Complete section-wise syllabus breakdown for IBPS PO 2026 Prelims and Mains with topic lists and marking scheme.
Understanding the IBPS PO syllabus thoroughly is the first step toward effective preparation. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the exam in two phases: Prelims (a qualifying screen) and Mains (merit-based selection), followed by an interview round. The Prelims paper has 100 questions to be solved in 60 minutes, with strict sectional timing of 20 minutes per section. Before you start, download the detailed notification from the official IBPS website so that you are working from the exact pattern, vacancies and eligibility for the current cycle.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
There is no fixed passing score: cutoffs move every year with paper difficulty and the number of vacancies. As a working target, aim for 70+ attempts with around 90% accuracy in Prelims, and remember that you must clear every sectional cutoff as well as the overall one.
A smart way to read this pattern is to treat Prelims as a speed test and Mains as a depth test. In Prelims the questions are relatively straightforward, so the challenge is finishing enough of them accurately inside the 20-minute windows. In Mains the questions are longer and more analytical, so comprehension and calculation stamina matter more. Keeping this difference in mind helps you decide how much time to spend on each topic below.
This section tests calculation speed and core arithmetic. The important topics are:
Data Interpretation is the highest-scoring block here, so treat it as a priority. A typical DI set gives you a table or graph and 5 questions built on percentages, ratios and averages, which means your arithmetic basics feed directly into your DI score. Sharpen calculation speed with tables, squares and fraction-to-percentage conversions, and practise varied sets from our data interpretation guide to build confidence.
Puzzles and seating arrangements carry the heaviest weight in this section, often more than half the questions. The full topic list:
Because puzzles and seating arrangements can make or break your Reasoning score, invest the most practice time here and learn to identify which set to attempt first. Start with easier linear and circular arrangements, then move to floor, box and scheduling puzzles. Our walkthrough on solving puzzles and seating arrangement faster shows the elimination methods that save precious minutes.
The English section rewards reading habit and grammar fundamentals more than memorised rules:
Reading Comprehension usually carries the most marks in this section, so daily reading of editorials and business news builds both speed and vocabulary at once. Grammar-based questions like error spotting reward a clear understanding of tenses, subject-verb agreement and prepositions rather than rote learning.
The Mains pattern was revised in the official CRP PO/MT-XVI notification dated 30 June 2026, so prepare for the new structure: 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, plus a descriptive English test of Essay and Comprehension (2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes). Computer Aptitude no longer appears in Mains; that section is now simply Reasoning. On top of the Prelims syllabus, Mains adds two new areas: Data Analysis & Interpretation and General / Economy / Banking Awareness (including Digital and Financial Awareness and RBI circulars).
Every wrong answer attracts a negative marking of 0.25 marks in both phases, which makes accuracy exactly as important as speed. Build your study plan topic by topic from the lists above, and validate each topic with topic-wise tests before you move on to full-length mocks. Give Data Interpretation and puzzles the largest share of your practice time, since they decide the bulk of the Prelims score, and revisit PYQ papers regularly to see exactly how each topic is asked in the real exam.
Convert every bullet above into a checklist and track your accuracy topic by topic. Begin with the high-weight areas (DI, puzzles and reading comprehension), lock in the theory, then shift to timed practice. Once your basics are steady, move to full-length mocks that mirror the real sectional timing. You can practise the full pattern with topic tests and mock tests on our IBPS PO practice page, and analyse each attempt to fix weak spots before the next one.
Ready to test yourself? Start with the free IBPS PO mock tests: exam-accurate pattern and timing, instant analysis, and a free starter series that stays free after a phone sign up.
Always confirm the latest dates, vacancies and pattern on the official website before applying.
Related reading: our IBPS PO new exam pattern guide explains exactly what changed in the revised Mains and how to adapt your strategy.
It has 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes: Quantitative Aptitude 35 questions (30 marks), Reasoning Ability 35 questions (40 marks), and English Language 30 questions (30 marks), with a 20-minute sectional limit each.
Per the revised pattern in the official CRP PO/MT-XVI notification dated 30 June 2026, the Mains has 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes across four sections, plus a separate descriptive Essay and Comprehension test of 25 marks in 30 minutes. Computer Aptitude has been removed from Mains.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Puzzles and seating arrangements dominate the Reasoning section, often more than half the questions, so they deserve the largest share of your practice.
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