Table of Contents
While preparing for any examination, the aspirants require the syllabus and exam pattern to understand what topics and subjects they must cover to appear. Similarly, to qualify for the examination for the probationary officer, the candidates must be familiar with the IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam pattern released by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. Based on the selection process, there are three stages that the candidates need to qualify for, including Prelims, Mains, and Interview. To be eligible for these, the candidates will have to prepare vigorously with hours of dedication. Here, we have discussed the section-wise IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 for the candidates to understand where they need to start.
Latest Update:
IBPS PO Prelims Exam 2025 will be conducted on 4th, 5th, and 11th October 2025, and the Mains exam on 29th November 2025.
IBPS PO Syllabus 2025
The IBPS PO Syllabus for Prelims and Mains exams is curated by the IBPS, and it is given in the official notification for candidates’ knowledge. Based on the exam pattern given in the official notification, candidates need a list of topics to be covered for the exam, which we have shared below. For both Prelims and Mains, the subjects included are Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, Computer Knowledge, General Awareness, and Current Affairs. The difficulty level of the exam is usually moderate, but the competition is getting tougher every year. So, prepare wisely.
IBPS PO Syllabus: Overview
The IBPS PO 2025 exam dates has been released with the exam calendar, so candidates must utilize this time to gain as much knowledge as they can. The syllabus for the prelims and mains exams is prepared to assess the knowledge of the candidates. The candidates who successfully apply online after the official notification is released will be able to appear in the online examination. Check the details regarding the syllabus from the table given below.
IBPS PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 | |
Exam Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, IBPS |
Name of Exam | IBPS PO 2025 |
Post | Probationary Officer (PO) |
Marks Segregation IBPS PO Exam |
|
Duration of Exam |
|
Marking scheme | 1 mark each for every correct answer in the Online Test |
Negative marking | 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question in the MCQ |
Mode of Examination | Online For Prelims & Mains |
Language of examination | English OR Hindi The English Language paper has to be attempted in English. |
IBPS PO Selection Process 2025
The IBPS PO Exam is conducted in three different stages as listed below:
- IBPS PO Prelims Exam
- IBPS PO Mains Exam
- IBPS PO Interview
Each candidate will be required to obtain a minimum score in each test (Pre and Mains) of the Online examination and also a minimum total score to be considered to be shortlisting for the interview. Candidates should qualify both in the Online Main Exam and interview, and be sufficiently high to be considered for the final appointment. Thus, the final selection is made on the marks scored by the candidate in the IBPS PO Mains Exam and Interview (Mains+Interview).
IBPS PO Syllabus 2025
The IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 is divided into two parts, one is syllabus for prelims, and the other is syllabus for mains. Candidates who are going to participate in the upcoming examination for the probationary officer must start with the prelims syllabus. Prelims is the first phase of the selection process, and qualifying this round only will decide the fate of the candidates. Here, we have discussed the topic-wise details of the syllabus for the candidates to create a effective schedule to prepare for the IBPS PO Exam.
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2025
The IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 for Prelims is given below for the following sections:
- Reasoning Ability: 35 Marks
- English Language: 30 Marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 35 Marks
Check the subject-wise IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2025 below:
IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2025 | ||
Reasoning Syllabus | English Language Syllabus | Quantitative Ability Syllabus |
Logical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension | Simplification |
Alphanumeric Series | Cloze Test | Profit & Loss |
Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Para jumbles | Mixtures & Allegations |
Data Sufficiency | Word Usage, Word-Swap | Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices |
Inequalities | Fill in the blanks | Work & Time |
Seating Arrangement | Error Detection, Error Spotting | Time & Distance |
Puzzle | Paragraph Completion | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere |
Tabulation | One word Substitution | Data Interpretation |
Syllogism | Miscellaneous | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage |
Blood Relations
|
– | Number Systems |
Input-Output | – | Sequence & Series |
Coding-Decoding
|
– | Permutation, Combination &Probability |
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2025
The candidates who secure a minimum cut-off will be eligible to appear for the IBPS PO Mains Exam. The syllabus for the IBPS PO Mains Exam is given below for the following sections:
- Data Analysis and Interpretation: 60 Marks
- General Awareness and Economy/Banking Awareness: 40 Marks (Also includes Current Affairs)
- English Language: 40 Marks
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 60 Marks
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus for Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Simplification
- Average
- Percentage
- Mixture and Allegations
- Ratio and Percentage
- Data Interpretation
- Mensuration and Geometry
- Quadratic Equation
- Interest
- Problems of Ages
- Profit and Loss
- Number Series
- Speed, Distance, and Time
- Time and Work
- Number System
- Data Sufficiency
- Linear Equation
- Permutation and Combination
- Probability
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus for General Awareness and Economy/Banking Awareness
- Financial Awareness
- Banking Reforms
- Monetary Policy
- RBI Reports and Indices
- International Organisation Reports
- Current Affairs of National and International Importance
- General Knowledge
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus for Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Syllabus
- Verbal Reasoning
- Syllogism
- Circular Seating Arrangement
- Code Inequalities
- Linear Seating Arrangement
- Double Lineup
- Scheduling
- Input-Output
- Blood Relations
- Directions and Distances
- Ordering and Ranking
- Data Sufficiency
- Coding and Decoding
- Internet
- Memory
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Computer Abbreviation
- Microsoft Office
- Computer Hardware
- Computer Software
- Operating System
- Networking
- Computer Fundamentals / Terminologies
IBPS PO Mains Syllabus for English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- One Word Substitution
- Verbal Ability
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025
The IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 is the examination structure that the candidates need to understand to start with the syllabus. The exam pattern includes the sections, marking scheme, number of questions, and duration of the examination. The exam pattern for the prelims and mains examinations differs from each other therefore, we have shared both exam patterns here.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The Prelims exam is the first stage of the Probationary Officer exam, and this is the screening round. The details of the IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025 have been discussed here for the candidates.
- The Prelims Stage of IBPS PO will have three sections of a total duration of 1 Hour.
- There will be a total of 100 multiple-choice questions.
- Candidates will have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing minimum cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS.
- An adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by IBPS, depending upon requirements, will be shortlisted for the Online Main Examination.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 | ||||
Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration | |
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes | |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes | |
Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Note: There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The mains examination is the second stage of the IBPS PO Exam 2025. The candidates who pass the Prelims examination are qualified to appear in the mains stage.
- There are 4 sections, such as Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation, and each is divided into Section A and Section B. All questions in both sections are mandatory, with some questions carrying 2 marks and others 1 mark.
- Computer Aptitude is combined with the Reasoning section, comprising 45 questions for a total of 60 marks.
- The total time for the IBPS PO 2025 Mains Objective Exam is 180 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes for the descriptive test, making the total duration 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- Candidates will be assessed on their writing skills through an essay and a letter, totaling 25 marks to be completed within 30 minutes.
- A penalty of 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer in the Objective Tests.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025 | |||||
S. No. | Name of test | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Medium of Examination | Time Duration |
1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (Section A and Section B) |
45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 60 minutes |
2 | English Language (Section A and Section B) |
35 | 40 | English only | 40 minutes |
3 | Data Analysis and Interpretation (Section A and Section B) |
35 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
4 | General Awareness and Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
Total | 155 | 200 | – | 180 minutes | |
English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 02 | 25 | English | 30 minutes | |
Total | 157 | 225 | – | 3 hours 30 minutes |
IBPS PO Negative Marking
An incorrect answer in the IBPS PO objective exam results in a penalty of one-fourth or 0.25 marks being deducted for that question. However, if you choose not to answer a question, there is no penalty. This encourages careful consideration of each question, as guessing incorrectly can lower your score.
Strategic answering and time management become crucial, as avoiding penalties can significantly impact your overall performance. Thus, focusing on accuracy is just as important as attempting all questions within the given time frame.
IBPS PO Descriptive Test
IBPS has included the descriptive test of 25 Marks in the PO Mains Exam. The candidates will have to write an essay and a letter of 25 marks. The English Language Paper is to assess the candidates’ writing skills, and it is compulsory to pass this paper by securing a minimum cut-off. Some topics asked in the previous year essays and letters are listed below for the reference of the candidates.
Previous Year Essay Topics | Previous Year Letter Topics |
Women Empowerment | Write a letter to your old teacher to thank him/her for making you a good human being. |
Women’s Safety | Write a letter to the bank for applying for an educational loan. |
Ethical Problems of E-Commerce | To the regional manager for change in bank timing as it is inconvenient for customers. |
Is the Generation Gap a Myth? | Write a complaint letter to the Bank Manager about the negligence/irresponsibility of the employees. |
Role of Newspaper in Influencing Society or Youth | Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper about the importance of cleanliness in your city. |
United Nations Organization’s contribution to the recent turmoil in Ukraine | Write a letter to the electricity board complaining about frequent power cuts. |
Pro and Cons of One Rank One Pension Scheme | Write a letter to your parents describing your new city after getting transferred for your job. |
IBPS PO Interview 2025
Candidates who have been shortlisted in the Online Main examination for CRP- PO/MT-XIV will subsequently be
called for an Interview to be conducted by the Participating Organization and coordinated by the Nodal Bank in each State/ UT with the help of IBPS. Interviews will be conducted at select centers.
- The total marks allotted for the IBPS PO Interview are 100.
- The minimum qualifying marks in the interview will not be less than 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD candidates).
- The weightage (ratio) of the IBPS PO Online Main Exam and interview will be 80:20, respectively.
- The combined final score of candidates shall be arrived at based on scores obtained by the candidates in the Online Main Examination of CRP-PO/MT-XIV and the Interview.
- A candidate should qualify both in the Online Main Exam and interview and be sufficiently high in merit to be shortlisted for the subsequent provisional allotment process.
Introduction of Descriptive Test: 25 Marks
In the IBPS PO Mains Examination, a descriptive section worth 25 marks has been introduced by IBPS. This segment includes tasks such as essay and letter writing. The purpose of the English Language Paper is to achieve the candidates’ writing proficiency, and clearing this section requires achieving at least the minimum qualifying marks.
How to Prepare with the IBPS PO Syllabus?
To prepare for the IBPS PO 2025 prelims examination, the candidates can go through the details of the IBPS PO Preparation Strategy. Here we have mentioned some tips for the reference of the candidates.
- Start by thoroughly understanding the syllabus, which includes sections like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge.
- Make a schedule, adding all the topics and weekly or daily goals.
- Create a study plan that allocates time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Join IBPS PO Online Coaching 2025 if you need assistance.
- Practice with IBPS PO Mock Test and IBPS PO Previous Year Question Paper to improve speed and accuracy.
- Focus on time management and regularly review your progress to ensure comprehensive preparation.
Also Check: | |
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 | IBPS RRB Syllabus 2025 |