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The IBPS PO Selection Process 2025 is set by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit Probationary Officer (PO) positions in banks across India. Understanding the selection process is important before applying for the posts to know what are the stages you will have to clear to qualify the exam. Every year, lakhs of aspirants take part in this exam to achieve their goal of being selected as IBPS Probationary Officer. The IBPS PO Exam Date 2025 for prelims has been released and is scheduled to be held on 4th, 5th, 11th October 2025.
IBPS PO Selection Process 2025
The IBPS PO Selection Process 2025 comprises three stages: first is the Preliminary Exam, the second is the Mains Exam and Interview. Candidates who successfully clear the preliminary exam are qualified to appear for the Mains examination of the IBPS PO 2025. The final selection is based on the performance in the main examination, followed by an Interview.
IBPS PO Selection Process 2025: Stages
The IBPS PO Selection Process 2025 aims to select candidates for Probationary Officer positions in various public sector banks across the country. Aspiring candidates must clear each stage of the selection procedure to secure a position.
- Stage 1: Preliminary Exam
- Stage 2: Mains Exam
- Stage 3: Interview
IBPS PO Selection Process: Preliminary Exam
The Preliminary Exam is a qualifying stage and the first stage of the recruitment process. It consists of three sections- Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. Candidates who score above the cut-off marks in this stage are eligible to appear for the Mains Exam.
IBPS PO Selection Process: Mains Exam
The Mains Exam is the core of the selection process. It comprises five sections- Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General/Financial Awareness, and English Language (Descriptive). This stage assesses a candidate’s overall banking aptitude and knowledge.
IBPS PO Selection Process: Interview
The Interview is the final stage of the selection process. It evaluates a candidate’s personality, communication skills, general awareness, and overall suitability for a banking role. The interview is conducted by a committee of experts and carries significant weightage in the final merit list. The final selection of candidates is based on their combined performance in the Mains Exam and Interview.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2025
The IBPS PO Exam has two main stages: Preliminary and Mains. Both exams consist of multiple-choice questions, assessing speed, accuracy, and knowledge.
- Preliminary Exam: Tests basic skills in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. It is a qualifying round.
- Mains Exam: More detailed, covering Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Financial Awareness, and English Language (both Objective and Descriptive).
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The prelims exam of IBPS PO Prelims consists of a total of 100 questions with a time duration of 60 minutes.
- The question type remains Multiple Choice questions.
- There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks in the exam for each wrong answer.
- This round of IBPS PO exams is only qualifying in nature.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 | |||
Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
- Candidates must pass the preliminary round to qualify for the IBPS PO Mains 2025 exam.
- The Mains exam has four sections plus an additional English section consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and lasts 3 hours.
- The Descriptive Test evaluates writing skills through an essay and a letter.
- Each wrong answer carries a penalty of 0.25 marks and each section has a time limit, similar to the prelims.
- Candidates must pass each section to succeed in the online exam.
- It’s important to meet the minimum cut-off for the Descriptive Test section.
- The Mains exam includes a new Descriptive Test worth 25 marks.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025 | |||
Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time allotted for each test |
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours |
English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 02 | 25 | 30 minutes |
IBPS PO Interview 2025
The interview is the final stage of the IBPS PO Exam. Candidates who score well in the Prelims and Mains will move on to the interview process, which is worth 100 marks. The final score for the IBPS PO exam is calculated with an 80:20 weightage ratio for the Mains and interview marks, respectively. IBPS will conduct interviews at various centres across the country. Candidates need to dress formally and present themselves well, as personal conduct will be evaluated during the interview.
Documents to Carry to IBPS PO Interview Stage
Following are the documents that the candidate must carry to the IBPS PO Interview Center:
- IBPS PO Application Form
- Birth Certificate
- Photo ID Proof
- Admit Card
- Category Certificate
- Educational Certificates (Marksheet for Degree, 12th, and 10th Standard)
- Disability Certificate
- Income and Asset Certificate
- Certificates and Domiciles for candidates claiming certain types of relaxation.
- Copy of Service or Discharge in case of ESM candidates