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IBPS PO 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

India · 4 subjects · 43 topics · Updated 2026-04-06

The IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) examination is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for recruitment to the post of Probationary Officer/Management Trainee in public sector banks across India. It is one of the most sought-after banking examinations in India, attracting lakhs of aspirants every year. The PO position is considered a prestigious entry-level role in banking, with opportunities for career advancement to positions like Branch Manager, Deputy Manager, and beyond. The selection process includes Prelims, Mains, and an Interview round.

Live status

Verified 2026-04-24
Year
2026
Subjects
4
Topics
43

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📋 Exam Pattern

The IBPS PO Preliminary Examination has three sections: English Language (30 questions, 30 marks), Numerical Ability (35 questions, 35 marks), and Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 35 marks), totaling 100 questions for 100 marks to be completed in 60 minutes. The Main Examination has five sections: Reasoning and Computer Aptitude (45 questions, 60 marks), English Language (35 questions, 40 marks), Data Analysis and Interpretation (35 questions, 60 marks), General/Economy/Banking Awareness (40 questions, 40 marks), and an English Descriptive Paper (2 questions, 25 marks). Total duration is 3 hours 30 minutes for the Main. Both exams are online (CBT) with negative marking of 0.25 marks for wrong answers.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be Indian citizens with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. The age limit is 20-30 years for general category candidates, with relaxations up to 33 years for OBC, 35 years for SC/ST, and 40 years for PwD candidates. Candidates should have basic computer knowledge and proficiency in the official language of the state they are applying for. Some banks may have additional eligibility criteria regarding educational background or experience.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 43 topics across 4 subjects

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Frequently Asked Questions — IBPS PO

Everything you need to know about IBPS PO. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What is IBPS PO and how does the selection process work?
IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) is one of India's largest-scale banking sector recruitment exams, conducted annually by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for recruitment to public sector banks in India. The selection process has three stages: Preliminary (Tier 1, objective, qualifying), Mains (Tier 2, objective + descriptive), and a Common Interview Round (conducted post-mains for all qualifying candidates). After clearing all three, candidates are allocated to one of the 12 PSU banks based on merit and preference.
What is the IBPS PO exam pattern for Prelims and Mains?
IBPS PO Prelims consists of three sections: Quantitative Aptitude (35 questions), Reasoning Ability (35 questions), and English Language (30 questions) — 100 questions total to be answered in 60 minutes. IBPS PO Mains has four sections: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (45 questions), General/Economic/Banking Awareness (40 questions), English Language (35 questions), and Data Analysis & Interpretation (35 questions) — 155 questions in 180 minutes, plus a Descriptive Test (Letter and Essay writing, 25 marks).
What is a good score in IBPS PO?
For IBPS PO Prelims, a score of 70–75 out of 100 is generally considered good for the General category to clear the cutoff. For Mains, a score of 120–130 out of 200 (objective) plus 18–20 out of 25 (descriptive) is competitive. After the interview, the final merit is calculated as: Mains marks (80%) + Interview (20%). Candidates in the top 100 ranks typically receive offers from premier banks. StudyRoadmap covers the complete IBPS PO syllabus across all three stages.

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Exam Name IBPS PO
Country 🇮🇳 India
Subjects Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Awareness
Total Topics 43
Official Source https://example.com
Last Updated 2026-04-06