Overview
IBPS PO recruits Probationary Officers and Management Trainees for 11 participating public sector banks through the Common Recruitment Process, now in its 16th edition (CRP PO/MT-XVI). The 2026 notification advertised 6,715 vacancies — about 29% higher than the previous cycle — with the Preliminary exam scheduled for 22–23 August 2026 and the Mains on 4 October 2026. This cycle introduces two significant changes: the Mains objective section has been expanded from 157 to 170 questions across 160 minutes, and a new Personality Test has been added after Mains — mandatory but non-qualifying — before the final Interview. Selection still runs through Prelims (qualifying only), Mains (which carries the bulk of the final merit weightage), the Personality Test, and the Interview, followed by provisional bank allotment based on merit and preference.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- 6,715 indicative vacancies for 2026 — up nearly 29% from 5,208 the previous cycle.
- Mains objective test expanded to 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes (previously 157 questions).
- New Personality Test introduced after Mains — mandatory to attend, but non-qualifying; results are shared with the Interview panel.
- Prelims retains sectional timing — 20 minutes fixed per section, 100 questions/100 marks in 60 minutes total.
- Application window: 1–21 July 2026; Prelims 22–23 August 2026; Mains 4 October 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 20–30 years as on 1 July 2026 (relaxation per government norms for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/ex-servicemen) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university (final-year candidates may apply provisionally, subject to producing proof by document verification) |
| Nationality | Indian citizen; Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and OCI candidates may be eligible subject to government clearance norms |
| Application Fee | ₹850 (General/OBC/EWS). SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates pay ₹175 (intimation charges only). |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO selection process runs through prelims + mains + personality test + interview. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Preliminary Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Main Examination — Objective Test
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 40 |
| General/Economy/Banking/Digital Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language | 40 | 40 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 40 |
Main Examination — Descriptive Test
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay & Letter/Comprehension Writing | 2 | 25 |
Personality Test
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Personality Profile | — | Qualifying |
Common Interview
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | — | 100 |
IBPS PO Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise IBPS PO syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
English Language
Weighted for accuracy over speed in Prelims — a small, reliable vocabulary base beats broad but shaky knowledge.
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Para jumbles
- Error spotting & sentence correction
- Fill in the blanks
- Vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms, word usage
- Sentence improvement
- Word swap & column-based questions
Quantitative Aptitude (Prelims)
Speed-based section; drilling simplification and DI under time pressure yields the fastest score gains.
- Simplification & approximation
- Number series
- Quadratic equations
- Data interpretation — tables, bar/line/pie charts
- Arithmetic — percentage, ratio, average, profit & loss
- Time, speed & distance, time & work
- Mensuration
Reasoning Ability (Prelims)
Puzzles dominate the marks here — mastering 4–5 common puzzle formats covers most of the section.
- Puzzles & seating arrangement
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations & direction sense
- Alphanumeric series
- Order & ranking
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (Mains)
Puzzles get noticeably harder than Prelims — Mains-level mock practice is essential, not optional.
- Advanced puzzles & seating arrangement
- Syllogism & inequality
- Input-output
- Data sufficiency & logical reasoning
- Computer basics — hardware, software, OS, MS Office
- Internet, networking & cyber security basics
General/Economy/Banking/Digital Awareness (Mains)
The most 'coachable' Mains section — consistent daily current-affairs reading compounds fast here.
- Current affairs — national & international, last 6 months
- Banking terms & history
- Monetary policy, RBI functions & regulations
- Government schemes & financial inclusion
- Digital banking, payment systems (UPI, NEFT, RTGS)
- Static awareness — headquarters, capitals, currencies
Data Analysis & Interpretation (Mains)
The highest-difficulty section in Mains — even attempting 60–70% accurately outperforms rushing all questions.
- Advanced/mixed data interpretation — caselets, tabular, graphical
- Data sufficiency
- Probability & permutation-combination
- Quadratic equations & approximation at a higher difficulty
- Missing data interpretation
Descriptive Test — Essay & Letter Writing
Often neglected despite carrying real marks — a few practised templates go a long way under the 30-minute limit.
- Essay writing on banking, economy, technology and social-issue topics
- Formal letter/comprehension-based writing
- Structured, professional writing style
- Coherent paragraphing & concise expression
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination — qualifying stage; sectional and overall cut-offs apply.
- Main Examination — objective test (200 marks) plus descriptive test (25 marks); counted for final merit.
- Personality Test — mandatory, non-qualifying self-report profile shared with the Interview panel.
- Common Interview — conducted by participating banks, coordinated by the Nodal Bank in each state/UT.
- Provisional Allotment based on merit, category, vacancies and bank preference (all-India cadre).
Salary & Job Profile
The starting basic pay for an IBPS PO is ₹48,480, with an in-hand salary of approximately ₹74,000–₹76,000 per month depending on posting location and applicable allowances (DA, HRA, Special Allowance, and others as per the bank's pay structure).
Best Books for IBPS PO Preparation
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations — R.S. Aggarwal
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Banking Awareness — Arihant Publications
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
IBPS PO Prelims cut-offs shift every year based on paper difficulty and vacancy count — 2025 cycle cut-offs are a reference point only, not a target, especially since 2026 has nearly 29% more vacancies than the previous cycle, which typically eases the cut-off somewhat. Mains cut-offs vary significantly by state/bank preference. Always check IBPS's official cut-off release for exact figures.
Preparation Tips
- Build a 3-hours-a-day study routine anchored around daily mocks from month three onward — consistency beats last-minute intensity.
- Since Prelims is only qualifying, don't over-polish it once you're comfortably past cut-off — shift focus to Mains-level puzzle and DI practice early.
- Research state-wise Mains cut-off trends before finalising your bank preference order, since some states see significantly lower cut-offs.
- Practise the descriptive paper weekly under the 30-minute limit — it's easy to underprepare given its small mark share.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the Call Letter, a valid original photo ID, and a passport-size photograph as specified in the call letter.
- Reach the venue at least an hour before reporting time — biometric verification and document checks take time, and late entry is not permitted.
- No electronic devices, calculators or written material are allowed inside the exam hall.
- For the Interview stage, carry original certificates (educational, category, age proof) along with photocopies.
Frequently Asked Questions
IBPS announced 6,715 indicative vacancies for CRP PO/MT-XVI, an increase of nearly 29% over the previous year's 5,208.
The objective test was expanded from 157 to 170 questions for 200 marks within 160 minutes, with revised section-wise question counts; the descriptive paper remains unchanged at 25 marks.
A Personality Test was introduced after the Main Examination for this cycle — it's mandatory to attend and non-qualifying, but the resulting profile is shared with the Interview panel.
No, Prelims is purely qualifying — candidates must clear sectional and overall cut-offs to advance to Mains, but the marks themselves aren't added to the final merit list.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both the Prelims and Mains objective sections; there's no penalty for unattempted questions.
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years of age as on 1 July 2026, with standard age relaxation for reserved categories.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Institute of Banking Personnel Selection notification as of 16 Jul 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at ibps.in before applying.