What is the in-hand salary of IBPS PO?
The initial in-hand salary of an IBPS PO is typically around ₹52,000 to ₹55,000 per month, inclusive of Dearness Allowance, HRA, and other allowances. The basic pay starts at ₹36,000.
IBPS PO 2026 — Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer Free Online Mock Test Series
The IBPS PO exam is a highly competitive banking examination conducted in India for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) in various public sector banks (excluding SBI). A PO is generally an Assistant Manager level position and is considered a prime entry point for a career in the Indian banking sector. The selection process consists of three rigorous phases: Preliminary examination, Main examination, and a Personal Interview. The preliminary exam acts as a screening test, assessing English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. The Main examination delves deeper into these subjects along with Data Analysis, General Banking Awareness, and a descriptive English test. Successful candidates are eventually placed in banks like Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, and others.
Conducted by: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) | Pay Scale: ₹36,000 Basic Pay (approx ₹52,000 - ₹55,000 in-hand)
Prelims (100 Questions, 100 Marks, 60 Mins)
- English Language (30 Questions) — Reading Comprehension: Inference-based, Theme/Title, Vocabulary in context, True/False statements | Cloze Test: Single word fill, Contextual fill | Error Detection / Spotting Errors: Grammar-based, Subject-verb agreement, Tense errors, Preposition errors | Para Jumbles: Sentence reordering, First/Last sentence fixed | Fill in the Blanks: Single filler, Double filler | Sentence Improvement / Correction: Replacing phrases, Grammatical accuracy | Vocabulary-based Questions: Word usage, Word-swap, One-word substitution, Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases | Paragraph Completion: Concluding sentence, Starter sentence
- Quantitative Aptitude (35 Questions) — Data Interpretation: Tabular DI, Pie Chart DI, Bar Graph DI, Line Graph DI, Radar/Web Chart DI | Simplification & Approximation: BODMAS, Fractions, Decimals, Square roots, Cube roots | Number Series: Missing number, Wrong number | Quadratic Equations: Solving for x and y, Comparing roots | Ratio & Proportion: Simple ratio, Compound ratio, Proportional division | Percentages: Basic percentage, Percentage change, Successive percentages | Profit & Loss: Cost price/Selling price, Successive discounts, Marked price, Dishonest dealings | Simple & Compound Interest: SI formula problems, CI formula problems, Difference between SI & CI | Time & Work: Individual efficiency, Pipes & Cisterns, Alternate days work, Work & wages | Time, Speed & Distance: Relative speed, Boats & Streams, Trains, Average speed, Circular track | Mixture & Alligation: Mean price, Replacement of liquid | Averages: Weighted average, Average of series | Partnership: Simple partnership, Compound partnership | Age-based Problems: Linear equations, Ratio-based ages | Mensuration: Cylinder, Cone, Sphere, Rectangle, Circle, Triangle area/perimeter | Probability & Permutation/Combination: Basic probability, Conditional probability, Arrangements, Selections
- Reasoning Ability (35 Questions) — Puzzles & Seating Arrangement: Linear arrangement (single/double row), Circular arrangement, Square arrangement, Floor-based puzzle, Box-based puzzle, Scheduling puzzle, Triangular arrangement | Syllogism: Possibility-based, Coded syllogism, Reverse syllogism | Inequalities: Direct inequality, Coded inequality | Blood Relations: Family tree, Coded blood relations, Puzzle-based blood relations | Direction & Distance: Shadow-based, Displacement problems, Multi-turn direction | Coding-Decoding: Letter shifting, Sentence-based coding, Number/Symbol coding | Order & Ranking: Single row ranking, Comparison-based ranking | Alphabet/Numeric/Symbol Series: Letter series, Number series, Alpha-numeric-symbol mixed | Data Sufficiency: Two-statement sufficiency, Three-statement sufficiency | Input-Output: Machine input shifting, Step-based output
Mains (155 Questions, 200 Marks, 180 Mins)
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (45 Questions) — High-Level Puzzles: Multi-variable puzzles, 5+ parameter puzzles, Uncertain puzzles | Seating Arrangement - Complex: Circular with conditions, Parallel rows, Unknown number of people | Verbal Reasoning: Statement & Assumption, Statement & Conclusion, Cause & Effect, Course of Action | Input-Output: Multi-step machine operations, Pattern detection | Syllogism - Advanced: Coded syllogism, Reverse syllogism | Data Sufficiency: Two-statement DS, Three-statement DS | Coding-Decoding - Advanced: Sentence-based new pattern | Blood Relations - Complex: Multi-generation, Coded relations | Logical Reasoning: Statement & Argument, Strong/Weak argument | Critical Reasoning: Inference-based, Strengthening/Weakening | Computer Fundamentals: Generations of computers, Types of computers, Memory types (RAM, ROM, Cache) | Operating Systems: Functions of OS, Types (Windows, Linux, Mac), File management | Networking Basics: LAN, WAN, MAN, Network topologies, Protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP) | Database Management: DBMS concepts, SQL basics, Keys & normalization | Internet & Protocols: IP addressing, DNS, Email protocols (SMTP, POP3, IMAP) | MS Office: Word features, Excel formulas, PowerPoint basics | Computer Security: Virus, Malware, Phishing, Firewall, Encryption basics, Cyber crimes | Number System (Binary/Hex): Binary to decimal, Hexadecimal conversion, Octal system
- Data Analysis & Interpretation (35 Questions) — Data Interpretation - Caselets: Paragraph-based data, Multi-step calculation | Data Interpretation - Missing DI: Incomplete data tables, Deriving missing values | Data Interpretation - Mixed Charts: Two chart combinations, Table + Graph | Data Sufficiency: Quantity comparison, Two-statement problems | Quantity Comparison: Quantity I vs Quantity II | Simplification & Approximation: Complex BODMAS, Percentage approximation | Number Series - Advanced: Complex patterns, Multi-step logic | Quadratic Equations - Advanced: Higher degree equations, Root comparison | Percentage - Advanced: Population growth, Election problems | Profit & Loss - Advanced: Partnership + P&L, Successive transactions | Ratio & Proportion - Advanced: Income-expenditure, Mixture with ratios | Time & Work - Advanced: Efficiency-based, Variable work rates | Time, Speed & Distance - Advanced: Relative motion, Circular tracks | Probability & Permutations: Independent events, Conditional probability, nCr/nPr problems | Mensuration - Advanced: Volume changes, Combined shapes
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness (40 Questions) — Current Affairs - National: Government policies, National events, Appointments | Current Affairs - International: Summits, International agreements, World leaders | Banking & Financial Awareness: Types of banks, Banking terms, NPA, CASA, CRR, SLR, Repo Rate, Priority sector lending | RBI Policies & Circulars: Monetary policy, Regulatory changes, Digital payment guidelines | Union Budget Highlights: Key allocations, Tax changes, Fiscal deficit | Government Schemes: Pradhan Mantri schemes, Financial inclusion schemes, Agricultural schemes | Static Banking GK: Bank headquarters, Bank taglines, Bank establishment years, Currency & capitals | Financial Institutions: NABARD, SIDBI, EXIM Bank, Insurance companies, Stock exchanges | Insurance & Capital Markets: SEBI regulations, Mutual funds basics, Insurance types (IRDAI) | Important Acts & Amendments: Banking Regulation Act, RBI Act, FEMA, PMLA | Awards & Honours: Padma Awards, Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Sports awards | Books & Authors: Recent publications, Autobiographies | Sports Events: Cricket tournaments, Olympics, Commonwealth Games | Summits & Conferences: G20, G7, BRICS, SCO, COP summits, WEF | Important Dates & Days: National days, International observance days
- English Language (35 Questions) — Reading Comprehension - Advanced: Long passages (500+ words), Inference questions, Author's tone, Vocabulary in context | Error Detection - Advanced: Complex sentence errors, Verb form errors, Modifier placement | Sentence Rearrangement: 5-6 sentence jumbles, First-last fixed | Cloze Test - New Pattern: Contextual vocabulary fill, Grammar-based fill | Fill in the Blanks - Double: Two blanks in one sentence, Phrase-based fill | Paragraph Summary: Choosing best summary, Main idea identification | Word Swap: Interchanging words to correct meaning | Column-Based Matching: Match column A with column B to form sentences | Vocabulary in Context: Word usage in sentences, Contextual meaning | Connectors: Linking two sentences, Choosing correct connector
IBPS PO Previous Year Cut-Off Marks
| Stage / Year | OC / Gen | BC / OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 48.50 | 48.50 | 48.00 | 41.00 |
| 2023 | 54.25 | 54.25 | 49.50 | 43.00 |
| 2022 | 49.75 | 49.75 | 46.75 | 40.75 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IBPS PO exam tough?
The exam is considered moderately tough due to the strict sectional timings and intense competition. Success requires strong speed and accuracy.
What is the IBPS PO syllabus 2026?
The Prelims syllabus covers English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. Mains covers Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation.
Are there sectional cutoffs in IBPS PO?
Yes, IBPS PO has sectional cutoffs for both Prelims and Mains. Candidates must secure a minimum score in each individual section as well as the overall cutoff to qualify.
Is an interview part of the selection process?
Yes, candidates who clear the Mains examination are called for a Personal Interview, which carries 100 marks. The final merit list is based on a 80:20 weightage of Mains and Interview marks.