IBPS PO Syllabus 2026 — Prelims & Mains
IBPS PO Prelims has three sections with sectional timing. Mains adds General Awareness, Descriptive English, and higher difficulty Reasoning & DI. Prelims is qualifying only.
Exam pattern
Prelims: 100 Q, 100 marks, 60 min (sectional). Mains: 155 Q + descriptive, ~3 hours.
Prelims — English Language
30 Q · 30 marks · 20 min
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Para jumbles
- Error detection
- Fillers
Prelims — Quantitative Aptitude
35 Q · 35 marks · 20 min
- Simplification
- Number series
- Quadratic equations
- DI
- Arithmetic word problems
Prelims — Reasoning Ability
35 Q · 35 marks · 20 min
- Puzzles
- Seating arrangement
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Blood relation
- Direction
Mains — Additional areas
See notification
- Banking awareness
- Financial awareness
- Static GA
- Descriptive: essay & letter
Preparation tips
- Sectional cut-off in Prelims — never leave one section weak.
- Mains GA: last 6 months banking + RBI circulars.
FAQs
Is IBPS PO Prelims marks counted in final selection?
No. Prelims is qualifying. Final merit uses Mains + Interview.