Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
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Complete and updated IBPS PO Syllabus 2026 for Prelims & Mains including the latest exam pattern, negative marking details, and newly added topics like Digital & Financial Awareness.
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All India
Salary / Pay Scale
As per Rules
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What's New in IBPS PO Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026?
According to the latest IBPS PO 2026 notification, candidates should note the following updates before starting their preparation:
- The selection process now includes a mandatory Personality Test before the Interview.
- The General Awareness section in the Main Examination has been expanded to include Digital & Financial Awareness, including RBI Circulars.
- The Descriptive Paper now consists of Essay and Comprehension Writing for 25 marks.
- The Main Examination comprises 170 objective questions carrying 200 marks, followed by the Descriptive Paper.
Candidates should prepare according to the latest exam structure mentioned in the official notification to avoid relying on outdated exam patterns or previous-year information.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2026 Overview
Before starting preparation, candidates should understand the complete IBPS PO syllabus and exam pattern. Knowing the subjects, marking scheme, and selection stages helps aspirants prepare a focused study plan and allocate sufficient time to each section.
The syllabus is divided into two written stages:
- Preliminary Examination – Qualifying stage
- Main Examination – Merit-deciding stage
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test and Interview, after which the final merit list is prepared in accordance with IBPS guidelines.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | IBPS PO/MT 2026 |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Personality Test → Interview |
| Prelims Subjects | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability |
| Mains Subjects | Reasoning, Data Analysis & Interpretation, English Language, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, Digital & Financial Awareness, Descriptive Paper |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2026 (Latest)
As per the latest IBPS PO 2026 Notification, the recruitment process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Personality Test & Interview
Candidates must qualify at each stage to become eligible for the next phase. The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature for shortlisting candidates to the Main Examination, while the marks obtained in the Main Examination and Interview are considered for final selection.
The examination is conducted entirely in online mode. Both Prelims and Mains include sectional timing, and there is a negative marking of one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to each question for every incorrect answer.
IBPS PO Selection Process 2026
The IBPS PO 2026 recruitment process consists of the following stages:
| Stage | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination | Screening Test |
| Main Examination | Merit Stage |
| Personality Test | Personality Assessment |
| Interview | Final Assessment |
| Final Merit List | Based on Main Examination + Interview |
What's New in 2026? IBPS has officially introduced a Personality Test before the Interview, making the selection process more comprehensive. Candidates qualifying in the Main Examination will first undergo the Personality Test before appearing for the Common Interview.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The Preliminary Examination is conducted to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. It consists of three objective sections with separate sectional timing.
| Subject | 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 |
Important Points
- Online objective examination
- Sectional timing is applicable
- Candidates must qualify each section
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks
- Prelims marks are used for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Main Examination evaluates candidates across reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English language, and awareness-related subjects. According to the latest notification, the General Awareness section now explicitly includes Digital & Financial Awareness and RBI Circulars.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness / Digital & Financial Awareness (including RBI Circulars) | 50 | 60 | 35 Minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 35 Minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Objective Total | 170 | 200 | 160 Minutes |
Descriptive Test
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay & Letter Writing | 2 | 25 | 30 Minutes |
The Descriptive Test is conducted online immediately after the Objective Test. Candidates are required to type their responses in English.
IBPS PO Prelims vs Mains Exam Pattern
| Feature | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Online | Online |
| Question Type | Objective | Objective + Descriptive |
| Total Questions | 100 | 170 + 2 Descriptive |
| Total Marks | 100 | 225 |
| Duration | 60 Minutes | 190 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.25) | Yes (0.25) |
| Purpose | Screening | Final Merit |
Is IBPS PO Exam MCQ or Written?
This is one of the most searched questions among aspirants. The IBPS PO Preliminary Examination is completely objective and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
The Main Examination contains two parts:
- Objective multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Descriptive Test comprising one Essay and one Letter Writing task, which candidates must type on the computer.
Therefore, the IBPS PO examination includes both MCQ and written (descriptive) components, but only in the Main Examination.
Negative Marking in IBPS PO Exam
IBPS follows a negative marking scheme in both the Preliminary and Main Objective Examinations.
- 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
- No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
Candidates should avoid random guessing and attempt questions with reasonable accuracy to maximise their scores.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2026
The IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2026 is designed to assess candidates' aptitude, reasoning ability, and English language skills. According to the latest IBPS PO Notification 2026, the Preliminary Examination consists of three sections—English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Candidates must prepare all three sections thoroughly, as the exam includes sectional timing and cut-offs.
Although the Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature, clearing it is mandatory to appear for the IBPS PO Mains Exam. A balanced preparation strategy covering fundamentals, speed, and accuracy is essential to score well.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus for English Language
The English Language section evaluates a candidate's grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and verbal ability. It carries 30 questions for 30 marks and must be completed within 20 minutes.
| Topic | Expected Coverage |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Inference-based and factual passages |
| Cloze Test | Vocabulary and grammar-based questions |
| Error Detection | Grammar and sentence correction |
| Sentence Improvement | Usage of grammar rules |
| Fill in the Blanks | Vocabulary and contextual understanding |
| Para Jumbles | Rearranging sentences logically |
| Word Swap & Phrase Replacement | Correct word usage, Grammar and vocabulary |
| Column-Based Matching | Sentence pairing questions |
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section measures numerical ability, arithmetic concepts, and data interpretation skills. It consists of 35 questions carrying 30 marks, to be completed in 20 minutes.
- Simplification & Approximation: BODMAS, Decimal & Fraction, Square & Cube Roots, Percentage.
- Number Series: Missing Number Series, Wrong Number Series, Double Pattern Series.
- Arithmetic: Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Ratio & Proportion, Partnership, Average, Time & Work, Pipes & Cistern, Time Speed & Distance, Boat & Stream, Ages, Mixture & Alligation, Probability, Permutation & Combination, Mensuration, Number System.
- Data Interpretation: Table DI, Bar Graph, Line Graph, Pie Chart, Caselet DI, Mixed Graphs.
- Quadratic Equations & Data Sufficiency.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus for Reasoning Ability
The Reasoning Ability section tests logical thinking, analytical skills, and decision-making ability. It includes 35 questions for 40 marks, making it the highest-scoring section.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Seating Arrangement | Linear, Circular, Square, Floor-based |
| Puzzles | Month, Day, Box, Floor, Scheduling |
| Syllogism | Statement and Conclusion |
| Inequality | Direct and Coded |
| Coding-Decoding | New Pattern & Chinese Coding |
| Blood Relations | Family Tree-based Questions |
| Direction, Distance & Ranking | Logical Movement, Position-based Questions |
| Input-Output & Data Sufficiency | Machine Input, Two/Three Statement Questions |
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2026
The Main Examination evaluates candidates on analytical ability, banking awareness, data interpretation, reasoning skills, English language proficiency, and writing skills.
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
Important Topics: Seating Arrangement (Circular, Linear, Square, Rectangular, Floor Based), Puzzles (Month, Day, Box, Scheduling, Variable), Logical Reasoning (Statement & Assumption/Conclusion, Cause & Effect), Input-Output, Syllogism, Inequalities, Coding-Decoding (Chinese/New Pattern), Data Sufficiency.
Computer Aptitude: Basics of Computers, Internet, Networking, Memory Devices, Operating Systems.
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Important Topics: Data Interpretation (Table, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Bar Graph, Mixed), Caselet DI (Missing Data, Paragraph Based), Arithmetic DI (Profit & Loss, SI-CI, Partnership), Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Data Sufficiency, Quantity Comparison (Q1 vs Q2), Probability, Permutation & Combination, Mensuration.
English Language
Important Topics: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Error Detection, Sentence Improvement/Rearrangement, Connectors, Word Usage, Inference-Based Questions.
General, Economy & Banking Awareness
Important Topics: Banking & Financial Awareness, RBI Circulars, Monetary Policy, Current Affairs (National & International), Economy & Budget, Government Schemes, Banking Terminology, Awards, Books, Sports, Reports & Indexes.
IBPS PO Descriptive Test 2026
The Descriptive Test evaluates writing ability, grammar, coherence, vocabulary, and presentation skills. Candidates are required to write one Essay and one Letter. (Total 25 Marks, 30 Minutes).
Subject-wise Weightage of IBPS PO Mains
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: High Difficulty
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: High Difficulty
- Banking Awareness: Moderate Difficulty
- English Language: Moderate Difficulty
- Descriptive Test: Moderate Difficulty
How to Download Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Syllabus 2026
- Scroll to the "Important Links" section below.
- Click on the "Download Syllabus" link.
- The official syllabus PDF will download to your device.
- Review the exam pattern and detailed syllabus topics.