IBPS PO 2026 Exam Pattern Explained – Prelims, Mains, Interview, Marking Scheme & Final Selection Formula
1. IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process (Stage-Wise Table)
Stage | Mode | Marks | Nature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prelims | Online | 100 | Qualifying | Shortlisting for Mains |
Mains | Online | 225 (200 + 25) | Merit | Final score calculation |
Interview | Offline/Online | 100 | Merit | Final selection |
Final Merit = 80% Mains + 20% Interview
2. IBPS PO 2026 Prelims Exam Pattern (Complete Table)
Section | Questions | Marks | Sectional Time |
|---|---|---|---|
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Important Prelims Rules
Rule | Details |
|---|---|
Sectional Timing | Yes |
Negative Marking | 0.25 per wrong answer |
Sectional Cutoff | Yes |
Overall Cutoff | Yes |
Marks Counted in Final Merit | No |
3. IBPS PO 2026 Mains Exam Pattern (Objective Section Table)
Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
General Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
Total (Objective) | 155 | 200 | 180 minutes |
4. IBPS PO 2026 Descriptive Test Pattern
Component | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 1 | 15 | 30 minutes (combined) |
Letter Writing | 1 | 10 | 30 minutes (combined) |
Total | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
Descriptive is conducted online (typed).
5. IBPS PO 2026 Interview Pattern
Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
Total Marks | 100 |
Conducted By | Participating Banks |
Weightage in Final Merit | 20% |
Qualifying Nature | Minimum qualifying marks required |
6. Final Selection Formula
Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
Mains Score | 80% |
Interview Score | 20% |
Example:
Mains Score | Interview Score | Final Score |
|---|---|---|
140 | 75 | (140×0.8)+(75×0.2) = 127 |
7. Sectional Timing Structure
Section | Time Allowed |
|---|---|
English | 20 minutes |
Quant | 20 minutes |
Reasoning | 20 minutes |
Mains Timing
Section | Time Allowed |
|---|---|
Reasoning & Computer | 60 minutes |
DI | 45 minutes |
GA | 35 minutes |
English | 40 minutes |
Descriptive | 30 minutes |
No switching before time ends.
8. Marking Scheme (Structured Table)
Type | Marks |
|---|---|
Correct Answer | +1 (varies by section weightage) |
Wrong Answer | -0.25 |
Unattempted | 0 |
Normalization | Yes (multi-shift exam) |
9. IBPS PO Prelims vs Mains Comparison Table
Feature | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|
Nature | Qualifying | Merit |
Total Marks | 100 | 225 |
Duration | 60 min | 210 min |
Descriptive | No | Yes |
Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
Marks Added to Final Merit | No | Yes |
10. 3-Year Pattern Stability (2023–2025 Comparison)
Year | Prelims Structure | Mains Structure | Changes Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Same | Same | No change |
2024 | Same | Same | No change |
2023 | Same | Same | No change |
IBPS has maintained structural stability.
11. Section Weightage Importance Table
Section | Importance Level |
|---|---|
DI | Very High |
Reasoning | Very High |
GA | High |
English | Moderate |
Descriptive | High (Elimination Factor) |
Important Links
IBPS Official Website
https://www.ibps.in/
CRP PO/MT Official Section
https://www.ibps.in/crp-po-mt/
IBPS Online Application Portal
https://ibpsonline.ibps.in/
IBPS Scorecard & Cutoff Login Portal
https://ibpsonline.ibps.in/crppoxvjun25/
IBPS Previous Cycle Notifications (Reference Pattern Structure)
https://www.ibps.in/wp-content/uploads/Detailed_Notification_CRP_PO_XIII.pdf
RBI Official Website (Banking Reference Context)
https://www.rbi.org.in/
Ministry of Finance (Policy Context Reference)
https://finmin.gov.in/
IBPS PO 2026 Notification
https://www.mahendras.org/blogs/ibps-po-2026-notification
IBPS PO 2026 Eligibility
https://www.mahendras.org/blogs/ibps-po-2026-eligibility
IBPS PO 2026 Syllabus
https://www.mahendras.org/blogs/ibps-po-2026-syllabus
IBPS PO 2026 Exam Calendar
https://www.mahendras.org/blogs/ibps-po-2026-exam-calendar
IBPS PO Cut Off Analysis
https://www.mahendras.org/blogs/ibps-po-cut-off-analysis
IBPS PO 3-Year Exam Analysis
https://www.mahendras.org/blogs/ibps-po-last-3-years-analysis
Mahendra’s Official Website
https://www.mahendras.org
Mahendra’s Branch Locator
https://branch.mahendras.org
Important FAQs
1. What is the complete IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern for Prelims and Mains?
IBPS PO 2026 consists of Prelims (3 sections, 100 marks) and Mains (4 objective sections + descriptive, total 225 marks) followed by Interview.
2. How many stages are there in IBPS PO 2026 selection process?
Three stages: Prelims, Mains, Interview.
3. Is IBPS PO 2026 Prelims qualifying in nature?
Yes, Prelims is only for shortlisting.
4. Are Prelims marks added in final IBPS PO merit list?
No, only Mains + Interview marks count.
5. What is total marks in IBPS PO 2026 Mains?
225 including descriptive.
6. Is there sectional timing in IBPS PO 2026 Prelims?
Yes, 20 minutes per section.
7. Is sectional timing applicable in IBPS PO 2026 Mains?
Yes, fixed time per section.
8. What is negative marking in IBPS PO 2026?
0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer.
9. Is descriptive test compulsory in IBPS PO 2026?
Yes.
10. What type of questions are asked in IBPS PO descriptive test?
Essay and letter writing.
11. How many questions are there in IBPS PO Prelims 2026?
100 questions.
12. How many questions are there in IBPS PO Mains 2026?
155 objective + 2 descriptive.
13. What is weightage of interview in IBPS PO 2026?
20%.
14. What is weightage of Mains in final selection?
80%.
15. Can I switch sections during IBPS PO exam?
No, sectional timing restricts switching.
16. Is IBPS PO exam conducted online?
Yes.
17. Is normalization applied in IBPS PO 2026?
Yes.
18. What is time duration of IBPS PO Mains?
3 hours objective + 30 minutes descriptive.
19. Is there sectional cutoff in IBPS PO 2026?
Yes.
20. Is there overall cutoff in IBPS PO 2026?
Yes.
(Continuing…)
21. What is the pattern of Reasoning section in IBPS PO 2026?
Puzzle-heavy in both Prelims and Mains.
22. How many marks is DI in IBPS PO Mains 2026?
60 marks.
23. Is GA scoring in IBPS PO Mains?
Yes, 40 marks.
24. Is IBPS PO tougher than IBPS Clerk?
Yes.
25. Is IBPS PO tougher than SBI PO?
Comparable difficulty.
26. How many sections in IBPS PO Prelims?
Three.
27. How many sections in IBPS PO Mains?
Four objective + one descriptive.
28. Is descriptive test conducted offline?
No, online typing.
29. Can I clear IBPS PO without clearing sectional cutoff?
No.
30. Does IBPS PO change pattern every year?
No major structural change in last 3 years.