IBPS PO 2026 Exam Pattern (Updated)
A complete, section-wise breakdown of the IBPS PO 2026 exam pattern for CRP PO/MT-XVI — Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, sectional timing, marking scheme and qualifying criteria, as per the official IBPS notification.
Exam Pattern Snapshot
- Prelims Questions 100
- Prelims Marks 100
- Mains Objective Questions 170
- Mains Objective Marks 200
- Descriptive Paper 25 Marks
- Negative Marking 0.25 per wrong answer
IBPS PO 2026 Selection Process at a Glance
The IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI) selection process is conducted entirely online and consists of four stages: a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination (Objective plus Descriptive), a Personality Test, and a Common Interview coordinated by the Nodal Bank. Candidates must clear each stage to move to the next, and the final merit list is prepared using combined Main Examination and Interview scores.
Preliminary Examination (Objective Test)
The Preliminary Examination is an objective test comprising three separately timed sections, to be completed within a total of 60 minutes.
| Sr. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | English & Hindi | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | English & Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Main Examination (Objective and Descriptive)
The Main Examination consists of four objective sections and one descriptive test, each separately timed, for a combined objective test duration of 160 minutes.
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests (Not by Sequence) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| 2 | General / Economy / Banking Awareness / Digital / Financial Awareness including RBI circulars | 50 | 60 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| 3 | English Language | 40 | 20 | English | 35 minutes |
| 4 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 160 minutes |
The order in which the four objective sections appear on screen is not fixed and may vary from the sequence shown above.
Descriptive Test (English Language)
Immediately following the objective test, candidates attempt a Descriptive Paper testing writing skills in English, to be typed using the computer keyboard.
| Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language (Essay & Comprehension / Letter Writing) | 02 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
Marking Scheme, Sectional Cut-off & Negative Marking
Sectional Qualifying Marks
Candidates must secure minimum cut-off marks in each individual section, in addition to an overall cut-off, in both the Preliminary and Main Examinations, as decided by IBPS.
Negative Marking
For every wrong answer marked in the objective tests, 0.25 marks (one-fourth) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted as penalty. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Prelims Score Not Counted in Merit
Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are used only for shortlisting to the Main Examination and are not added to the final merit calculation.
Normalisation of Marks
Where the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, scores of candidates may be normalised using an equipercentile method to adjust for difficulty variation across shifts.
Personality Test & Interview Weightage
Personality Test
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for a non-qualifying, self-report Personality Test. Appearing for it is mandatory to be considered eligible for the interview.
Common Interview
Total interview marks are 100, with minimum qualifying marks of 40 percent (35 percent for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates), coordinated by the Nodal Bank.
Final Weightage
The weightage given to the Main Examination and Interview for preparing the final merit list is 80:20 respectively.
Final Merit List
The combined score from the Online Main Examination and the Interview determines the final merit ranking used for provisional allotment to a Participating Bank.
Preparation Tips Based on the Updated Pattern
Respect Sectional Timing
Since each test is separately timed, practise full-length sectional mocks rather than only composite tests, so pacing matches the actual exam.
Prioritise Accuracy in Prelims
With negative marking of 0.25 marks, focus on accuracy over attempting every question, especially in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
Build Descriptive Writing Early
Practise typed essays and letters within the 30-minute limit well before the Main Exam, since typing speed affects descriptive test performance.
Strengthen Data Analysis & Interpretation
This section carries 60 marks in only 40 questions in the Mains, making calculation speed and data reading equally important.
Stay Current on Banking Awareness
Regularly revise Banking, Economy, Digital and Financial Awareness topics, including recent RBI circulars, for the 60-mark Mains section.
Take Regular Mock Tests
Simulate the exact exam interface and sectional time limits using regular mock tests to build speed and reduce exam-day surprises.
Preparing for IBPS PO 2026?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IBPS PO 2026 Prelims exam pattern?
Prelims consists of English Language (30 questions, 30 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (35 questions, 30 marks) and Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 40 marks), totalling 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes.
What is the IBPS PO 2026 Mains exam pattern?
Mains has four objective sections totalling 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, plus a Descriptive Paper of 2 questions for 25 marks in 30 minutes.
Is there negative marking in IBPS PO 2026?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in the objective tests of both Prelims and Mains. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Are Prelims marks added to the final merit list?
No, Prelims marks are used only for shortlisting candidates to the Main Examination and do not count toward the final merit list.
What is the weightage of Mains and Interview in final selection?
The final merit list is prepared using a weightage of 80 percent for the Main Examination and 20 percent for the Interview.
Where can I get structured coaching for IBPS PO 2026?
EMGC offers dedicated IBPS PO coaching batches covering Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, Banking Awareness and the Descriptive Paper, along with mock tests and interview preparation. Use the enquiry button above to connect with our team.
