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IBPS PO 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Complete Prelims and Mains syllabus for IBPS PO 2026. Know exactly what to study for your dream banking career.

Exam Overview

IBPS PO 2026 Exam Structure

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Preliminary Exam

Online objective test with 3 sections. 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes. Qualifying in nature.

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Mains Exam

Objective + Descriptive test. 155 objective questions (200 marks) + Descriptive (25 marks). 3 hours 30 minutes.

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Interview

Personal interview of 100 marks. Final selection based on Mains + Interview marks (80:20 ratio).

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Negative Marking

1/4th mark deducted for each wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains objective sections.

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Sectional Timing

Prelims has sectional time limits. Mains objective has separate timing for each section.

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Posts Offered

Probationary Officer (PO) and Management Trainee (MT) in 11 participating public sector banks.

IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus (60 Minutes, 100 Marks)

SubjectQuestionsMarksTime
English Language303020 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude353520 minutes
Reasoning Ability353520 minutes
Total10010060 minutes

A. English Language (30 Questions, 30 Marks, 20 Minutes)

  • Reading Comprehension (2 passages expected)
  • Cloze Test / Fill in the Blanks
  • Error Spotting / Sentence Correction
  • Sentence Improvement
  • Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement
  • Para Completion
  • Word Usage / Vocabulary-based questions
  • Phrase Replacement / Idioms & Phrases
  • Spelling Errors

B. Quantitative Aptitude (35 Questions, 35 Marks, 20 Minutes)

  • Simplification & Approximation: 5-7 questions. Most scoring if BODMAS rules are clear.
  • Number Series: 5 questions. Missing and wrong number series.
  • Data Interpretation: 10-12 questions. Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, Mixed DI.
  • Arithmetic Word Problems: 10-12 questions. Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Ratio, Averages, Partnership, Age Problems, Mixtures, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns, Boats & Streams, Probability.
  • Quadratic Equations: 5 questions. Comparison of roots between two equations.

C. Reasoning Ability (35 Questions, 35 Marks, 20 Minutes)

  • Puzzles & Seating Arrangement: 15-20 questions. Linear, circular, floor-based, month/date-based, box-based puzzles.
  • Syllogism: 3-5 questions. Direct and reverse syllogism.
  • Inequality: 3-5 questions. Direct and coded inequalities.
  • Coding-Decoding: 3-5 questions. Letter, number, and symbol-based coding.
  • Blood Relations: 2-3 questions.
  • Direction & Distance: 2-3 questions.
  • Order & Ranking: 2-3 questions.
  • Alphanumeric Series: 5 questions.
  • Input-Output: 0-5 questions (asked occasionally).
  • Data Sufficiency: 0-3 questions.

IBPS PO Mains Syllabus (3 Hours 30 Minutes, 225 Marks)

Objective Test (3 Hours, 200 Marks)

SubjectQuestionsMarksTime
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude456060 minutes
General/Economy/Banking Awareness404035 minutes
English Language354040 minutes
Data Analysis & Interpretation356045 minutes
Total155200180 minutes

Descriptive Test (30 Minutes, 25 Marks)

  • Letter Writing: Formal and informal letters (10 marks)
  • Essay Writing: Banking, economy, social issues, technology topics (15 marks)

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (45 Questions, 60 Marks)

  • Advanced Puzzles: Complex seating arrangements, scheduling, blood relation-based puzzles.
  • Input-Output: Machine input-output with multiple steps.
  • Logical Reasoning: Statement-assumption, statement-inference, course of action, cause and effect.
  • Critical Reasoning: Strong-weak arguments, inference-based questions.
  • Computer Aptitude: Flowcharts, binary conversions, logic gates, computer fundamentals, MS Office, Internet, Networking basics.

General/Economy/Banking Awareness (40 Questions, 40 Marks)

  • Banking Awareness: RBI functions, Banking regulation, Types of accounts, NEFT/RTGS/IMPS, Cheques, Negotiable Instruments, Basel norms, NPA, SARFAESI Act.
  • Financial Awareness: Budget, Economic Survey, Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy, GST, Stock markets, Mutual funds, Insurance.
  • Current Affairs: Last 6 months national & international news, sports, awards, appointments, important days.
  • Static GK: Countries-currencies-capitals, International organizations, Indian states & UTs, Dams, Rivers, National parks.

Data Analysis & Interpretation (35 Questions, 60 Marks)

  • Advanced DI: Caselets, Radar graphs, Scatter plots, Mixed DI, Funnel diagrams, Bubble charts.
  • Data Sufficiency: 2-3 statement sufficiency problems.
  • Arithmetic Word Problems: Advanced application-based questions.
  • Probability & Permutation-Combination: 2-3 questions.
  • Quantity Comparison: Comparing two quantities.
  • Number Series: Advanced patterns.
Pro Tip from Shortcut Maths Faculty: In IBPS PO Prelims, attempt English first (20 min), then Reasoning (20 min), and finally Quant (20 min). In Mains, Data Analysis carries the highest weightage (60 marks). Master arithmetic shortcuts and DI calculation tricks. For Descriptive English, practice typing essays and letters on computer daily.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between IBPS PO and SBI PO syllabus?

The syllabus is almost identical for both exams. However, SBI PO has a higher difficulty level, especially in Reasoning and English sections. SBI PO Mains also includes a Group Exercise and Interview.

Q2. How many months are needed to prepare for IBPS PO?

4-6 months of dedicated preparation is sufficient for IBPS PO. Working professionals may need 6-8 months. Focus on building speed in Prelims and depth in Mains.

Q3. Is Computer Aptitude difficult in Mains?

Computer Aptitude in IBPS PO Mains tests logical reasoning using computer terminology. It is not deep technical knowledge. Practice flowcharts, binary conversions, and logic gates from our material.

Q4. What is the best book for IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude?

We recommend Shortcut Maths exclusive material for bank exams. Additionally, you can use Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal for basics. Focus heavily on DI practice.

Q5. How to prepare for Banking Awareness?

Read banking current affairs daily from financial newspapers. Make notes on RBI policies, banking schemes, and financial terms. Our monthly banking awareness PDFs cover everything.

Last updated: June 1, 2026. For IBPS PO coaching and doubt clearing, contact Shortcut Maths, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032. Call +91-9804490328.

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