IBPS PO Exam: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) exam every year to recruit eligible candidates for the post of PO in various participating banks across India. The IBPS PO Exam is a national-level examination that aims to select candidates with the requisite skills and knowledge for the post of PO in public sector banks in India.
The IBPS PO Exam was first conducted in 2011, and since then, it has become one of the most popular banking exams in India. The exam is conducted in three stages, namely Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview, and it assesses a candidate’s knowledge of various subjects such as Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation.
The participating banks in the IBPS PO Exam include Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Corporation Bank, Dena Bank, IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, United Bank of India, and Vijaya Bank.
The IBPS PO Exam is conducted with the aim of selecting the most suitable candidates for the post of PO in public sector banks in India. The exam is designed to test a candidate’s analytical and logical reasoning abilities, language proficiency, and general knowledge of the banking sector. It is an important step towards ensuring that public sector banks have a capable and skilled workforce that can serve customers effectively and efficiently.
Overview of the Exam
Related to the Recent Notification
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Exam Level | Frequency | Mode of Exam | Application Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBPS PO Exam | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) | National | Annually | Online | Online |
How to Apply for IBPS PO
- Candidates can apply for the IBPS PO Exam by following these steps:
- Visit the official website of IBPS.
- Click on the ‘CWE PO/MT’ link.
- Register by providing your personal details and creating a username and password.
- Fill out the online application form.
- Upload the required documents (photograph, signature, and left thumb impression).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Review and submit your application.
- Download and print the e-receipt and the application form for future reference.
IBPS PO Application Fee
The application fee for the IBPS PO Exam is as follows:
SC/ST/PwD candidates: ₹175
General/OBC/EWS candidates: ₹850.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
IBPS PO Selection Process
| Stage | Exam | Sections | Duration | Mode | Marks | Cut-off Score | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preliminary Exam | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability | 1 hour | Online | 100 | Set by IBPS | Clear cut-off score |
| 2 | Main Exam | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Interpretation & Analysis, General Awareness | 3 hours 30 minutes | Online | 200 | Set by IBPS | Clear cut-off score |
| 3 | Interview | – | – | In-person | 100 | Set by IBPS | Qualify Main Exam |
IBPS PO Syllabus
Preliminary Exam Syllabus
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms), Grammar (Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Degrees of Comparison, etc.) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification, Number Series, Data Interpretation (Pie Charts, Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Mixed Graphs), Quadratic Equations, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Average, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages |
| Reasoning Ability | Inequality, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order and Ranking, Coding-Decoding, Seating Arrangements, Puzzles (Floor based, Square, Box, etc.), Alphanumeric Series, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Main Exam Syllabus
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | Verbal Reasoning, Circular Seating Arrangement, Linear Seating Arrangement, Double Lineup, Scheduling, Input-Output, Blood Relations, Directions and Distances, Ordering and Ranking, Data Sufficiency, Coding and Decoding, Code Inequalities, Course of Action, Critical Reasoning, Analytical and Decision-Making |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Grammar (Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Degrees of Comparison, etc.), Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms), Verbal Ability (Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement), General Awareness (Current Affairs, Banking and Financial Awareness, Static Awareness) |
| Data Interpretation & Analysis | Data Interpretation (Tables, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Radar Graphs, Mixed Graphs), Caselet DI, Data Sufficiency, Quantity-based Questions, Probability, Permutation and Combination, Mixture and Alligation, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Percentages, Partnership, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs (National and International), Banking and Financial Awareness (Banking Awareness, Financial Awareness, Monetary Policies, Schemes and Policies, Regulatory Bodies), Static Awareness (Indian History, Culture and Heritage, Geography, Indian Economy, Indian Polity, Science and Technology, Sports) |
| Descriptive Writing | Letter Writing and Essay Writing (Word Limit: 150 and 250 words, respectively) |
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
IBPS PO Preliminary Exam
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum 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: Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and for each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted.
IBPS PO Main Exam
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Analysis | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Descriptive Writing | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 157 | 225 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
Note:
-
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Interpretation & Analysis, and General Awareness sections are objective type (Multiple Choice Questions).
-
Each correct answer in the objective type sections carries 1 mark, and for each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted.
-
Descriptive Writing section will be evaluated only for those candidates who have qualified for the objective type sections.
IBPS PO Interview
| Type | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Interview | 100 |
Note: The final selection of the candidates is based on their performance in the Main Exam and Interview round. The weightage of the Main Exam and Interview round in the final selection is 80:20, respectively.
Important Points [Exam Pattern]
-
The IBPS PO exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview.
-
The Preliminary Exam is conducted online, and it consists of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The exam duration is 1 hour, and the total marks are 100.
-
The Main Exam is also conducted online, and it consists of four sections: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Interpretation & Analysis, and General Awareness. The exam duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes, and the total marks are 200.
-
The Descriptive Writing section is also a part of the Main Exam, and it consists of Letter Writing and Essay Writing. The total marks for this section are 25, and the exam duration is 30 minutes.
-
Both Preliminary and Main Exams have sectional cut-offs, and candidates need to score minimum marks in each section to qualify for the next stage.
-
The Interview stage is the final stage of the selection process. Candidates who qualify for the Main Exam will be shortlisted for the Interview round, which is conducted in person. The total marks for the Interview round are 100.
-
The final selection of the candidates is based on their performance in the Main Exam and Interview round. The weightage of the Main Exam and Interview round in the final selection is 80:20, respectively.
IBPS PO Language of Examination
The IBPS PO Exam is conducted in English and Hindi languages, except for the English Language section.
IBPS PO Salary, Pay-Scale
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | Rs. 23,700/- |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Rs. 10,065/- (42.0% of Basic Pay) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Rs. 2,370/- (10.0% of Basic Pay) or Rs. 3,160/- (13.0% of Basic Pay) or Rs. 4,740/- (20.0% of Basic Pay) depending on the place of posting |
| Special Allowance | Rs. 1,836/- (7.75% of Basic Pay) |
| City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) | Rs. 870/- or Rs. 600/- or Rs. 540/- depending on the place of posting |
| Total (Without HRA) | Rs. 39,511/- |
| Total (With HRA) | Rs. 43,183/- or Rs. 44,551/- or Rs. 45,771/- depending on the place of posting |
IBPS PO Preparation Tips
1. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus.
2. Create a study plan and stick to it.
3. Practice previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
4. Improve your time management and accuracy.
5. Stay updated on current affairs, especially banking and economy-related news.
IBPS PO Best Books
Quantitative Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
- Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M. Tyra
Reasoning Ability
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Test of Reasoning by Edgar Thorpe
- Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
English Language
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
General Awareness
- Lucent’s General Knowledge
- Banking Awareness by Arihant Publications
- General Knowledge 2022 by Manohar Pandey
Computer Knowledge
- Objective Computer Awareness by Arihant Publications
- Computer Knowledge for SBI/IBPS Clerk/PO/RRB/RBI/SSC/Insurance Exams by Shikha Agarwal
- Computer Awareness for General Competitive Exams by Soumya Ranjan Behera
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