The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Common Recruitment Process (CRP-PO/MT-XIII) to recruit Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) for various public sector banks in India.
The selection process is divided into three phases:
- Preliminary Examination (Online)
- Main Examination (Online)
- Interview Process
Candidates need to clear all three phases to be considered for final selection. Below is a subject-wise breakdown of the IBPS PO syllabus 2024 along with important topics.
Phase I: IBPS PO Preliminary Examination
The IBPS PO Prelims is a qualifying test, and candidates must secure the cut-off marks to be shortlisted for the Mains Examination.
Exam Pattern for IBPS PO Prelims
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Subject-Wise Syllabus for IBPS PO Prelims
1. English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Para Jumbles
- Idioms and Phrases
- Sentence Completion
2. Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Series
- Simplification & Approximation
- Data Interpretation (Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Tabular Data)
- Quadratic Equations
- Percentage, Ratio & Proportion
- Time & Work, Time & Distance
- Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest
- Probability & Permutation Combination
- Average & Ages
- Mixture & Allegation
3. Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles (Seating Arrangement, Box-Based, Floor-Based, etc.)
- Syllogism
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Inequality
- Input-Output
- Logical Reasoning
- Order & Ranking
Phase II: IBPS PO Mains Examination
Candidates who qualify for the Preliminary Exam will be eligible to appear for the Mains Examination.
Exam Pattern for IBPS PO Mains
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language (Essay & Letter Writing) | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 157 | 225 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
Subject-Wise Syllabus for IBPS PO Mains
1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Logical & Analytical Reasoning
- Statement & Assumptions
- Course of Action
- Input-Output
- Coding-Decoding
- Puzzles & Seating Arrangements
- Data Sufficiency
- Blood Relations
- Syllogism
- Internet & Network Security
- Computer Memory & Storage
- MS Office & Shortcuts
- Basics of Operating Systems
2. General / Economy / Banking Awareness
- Current Affairs (Last 6 Months)
- Indian Economy (Budget, GDP, Inflation, Fiscal Policy)
- Banking & Financial Awareness
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Policies
- Static General Knowledge (Important Days, Books & Authors, Countries & Capitals)
- Government Schemes
- Financial Institutions (IMF, World Bank, ADB)
- Banking Terms & Abbreviations
3. English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Correction
- Error Spotting
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms)
- Fill in the Blanks
- Sentence Rearrangement
4. Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Data Sufficiency
- Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs
- Caselet DI
- Probability
- Permutations & Combinations
- Time & Work
- Speed, Distance & Time
- Profit, Loss & Discount
5. English Language (Essay & Letter Writing)
- Essay Topics:
- Banking and Economy
- Social Issues
- Financial Inclusion
- Technology in Banking
- Digital India
- Government Schemes
- Letter Writing:
- Formal and Informal Letters
- Complaint Letters
- Application Letters
Phase III: IBPS PO Interview Process
After clearing the Mains Examination, candidates will be called for a Personal Interview conducted by Participating Banks. The interview carries 100 marks, and candidates must score at least 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates) to qualify.
Interview Process Details
- Conducted by Participating Banks & IBPS
- Based on Banking, Economy, Current Affairs, and Personality Assessment
- Questions on Personal Background, Career Goals, Financial System, and Role of PO
- Candidates must bring all required documents for verification
The final selection is made based on the combined score of Mains and Interview, with the weightage of Mains (80%) and Interview (20%).
FAQs on IBPS PO Syllabus
1. Is there a sectional cut-off in IBPS PO?
Yes, candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs in Prelims and Mains to qualify.
2. Is the IBPS PO Mains exam tougher than Prelims?
Yes, the Mains exam is more challenging, with complex reasoning, data analysis, and in-depth banking awareness.
3. How can I prepare for the General Awareness section?
Read newspapers daily, follow current affairs websites, and revise banking and economic terms regularly.
4. How important is the Interview stage?
The interview holds 20% weightage, and good performance can significantly boost your final ranking.
5. Is there negative marking in IBPS PO?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains.