IBPS PO 2025-26: Exam Pattern & Syllabus

IBPS PO 2025-26: Exam Pattern & Syllabus

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IBPS PO 2025-26: Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS PO Exam every year to recruit Probationary Officers (POs) in various public sector banks. The exam is conducted in three stages:
  • Preliminary Exam
  • Main Exam
  • Interview
IBPS PO Preliminary Exam Pattern
Section
No. of Questions
Marks
Duration
English Language
30
30
20 mins
Quantitative Aptitude
35
35
20 mins
Reasoning Ability
35
35
20 mins
Total
100
100
60 mins
  • Nature: Objective (MCQs)
  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
  • Qualifying: Marks are not added in the final merit; used only for screening.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
Section
No. of Questions
Marks
Duration
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
45
60
60 mins
General/Economy/Banking Awareness
40
40
35 mins
English Language
35
40
40 mins
Data Analysis & Interpretation
35
60
45 mins
Descriptive Test (English)
2 (Essay + Letter)
25
30 mins
Total
157
225
3 hours 30 mins
  • Descriptive Paper: Conducted online, tests writing skills.
  • Negative Marking: Applicable for objective sections.
  • Final Selection: Based on Mains + Interview (80:20 ratio).
IBPS PO Interview
Component
Marks
Personal Interview
100
  • Minimum qualifying marks: 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD)
  • Conducted by participating banks with IBPS coordination.
  • Final Merit = 80% of Mains + 20% of Interview
IBPS PO 2025-26 Syllabus

1. English Language (Prelims & Mains)

Topics
Description
Reading Comprehension
Passages with questions on inference, tone, vocabulary etc.
Cloze Test
Fill in the blanks in a passage with appropriate words.
Error Spotting
Identify grammatical or usage errors in sentences.
Sentence Improvement
Improve the underlined part of a sentence.
Para Jumbles
Rearranging jumbled sentences into a coherent paragraph.
Fill in the Blanks
Choose appropriate words to complete sentences.
Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
Basic vocabulary-based questions.
Descriptive Writing (Mains)
Essay and Letter Writing – evaluated for coherence & grammar.
 
2. Quantitative Aptitude / Data Interpretation
Topics
Description
Simplification & Approximation
Solve basic arithmetic expressions.
Number Series
Identify the pattern and find the missing number.
Quadratic Equations
Solve equations and compare values.
Arithmetic Word Problems
Time & Work, Profit-Loss, SI-CI, TSD, Ratio, Mensuration etc.
Data Interpretation (DI)
Graphs, Charts, Tables, Caselets – data-based calculations.
Data Sufficiency
Determine if the provided data is sufficient to answer a question.
 
3. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
Topics
Description
Puzzles & Seating Arrangement
Linear/Circular/Box puzzles – high weightage.
Coding-Decoding
Traditional and new pattern coding techniques.
Syllogism
Venn diagram-based logic questions.
Inequality
Mathematical comparison of quantities.
Blood Relations
Determine family relationships from clues.
Direction Sense
Based on directions and distance.
Input-Output
Logical arrangement of words/numbers.
Basic Computer Aptitude
MS Office, Internet, Networking, Shortcuts, Memory, etc.
 
4. General/Economy/Banking Awareness (Mains)
Topics
Description
Current Affairs (last 6 months)
National, international, sports, awards, appointments.
Banking & Financial Awareness
RBI, SEBI, banking terms, financial reforms, monetary policy.
Government Schemes & Policies
Central schemes, budget, committees, and new initiatives.
Static GK
Capitals, currencies, books-authors, days, headquarters etc.
Economic Awareness
GDP, inflation, fiscal deficit, economic surveys.
 
5. English Descriptive Test (Mains)
Topics
Description
Essay Writing
Based on current affairs, social or economic issues.
Letter Writing
Formal/informal letters – complaints, suggestions, official communication.
  • Prelims is qualifying only.
  • Mains + Interview forms the final merit list (80:20 ratio).
  • The syllabus mostly remains unchanged from previous years, but keeping up with current affairs is crucial for success in the Awareness and Descriptive sections.
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