IBPS PO Syllabus, Exam Pattern and
Syllabus 2025
IBPS PO Exam is conducted every year by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to select eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officers in different public sector banks in India. IBPS PO exam has been conducted every year since 2011, and in 2025 this would be the 15th edition. IBPS CRP PO/MT CRPF-XV 2025 is for the selection of candidates for 11 public sector banks. IBPS PO Prelims, Mains, and Interview will be 3rd & last stage of the selection process to recruit candidates for Probationary Officer vacancies.
The number of vacancies and complete details for IBPS PO 2025 Recruitment will be announced with the release of the official notification, which will be available at www.ibps.in. IBPS PO 2025 exam will be conducted at various locations throughout India and in online mode only.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2025
IBPS has previously released the updated IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern for both prelims and mains exam. Unlike every year, this year also, IBPS will release huge vacancies for Clerical Cadre posts to be filled in 11 participating banks. If you are planning to prepare for IBPS PO 2025 Exam then you must be looking for the latest exam pattern and syllabus. Check the updated IBPS PO syllabus & exam pattern in this post below. IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 is very much the same as any other Bank Exam. The major three sections on which a candidate needs a complete command to ace the preliminary exam for IBPS PO.
- Reasoning
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
When a candidate clears the Preliminary Exam, he/she must start preparing for the phase 2 exam. The Mains Examination of IBPS PO 2025 consists of 4 sections which are mentioned below:
- Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
- General/ Financial Awareness
IBPS PO Exam Overview
Below table presents the highlights of the IBPS PO exam and its selection process.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
|
Organization Name |
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection
|
|
Exam |
IBPS PO |
|
Mode of Exam |
Online |
|
Post Name |
Probationary Officer |
|
Category |
Syllabus |
|
Age Criteria |
20 years to 28 years |
|
Selection Process |
a) Preliminary Exam b) Mains Exam c) Interview—Final selection round |
|
Negative Marking |
-0.25 marks |
|
Location |
All India Level |
|
Vacancy |
To Be Notified |
|
Educational Qualification |
Graduate in any discipline |
|
Application Fee |
SC/ST/PWD- Rs. 175/- General and Others- Rs. 850/- |
|
Participating Banks |
11 |
|
Official Site |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 outlines the structure of the examination, including the number of questions, marking scheme, duration, and sectional weightage. Candidates preparing for the IBPS Probationary Officer (PO) exam must be familiar with the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages to enhance their preparation strategy. The IBPS PO selection process is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Exam—Qualifying in nature
- Mains Exam—Determines merit ranking
- Interview—Final selection round
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The preliminary exam consists of three sections with a total of 100 questions. The exam is objective (MCQ-based) and has a sectional time limit for each part.
- Each correct answer carries one mark.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer.
- Candidates must qualify in each section to proceed to Mains.
Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS. An adequate number of candidates in each category as decided by IBPS depending upon requirements will be shortlisted for the Online Main examination. This exam is qualifying in nature and marks scored will not be counted in preparing merit list.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
|
Mode of exam |
Online |
|
Types of question |
Objective type questions |
|
Sections |
3 (English Language, Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability ) |
|
Maximum Marks |
100 marks (Qualifying in nature) |
|
Duration of Exam |
60 minutes |
|
Marking Scheme |
For every correct answer : +1 marks For every wrong answer : -0.25 marks |
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 in detail
| S. No. | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
English Language |
30 |
30 Marks |
20 Minutes |
|
2 |
Numerical Ability |
35 |
35 Marks |
20 Minutes |
|
3 |
Reasoning Ability |
35 |
35 Marks |
20 Minutes |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
60 minutes / 1 Hour |
|
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
The IBPO PO Main exam is also conducted online, it has 5 (4+1) sections with a total score of 200+25 marks and a total duration of 180+30 minutes. IBPS will be conducting a descriptive paper in its mains exam for the selection of candidates for the post of Probationary Officer. The sections must be attempted in the same order and the allotted time as mandated at the time of the exam. A candidate has to clear both preliminary and mains examinations to be eligible for the interview process.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
|
Duration of exam |
180+30 Minutes |
|
Types of question |
Objective type questions |
|
Mode of exam |
Online |
|
Maximum marks |
200+25 marks |
|
Marking scheme |
Negative marking : -0.25 for every wrong answer |
|
Sections |
4 (Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Reasoning Ability, General/ Financial Awareness) |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025 in Detail
| S. No. | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude |
45 |
60 |
60 Minutes |
|
2 |
English Language |
35 |
40 |
40 Minutes |
|
3 |
Data Analysis & Interpretation |
35 |
60 |
45 Minutes |
|
4 |
General Economy & Banking Awareness |
40 |
40 |
35 Minutes |
|
Total |
155 |
200 |
180 Minutes |
|
|
5 |
English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) |
2 |
25 |
30 Minutes |
Penalty for Wrong Answers: There is a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests of both Preliminary and Mains exams. A wrong answer to an objective question by the candidate will lead to a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question. For example, 0.25 marks will be deducted as a penalty for a wrong answer to a question that carries 1 mark. There will be no penalty for leaving a question blank, i.e. if no answer is marked by the candidate.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 for Prelims and Mains Exam
The syllabus for Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude and English Language is the same for mains and preliminary exams. In addition to these two, the other subjects are General / Financial Awareness and Reasoning & Computer Knowledge. General Awareness is based on the Banking Sector awareness.
IBPS PO Syllabus Prelims 2025:
IBPS exam syllabus is no different from any other bank exam. While IBPS issues only the broad subjects, they can be further subdivided into individual topics, based on the questions that have appeared in the exams over the past few years. The IBPS PO Syllabus is divided into two parts:
| English Language | Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
|
Homonyms Antonyms Synonyms Word Formation Spelling Spotting Errors Idioms and Phrases Direct and Indirect Speech Active/Passive Voice Theme Detection Passage Completion Topic rearrangement of Passage Deriving Conclusion Cloze Test Para Jumbles Reading Comprehension Miscellaneous Fill in the Blanks Sentence Improvement |
Ratio and proportion Averages Time and work Ages Speed Distance and time Mixture and allegation Percentages Partnership Permutation and combinations Simple and compound interest Probability Profit Loss and Discount Problem on Trains Boat and Stream Mensuration Data Interpretation Simplifications Number Series Quadratic Equations |
Word formation Syllogism Analytical Reasoning Coding-Decoding Blood Relations Passage and conclusions Alphabet test Alphanumeric Series Order and Ranking Direction sense Test Data Sufficiency Decision-making test Input/output Assertion and reasoning Sitting Arrangement Inequality Puzzles Series test Miscellaneous Test |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Syllabus 2025:
The IBPS PO Mains Exam consists of four major sections: Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, and English Language. The Mains exam is more challenging than the Preliminary exam, requiring in-depth conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills. Below is the detailed section-wise syllabus for the Mains examination
|
Data Analysis & Interpretation |
Reasoning |
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness |
English Language | Computer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Simplification |
Verbal Reasoning |
Current Affairs |
Reading Comprehension |
Basics of Computer |
|
Average |
Syllogism |
Financial Awareness |
Idioms & Phrases |
History of Computers |
|
Percentage |
Circular Seating Arrangement |
Governemnt Schemes & Policies |
Verbal Ability |
Operating Systems |
|
Mixtures and Allegations |
Linear Seating Arrangement |
Static Awareness |
Vocabulary |
Internet and Networking |
|
Ratio and Percentage |
Double Lineup |
Budget & Economic Survey |
Sentence Improvement |
Computer Hardware and Software |
|
Data Interpretation |
Scheduling |
Banking Awareness |
Word Association |
Memory and Storage Devices |
|
Probability |
Input Output |
Importatnt Appointments & Resignations |
Para Jumbles |
Microsoft Office |
|
Data Sufficiency |
Blood Relations |
Books and Authors |
Error Spotting |
Keyboard Shortcuts |
|
Mensuration and Geometry |
Direction and Sense |
Award and Honors |
Cloze Test |
Computer Abbreviations |
|
Permutation and Combination |
Order and Ranking |
Science and Technology Departments |
Fill in the blanks |
Data Representation |
|
Quadratic Equation |
Data Sufficiency |
Obituaries |
One Word Substitution |
Computer Security |
|
Simple and Compound Interest |
Coding and Decoding |
Defence News |
Phrase Replacement |
Basics of Programming |
|
Profit and Loss |
Coded Inequalities |
International Organizations |
Active & Passive Voice |
|
|
Number Series |
Course of Action |
RBI Policies & Reports |
Direct & Indirect Speech |
|
|
Speed, Distance and Time |
Critical Reasoning |
|
Sentence Completion |
|
|
Problems on Age |
Decision Making |
|
||
|
Time and Work |
|
|||
|
Linear Equations |
IBPS PO Interview Process
Candidates who qualify the Main Exam are shortlisted for the interview, which assesses their personality, communication skills, and suitability for the banking sector.
- Total Marks: 100
- Qualifying Marks: 40% for General category; 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates
- Assessment Areas: Banking knowledge, current affairs, communication skills, leadership qualities, and problem-solving abilities
IBPS PO Final Selection Criteria
The final selection of candidates for the Probationary Officer post is based on the combined performance in the Main Exam and Interview.
Mains Exam Weightage: 80%
- Interview Weightage: 20%
- Candidates who rank high in the merit list are selected as Probationary Officers (POs).
Relatable Links
| Relatable links, click to follow | |
|---|---|
|
IBPS PO Previous Year Question Paper |
|
|
IBPS Calendar 2025 |
|
|
IBPS PO Mock Tests |
Mock Test
IBPS Clerk Mock Test
SBI Clerk Mock Test
Latest Courses
Courses launching soon
IBPS PO Course
SBI PO Course
GPSC Screening Course