The IBPS PO is one of the most prestigious banking exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants apply for this exam to secure a stable and high-paying job in the banking sector. To crack this exam, understanding the latest syllabus and exam pattern is the first and most important step.
In this blog, we will cover the complete IBPS PO syllabus (Prelims + Mains + Interview) in a simple and structured way.
IBPS PO Selection Process
The IBPS PO exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Exam (Qualifying)
- Mains Exam (Final Merit)
- Interview
Final selection is based on Mains + Interview performance.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus
The Preliminary exam is the first stage and is qualifying in nature. It tests your basic aptitude, speed, and accuracy.
Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
English Language Topics
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the blanks
- Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
Quantitative Aptitude Topics
- Simplification & Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Speed, Time & Distance
Reasoning Ability Topics
- Seating Arrangement
- Puzzles
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Inequality
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus
The Mains exam is the most important stage as it decides your final selection.
Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| English Language | 35 | 40 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 |
| Descriptive (Essay + Letter) | 2 | 25 |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- High-level puzzles
- Logical reasoning
- Input-output
- Machine input
- Computer basics (Hardware, Software, Internet)
Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Caselet DI
- Data Sufficiency
- Probability
- Permutation & Combination
- Quantity Comparison
General Awareness (Banking Focus)
- Banking terms
- RBI functions
- Monetary policy
- Budget & Economic Survey
- Current affairs (last 6 months)
- Static GK
English Language (Mains Level)
- Advanced Reading Comprehension
- Grammar & Vocabulary
- Sentence Improvement
- Para Completion
Descriptive Paper
- Essay Writing
- Letter Writing (Formal & Informal)
This section tests your writing skills and clarity of thought, which is very important for a banking officer.
IBPS PO Interview
Candidates who clear the Mains exam are called for the Interview.
Key Focus Areas:
- Banking awareness
- Current affairs
- Communication skills
- Confidence and personality
Marking Scheme
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Final Merit:
- Mains = 80%
- Interview = 20%
Preparation Strategy (Expert Tips)
To crack IBPS PO, you need a balanced strategy:
1. For Prelims
Focus on:
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Daily practice
2. For Mains
Focus on:
- Concept clarity
- High-level puzzles & DI
- Current affairs
3. For Interview
Focus on:
- Communication skills
- Banking knowledge
- Confidence