Ibps Po Papers 2026
Last Updated: March 2026
IBPS PO 2026: Complete Exam Guide, Previous Papers & Preparation Strategy
📋 Table of Contents
- Exam Overview
- Eligibility Criteria
- Exam Pattern
- Syllabus
- Quantitative Aptitude Questions
- Reasoning Questions
- General Awareness Questions
- English Language Questions
- Previous Year Cutoff
- Preparation Strategy
- Recommended Books
- FAQ
Exam Overview
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer (IBPS PO) examination is one of the most competitive banking exams in India. It recruits Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) for public sector banks across India.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Posts Offered | Probationary Officer (PO) / Management Trainee (MT) |
| Participating Banks | 11 Public Sector Banks |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary, Mains, Interview |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
Participating Banks (2026)
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognized by the Government of India
- Candidates in the final year of graduation can apply provisionally
Age Limit (as of application year)
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwD (General): 10 years
- PwD (OBC): 13 years
- PwD (SC/ST): 15 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
- Domicile of J&K (1980-1989): 5 years
Important Notes
- Candidates must possess valid Mark-sheet/Degree Certificate
- Computer literacy is preferred
- Proficiency in the Official Language of the State/UT is desirable
Exam Pattern
Phase 1: Preliminary Examination
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Important:
- Sectional timing is applicable
- Sectional cutoff exists (qualifying in nature)
- 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Prelims score not counted in final merit
Phase 2: Main Examination
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| 2 | General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 3 | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| 4 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours |
Descriptive Test
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter Writing | 1 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Essay Writing | 1 | 25 | |
| Total | 2 | 50 |
Key Points:
- Both objective and descriptive tests are conducted online
- Descriptive test is of qualifying nature (need to score minimum marks)
- 0.25 marks deducted for wrong answers in objective test
Phase 3: Interview
- Marks: 100
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD)
- Tests: Communication skills, Banking awareness, Current affairs, Personality
Final Selection
- Marks secured in Mains + Interview (80:20 ratio)
- Preliminary exam is only qualifying
Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude (Prelims & Mains)
- Simplification/Approximation
- Number Series
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Caselets)
- Data Sufficiency
- Arithmetic: Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Averages, Mixtures & Allegations, Problems on Ages, Boats & Streams, Partnership, Probability
- Permutation & Combination
Reasoning Ability (Prelims)
- Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Order & Ranking
- Alpha-Numeric Series
- Seating Arrangement (Circular, Linear, Square)
- Puzzles (Floor-based, Month/Date-based)
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (Mains)
- All Prelims topics + Advanced Level
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning
- Computer Basics: Hardware, Software, Operating Systems
- Networking & Internet
- DBMS (Basic Concepts)
- Cyber Security (Basic)
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Fill in the Blanks
- Error Detection/Spotting
- Sentence Improvement/Correction
- Para Jumbles/Sentence Rearrangement
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Phrase/Idiom Meaning)
- Word Replacement
- Connectors/Starters
- Paragraph Completion
General/Economy/Banking Awareness
- Current Affairs (National & International - Last 6-8 months)
- Banking & Financial Awareness
- Static GK
- Government Schemes (Banking/Economic focus)
- Important Days
- RBI Guidelines & Notifications
- Monetary Policy
- Banking Terminology
- Financial Markets
- Awards & Honors
- Books & Authors
Quantitative Aptitude Questions
Question 1
Solve: ?² = 45 × 80 ÷ 16 + 15² - 11²
Solution: = 45 × 5 + 225 - 121 = 225 + 225 - 121 = 329 ?² = 329 ? ≈ 18.14 (approx 18)
Question 2
What will come in place of question mark: 12, 18, 30, ?, 84, 138
Solution: Pattern: Add consecutive multiples of 6 12 + 6 = 18 18 + 12 = 30 30 + 18 = 48 48 + 36 = 84 84 + 54 = 138
Question 3
A train 200m long crosses a platform in 30 seconds at 54 km/hr. Find the platform length.
Solution: Speed = 54 × (5/18) = 15 m/s Total distance = Speed × Time = 15 × 30 = 450m Platform length = 450 - 200 = 250m
Question 4
A shopkeeper sells two articles at the same price. On one he gains 20% and on the other he loses 20%. What is his overall profit/loss percentage?
Solution: Using formula: Loss % = (x²/100)% when SP is same = (20²/100) = 4% Loss
Question 5
The difference between compound interest and simple interest on a sum for 2 years at 10% per annum is ₹150. Find the principal.
Solution: Difference = P × (r/100)² 150 = P × (10/100)² 150 = P × 0.01 P = ₹15,000
Question 6
A, B, and C can complete a work in 10, 15, and 30 days respectively. If they work together, how many days will they take?
Solution: LCM of 10, 15, 30 = 30 (Total work) A's efficiency = 3 units/day B's efficiency = 2 units/day C's efficiency = 1 unit/day Total = 6 units/day Time = 30/6 = 5 days
Question 7
The ratio of ages of A and B is 4:5. After 6 years, the ratio will be 5:6. Find A's present age.
Solution: Let present ages be 4x and 5x (4x + 6)/(5x + 6) = 5/6 24x + 36 = 25x + 30 x = 6 A's age = 4 × 6 = 24 years
Question 8
A bag contains 4 red, 5 blue, and 3 green balls. If two balls are drawn at random, what is the probability that both are blue?
Solution: Total balls = 12 Probability = ⁵C₂/¹²C₂ = 10/66 = 5/33
Question 9
A mixture contains milk and water in the ratio 3:1. If 12 liters of water is added, the ratio becomes 3:2. Find the original quantity of mixture.
Solution: Let milk = 3x, water = x 3x/(x + 12) = 3/2 6x = 3x + 36 x = 12 Original mixture = 4x = 48 liters
Question 10
Study the table and answer:
| Year | Sales (in crores) | Profit (in crores) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 200 | 40 |
| 2021 | 250 | 50 |
| 2022 | 300 | 75 |
| 2023 | 400 | 80 |
| 2024 | 500 | 100 |
What is the average profit percentage over the years?
Solution: Profit % = (Profit/Sales) × 100 2020: 20%, 2021: 20%, 2022: 25%, 2023: 20%, 2024: 20% Average = (20 + 20 + 25 + 20 + 20)/5 = 21%
Question 11
If x = 3 + 2√2, find the value of x + 1/x.
Solution: 1/x = 1/(3 + 2√2) = (3 - 2√2)/((3 + 2√2)(3 - 2√2)) = (3 - 2√2)/(9 - 8) = 3 - 2√2 x + 1/x = (3 + 2√2) + (3 - 2√2) = 6
Question 12
A and B invest ₹25000 and ₹35000 respectively in a business. After 4 months, A withdraws ₹5000. After 6 months, B adds ₹5000. If the total profit is ₹46800 after 1 year, find B's share.
Solution: A's investment = (25000 × 4) + (20000 × 8) = 100000 + 160000 = ₹260000 B's investment = (35000 × 6) + (40000 × 6) = 210000 + 240000 = ₹450000 Ratio = 260:450 = 26:45 B's share = (45/71) × 46800 = ₹29746.48
Question 13
The area of a circle is 154 cm². Find its circumference.
Solution: πr² = 154 r² = 154 × 7/22 = 49 r = 7 cm Circumference = 2πr = 2 × (22/7) × 7 = 44 cm
Question 14
Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 20 minutes and 30 minutes respectively. If both are opened together and A is closed after 10 minutes, how long will B take to fill the remaining tank?
Solution: In 10 minutes, both fill = 10 × (1/20 + 1/30) = 10 × (5/60) = 5/6 Remaining = 1/6 B fills 1/6 in = (1/6) × 30 = 5 minutes
Question 15
The simple interest on a sum for 3 years at 8% is ₹720. What will be the compound interest for the same sum at the same rate for 2 years?
Solution: SI for 3 years = ₹720 SI for 1 year = ₹240 Principal = (240 × 100)/8 = ₹3000 CI for 2 years = 3000[(1.08)² - 1] = 3000 × 0.1664 = ₹499.20
Reasoning Questions
Question 1
Statements: All laptops are computers. Some computers are tablets. No tablet is a phone.
Conclusions: I. Some laptops are tablets. II. No computer is a phone. III. Some tablets are not phones.
Solution: Conclusion I: Doesn't follow Conclusion II: Doesn't follow Conclusion III: Follows (given directly) Only III follows
Question 2
Eight people P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W sit around a circular table facing center. P is third to the right of Q. R is second to the left of Q. S is opposite to R. T is adjacent to neither P nor Q. Who sits second to the right of W?
Solution: Arrangement: Q, R, _, _, P, _, _, _ (clockwise) R is 2nd left of Q. P is 3rd right of Q. S opposite R. T not adjacent to P or Q. Final arrangement: Q, R, T, W, P, U, S, V Second to right of W is U.
Question 3
If '+' means '×', '-' means '÷', '×' means '-', '÷' means '+', then find the value of: 16 + 4 - 2 × 3 ÷ 5
Solution: Converting: 16 × 4 ÷ 2 - 3 + 5 = 16 × 2 - 3 + 5 = 32 - 3 + 5 = 34
Question 4
Complete the series: Z, X, U, Q, ?
Solution: Z(26) - 2 = X(24) X(24) - 3 = U(21) U(21) - 4 = Q(17) Q(17) - 5 = L(12)
Question 5
In a certain code, 'MOBILE' is written as '56'. How will 'LAPTOP' be written?
Solution: M(13) + O(15) + B(2) + I(9) + L(12) + E(5) = 56 L(12) + A(1) + P(16) + T(20) + O(15) + P(16) = 80
Question 6
Seven friends live on different floors (1-7). A lives on floor 4. B lives immediately above C. D lives on an odd floor below A. E lives on the top floor. F lives between A and G. Who lives on floor 3?
Solution: Floor 7: E Floor 6: Floor 5: Floor 4: A Floor 3: Floor 2: Floor 1: D (odd, below A) B is above C, F between A and G Final: 7-E, 6-B, 5-C, 4-A, 3-F, 2-G, 1-D F lives on floor 3.
Question 7
Find the odd one out: 21 : 441, 18 : 324, 15 : 225, 14 : 195
Solution: 21² = 441 ✓ 18² = 324 ✓ 15² = 225 ✓ 14² = 196 ≠ 195 14 : 195 is the odd one out
Question 8
If MACHINE is coded as 131491154, how will SYSTEM be coded?
Solution: M(13th letter) = 13 A(1st) = 1 C(3rd) = 3, etc. S(19), Y(25), S(19), T(20), E(5), M(13) Code: 19251920513
Question 9
Six persons A, B, C, D, E, F have different heights. B is taller than C but shorter than A. D is shorter than E but taller than F. A is not the tallest. E is shorter than C. Who is the shortest?
Solution: From clues:
- A > B > C > E > D > F F is the shortest.
Question 10
In a row of students, Priya is 15th from the left and 20th from the right. How many students are in the row?
Solution: Total = Position from left + Position from right - 1 = 15 + 20 - 1 = 34 students
General Awareness Questions
Question 1
What is the current Repo Rate as per RBI's February 2026 policy?
Question 2
Which bank has the highest number of branches in India?
Question 3
What does NEFT stand for?
Question 4
Who is the current Finance Minister of India (2026)?
Question 5
What is the maximum deposit amount insured by DICGC per depositor?
Question 6
Which organization publishes the Financial Stability Report in India?
Question 7
What is the full form of MSME?
Question 8
Which bank was established under the BRICS grouping?
Question 9
What is the current SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio)?
Question 10
Which scheme provides insurance coverage of ₹2 lakh at a premium of ₹12 per year?
English Language Questions
Question 1
Read the sentence and find the error (if any): "The quality of products (a)/ are decreasing (b)/ day by day (c)/ due to lack of supervision. (d)"
Question 2
Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning: PROCRASTINATE a) Hasten b) Delay c) Hurry d) Expedite
Question 3
Fill in the blank with the appropriate word: "The government has decided to _______ the old policy and introduce a new one." a) retain b) scrap c) follow d) maintain
Question 4
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: P. However, the growing pollution is threatening their existence. Q. Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. R. Scientists are working on various methods to protect them. S. They support approximately 25% of all marine species.
Question 5
Choose the grammatically correct sentence: a) Neither the manager nor the employees was present. b) Neither the manager nor the employees were present. c) Neither the manager or the employees were present. d) Neither the manager nor the employees are present.
Previous Year Cutoff
IBPS PO Prelims Cutoff (Overall - UR)
| Year | Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 59.75/100 |
| 2024 | 61.50/100 |
| 2025 | 60.25/100 |
IBPS PO Mains Cutoff (Overall - UR)
| Year | Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 68.88/200 |
| 2024 | 71.25/200 |
| 2025 | 69.50/200 |
Final Cutoff (Mains + Interview - UR)
| Year | Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 48.35/100 |
| 2024 | 50.12/100 |
| 2025 | 49.25/100 |
Note: Cutoffs vary by category and state. Aim for 15-20 marks above cutoff for safe selection.
Preparation Strategy
3-Month Preparation Plan
Month 1: Foundation & Concepts
Week 1-2: Quantitative Aptitude
- Focus: Simplification, Number Series, Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation basics
- Daily: 50 questions
Week 3-4: Reasoning
- Syllogism, Inequalities, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding
- Basic puzzles and seating arrangements
- Daily: 50 questions
Month 2: Advanced Topics & Speed
Week 1-2: English
- Reading Comprehension strategy
- Grammar rules and error detection
- Vocabulary building (30 words daily)
Week 3-4: General Awareness
- Banking awareness concepts
- Last 6 months current affairs
- RBI notifications and policies
Month 3: Mastery & Revision
Week 1-2:
- Advanced DI and Caselets
- Complex puzzles (floor-based, scheduling)
- Previous year papers (2018-2025)
Week 3-4:
- Full-length mock tests (daily)
- Descriptive writing practice
- Interview preparation
Daily Study Schedule for IBPS PO
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 - 7:00 AM | Current Affairs & Banking News |
| 7:00 - 9:00 AM | Quantitative Aptitude |
| 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Break |
| 10:00 - 12:00 PM | Reasoning Practice |
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | English Language |
| 1:00 - 2:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 - 3:30 PM | General Awareness |
| 4:00 - 6:00 PM | Mock Test |
| 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Analysis |
| 7:00 - 8:00 PM | Revision |
Section-wise Tips
Quantitative Aptitude:
- Master speed calculations (learn tables, squares, cubes)
- Focus heavily on Data Interpretation (40% weightage in Mains)
- Practice approximation techniques
Reasoning:
- Seating arrangement and puzzles are crucial
- Practice 3-4 sets daily
- Time yourself strictly
English:
- Read editorials daily (The Hindu/Indian Express)
- Focus on Reading Comprehension
- Learn 20 new words daily
General Awareness:
- Prepare last 6 months' current affairs thoroughly
- Focus on Banking and Financial news
- Read RBI circulars and policy updates
Recommended Books
Quantitative Aptitude
- "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal
- "Fast Track Objective Arithmetic" by Rajesh Verma
- "Data Interpretation" by Arun Sharma (for Mains)
Reasoning
- "A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal
- "Analytical Reasoning" by M.K. Pandey
English
- "Objective General English" by S.P. Bakshi
- "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
- "High School English Grammar" by Wren & Martin
General Awareness
- "Banking Awareness" by Arihant Publications
- "Lucent's General Knowledge"
- Monthly Banking & Current Affairs Magazines
Online Resources
- Websites: AffairsCloud, BankersAdda, Gradeup
- YouTube: Study IQ Banking, Adda247 Banking
- Apps: Gradeup, Testbook, Oliveboard
- Mock Tests: Oliveboard, PracticeMock, IBPS Guide
FAQ
Q1. Is IBPS PO exam bilingual?
A: Yes, the exam is conducted in both English and Hindi, except for the English Language section which is only in English.
Q2. Can final year students apply for IBPS PO?
A: Yes, final year students can apply provisionally, but they must produce proof of passing the graduation exam at the time of joining.
Q3. How many times can I attempt IBPS PO?
A: There is no restriction on the number of attempts as long as you meet the age criteria.
Q4. What is the training period for IBPS PO selected candidates?
A: The probation period is generally 2 years, which may be extended by the bank if required.
Q5. What is the salary of an IBPS PO?
A: The basic pay is ₹36,000 with a gross salary of approximately ₹52,000-55,000 per month (including allowances). The in-hand salary is around ₹48,000-50,000.
All the best for IBPS PO 2026! Banking sector offers excellent career growth and job security. Stay consistent and you'll succeed! 🏦
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. Always refer to the official IBPS notification for latest updates.