IBPS PO 2026 Exam Pattern
Check IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern including Prelims, Mains, Interview, marking scheme, sectional timing, normalization and final selection formula.
Check IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern including Prelims, Mains, Interview, marking scheme, sectional timing, normalization and final selection formula.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2026 – Prelims, Mains, Interview, Marking Scheme & Final Selection Formula
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has prescribed a multi-stage selection process for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO)/Management Trainees (MT) under CRP PO/MT-XVI. The selection process consists of Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Personality Test, Interview, and Provisional Allotment. Candidates must qualify each stage to progress to the next phase of recruitment. The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature, whereas the Main Examination and Interview are considered for preparing the final merit list. Additionally, the Personality Test, introduced in this recruitment cycle, is mandatory but non-qualifying.
IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process
Stage | Nature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Preliminary Examination | Online Objective Test | Shortlisting for Main Examination |
Main Examination | Online Objective + Descriptive Test | Shortlisting for Personality Test & Interview |
Personality Test | Self-report Assessment | Mandatory for Interview Eligibility |
Interview | Conducted by Participating Banks | Final Assessment |
Provisional Allotment | Merit-based | Final Allotment to Participating Banks |
IBPS PO Detailed Official Notification PDF
IBPS PO Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS PO Preliminary Examination is an online objective test designed to assess candidates' aptitude in English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The examination consists of 100 objective-type questions carrying 100 marks. Each section is separately timed, and candidates are required to complete the respective section within the allotted time.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
Sr. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 20 Minutes |
2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | English & Hindi | 20 Minutes |
3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | English & Hindi | 20 Minutes |
Total | — | 100 | 100 | — | 60 Minutes |
Important Points
- The Preliminary Examination is conducted online.
- All questions are objective (multiple-choice).
- Sectional timing is applicable.
- Candidates must qualify each of the three sections by securing the minimum cut-off marks decided by IBPS.
- Based on the category-wise cut-off and recruitment requirements, an adequate number of candidates will be shortlisted for the Main Examination.
- Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not considered for the final merit list; they are used only for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination.
IBPS PO Main Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are shortlisted for the IBPS PO Main Examination. The Main Examination consists of two parts:
- Objective Test
- Descriptive Test
The objective test evaluates candidates on reasoning ability, banking and financial awareness, English language, and data analysis. The descriptive paper assesses writing proficiency.
IBPS PO Mains Objective Exam Pattern
Sr. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Reasoning | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 Minutes |
2 | General / Economy / Banking Awareness / Digital & Financial Awareness (including RBI Circulars) | 50 | 60 | English & Hindi | 35 Minutes |
3 | English Language | 40 | 20 | English | 35 Minutes |
4 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 Minutes |
Total | — | 170 | 200 | — | 160 Minutes |
IBPS PO Descriptive Paper Pattern
Immediately after the objective examination, candidates are required to appear for the Descriptive Paper.
Paper | Questions | Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Essay & Comprehension | 2 | 25 | English | 30 Minutes |
The descriptive paper may broadly cover topics related to:
- Economic Issues
- Social Issues
- Emerging Trends in Banking
- Technology
- Current Affairs
- Ethics
IBPS has also stated that the descriptive paper may be evaluated using an automated scoring mechanism designed to identify writing proficiency. The scoring mechanism has been validated for evaluating candidates' written communication skills.
IBPS PO Personality Test 2026
One of the major changes introduced in CRP PO/MT-XVI is the inclusion of the Personality Test after the Main Examination.
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination will be invited to participate in a Personality Test (Self-Report Assessment).
Important Features of the Personality Test
- Conducted after the Main Examination.
- Based on a self-report personality assessment.
- The resulting Personality Profile is shared with the Interview Panel.
- Non-qualifying in nature (no qualifying marks).
- Mandatory for candidates appearing in the Interview.
- May be conducted through proctored mode or at designated examination centres, as decided by IBPS.
Although candidates are not awarded qualifying marks in this stage, failure to appear for the Personality Test will make them ineligible for the Interview process.
Negative Marking
Negative marking is applicable in both the Preliminary and Main objective examinations.
- For every incorrect answer, one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
- There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
IBPS PO Final Merit
The final selection of candidates is based on their performance in the Main Examination and the Interview.
- Main Examination: 80% Weightage
- Interview: 20% Weightage
The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature and does not contribute to the final merit list. Similarly, the Personality Test is mandatory but non-qualifying; however, candidates must appear for it to remain eligible for the Interview.