IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026, Pattern Revised This Year
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IBPS PO exam is conducted in three stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview. To crack the exam, you need a thorough understanding of the IBPS PO syllabus and exam pattern. This article covers the complete IBPS PO 2026 syllabus with subject-wise topics, updated exam pattern tables, descriptive test details, and the best preparation strategy.
IBPS PO Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS PO prelims exam consists of Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language, while the Mains exam adds advanced Data Analysis, Banking Awareness, Computer Aptitude, and Descriptive English. As per the latest update, the number of questions in the mains exam has been increased from 145 to 170.
| IBPS PO Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026- Overview | |
| Exam Name | IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Duration of Exam | Prelims- 60 minutes Mains- 190 minutes |
| No. of Questions | Prelims- 100 Mains- 172 |
| Marks | Prelims- 100 Mains- 225 (200+25) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks |
What's Changed in IBPS PO Exam Pattern?
There are changes announced in IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern. Earlier, there were 145 questions (objective) which has been now increased to 170. However, the total marks remained same i.e. 200.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2026
To ace the IBPS PO 2026 exam, it is really necessary to know the detailed IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus. The syllabus is a bit different for the IBPS PO Preliminary Exam and the IBPS PO 2026 Mains Exam. Let’s have a look at the exam pattern and syllabus of both these phases (prelims and mains exams).
Preliminary Exam Pattern
- The preliminary exam is a screening test, marks are NOT counted in the final merit.
- Candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs to qualify for Mains.
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks
| Name of Tests (Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum 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 2026 Notification Out 6715 Posts- Click to Check
Mains Exam Pattern (NEW)
The Mains Exam carries maximum weightage in the final selection. The main exam is based on MCQs & a descriptive paper. There are 172 questions for 225 marks. Check all details below.
- Descriptive Paper: Essay + Comprehension (25 marks, 30 minutes)
- Total objective duration: 160 minutes
- Total exam duration (including descriptive): 190 minutes (3 hrs 10 min)
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to the objective test only
| Name of test | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Time Allotted | Medium of Exam |
| Reasoning | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes | English & Hindi |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes | English only |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 40 | 60 | 45 minutes | English & Hindi |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness/Digital/ Financial Awareness, including RBI circulars | 50 | 60 | 25 minutes | English & Hindi |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 160 minutes | |
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 02 | 25 | 30 minutes | English |
Penalty for Wrong Answers:
0.25 marks will be deducted for every question attempted wrongly by a candidate in both the IBPS PO 2026 preliminary and mains exams. There will be no deduction of marks for a question left blank/unattempted by a candidate.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2026
The preliminary exam syllabus for all three sections, reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English language, is discussed below.
| Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning | English Language |
| Simplification | Logical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension |
| Profit & Loss | Alphanumeric Series | Cloze Test |
| Mixtures & Allegations | Ranking / Direction / Alphabet Test | Para Jumbles |
| Simple Interest & Compound Interest | Data Sufficiency | Word Usage & Word Swap |
| Surds & Indices | Inequalities | Fill in the Blanks |
| Work & Time | Puzzle & Seating Arrangement | Error Detection & Error Spotting |
| Time & Distance | Pair Formation | Paragraph Completion |
| Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Tabulation | One Word Substitution |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | Syllogism | Synonyms and Antonyms |
| Ratio & Proportion, Percentage | Blood Relations | Single & Double Filler |
| Number Systems | Input-Output | |
| Sequence & Series | Coding-Decoding | |
| Permutation, Combination & Probability | Missing Series | |
| Quadratic Equation | Odd One Out |
Q. What type of DI questions are asked in the IBPS PO 2026 exam?
Ans: Data Interpretation (DI) questions can be asked from Table DI, Bar DI, caselet DI & Pie Chart.
Q. What Type Seating Arrangement & Puzzles questions are asked in IBPS PO exam?
- Circle Seating Arrangement
- Linear seating Arrangement
- Designation Based puzzle
- Floor-Based Puzzle
- Box-Based Puzzle
- Parallel row seating arrangement
- Square/Rectangular Arrangement
- Floor & Flat Puzzle
- Day/Date/Month Puzzle
- Year/Age Puzzle
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2026
IBPS PO Mains tests deeper conceptual clarity. The syllabus is broader than Prelims and includes computer aptitude (clubbed with reasoning) and a GA/banking awareness section additionally.
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Syllabus
- Complex Puzzles
- Circular Seating Arrangement
- Linear Seating Arrangement
- Double Lineup
- Scheduling
- Syllogism
- Input-Output
- Code Inequalities
- Blood Relations
- Directions & Distances
- Ordering & Ranking
- Data Sufficiency
- Verbal Reasoning
- Coding-Decoding
- Computer Fundamentals
- Operating Systems
- MS Office
- Computer Hardware & Software
- Networking Basics
- Internet & Keyboard Shortcuts
- Computer Abbreviations
- Memory
Data Analysis & Interpretation Syllabus
- Data Interpretation (DI)
- Caselet DI
- Missing DI
- Simplification
- Average
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Mixture & Allegations
- Quadratic Equations
- Interest (SI & CI)
- Problems of Ages
- Profit & Loss
- Number Series
- Speed, Distance & Time
- Time & Work
- Mensuration & Geometry
- Number System
- Data Sufficiency
- Linear Equations
- Permutation, Combination & Probability
General/Economy/Banking Awareness (incl. Digital & Financial Awareness + RBI Circulars)
| Banking Awareness Syllabus | |
| Banking Awareness | Banking Reforms & History RBI Functions & Reports Monetary Policy (Repo, CRR, SLR, Reverse Repo) RBI Circulars & Guidelines NABARD, SEBI, SIDBI, NHB Financial Institutions (IMF, World Bank, ADB) Digital Banking (UPI, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS) Insurance Basics (IRDA, LIC, GIC) Banking Abbreviations & Terminologies Important Committees & Reports |
| Economy & Finance | Budget & Economic Survey GDP, GNP, Inflation, Deflation Fiscal Policy & Taxation Capital Markets & Money Markets Government Schemes & Initiatives Financial Products (Bonds, Mutual Funds) International Reports & Indices FinTech & Digital Payment Systems |
| Current Affairs & Static GK | National & International Current Affairs Sports, Awards, Books & Authors Summits & Conferences National Parks & Sanctuaries Countries, Capitals & Currencies Important Days & Events Appointments & Resignations Science & Technology News |
Tip: The GA section carries 50 marks in Mains. Focus on the last 6 months of banking/financial current affairs, RBI circulars, and government schemes. This section can be your score booster, as it requires no calculation.
English Language Syllabus
- Reading Comprehension (RC)
- Vocabulary (Contextual)
- Grammar
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Error Detection
- Sentence Improvement
- Word Swap
- Column-Based Questions
- Sentence Connectors
- Phrase Replacement
- Idioms & Phrases
- Para Completion
- One Word Substitution
IBPS PO Descriptive Test 2026
A descriptive paper has been introduced in IBPS PO Mains 2026, similar to SBI PO. Candidates must score the minimum cut-off in the descriptive section for it to count in merit.
| Particular | Details |
| Type | Essay + Comprehension/Letter Writing |
| No. of Questions | 2 |
| Total Marks | 25 |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
| Medium | English Only |
| Topics | Economic & Social Issues, Emerging Trends in Banking, Technology, Current Events, Ethics |
IBPS PO 2026 Interview Process
IBPS finally calls candidates for the interview process who qualify for the Mains exam. The interview process will constitute 100 marks, and the minimum marks for qualifying this round will be 40%, which is reduced to 35% for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PWD categories.
Final Selection
The final selection of the candidate for the post of Probationary Officer will be made by taking into consideration the cumulative score of the Mains Exam and the interview process. The weightage of both these phases of examination will be in the ratio 80:20, respectively. A merit list will be generated after the Interview Process of the IBPS PO 2026 Exam has been conducted. Candidates who make it to the list will be thus offered the joining letter by the Bank of their choice.