Every year, lakhs of students in India dream of working in a government bank. The main reason is stability, a respectable profile, and a decent salary. When we talk about banking jobs, the most common exam that comes to mind after SBI PO is the IBPS PO exam.
IBPS stands for Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. It is the body that conducts exams for many public sector banks in India.
If you want to become a Probationary Officer (PO) in banks like Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, or Union Bank of India, you have to clear this exam. It is usually conducted once a year.
What is a Probationary Officer (PO)?
A Probationary Officer is an Assistant Manager scale post. When you join, you are on “probation” (training period) for about two years. During this time, you learn how the bank functions, how to handle customers, cash, loans, and other banking operations.
After your probation ends, you are confirmed as an Assistant Manager.
Participating Banks
IBPS conducts this exam for 11 public sector banks. When you fill out the form, you have to give your preference order for these banks.
- Punjab National Bank
- Union Bank of India
- Bank of Baroda
- Canara Bank
- Indian Bank
- Bank of India
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Overseas Bank
- UCO Bank
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Punjab & Sind Bank
Note: SBI (State Bank of India) conducts its own separate exam and is not part of IBPS.
Eligibility Criteria for IBPS PO 2026
Before you start preparing, you must check if you are eligible to apply.
1. Education Qualification
You must have a Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognized university. It does not matter if you have done BA, B.Com, B.Sc, or B.Tech. Percentage marks in graduation usually do not matter for eligibility, you just need to pass.
Final year students can apply only if they can produce proof of passing on or before the date mentioned in the notification.
2. Age Limit
Generally, the age limit is:
- Minimum: 20 years
- Maximum: 30 years
There is age relaxation for category candidates (SC/ST gets 5 years relaxation, OBC gets 3 years, etc.) as per government rules.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
The selection process has three stages. You have to clear each stage to reach the next one.
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (Online)
This is a qualifying stage. Marks from this stage are not admitted for final selection. It is a 1-hour exam with three sections:
- English Language: 30 Questions (20 Minutes)
- Quantitative Aptitude: 35 Questions (20 Minutes)
- Reasoning Ability: 35 Questions (20 Minutes)
Total: 100 Questions, 100 Marks.
Note: There is a sectional timer. You cannot switch between sections until the 20 minutes for that section are over. There is also negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
Stage 2: Main Exam (Online)
This is the most important stage. The marks you get here will decide your final selection. It is tougher than Prelims and tests your deep knowledge.
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 45 Questions (60 Marks, 60 Minutes)
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: 40 Questions (40 Marks, 35 Minutes)
- English Language: 35 Questions (40 Marks, 40 Minutes)
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 35 Questions (60 Marks, 45 Minutes)
Total: 155 Questions, 200 Marks, 3 Hours.
Descriptive Test: Immediately after the objective test, a descriptive test starts on the same computer. You have to type:
- 1 Letter Writing
- 1 Essay Writing
This is of 25 marks and you get 30 minutes.
Stage 3: Interview
Candidates who clear the Mains cutoff are called for an interview. It carries 100 marks. The final merit list is prepared based on Mains Marks (80% weightage) and Interview Marks (20% weightage).
Syllabus Overview
The syllabus is vast, but you should focus on these core topics.
Quantitative Aptitude (Maths)
Focus on Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables) as it carries the most weight in Mains. Apart from that: Number Series, Simplification, Quadratic Equations, and Arithmetic topics like Percentage, Ratio, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed & Distance.
Reasoning Ability
Focus heavily on Puzzles and Seating Arrangement (Circular, Linear, Floor-based). Other topics include Syllogism, Inequality, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, and Coding-Decoding.
English Language
Reading Comprehension is key. Read newspapers to improve reading speed. Other topics: Error Detection, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the blanks.
General Awareness
This section can be a game-changer in Mains. Focus on:
- Current Affairs (last 6 months)
- Banking Awareness (RBI updates, terminology)
- Static GK (National Parks, Headquarters, etc.)
Salary and Job Profile
The salary of a PO is quite good compared to other entry-level jobs. The basic pay is regularly revised as per Bipartite Settlements.
Currently, the gross salary (including HRA, DA, Special Allowance, etc.) ranges between Rs. 52,000 to Rs. 55,000 per month depending on the location of posting. Banks also provide extra benefits like medical aid, newspaper allowance, and sometimes leased accommodation.
Application Fee
The fee structure is usually:
- General / OBC / EWS: Rs. 850 (approx)
- SC / ST / PwD: Rs. 175 (approx)
How to Apply?
The notification usually comes mid-year (around August or September). You have to apply online on the official IBPS website.
Official Website: www.ibps.in
Practice for This Exam
While waiting for the official IBPS PO notification, candidates can practise a small set of mixed questions based on commonly observed exam patterns.
This practice set is provided only for exam familiarisation and self-practice. It is not a mock test and does not predict the actual exam.
Disclaimer: All information provided here is for educational purposes only. Exam patterns, dates, and eligibility criteria can change. Students are strictly advised to verify details from the official IBPS notification before applying or paying any fees.
Latest Update:
Candidates can check the latest information and current status of the IBPS PO notification here.