IBPS PO Syllabus 2027–28
Prelims and Mains Topics, Latest Official Reference & Preparation Priorities
Explore the IBPS PO Syllabus 2027–28 for CRP PO/MT-XVI vacancies, including Prelims and Mains topics, the official 2026 exam pattern, and preparation priorities.
The IBPS PO Syllabus 2027-28 for the CRP PO/MT-XVI recruitment cycle covers English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability in the Preliminary Examination, followed by Reasoning, General/Economy/Banking/Digital/Financial Awareness, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation and a Descriptive Paper in the Main Examination.
For the 2027-28 vacancy cycle, IBPS has revised the Main Examination structure. The Mains objective paper now contains 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, followed by an Essay and Comprehension descriptive test of 25 marks for 30 minutes. The official IBPS PO/MT-XVI recruitment page was released in July 2026.
Important: IBPS officially specifies the names of tests, number of questions, marks, medium and sectional timings. It generally does not publish an exhaustive chapter-by-chapter syllabus. Therefore, the detailed topic-wise syllabus below combines the official exam structure with topics consistently appearing in recent IBPS PO papers.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2027-28: Overview
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Exam | IBPS Probationary Officer/Management Trainee |
Recruitment Cycle | CRP PO/MT-XVI |
Vacancy Cycle | 2027-28 |
Conducting Authority | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection |
Exam Mode | Online |
Prelims Subjects | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability |
Prelims Questions | 100 |
Prelims Marks | 100 |
Prelims Duration | 60 minutes |
Mains Objective Subjects | Reasoning, General/Economy/Banking/Digital/Financial Awareness, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation |
Mains Objective Questions | 170 |
Mains Objective Marks | 200 |
Mains Objective Duration | 160 minutes |
Descriptive Paper | Essay and Comprehension |
Descriptive Marks | 25 |
Descriptive Duration | 30 minutes |
Language | English and/or Hindi depending on the test; English Language and Descriptive Paper are in English |
Official Website |
The 2026 recruitment process relates to vacancies of 2027-28, so candidates searching for “IBPS PO 2027-28 syllabus” should follow the CRP PO/MT-XVI structure rather than treating 2027-28 as an unreleased future cycle
See the IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2027–28 guide for section-wise questions, marks and timing.
IBPS PO Selection Process 2027-28
Understanding the stages helps candidates distinguish between the syllabus required for Prelims and Mains.
Stage | Nature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Preliminary Examination | Online Objective | Screening/shortlisting for Mains |
Main Examination | Objective + Descriptive | Main knowledge and aptitude assessment |
Personality Test | Self-report; non-qualifying | Personality profile for interview panel |
Interview | Personal Interview | Final selection stage |
Provisional Allotment | Based on recruitment rules | Allocation to participating bank |
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2027-28
The IBPS PO Preliminary Examination contains three separately timed sections.
Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
The revised distribution gives Reasoning Ability 40 marks despite 35 questions and Quantitative Aptitude 30 marks for 35 questions. Candidates should therefore refer to the current pattern rather than older pages showing an equal one-mark distribution.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2027-28
The Prelims syllabus tests three major abilities:
- Language comprehension and usage
- Numerical and mathematical aptitude
- Logical and analytical reasoning
Below is the detailed subject-wise syllabus.
IBPS PO English Language Syllabus 2027-28 – Prelims
The English section evaluates reading ability, contextual vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure and the ability to understand relationships between sentences and paragraphs.
Detailed English Syllabus
Topic Area | Topics/Subtopics |
|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | Main idea, central theme, factual questions, inference, tone, purpose, conclusion, vocabulary in context, synonym/antonym from passage |
Cloze Test | Vocabulary-based cloze, grammar-based cloze, contextual fillers |
Error Detection | Subject-verb agreement, tense, articles, prepositions, pronouns, modifiers, parallelism, conjunctions |
Sentence Improvement | Grammar correction, contextual improvement, phrase replacement |
Fill in the Blanks | Single filler, double filler, multiple fillers |
Para Jumbles | Sentence rearrangement, paragraph sequencing |
Sentence Rearrangement | Correct sequence of phrases/sentences |
Word Swap | Two-word or multiple-word interchange |
Phrase Replacement | Correct phrase according to grammar and context |
Word Usage | Correct/incorrect contextual use of a word |
Column-Based Questions | Matching sentence fragments or expressions |
Sentence Connectors | Logical relationship between statements |
Sentence Completion | Choosing a grammatically and contextually correct ending |
Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, contextual meaning, confusing words |
Idioms & Phrases | Meaning and contextual application |
Grammar | Tenses, articles, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions |
Odd Sentence | Identifying sentence not fitting paragraph flow |
What Candidates Should Understand
English in IBPS PO is increasingly context-driven rather than rule-only. A candidate may know a grammar rule yet still miss a question if the sentence does not make logical or contextual sense.
Reading Comprehension should therefore be prepared together with vocabulary, inference and sentence interpretation.
Recent IBPS PO Prelims 2026 papers included Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, error detection, phrase replacement, para jumbles, word swap, fillers and sentence/word rearrangement across different shifts.
IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2027-28 – Prelims
Quantitative Aptitude evaluates numerical understanding, calculation ability, arithmetic concepts and interpretation of data.
Complete Quantitative Aptitude Topic Table
Unit | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
Simplification | BODMAS, fractions, decimals, percentages, basic calculations |
Approximation | Approximate values, percentage approximation, square/cube approximation |
Number Series | Missing number series, wrong number series, pattern-based series |
Quadratic Equations | Comparing roots, factorisation-based equations |
Number System | Divisibility, factors, multiples, remainders, unit digit |
HCF & LCM | Basic and application-based problems |
Ratio & Proportion | Ratios, proportions, comparison, distribution |
Percentage | Percentage change, successive percentage change |
Profit & Loss | Cost price, selling price, marked price, discount |
Simple Interest | Principal, rate, time and interest |
Compound Interest | Annual/half-yearly compounding, SI-CI difference |
Average | Simple and weighted averages |
Ages | Present, past and future-age relations |
Partnership | Investment-time based partnership |
Mixture & Alligation | Mixing quantities, concentration, replacement |
Time & Work | Efficiency, work ratios, combined work |
Pipes & Cisterns | Filling and emptying, combined pipes |
Time, Speed & Distance | Basic speed-distance-time relationships |
Trains | Pole/platform/train-crossing problems |
Boats & Streams | Upstream and downstream |
Mensuration | Rectangle, square, circle, triangle, cube, cuboid, cylinder |
Probability | Elementary probability |
Permutation & Combination | Basic arrangement and selection concepts |
Data Interpretation | Table, bar graph, line graph, pie chart |
Caselet DI | Data given through paragraphs/statements |
Missing DI | Data derived using conditions |
Mixed Graph DI | Combination of two or more data representations |
Quantity Comparison | Comparison of Quantity I and Quantity II |
Data Sufficiency | Determining whether supplied statements are sufficient |
Arithmetic Syllabus in Detail
Arithmetic is one of the most important components of IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude.
Arithmetic Chapter | Concepts to Cover |
|---|---|
Percentage | Increase/decrease, expenditure-income problems |
Ratio | Direct and inverse ratio |
Profit & Loss | Profit %, loss %, discounts |
SI & CI | Interest calculations and comparison |
Average | Group averages, replacement |
Ages | Ratio and equation-based age problems |
Partnership | Capital × time |
Mixture & Alligation | Ratio of components |
Time & Work | Efficiency and work completion |
Pipes & Cisterns | Positive and negative work |
Speed-Distance-Time | Relative speed and average speed |
Trains | Crossing objects/trains/platforms |
Boats & Streams | Still-water speed and stream speed |
Mensuration | Area, perimeter, volume |
Probability | Favourable/total outcomes |
Permutation & Combination | Arrangement and selection |
Latest Question Trend
The August 2026 Prelims papers heavily featured Arithmetic and Data Interpretation. Across reported shifts, Arithmetic commonly accounted for roughly 9–13 questions, while multiple DI sets appeared regularly.
IBPS PO Reasoning Ability Syllabus 2027-28 – Prelims
Reasoning Ability tests logical relationships, deduction, sequencing, arrangement and analytical thinking.
Complete Reasoning Syllabus
Unit | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
Linear Seating Arrangement | Single row, double row, north/south-facing arrangements |
Circular Seating Arrangement | Centre-facing, outward-facing, mixed conditions |
Square/Rectangular Arrangement | Corner and side positions |
Floor-Based Puzzle | Persons on different floors |
Flat-Floor Puzzle | Flats combined with floor conditions |
Box-Based Puzzle | Arrangement of boxes with variables |
Month-Based Puzzle | Persons/events across months |
Date-Based Puzzle | Dates combined with variables |
Day-Based Puzzle | Events on different days |
Scheduling Puzzle | Time/day/month scheduling |
Selection Puzzle | Selecting persons/items using conditions |
Comparison Puzzle | Age, height, weight, marks or ranking |
Distribution Puzzle | Objects/persons distributed using conditions |
Designation Puzzle | Persons with jobs/designations |
Variable-Based Puzzle | Arrangement combined with city, colour, profession etc. |
Syllogism | Statement-conclusion, possibility cases |
Inequality | Direct and coded inequalities |
Coding-Decoding | Traditional, Chinese and pattern coding |
Blood Relations | Family tree and generation problems |
Direction & Distance | Direction sense and displacement |
Order & Ranking | Position from top/bottom/left/right |
Alphanumeric Series | Letters, numbers and symbols |
Alphabet Test | Letter positions and patterns |
Pair Formation | Letter/number pair relationships |
Meaningful Word | Word formation |
Input-Output | Machine arrangement patterns |
Data Sufficiency | Statement sufficiency |
Logical Reasoning | Assumption, conclusion, inference and argument-based questions |
Puzzles and Seating Arrangement
Puzzles deserve special attention because several sets can appear in one paper.
Puzzle Type | Examples |
|---|---|
Person-Based | 6–10 people satisfying different conditions |
Floor-Based | Persons living on different floors |
Box-Based | Boxes/items arranged vertically |
Month-Date | Persons/events assigned dates and months |
Scheduling | Meeting/event/time allocation |
Linear Arrangement | Single or parallel rows |
Circular Arrangement | Inward/outward facing |
Variable Puzzle | Person + city + profession + colour etc. |
Selection | Selection of individuals according to conditions |
Comparison | Age/height/marks/rank comparison |
The 2026 Prelims paper strongly confirms the importance of this area: reported shifts commonly contained several puzzle/seating sets, frequently accounting for a substantial share of the Reasoning section.
IBPS PO 2026 Actual Prelims Trend: Useful Reference for 2027-28 Syllabus
The table below is not an official IBPS weightage table. It is a practical trend reference derived from memory-based analyses of the August 22–23, 2026 examination.
Section | Frequently Reported Areas |
|---|---|
English | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Error Detection, Fillers, Phrase Replacement, Word Swap, Cloze Test |
Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic, DI, Approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equation |
Reasoning | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Inequality, Blood Relation, Direction, Coding |
A multi-shift analysis reported Reasoning being dominated by Puzzles & Seating Arrangement, while Quant was dominated by Arithmetic + Data Interpretation.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2027-28 – Revised Pattern
The Main Examination has received major changes for CRP PO/MT-XVI.
IBPS PO Mains Objective Exam Pattern
Section | Questions | Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reasoning | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
General/Economy/Banking Awareness/Digital/Financial Awareness including RBI Circulars | 50 | 60 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
English Language | 40 | 20 | English | 35 minutes |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
Objective Total | 170 | 200 | — | 160 minutes |
Descriptive Paper – Essay & Comprehension | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
Overall Mains | 172 | 225 | — | 190 minutes |
The revised 170-question Mains structure is reported consistently by current 2026 syllabus/pattern sources following CRP PO/MT-XVI.
What Changed in IBPS PO Mains for the 2027-28 Vacancy Cycle?
This comparison is important because many older syllabus pages still show outdated data.
Section | Previous CRP PO/MT-XV | CRP PO/MT-XVI |
|---|---|---|
Reasoning | 40 Q / 60 M / 50 min | 40 Q / 60 M / 45 min |
General/Economy/Banking/Digital/Financial Awareness | 35 Q / 50 M / 25 min | 50 Q / 60 M / 35 min |
English Language | 35 Q / 40 M / 40 min | 40 Q / 20 M / 35 min |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 Q / 50 M / 45 min | 40 Q / 60 M / 45 min |
Objective Total | 145 Q / 200 M | 170 Q / 200 M |
Objective Duration | 160 min | 160 min |
Descriptive | Essay + Comprehension | Essay + Comprehension |
The previous official CRP PO/MT-XV structure had 145 objective questions; the current CRP PO/MT-XVI structure increases this to 170 while retaining 200 objective marks and 160 minutes.
Important Change: No Separate “Computer Aptitude” Test Name
Candidates should not blindly follow older syllabus pages that continue to label the Mains section as “Reasoning & Computer Aptitude.”
The current pattern names the section Reasoning, while technology-related awareness is explicitly included within General/Economy/Banking/Digital/Financial Awareness.
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2027-28
IBPS PO Reasoning Syllabus – Mains
The Mains Reasoning section demands deeper analytical ability than Prelims.
Area | Topics |
|---|---|
Advanced Puzzles | Multi-variable, uncertain, scheduling, floor-flat, month-date, designation |
Seating Arrangement | Complex linear, circular, parallel row, square/rectangle |
Input-Output | Advanced machine input patterns |
Coding-Decoding | New pattern and logical coding |
Data Sufficiency | Two/three-statement reasoning |
Critical Reasoning | Assumption, inference, argument, conclusion |
Statement-Based Reasoning | Statement-conclusion, statement-course of action |
Decision Making | Logical decision questions |
Cause & Effect | Identifying logical relation |
Syllogism | Advanced conclusions and possibility |
Inequality | Direct/coded conditions |
Blood Relation | Complex family structures |
Direction | Multi-point direction problems |
Ranking | Combined order/ranking |
Logical Connectives | If/then and conditional reasoning |
IBPS PO General, Economy, Banking, Digital & Financial Awareness Syllabus 2027-28
This section has become substantially more important under the revised pattern, carrying 50 questions and 60 marks.
Complete Awareness Syllabus
Area | Topics |
|---|---|
Current Affairs | National and international events |
Banking Current Affairs | Banking appointments, mergers, products, initiatives |
RBI | Functions, structure, policies, notifications |
RBI Circulars | Important recent regulatory circulars and directions |
Monetary Policy | Repo rate, policy stance, MPC |
Banking Terminology | NPA, CASA, CRAR, NIM, provisioning etc. |
Regulatory Ratios | CRR, SLR and related concepts |
Banking Structure | Scheduled banks, commercial banks, cooperative banks |
Financial Institutions | RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NHB |
Regulatory Bodies | RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA |
Payment Systems | NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, AEPS |
NPCI | Products, payment infrastructure and initiatives |
Digital Banking | Mobile banking, internet banking, digital transactions |
FinTech | New financial technologies and digital innovations |
Financial Inclusion | PMJDY and related initiatives |
Priority Sector Lending | Categories, objectives, banking relevance |
Money Market | Treasury Bills, CP, CD, call money |
Capital Market | Shares, bonds, primary/secondary markets |
Government Schemes | Banking, financial and economic schemes |
Indian Economy | GDP, GVA, inflation, unemployment |
Fiscal Policy | Government expenditure, revenue, deficit |
Union Budget | Major financial/economic announcements |
Economic Survey | Important trends, data and themes |
Inflation | CPI, WPI and related concepts |
International Institutions | IMF, World Bank, ADB, AIIB |
Reports & Indices | Major national/international reports |
Financial Markets | Debt, equity, forex |
Insurance | Basic insurance awareness |
Pension System | NPS and related concepts |
Static Banking Awareness | Headquarters, taglines where relevant |
Appointments | Important banking/economic appointments |
Committees | Important financial and banking committees |
Agreements & MoUs | Banking, economy and government agreements |
RBI Circulars Matter
The current exam title explicitly mentions RBI circulars, making direct monitoring of important regulatory changes more relevant than in older cycles.
IBPS PO English Language Syllabus – Mains
Mains English focuses more heavily on comprehension, interpretation and contextual language usage.
Topic | Detailed Coverage |
|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | Inference, tone, theme, purpose, conclusion |
Vocabulary in Context | Meaning based on passage |
Para Jumbles | Advanced sequencing |
Para Completion | Completing logical flow |
Sentence Rearrangement | Complex sentence ordering |
Error Detection | Advanced grammar |
Phrase Replacement | Grammar + contextual correction |
Word Swap | Contextual interchange |
Word Usage | Correct contextual application |
Cloze Test | Grammar and vocabulary |
Fillers | Single/double/multiple |
Sentence Connectors | Connecting ideas logically |
Match the Columns | Combining meaningful sentence parts |
Sentence Starters | Completing statements logically |
Grammar | Applied grammar in contextual questions |
Inference-Based Questions | Deriving unstated conclusions |
Editorial-Based Questions | Language and reasoning from complex prose |
IBPS PO Data Analysis & Interpretation Syllabus 2027-28 – Mains
The Mains DAI section carries 40 questions for 60 marks.
Detailed DAI Syllabus
Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
Table DI | Data presented in tables |
Bar Graph | Single/multiple bar graphs |
Line Graph | Trend-based numerical interpretation |
Pie Chart | Percentage/angle based |
Caselet DI | Data hidden in paragraph form |
Missing DI | Finding missing information |
Mixed DI | Combination of charts/tables |
Radar Graph | Multi-variable graphical data |
Arithmetic DI | DI combined with arithmetic |
Quantity Comparison | Quantity I vs Quantity II |
Data Sufficiency | Numerical statement sufficiency |
Probability | Event probability |
Permutation & Combination | Selection and arrangements |
Ratio | Ratio-based analytical problems |
Percentage | Percentage-based DI |
Average | Weighted and simple average |
Profit & Loss | Commercial arithmetic |
Time & Work | Efficiency-based problems |
Speed-Distance-Time | Advanced applications |
Mixture & Alligation | Ratio/concentration |
SI & CI | Interest-based problems |
Mensuration | Area/volume-based questions |
Number Series | Pattern analysis where applicable |
Nature of Mains DAI
Mains questions may combine multiple concepts. For example:
DI + Percentage + Ratio + Average
or
Caselet + Profit & Loss + Percentage
Therefore, the Mains syllabus cannot be prepared effectively by treating Data Interpretation and Arithmetic as completely separate areas.
IBPS PO Descriptive Paper Syllabus 2027-28
One of the most important corrections for this cycle is the descriptive-paper format.
Current Descriptive Pattern
Component | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Essay + Comprehension | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
The current format is Essay and Comprehension, not the older “Essay and Letter Writing” description still found on some preparation pages.
Essay Syllabus
Essay themes may broadly relate to:
Area | Possible Theme Types |
|---|---|
Banking | Banking reforms, financial inclusion |
Economy | Growth, inflation, employment |
Technology | AI, digital banking, cybersecurity |
Finance | Digital payments, financial literacy |
Social Issues | Education, employment, inclusion |
Ethics | Ethics in banking and technology |
Current Events | Major national/economic developments |
Emerging Banking Trends | FinTech, digital currency, innovation |
IBPS has indicated broad descriptive themes such as economic and social issues, banking and technology trends, current events and ethics in recent official PO notifications.
Comprehension Syllabus
Candidates should prepare for:
- Reading an analytical passage
- Understanding the central idea
- Identifying factual information
- Drawing inferences
- Interpreting arguments
- Understanding vocabulary in context
- Writing clear answers in English
- Summarising ideas accurately
IBPS PO Negative Marking 2027-28
Negative marking applies to objective tests.
For an incorrect objective answer, the applicable penalty is based on the marks assigned to that question. Unattempted questions do not attract a penalty.
Candidates should therefore prioritise accuracy rather than random attempts, particularly because marks per question are not identical across every section under the revised structure.
IBPS PO Sectional Timing 2027-28
Every section has its own fixed duration.
Prelims
Section | Time |
|---|---|
English | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 20 minutes |
Reasoning | 20 minutes |
Mains
Section | Time |
|---|---|
Reasoning | 45 minutes |
Awareness | 35 minutes |
English | 35 minutes |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | 45 minutes |
Descriptive | 30 minutes |
Unused time from one separately timed section cannot simply be transferred to another section.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2027-28 – One-Page Subject Checklist
Stage | Subject | Major Areas |
|---|---|---|
Prelims | English | RC, Cloze, Error, Fillers, Para Jumble, Word Swap, Vocabulary |
Prelims | Quant | Arithmetic, DI, Approximation, Series, Quadratic Equation |
Prelims | Reasoning | Puzzles, Seating, Syllogism, Inequality, Blood Relation, Direction |
Mains | Reasoning | Advanced Puzzles, Logical/Critical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency |
Mains | Awareness | Banking, Economy, RBI, Digital, Finance, Current Affairs |
Mains | English | Advanced RC, Grammar, Vocabulary, Verbal Ability |
Mains | DAI | Advanced DI, Arithmetic, Probability, P&C, Data Sufficiency |
Mains | Descriptive | Essay + Comprehension |
Difference Between IBPS PO Prelims and Mains Syllabus
Aspect | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|
Objective | Basic screening | Advanced assessment |
English | Basic-moderate | Advanced/contextual |
Quant | Quantitative Aptitude | Data Analysis & Interpretation |
Reasoning | Basic-moderate | Advanced analytical reasoning |
Banking Awareness | No | Yes |
Economy Awareness | No | Yes |
Digital/Financial Awareness | No | Yes |
RBI Circulars | No direct section | Explicitly included |
Descriptive English | No | Yes |
Difficulty | Foundation + speed | Advanced concepts + analysis |