IBPS PO (Prelims & Mains) Syllabus Exam Pattern
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IBPS PO Syllabus 2026 consists of all the subjects that aspirants need to know to crack the IBPS Probationary Officer Prelims, Mains and Descriptive Tests. This recruitment is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). The IBPS PO 2026 syllabus consists of Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude/Data Analysis, English Language, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, Digital Awareness and Descriptive Test. Besides IBPS PO syllabus, it is also important for the candidates to have knowledge of the latest IBPS PO exam pattern and weightage of sections and topics. Candidates can go through the complete IBPS PO syllabus before the beginning of their preparation for making their study plan and concentrating on important topics which can fetch them high scores. This will also increase their chances of clearing all the stages of the recruitment process. Know more about the syllabus here.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2026: Overview
Candidates need to qualify each stage of the IBPS PO Exam to become probationary officers. Check the key details of the IBPS PO 2026 Syllabus such as total questions, marks, durations, etc below in the table.
| Particular | Details |
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post | Probationary Officer (PO) / Management Trainee |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Total Marks |
|
| Exam Duration |
|
| Total Questions |
|
| Interview Marks | 100 |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Final Merit Ratio | Mains : Interview = 80 : 20 |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2026
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has revised IBPS PO Exam Pattern in the 2026 notification. In the Prelims, the marks distribution for some sections has been changed. In the Mains, the number of objective questions has increased; for example, the Banking Awareness section now has more weightage.
- Updated Pattern for IBPS PO Prelims Examination: This test will contain 100 questions of 100 marks in total, which will be held for 60 minutes. The test will have 30 questions from English Language (30 marks), 35 questions from Quantitative Aptitude (30 marks) and 35 questions from Reasoning Ability (40 marks).
- IBPS PO Mains Revised Exam Pattern: The objective test now contains 170 questions instead of the previous 145, though the total objective marks remain 200.
| Stage | Format | Marks / Detail |
| Prelims | Objective, online | 100 marks — qualifying only, not counted in final merit |
| Mains | Objective + Descriptive | 225 marks (200 objective + 25 descriptive) |
| Interview | Personal interview | 100 marks; min. 40% to qualify (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD) |
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO Preliminary Exam tests candidates' basic knowledge of math, reasoning and English. Each section has separate timing and candidates need to clear each section to qualify the exam. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. Check the marking scheme of the IBPS PO Phase 1 Exam below.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO Mains Exam includes 2 sections: Objective and Descriptive Test. Candidates need to clear both sections to appear for the interview. This year, there is a slight change in the marking scheme of the IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern. Check the table below to know the revised exam pattern.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Medium | Duration |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness (incl. RBI circulars) | 50 | 60 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | English | 35 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| Objective Total | 170 (revised) | 200 | — | 160 minutes (revised) |
| Descriptive Paper (Essay + Letter) | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
IBPS PO Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
The IBPS PO Syllabus for the Prelims and Mains examination is given below. Candidates must know the syllabus before starting their preparation journey to prepare effectively for the examination. Click on the link provided here to download the IBPS PO 2026 syllabus PDF.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus
The IBPS PO prelims syllabus includes the list of topics that will come from reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English Language. Check the topic-wise IBPS PO syllabus for Prelims exam below.
IBPS PO Syllabus for Reasoning Ability
- Alphanumeric Series
- Ranking
- Direction
- Coded Inequality
- Inequality
- Puzzle
- Syllogism
- Data Sufficiency
- Seating Arrangement
- Blood Relation
- Input Output
- Coding Decoding
- Tabulation
- Alphabet Test
IBPS PO Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude
- Number System
- Time and Work
- Percentage
- Simple Interest
- Simplification and Approximation
- Profit and Loss
- Average
- Data Interpretation
- Decimal Fractions
- Age Problems
- HCF and LCM
- Time and Distance
- Ratio and Proportion
- Compound Interest
- Partnership
IBPS PO Syllabus for English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Paragraph Completion
- Cloze Test
- Multiple Meaning / Error Spotting
- Miscellaneous
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Tense
- Active & Passive Voice
- Substitution
- Adjectives
- Idioms & Phrases
- Preposition
- Articles
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus
The IBPS PO Mains Exam is the most important stage of the selection process. The mains stage carries 80% marks in the merit list. The IBPS PO syllabus for mains consists of subjects such as Reasoning, English, Mathematics, General & Banking Awareness and Computer Aptitude.
IBPS PO Syllabus for English
The IBPS PO English Syllabus includes Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Comprehension, etc. Check the IBPS PO Mains Syllabus for the English language.
| Subject | IBPS PO Syllabus Topics |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension |
| Grammar | |
| Editing | |
| Vocabulary | |
| Verbal Ability | |
| Fill in the blanks |
IBPS PO Syllabus for General Awareness
IBPS PO 2026 Syllabus for General Awareness (GA) section covers current affairs, banking and financial awareness and many more. Candidates should stay updated with national and international news, economics, banking policies, and other important events. Below we have listed important topics under IBPS PO GA syllabus.
| Subject | IBPS PO Syllabus Topics |
| General/ Economy/Banking/ Financial Awareness | Financial Awareness |
| General Knowledge | |
| Current Affairs | |
| Basic Economics | |
| Banking Terms & Definitions | |
| Economic Indices | |
| Economic Theories | |
| Latest Banking Regulation & Developments | |
| Financial Awareness | |
| Economy | |
| Banking Awareness |
IBPS PO Reasoning Syllabus
The IBPS PO Syllabus 2026 for Reasoning section requires strong Problem-Solving Skills. Given below, you can check complete reasoning topics that come in the mains exam.
| Subject | IBPS PO Syllabus Topics |
| Reasoning | Syllogism |
| Verbal Reasoning | |
| Input Output | |
| Double lineup | |
| Linear Seating Arrangement | |
| Blood Relation | |
| Scheduling | |
| Circular Seating Arrangement | |
| Ordering & Ranking | |
| Coding & Decoding | |
| Direction & Distance | |
| Data Sufficiency |
IBPS PO Syllabus for Digital Awareness
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus for Digital Awareness requires good knowledge of computer operations, new trends in the technology field to score good marks in the Computer Aptitude section.
| Subject | IBPS PO Syllabus Topics |
| Digital Awareness | Internet |
| Keyboard shortcuts | |
| Microsoft office | |
| Memory | |
| Computer Hardware | |
| Computer Abbreviation | |
| Operating system | |
| Computer Fundamentals | |
| Computer Software | |
| Networking | |
| Technologies |
IBPS PO Syllabus Data Interpretation and Analysis
The IBPS PO Mains Syllabus for Data Interpretation & Analysis has been revised for the 2026 cycle. Candidates now have to practice higher-level DI topics like caselet-heavy DI. Check the table below to know the topics.
| Subject | IBPS PO Syllabus Topics |
| Data Interpretation & Analysis | Average |
| Percentage | |
| Data Interpretation | |
| Mensuration | |
| Geometry | |
| Simplification | |
| Quadratic equation | |
| Age | |
| Number Series | |
| Profit & Loss | |
| Interest | |
| Speed, distance & time | |
| Linear equation | |
| Permutation & Combination | |
| Mixture & Allegation | |
| Probability |
IBPS PO Syllabus for Descriptive Section
IBPS PO descriptive paper is only for those who secure the minimum qualifying marks in the objective test. It consists of 2 essay-type questions for 25 marks. Candidates can check some of the expected topics for Essay Writing and Letter Writing below.
- Global Warming and its Causes
- Merger of banks
- Indian Banking System
- The present economic condition of India
- Reasons for the present condition of Sri Lanka
- Russia- Ukraine War
- Is war the solution for all? Express your views for or against the motion
- Public vs Private sector banks
- India and United States of America trade relations
- Green Hydrogen Policy and your views
- Electric Vehicles in India
- India – the new global power
- Export-Import policy of India
- Expected Topics for Letters
- Write a letter to the Superintendent of Police of your district suggesting steps to make the police department more approachable
- Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper about the stray animal problem getting out of hand in your locality.
- Write a letter to the branch manager of your bank to conduct a campaign in your area to create awareness about the benefits of KYC.
- Write a letter to an editor on types of pollution and on the ways of tackling them.
- Write a letter to the GM of a Bank for Failure transaction on UPI.
- Write a letter to your favorite author about her recent bestseller.
IBPS PO Syllabus Topic-wise Weightage
Below we’ve provided the IBPS PO topic-wise weightage based on previous year trends. Candidates can check this to prepare accordingly for the examination.
| Section | High-Frequency Topics | Priority |
| Reasoning | Puzzles & Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Inequality | High |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data Interpretation, Simplification/Approximation, Arithmetic (SI/CI, P&L, Averages) | High |
| English | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting | Medium-High |
| Mains Reasoning | Complex Puzzles, Machine Input-Output, Coded Direction & Distance | High |
| Mains DI | Caselet DI, Tabular DI, Data Sufficiency | High |
| General Awareness | Banking current affairs, RBI policy rates, government schemes | Medium-High |
How to Prepare for IBPS PO Exam 2026?
Just studying normally without any proper preparation strategy won’t help in cracking the IBPS PO Exam. There should be a proper study plan to prepare for this exam. The best way to prepare for IBPS PO is as follows:
- Dedicate 40 minutes regularly for the General Awareness section.
- Solve IBPS PO Previous Year Papers and IBPS PO Mock Test on a regular basis to evaluate your performance.
- Practice for the descriptive test regularly.
- Solve the Questions in the mock tests in the given time limit.
- Focus on concept building specially for the Mental Aptitude section.
- Focus on high-weightage topics and practice on a regular basis.