IBPS RRB PO 2026 Expected Cut Off – Prelims & Mains Complete Trend Analysis + Safe Score Strategy
IBPS RRB PO 2026 expected cut off for Prelims is likely to range between 58–66 for high competition states and 48–55 for moderate states. Mains cut off may range between 85–100 depending on state vacancies, difficulty level, and normalization.
If you want serious prediction — not copied tables — read this full analysis carefully.
IBPS RRB PO Cut Off – How It Actually Works
IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale I) cut off is:
- ✅ State-wise
- ✅ Category-wise
- ✅ Influenced by vacancies
- ✅ Affected by normalization
- ✅ Dependent on paper difficulty
Unlike IBPS PO, RRB PO cut off varies more significantly between states.
IBPS RRB PO 2026 Expected Cut Off – Prelims (Out of 80)
Prelims Pattern:
- Reasoning – 40 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude – 40 marks
Total: 80 Marks
🔹 High Competition States
(Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra)
Paper Level | Expected Cut Off (GEN) |
|---|---|
Tough | 55–58 |
Moderate | 58–66 |
Easy | 66–72 |
👉 Safe Target: 70+
🔹 Moderate Competition States
(Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Odisha, Karnataka)
Paper Level | Expected Cut Off |
|---|---|
Tough | 48–52 |
Moderate | 52–58 |
Easy | 58–64 |
👉 Safe Target: 62+
🔹 Lower Competition States
(Assam, North-East states, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh)
Paper Level | Expected Cut Off |
|---|---|
Tough | 42–48 |
Moderate | 48–55 |
Easy | 55–60 |
👉 Safe Target: 58+
Category-Wise Expected Relaxation (Prelims 2026)
Category | Expected Difference from GEN |
|---|---|
OBC | 0–3 marks |
EWS | Similar to GEN |
SC | 4–7 marks |
ST | 6–10 marks |
Exact relaxation depends on state vacancy and competition.
IBPS RRB PO 2026 Expected Cut Off – Mains (Out of 200)
Mains Pattern:
- Reasoning
- Quant
- General Awareness
- English/Hindi
- Computer Knowledge
Mains decides final merit before interview.
🔹 High Competition States
Expected Range (GEN): 90–100
Safe Target: 105+
🔹 Moderate States
Expected Range: 82–92
Safe Target: 98+
🔹 Lower Competition States
Expected Range: 75–85
Safe Target: 92+
Why RRB PO Cut Off Fluctuates Every Year
Real influencing factors:
- Total vacancies in that RRB region
- Difficulty of Quant in Prelims
- GA weight in Mains
- Shift normalization
- Number of repeat serious aspirants
If puzzles are easy → Prelims cut off rises
If Quant is calculation-heavy → Cut off drops
If vacancies increase → Slight dip in cut off
Safe Attempt Strategy for Prelims 2026
For a moderate paper:
Section | Safe Attempts | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
Reasoning | 26–30 | 90% |
Quant | 22–26 | 85% |
Total Attempt Target: 50–55+ with high accuracy
Remember:
Cut off depends on net score, not attempts.
5–7 Marks Buffer Rule (Selection Formula)
If expected cut off is 62 → Target 70
If expected cut off is 55 → Target 62
Never prepare for bare minimum.
Prepare for cushion.
Interview Impact on Final Selection
Final selection = Mains marks + Interview marks
Even if you clear cut off, strong interview performance can improve final ranking significantly.
Prediction Confidence Meter
Based on vacancy trends and difficulty patterns:
Prediction Confidence Level: 8 / 10
Final variation depends on official vacancy notification.
FAQs
What is the expected cut off for IBPS RRB PO 2026?
Prelims cut off may range between 58–66 for high competition states and 48–55 for moderate states.
Is IBPS RRB PO cut off state-wise?
Yes, it is completely state-wise and category-wise.
What score is safe for IBPS RRB PO 2026?
For high competition states, aim for 70+ in Prelims and 105+ in Mains.
Is RRB PO cut off lower than IBPS PO?
Generally yes, but it varies depending on state competition and vacancies.
Can RRB PO cut off cross 70?
Yes, in high competition states if paper is easy and vacancies are limited.
Does normalization affect RRB PO cut off?
Yes, IBPS uses normalization across shifts.
How many marks are required to clear RRB PO Prelims?
Aim for 5–7 marks above expected state cut off.
Is there sectional cut off in RRB PO?
Yes, sectional cut off applies in both Prelims and Mains.
Does vacancy impact cut off?
Yes, higher vacancies usually lower cut off slightly.
Which states usually have highest RRB PO cut off?
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra often show higher competition.
What is safe mains score for final selection?
Target at least 10–12 marks above expected mains cut off.
Can interview change final ranking?
Yes, interview marks significantly impact final merit.
Final Target Summary
Stage | Minimum Target | Safe Target |
|---|---|---|
Prelims | 55 | 70+ |
Mains | 85 | 105+ |
If you consistently stay above safe target, your selection probability increases significantly.