: such candidates should have completed relevant certification courses from the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF). This ensures standardized professional knowledge. The mandatory experience requirement is a minimum of 10 years of service as an officer or employee. This experience is verified through official service records. Furthermore, the candidate must be a resident of Bihar, preferably from the same or adjoining district to the posting location. This local residency clause helps ensure the counselor can communicate effectively with the local community.

To help candidates self-assess their eligibility and avoid unnecessary applications, here are clear guidelines on who should not apply for this contractual position:

• Candidates below 45 years or above 65 years of age as of 21 January 2026.
• Applicants without retirement from a nationalized bank, SBI, RRB, or government/semi-government service.
• Individuals who do not possess a minimum of 10 years of work experience as an officer or employee.
• Persons expecting permanent employment, pension benefits, or job regularization after the contract period.
• Candidates unwilling to work in field-based roles involving travel to villages for financial literacy camps.
• Those who cannot communicate effectively in the local language of the posted district (Siwan, Saran, or Gopalganj).
• Applicants without basic computer literacy in MS Office and internet usage.
• Individuals who do not possess a clean service record or satisfactory service certificate from their previous employer.

Applying without meeting these core requirements will likely result in rejection and waste your time and effort. Always verify your eligibility against the official notification before proceeding.

One Post Per District: Understanding the Role and Remuneration

District-Wise Posting and Its Significance

The Central Bank of India is looking to staff three separate Financial Literacy Centres (FLCs) in the Bihar districts of Siwan, Saran, and Gopalganj, with one Counsellor for each location. When applying, you should consider your preferred or eligible location. The notification notes that candidates should preferably be residents of the same or adjoining district. This is important for job effectiveness. An FLC Counsellor must interact with local populations, understand regional financial challenges, and promote government schemes. A local resident will typically have better rapport within the community. You can indicate your location preference clearly in your application, although the final posting is at the bank's discretion.

Understanding the Fixed Pay Structure

The remuneration is a fixed consolidated amount of ₹26,000 per month, which includes ₹25,000 as pay and ₹1,000 as a mobile allowance. It's important to understand that "consolidated pay" means this is a lump-sum amount, and no other benefits such as Provident Fund (PF), Gratuity, Medical Insurance, Dearness Allowance (DA), or Travel Allowance (TA) are provided. The mobile allowance is meant to cover communication expenses for coordinating camps and follow-ups. This structure is common for short-term contractual roles in public sector banks. For retired professionals, this can serve as a meaningful post-retirement engagement. The contract is initially for one year but may be renewed based on satisfactory performance and the bank's requirements.

Important Note on Reservation and Category Benefits

No Explicit Reservation Mentioned in Notification

The official notification for the FLC Counsellor posts does not provide any category-wise (SC, ST, OBC, EWS) breakup of the 3 vacancies. It also does not mention any age relaxation or fee concession for reserved categories. Candidates should note that the selection will be done as per the bank's discretion, and no reservation benefit is guaranteed unless explicitly stated in the notification. While Public Sector Banks generally follow Government of India reservation policies, for this specific contractual recruitment, the absence of explicit mention means all candidates will be considered under the same general criteria of age, experience, and qualification.

Application Advice for Reserved Category Candidates

If you belong to SC, ST, OBC, or EWS categories, you are certainly eligible to apply, as the notification does not bar any category. However, you should apply with the understanding that the standard age limits (45-65 years) and experience requirements (10 years) apply uniformly. You may mention your category in the application form, but be prepared that there may not be any relaxation in eligibility criteria. The bank reserves the right to make decisions regarding qualifications and selection at its sole discretion. For absolute clarity, candidates with specific concerns may refer to the official notification PDF on the bank's website or contact the Regional Office directly for formal clarification before applying.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Offline Application Process

Downloading the Form and Preparing the Application Packet

This process is entirely offline. The first step is to obtain the prescribed application format from the bank's official website: http://www.centralbankofindia.co.in. Visit the website, navigate to the 'Careers' or 'Recruitment' section, and download the application form for "Recruitment as Counsellor for FLC on Contract Basis". Fill the form neatly. The envelope must be clearly superscribed with: "Application for the post of Recruitment as Counsellor for FLC on Contract Basis". A common mistake is sending the application without this superscription or to the wrong address. Double-check the submission address: Regional Office at Patel Chowk, Siwan.

Compiling Supporting Documents and Proof of Eligibility

While the initial application may only require the filled form, you should keep attested copies of key documents ready for verification. These include: Proof of Age (Matriculation certificate or PAN card), Graduation Degree and Mark Sheets, Retirement Order, Service Certificate confirming clean service of at least 10 years, and Proof of Residence in Bihar (Voter ID, Aadhaar). For non-bank retirees, include copies of relevant IIBF certification. Since there is no application fee, the only cost is postal charges. Send the application via a trackable postal service and keep the receipt. Applications can also be submitted in person on working days at the Regional Office.

The Interview-Centric Selection and Role Expectations

Understanding the Selection Authority

The selection process places complete authority with the bank. Eligible applicants will be called for a Personal Interview. The notification states that the decision to call or not call a candidate rests solely with the bank management. This underscores the importance of a well-prepared application that highlights all relevant experience, especially in banking, finance, and community interaction. The interview will likely assess your communication skills (particularly in the local language), practical knowledge of banking products, understanding of financial literacy concepts, and motivation for this role. Since candidates are experienced retirees, the interview may focus on past achievements and suitability for a counseling role.

A Closer Look at the FLC Counsellor's Role

The selected candidate will be the in-charge of the Financial Literacy Centre in the allotted district. This is a field-oriented, community engagement role. You will organize camps in villages to educate people about basic banking, savings, loans, insurance, and pension schemes. You will also counsel individuals seeking loans under various government subsidies. The contract is for one year, and renewal is not automatic; it depends on your performance and the bank's continuing need. The notification mentions a leave entitlement of 15 days per year. This is a fixed-term contractual engagement with no promise of permanent absorption.

Essential Compliance Information

Understanding the Bank's Discretionary Powers

Two critical clauses define this recruitment: the bank reserves the right to fill or not to fill the post and to provide relaxation in qualifications at its discretion. This means that even after interviews, the bank may decide not to select anyone if suitable candidates are not found. However, candidates should not rely on possible relaxations. The phrase "sole discretion" emphasizes that the process is not bound by rigid rules typical of mass recruitments. Candidates are advised not to send queries seeking clarifications; instead, they should rely on the published notification. All updates will be posted on the bank's official website.

1. I am a retired school teacher from Bihar with 25 years of experience. Am I eligible?

Yes, you may be eligible under the alternative criteria for retired government employees. However, you should have completed relevant certification courses from the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF). If you have such certifications, you meet the key criteria. You also need to be between 45-65 years, a resident of Bihar, and possess a clean service certificate. Without the IIBF certification, your application might not be considered, as bank retirees are given preference.

2. Is there any written exam, or is it only an interview?

As per the official notification, the selection will be based on a Personal Interview of shortlisted candidates. There is no mention of a written test. The bank will scrutinize applications and invite eligible candidates for the interview. The final selection will be based on your interview performance and suitability for the role.

3. Can I apply for more than one location?

The notification does not explicitly prohibit applying for more than one location. However, since there is one post per location, it is advisable to mention your order of preference for Siwan, Saran, and Gopalganj clearly in your single application form. Do not send separate applications for each location.

4. What does the "Mobile Allowance of ₹1,000" cover?

The mobile allowance of ₹1,000 per month is a fixed component added to your pay. It is meant to cover expenses for mobile communication (calls, internet data) while performing duties like coordinating camps and following up with beneficiaries. This is typically a reimbursement in the form of an allowance. You are expected to use your own mobile phone and connection.

5. I retired as a Scale-II officer. Am I overqualified?

Not at all. The notification shows a preference for officers retired from Scale-I, but this is not a strict exclusion. Your experience as a Scale-II officer, involving higher responsibility, will be an advantage. You should apply and highlight your senior-level experience and any community-oriented work you've done.

6. Will I become a permanent employee after the contract?

No. This is a purely contractual appointment for one year. Renewal after one year is at the bank's discretion based on performance and requirement. There is no provision for this role to be converted into a permanent position in the bank.

7. Where can I get the application form?

The application form is available for download from the official website of Central Bank of India: http://www.centralbankofindia.co.in. Visit the site, find the relevant advertisement, and download the form. It may also be available at the Regional Office in Siwan.

8. Is this a field job or office-based?

The role of an FLC Counsellor is largely a field-oriented, extension role. You will be based at the FLC but will travel within the district to villages to conduct financial literacy camps and workshops. Your job involves direct interaction with the public, farmers, women's groups, and students.