Home   »   IBPS PO Syllabus 2025

IBPS PO Syllabus 2025, Exam Pattern for Prelims and Mains, Interview Details

To prepare effectively for the IBPS PO exam, it’s essential for candidates to understand the complete syllabus and exam pattern. These details, released by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), help aspirants know exactly what topics they need to cover.

The recruitment process for Probationary Officers includes three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview. To clear each stage successfully, candidates must study with dedication and a well-structured strategy. In this article, we’ve outlined the section-wise IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 to guide aspirants on how to begin their preparation and focus on key topics.

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 both Prelims and Mains is set by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and detailed in the official notification. Candidates need to prepare according to the topics outlined in the syllabus to succeed in the exam.

The key subjects for both stages include Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, Computer Knowledge, General Awareness, and Current Affairs. While the overall difficulty of the exam is considered moderate, the level of competition continues to rise each year. Therefore, candidates are advised to plan and prepare smartly for the best results

IBPS PO Syllabus: Overview

The IBPS PO 2025 exam dates have been announced in the official exam calendar, giving candidates ample time to strengthen their preparation. The syllabus for both prelims and mains is designed to evaluate the candidates’ knowledge and skills. Only those who complete the online application process after the release of the official notification will be eligible to appear in the exam. You can refer to the table below for detailed syllabus information.

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
  1. Prelims: 100 Marks
  2. Mains: 200 Marks
  3. Descriptive Test: 25 Marks
  4. Interview: 100 Marks
Duration of Exam
  1. IBPS PO Prelims: 1 Hour
  2. IBPS PO Mains: 3 Hours + 30 Min
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:

  1. IBPS PO Prelims Exam
  2. IBPS PO Mains Exam
  3. 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 categorized into two sections: one for the Prelims and another for the Mains exam. Aspirants appearing for the upcoming Probationary Officer exam should begin their preparation with the Prelims syllabus, as it is the first and crucial stage of the selection process. Clearing the Prelims is essential to move forward. In this article, we’ve outlined the syllabus topic-wise to help candidates plan an effective study schedule for their IBPS PO preparation.

IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus 2025

The IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 for Prelims is given below for the following sections:

  1. Reasoning Ability: 35 Marks
  2. English Language: 30 Marks
  3. 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:

  1. Data Analysis and Interpretation: 60 Marks
  2. General Awareness and Economy/Banking Awareness: 40 Marks (Also includes Current Affairs)
  3. English Language: 40 Marks
  4. 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.

  1. The Prelims Stage of IBPS PO will have three sections of a total duration of 1 Hour.
  2. There will be a total of 100 multiple-choice questions.
  3. Candidates will have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing minimum cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS.
  4. 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.

  1. The total marks allotted for the IBPS PO Interview are 100.
  2. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview will not be less than 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD candidates).
  3. The weightage (ratio) of the IBPS PO Online Main Exam and interview will be 80:20, respectively.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Sharing is caring!

IBPS PO Syllabus 2025, Exam Pattern for Prelims and Mains, Interview Details_3.1

FAQs

1. Is IBPS PO a permanent job?

Yes, IBPS PO is generally a permanent job after completing the probationary period.

2. What is the syllabus of IBPS PO Prelims?

The prelims IBPS PO Syllabus 2025 included three major subjects English, reasoning, and numerical ability.

3. What is IBPS PO prelims exam pattern?

The IBPS PO prelims exam pattern includes three sections. The test comprises 100 objective multiple-choice questions covering Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. Candidates have 60 minutes to complete the exam.

4. What is IBPS PO Syllabus for Descriptive Test?

The descriptive section includes an essay and a letter, which can be either formal or informal. The score from the descriptive paper significantly impacts the candidates' overall marks and their chances of selection.

5. How many hours is IBPS PO exam?

In total, the time for IBPS PO Mains is 3 hours 30 minutes.

7. Is there any negative marking for IBPS PO?

For each incorrect answer, there will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks in the IBPS PO Prelims.

8. What is the age limit for IBPS PO?

Applicants for the IBPS PO examination must be at least 20 years old and not older than 30 years at the time of registration.

9. Is banking maths tough?

Yes, the math portion of banking exams can be challenging, particularly the main exam.

10. What is the minimum marks in IBPS PO?

The minimum marks for the IBPS PO is the cut off marks which is released by the conducting authority.

TOPICS: