1

Preliminary Examination

Shortlisting candidates for Mains

2

Main Examination

Final selection and provisional allotment

Interview

Not Applicable

No interview is conducted for Office Assistant

Linear Seating Arrangement

Single row, double row, north-facing, south-facing and mixed-facing arrangements

Circular Seating Arrangement

Centre-facing, outside-facing and mixed-facing arrangements

Square and Rectangular Arrangement

Corner and side-based seating

Parallel-Row Arrangement

Two rows facing the same or opposite directions

Floor-Based Puzzle

People living on different floors

Floor and Flat Puzzle

Multiple floors with two or more flats

Box-Based Puzzle

Arrangement, stacking, colour and size-based boxes

Scheduling Puzzle

Day, date, month, year and time-based arrangements

Comparison Puzzle

Age, height, weight, rank and marks-based comparison

Classification Puzzle

Person, profession, city, colour, object and category-based questions

Order and Sequence Puzzle

Events, persons or objects placed in a specific order

Syllogism

Statements, conclusions and possibility cases

Inequality

Direct and coded inequality

Coding-Decoding

Traditional, conditional, sentence and new-pattern coding

Blood Relations

Family tree, generation and coded relationship questions

Direction and Distance

Direction sense, movement, distance and coded direction

Order and Ranking

Rank from left, right, top or bottom

Alphanumeric Series

Letter, number and symbol-based sequence

Alphabet Test

Letter position, reverse alphabet and word formation

Number Series

Logical number arrangement

Pair Formation

Letter pairs, number pairs and word-based pairs

Word Formation

Forming meaningful words from letters

Data Sufficiency

Two or three statements with a logical question

Input-Output

Word, number or mixed machine arrangement

Analogy

Identifying similar relationships

Classification

Finding the odd word, number or element

Statement and Conclusion

Identifying valid conclusions

Statement and Assumption

Finding the hidden assumption

Cause and Effect

Establishing a causal relationship

Course of Action

Selecting the most appropriate action

Statement and Argument

Identifying strong and weak arguments

1

Puzzles and Seating Arrangements

Very High

2

Syllogism

High

3

Inequality

High

4

Coding-Decoding

High

5

Blood Relations

High

6

Direction and Distance

High

7

Order and Ranking

Medium to High

8

Alphanumeric Series

Medium to High

9

Alphabet Test and Pair Formation

Medium

10

Data Sufficiency

More important for Mains

11

Input-Output

More important for Mains

12

Logical Reasoning

More important for Mains

1

Learn the basic rules of every individual topic

2

Begin with syllogism, inequality, coding and blood relations

3

Practise one easy puzzle daily

4

Progress to floor, box and scheduling puzzles

5

Solve sectional tests within the 25-minute limit

6

Record puzzles that consume excessive time

7

Practise selecting the correct sets during mock tests

Simplification

BODMAS, fractions, decimals and basic calculations

Approximation

Rounded values and approximate calculations

Number Series

Missing number and wrong number series

Quadratic Equations

Factorisation and comparison of roots

Number System

Divisibility, factors, multiples and remainders

LCM and HCF

Least common multiple and highest common factor

Percentage

Basic percentage and percentage increase or decrease

Ratio and Proportion

Comparison and distribution of quantities

Average

Simple, combined and weighted average

Profit and Loss

Cost price, selling price, profit and loss

Discount

Marked price, discount and successive discounts

Simple Interest

Principal, rate, time and interest

Compound Interest

Annual and half-yearly compounding

Partnership

Capital, time and profit-sharing ratio

Mixture and Allegation

Mixing items with different costs or concentrations

Problems on Ages

Present, past and future age relationships

Time and Work

Individual and combined efficiency

Work and Wages

Work ratio and wage distribution

Pipes and Cisterns

Filling, emptying and leakage

Time, Speed and Distance

Speed, distance, time and relative speed

Trains

Crossing poles, platforms and other trains

Boats and Streams

Upstream and downstream movement

Mensuration

Area, perimeter, volume and surface area

Probability

Basic probability

Permutation and Combination

Arrangement and selection

Data Interpretation

Table, line, bar, pie chart and caselet

Quantity Comparison

Comparing Quantity I and Quantity II

Data Sufficiency

Checking whether statements provide sufficient information

Tabular DI

Data presented in rows and columns

Bar Graph

Comparison through vertical or horizontal bars

Line Graph

Data changes over a period

Pie Chart

Percentage or angle-based distribution

Caselet DI

Information provided in paragraph form

Missing DI

One or more values need to be calculated

Mixed DI

Combination of two charts or tables

Arithmetic DI

Data based on percentage, ratio, average or profit

Comparison DI

Comparing two or more quantities

Data Sufficiency

Determining whether the available data is sufficient

1

Simplification and Approximation

Very High

2

Data Interpretation

Very High

3

Number Series

High

4

Quadratic Equations

High

5

Percentage

High

6

Ratio and Proportion

High

7

Average

High

8

Profit, Loss and Discount

High

9

Time and Work

Medium to High

10

Time, Speed and Distance

Medium to High

11

Simple and Compound Interest

Medium

12

Mixture and Allegation

Medium

13

Mensuration

Medium

14

Probability

Mainly relevant for Mains

Multiplication Tables

Up to 30

Squares

Up to 50

Cubes

Up to 20

Fraction-to-Percentage Values

Common fractions

Percentage-to-Fraction Values

Common percentages

Square Roots

Frequently used values

Addition and Subtraction

Mental calculation

Multiplication

Two and three-digit calculation

Division

Short-division methods

Approximation

Quick estimation

Reasoning

40

50

30 minutes

Computer Knowledge

40

20

15 minutes

General Awareness

40

40

15 minutes

English Language or Hindi Language

40

40

30 minutes

Numerical Ability

40

50

30 minutes

Total

200

200

120 minutes

Total Sections

5

Total Questions

200

Total Marks

200

Total Time

120 minutes

Sectional Timing

Yes, according to the latest detailed pattern

Language Choice

English or Hindi

Negative Marking

One-fourth of the assigned marks for an incorrect answer

Interview

No

Final Selection

Based on Mains marks and allotment conditions

Difficulty Level

Higher than Prelims

Main Focus

Accuracy, speed and subject balance

Advanced Puzzles

Multi-variable and complex arrangement puzzles

Seating Arrangement

Linear, circular, parallel-row, square and rectangular

Floor and Flat Puzzle

Multiple floors and flats with additional variables

Box Puzzle

Stacking, colour, size and distribution

Scheduling

Day, date, month, year and time

Input-Output

Word, number and mixed machine arrangements

Data Sufficiency

Two-statement and three-statement questions

Coded Inequality

Symbol and code-based comparison

Advanced Coding-Decoding

Sentence, conditional and pattern-based coding

Coded Blood Relations

Family relations represented through symbols

Direction and Distance

Multi-step movement questions

Order and Ranking

Multiple conditions and comparisons

Syllogism

Conclusions and possibility cases

Statement and Assumption

Identifying implied assumptions

Statement and Conclusion

Finding logically valid conclusions

Statement and Inference

Drawing logical inferences

Cause and Effect

Identifying causal relationships

Course of Action

Selecting a suitable action

Statement and Argument

Strong and weak arguments

Decision Making

Selecting the most appropriate decision

Critical Reasoning

Passage-based logical analysis

Advanced Data Interpretation

Table, bar, line, pie, caselet and mixed DI

Arithmetic DI

Percentage, ratio, average, interest and profit-based data

Simplification

Multi-step calculations

Approximation

Fast estimation and approximate values

Number Series

Missing and wrong series

Quadratic Equations

Root comparison

Percentage

Basic and successive percentage changes

Ratio and Proportion

Distribution and comparison

Average

Combined and weighted average

Profit, Loss and Discount

Marked price and successive discounts

Simple and Compound Interest

Interest calculations and comparison

Partnership

Capital, duration and profit sharing

Mixture and Allegation

Price and concentration-based problems

Problems on Ages

Complex age relationships

Time and Work

Efficiency and combined work

Pipes and Cisterns

Filling, emptying and leakage

Time, Speed and Distance

Relative and average speed

Trains

Crossing-based problems

Boats and Streams

Upstream and downstream

Mensuration

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures

Probability

Events and selection

Permutation and Combination

Arrangement and selection

Quantity Comparison

Comparison of two mathematical quantities

Data Sufficiency

Statement-based arithmetic questions

Current Affairs

National, international and recent events

Banking Awareness

Banking system, terminology and RBI

Financial Awareness

Markets, institutions and economic developments

Rural Awareness

RRBs, NABARD, agriculture and government schemes

National Affairs

Government decisions and major national events

International Affairs

Global events and India’s international relations

Appointments

Banking, government and institutional appointments

Awards and Honours

Major national and international awards

Books and Authors

Important publications

Important Days

Dates, themes and organisations

Sports

Winners, tournaments, venues and records

Summits

National and international conferences

Reports and Indices

Issuing organisation, rankings and findings

Government Schemes

Purpose, ministry, beneficiaries and features

Agreements and MoUs

Important national and international agreements

Defence

Military exercises and defence developments

Science and Technology

Space, digital and scientific developments

Obituaries

Important national and international personalities

Reserve Bank of India

Functions, structure and monetary policy

Monetary Policy Rates

Repo rate, SDF, MSF, CRR, SLR and bank rate

Banking Terminology

Deposits, advances, assets, liabilities and liquidity

Types of Accounts

Savings, current, fixed and recurring deposits

Payment Systems

UPI, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS and AePS

Digital Banking

Mobile banking, internet banking and digital payments

Negotiable Instruments

Cheques, drafts, bills and endorsement

Priority Sector Lending

Agriculture, MSME and weaker sections

Non-Performing Assets

Classification and recovery

Deposit Insurance

DICGC and insured deposits

Banking Ombudsman

Customer grievance redressal

Bank Types

Commercial, cooperative, payment and small finance banks

Banking Regulation

Important banking laws and regulations

Financial Inclusion

Basic accounts and banking correspondents

Basel Norms

Capital adequacy and banking risks

Financial Institutions

RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, SEBI, IRDAI and PFRDA

Money Market

Treasury bills, call money and certificates of deposit

Capital Market

Shares, bonds, mutual funds and stock exchanges

Inflation

Types, causes and measurement

National Income

GDP, GVA and related terms

Union Budget

Major allocations, taxation and schemes

Economic Survey

Growth, inflation and sectoral performance

Fiscal Policy

Revenue, expenditure, deficit and public debt

Monetary Policy

Inflation and liquidity management

Important Committees

Banking and financial-sector committees

Regional Rural Banks

Formation, ownership, purpose and functions

NABARD

Rural development and agricultural finance

Agricultural Credit

Short-term and long-term agricultural loans

Kisan Credit Card

Purpose and major features

Crop Insurance

Major crop insurance programmes

Self-Help Groups

SHG-bank linkage and financial support

Microfinance

Small-value credit and financial services

Rural Infrastructure

Roads, irrigation, storage and connectivity

Cooperative Banks

Structure and agricultural lending role

Lead Bank Scheme

District-level banking coordination

Financial Inclusion

Banking facilities in rural areas

Rural Employment

Government employment programmes

Farmer Schemes

Income, insurance and credit schemes

Agriculture

Crops, seasons, irrigation and allied activities

Priority Sector

Agriculture, MSME and weaker sections

Minimum Coverage

Last 5–6 months before Mains

Strong Coverage

Last 8 months

Banking Updates

Entire examination cycle

Government Schemes

Current and recently modified schemes

Revision

Daily, weekly and monthly

Computer Fundamentals

Definition, characteristics and applications

History of Computers

Generations and development

Types of Computers

Micro, mini, mainframe and supercomputer

Hardware

CPU, motherboard, ports and peripheral devices

Software

System, application and utility software

Input Devices

Keyboard, mouse, scanner and microphone

Output Devices

Monitor, printer, speaker and projector

Memory

RAM, ROM, cache and virtual memory

Storage

HDD, SSD, optical disks and cloud storage

Operating Systems

Windows, Linux, Android and basic functions

MS Word

Editing, formatting and shortcut keys

MS Excel

Worksheets, formulas, functions and charts

MS PowerPoint

Slides, presentation tools and commands

Internet

Website, browser, URL and search engine

Email

Email fields, attachments and protocols

Networking

LAN, MAN, WAN, topology and network devices

Database

Database, tables, fields, records and DBMS

Computer Languages

Machine, assembly and high-level languages

Number System

Binary, decimal, octal and hexadecimal

Cybersecurity

Malware, phishing, ransomware, firewall and antivirus

Cloud Computing

Online services and storage

Shortcut Keys

Windows, browser and MS Office shortcuts

Abbreviations

Common computer and internet full forms

1

Computer fundamentals

2

Hardware and software

3

Memory and storage

4

MS Office

5

Internet and email

6

Networking

7

Cybersecurity

8

Operating systems

9

Shortcut keys

10

Computer abbreviations

Reading Comprehension

Passage, inference, tone, title and vocabulary

Cloze Test

Grammar and context-based blanks

Error Detection

Identifying grammar and usage errors

Sentence Improvement

Correcting the highlighted portion

Phrase Replacement

Replacing an incorrect phrase

Fill in the Blanks

Single, double and multiple fillers

Para Jumbles

Arranging sentences logically

Sentence Rearrangement

Correct order of sentence parts

Word Swap

Interchanging incorrectly placed words

Sentence Connectors

Joining sentences logically

Odd Sentence

Finding the unrelated sentence

Paragraph Completion

Selecting the appropriate conclusion

Vocabulary

Synonyms, antonyms and contextual meanings

Idioms and Phrases

Meaning and usage

Word Usage

Correct use of a word

Subject-Verb Agreement

Agreement rules

Tenses

Correct verb forms

Articles

Use of a, an and the

Prepositions

Correct preposition usage

Conjunctions

Connecting clauses and sentences

Pronouns

Reference and agreement

Active-Passive Voice

Voice transformation

Direct-Indirect Speech

Narration rules

अपठित गद्यांश

तथ्य, निष्कर्ष, शीर्षक एवं शब्दार्थ

रिक्त स्थान

सही शब्द का चयन

क्लोज टेस्ट

अनुच्छेद आधारित रिक्त स्थान

त्रुटि पहचान

व्याकरण एवं वाक्य संरचना की त्रुटि

वाक्य सुधार

अशुद्ध वाक्य को शुद्ध करना

वाक्य पुनर्व्यवस्था

वाक्यों को सही क्रम में लगाना

पर्यायवाची शब्द

समान अर्थ वाले शब्द

विलोम शब्द

विपरीत अर्थ वाले शब्द

अनेकार्थी शब्द

एक शब्द के अनेक अर्थ

एक शब्द

वाक्यांश के लिए एक शब्द

मुहावरे एवं लोकोक्तियाँ

अर्थ और सही प्रयोग

वर्तनी शुद्धि

शुद्ध एवं अशुद्ध शब्द

संधि

संधि एवं संधि-विच्छेद

समास

समास एवं समास-विग्रह

उपसर्ग एवं प्रत्यय

शब्द निर्माण

लिंग एवं वचन

सही लिंग और वचन

कारक

कारक एवं विभक्ति

काल

वर्तमान, भूत और भविष्य

वाच्य

कर्तृवाच्य, कर्मवाच्य और भाववाच्य

शब्द प्रयोग

संदर्भ के अनुसार सही शब्द

Reasoning

Yes

Yes

Numerical Ability

Yes

Yes

General Awareness

No

Yes

Banking Awareness

No

Yes

Rural Awareness

No

Yes

Computer Knowledge

No

Yes

English Language

No

Optional

Hindi Language

No

Optional

Descriptive Paper

No

No

Interview

No

No

Correct Answer

Full marks assigned to the question

Incorrect Answer

One-fourth of the assigned marks deducted

Unattempted Question

No deduction

More Than One Option Marked

Treated as an incorrect answer

1 mark

0.25 mark

1.25 marks

0.3125 mark

0.50 mark

0.125 mark

Local Language

Depends on the state and participating RRB

Proof of Proficiency

May be established through school-level study, as prescribed

Candidate Responsibility

Check the language mentioned against the chosen RRB

Final Authority

Detailed IBPS notification and participating RRB

Important Advice

Never select a state without checking its local-language condition

Reasoning

Puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogism, inequality, coding, blood relations and direction sense

Numerical Ability

Simplification, number series, quadratic equations, DI, percentage, ratio and arithmetic

General Awareness

Current affairs, banking, RBI, NABARD, government schemes and rural awareness

Computer Knowledge

Fundamentals, MS Office, internet, networking, memory and cybersecurity

English

Reading comprehension, cloze test, fillers, error detection and para jumbles

Hindi

अपठित गद्यांश, रिक्त स्थान, त्रुटि पहचान, वाक्य सुधार and शब्दावली

Prelims

Speed and accuracy in Reasoning and Numerical Ability

Mains

Advanced aptitude, General Awareness, Banking, Computer Knowledge and language

Final Selection

High Mains score, correct preferences and fulfilment of eligibility conditions