IBPS PO Papers 2026: Pattern, Syllabus & Solved Qs

Last Updated: 21 September 2026

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📋 Table of Contents

1. Exam Overview
2. Eligibility Criteria
3. Exam Pattern
4. Syllabus
5. Quantitative Aptitude Questions
6. Reasoning Questions
7. General Awareness Questions
8. English Language Questions
9. Previous Year Cutoff
10. Preparation Strategy
11. Recommended Books
12. FAQ

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Exam Overview

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer (IBPS PO) examination is one of the most competitive banking exams in India. It recruits Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) for public sector banks across India.

Participating Banks (2026)

1. Bank of Baroda
2. Bank of India
3. Bank of Maharashtra
4. Canara Bank
5. Central Bank of India
6. Indian Bank
7. Indian Overseas Bank
8. Punjab National Bank
9. Punjab & Sind Bank
10. UCO Bank
11. Union Bank of India

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Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognized by the Government of India
• Your final graduation result must be declared on or before 21 July 2026 (the CRP PO/MT-XVI education cut-off); a final-year student whose result is not out by that date does not meet this criterion for the current cycle

Age Limit (as on 1 July 2026, for CRP PO/MT-XVI)

• Minimum Age: 20 years
• Maximum Age: 30 years
• Born not earlier than 2 July 1996 and not later than 1 July 2006 (both dates inclusive)
• Age Relaxation:
  • SC/ST: 5 years
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
  • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years
  • Ex-Servicemen and Commissioned Officers (including ECOs/SSCOs) with at least 5 years of military service, subject to the release conditions printed in the notification: 5 years

Important Notes

• You must hold a valid mark-sheet or degree certificate showing you are a graduate on the day you register
• Enter your graduation percentage to two decimals; convert CGPA/OGPA by your university's own formula

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Exam Pattern

Phase 1: Preliminary Examination

Important:

• Sectional timing is applicable
• Sectional cutoff exists (qualifying in nature)
• 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
• Prelims score not counted in final merit

Phase 2: Main Examination

Descriptive Test

Key Points:

• Both objective and descriptive tests are conducted online; the notification gives the combined Main Examination duration as 3 hours 10 minutes
• The Descriptive Paper may be evaluated by an automated scoring mechanism, per the notification
• 0.25 marks deducted for wrong answers in the objective tests (Prelims and Main); a blank answer has no penalty

Personality Test and Phase 3: Interview

• Candidates who qualify in the Main Examination are called for a Personality Test (self-report); mandatory to appear, non-qualifying, and placed before the interview panel
• Interview Marks: 100
• Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD)
• Tests: Communication skills, Banking awareness, Current affairs, Personality

Final Selection

• Marks secured in Mains + Interview (80:20 ratio)
• Preliminary exam is only qualifying

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Syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude (Prelims & Mains)

• Simplification/Approximation
• Number Series
• Quadratic Equations
• Data Interpretation (Tables, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Caselets)
• Data Sufficiency
• Arithmetic: Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Averages, Mixtures & Allegations, Problems on Ages, Boats & Streams, Partnership, Probability
• Permutation & Combination

Reasoning Ability (Prelims)

• Inequalities
• Syllogism
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense
• Order & Ranking
• Alpha-Numeric Series
• Seating Arrangement (Circular, Linear, Square)
• Puzzles (Floor-based, Month/Date-based)

Reasoning (Mains)

• All Prelims topics + Advanced Level
• Input-Output
• Data Sufficiency
• Logical Reasoning

English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Fill in the Blanks
• Error Detection/Spotting
• Sentence Improvement/Correction
• Para Jumbles/Sentence Rearrangement
• Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Phrase/Idiom Meaning)
• Word Replacement
• Connectors/Starters
• Paragraph Completion

General/Economy/Banking Awareness

• Current Affairs (National & International - Last 6-8 months)
• Banking & Financial Awareness
• Static GK
• Government Schemes (Banking/Economic focus)
• Important Days
• RBI Guidelines & Notifications
• Monetary Policy
• Banking Terminology
• Financial Markets
• Awards & Honors
• Books & Authors

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Quantitative Aptitude Questions

Question 1

Solve: ?² = 45 × 80 ÷ 16 + 15² - 11²

Solution: = 45 × 5 + 225 - 121 = 225 + 225 - 121 = 329 ?² = 329 ? ≈ 18.14 (approx 18)

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Question 2

What will come in place of question mark: 12, 18, 30, ?, 84, 138

Solution: Pattern: Add consecutive multiples of 6 12 + 6 = 18 18 + 12 = 30 30 + 18 = 48 48 + 36 = 84 84 + 54 = 138

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Question 3

A train 200m long crosses a platform in 30 seconds at 54 km/hr. Find the platform length.

Solution: Speed = 54 × (5/18) = 15 m/s Total distance = Speed × Time = 15 × 30 = 450m Platform length = 450 - 200 = 250m

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Question 4

A shopkeeper sells two articles at the same price. On one he gains 20% and on the other he loses 20%. What is his overall profit/loss percentage?

Solution: Using formula: Loss % = (x²/100)% when SP is same = (20²/100) = 4% Loss

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Question 5

The difference between compound interest and simple interest on a sum for 2 years at 10% per annum is ₹150. Find the principal.

Solution: Difference = P × (r/100)² 150 = P × (10/100)² 150 = P × 0.01 P = ₹15,000

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Question 6

A, B, and C can complete a work in 10, 15, and 30 days respectively. If they work together, how many days will they take?

Solution: LCM of 10, 15, 30 = 30 (Total work) A's efficiency = 3 units/day B's efficiency = 2 units/day C's efficiency = 1 unit/day Total = 6 units/day Time = 30/6 = 5 days

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Question 7

The ratio of ages of A and B is 4:5. After 6 years, the ratio will be 5:6. Find A's present age.

Solution: Let present ages be 4x and 5x (4x + 6)/(5x + 6) = 5/6 24x + 36 = 25x + 30 x = 6 A's age = 4 × 6 = 24 years

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Question 8

A bag contains 4 red, 5 blue, and 3 green balls. If two balls are drawn at random, what is the probability that both are blue?

Solution: Total balls = 12 Probability = ⁵C₂/¹²C₂ = 10/66 = 5/33

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Question 9

A mixture contains milk and water in the ratio 3:1. If 12 liters of water is added, the ratio becomes 3:2. Find the original quantity of mixture.

Solution: Let milk = 3x, water = x 3x/(x + 12) = 3/2 6x = 3x + 36 x = 12 Original mixture = 4x = 48 liters

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Question 10

Study the table and answer:

What is the average profit percentage over the years?

Solution: Profit % = (Profit/Sales) × 100 2020: 20%, 2021: 20%, 2022: 25%, 2023: 20%, 2024: 20% Average = (20 + 20 + 25 + 20 + 20)/5 = 21%

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Question 11

If x = 3 + 2√2, find the value of x + 1/x.

Solution: 1/x = 1/(3 + 2√2) = (3 - 2√2)/((3 + 2√2)(3 - 2√2)) = (3 - 2√2)/(9 - 8) = 3 - 2√2 x + 1/x = (3 + 2√2) + (3 - 2√2) = 6

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Question 12

A and B invest ₹25000 and ₹35000 respectively in a business. After 4 months, A withdraws ₹5000. After 6 months, B adds ₹5000. If the total profit is ₹46800 after 1 year, find B's share.

Solution: A's investment = (25000 × 4) + (20000 × 8) = 100000 + 160000 = ₹260000 B's investment = (35000 × 6) + (40000 × 6) = 210000 + 240000 = ₹450000 Ratio = 260:450 = 26:45 B's share = (45/71) × 46800 = ₹29746.48

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Question 13

The area of a circle is 154 cm². Find its circumference.

Solution: πr² = 154 r² = 154 × 7/22 = 49 r = 7 cm Circumference = 2πr = 2 × (22/7) × 7 = 44 cm

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Question 14

Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 20 minutes and 30 minutes respectively. If both are opened together and A is closed after 10 minutes, how long will B take to fill the remaining tank?

Solution: In 10 minutes, both fill = 10 × (1/20 + 1/30) = 10 × (5/60) = 5/6 Remaining = 1/6 B fills 1/6 in = (1/6) × 30 = 5 minutes

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Question 15

The simple interest on a sum for 3 years at 8% is ₹720. What will be the compound interest for the same sum at the same rate for 2 years?

Solution: SI for 3 years = ₹720 SI for 1 year = ₹240 Principal = (240 × 100)/8 = ₹3000 CI for 2 years = 3000[(1.08)² - 1] = 3000 × 0.1664 = ₹499.20

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Reasoning Questions

Question 1

Statements: All laptops are computers. Some computers are tablets. No tablet is a phone.

Conclusions: I. Some laptops are tablets. II. No computer is a phone. III. Some tablets are not phones.

Solution: Conclusion I: Doesn't follow Conclusion II: Doesn't follow Conclusion III: Follows (given directly) Only III follows

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Question 2

Eight people P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W sit around a circular table facing center. P is third to the right of Q. R is second to the left of Q. S is opposite to R. T is adjacent to neither P nor Q. Who sits second to the right of W?

Solution: Arrangement: Q, R, _, _, P, _, _, _ (clockwise) R is 2nd left of Q. P is 3rd right of Q. S opposite R. T not adjacent to P or Q. Final arrangement: Q, R, T, W, P, U, S, V Second to right of W is U.

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Question 3

If '+' means '×', '-' means '÷', '×' means '-', '÷' means '+', then find the value of: 16 + 4 - 2 × 3 ÷ 5

Solution: Converting: 16 × 4 ÷ 2 - 3 + 5 = 16 × 2 - 3 + 5 = 32 - 3 + 5 = 34

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Question 4

Complete the series: Z, X, U, Q, ?

Solution: Z(26) - 2 = X(24) X(24) - 3 = U(21) U(21) - 4 = Q(17) Q(17) - 5 = L(12)

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Question 5

In a certain code, 'MOBILE' is written as '56'. How will 'LAPTOP' be written?

Solution: M(13) + O(15) + B(2) + I(9) + L(12) + E(5) = 56 L(12) + A(1) + P(16) + T(20) + O(15) + P(16) = 80

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Question 6

Seven friends live on different floors (1-7). A lives on floor 4. B lives immediately above C. D lives on an odd floor below A. E lives on the top floor. F lives between A and G. Who lives on floor 3?

Solution: Floor 7: E Floor 6: Floor 5: Floor 4: A Floor 3: Floor 2: Floor 1: D (odd, below A) B is above C, F between A and G Final: 7-E, 6-B, 5-C, 4-A, 3-F, 2-G, 1-D F lives on floor 3.

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Question 7

Find the odd one out: 21 : 441, 18 : 324, 15 : 225, 14 : 195

Solution: 21² = 441 ✓ 18² = 324 ✓ 15² = 225 ✓ 14² = 196 ≠ 195 14 : 195 is the odd one out

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Question 8

If MACHINE is coded as 131491154, how will SYSTEM be coded?

Solution: M(13th letter) = 13 A(1st) = 1 C(3rd) = 3, etc. S(19), Y(25), S(19), T(20), E(5), M(13) Code: 19251920513

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Question 9

Six persons A, B, C, D, E, F have different heights. B is taller than C but shorter than A. D is shorter than E but taller than F. A is not the tallest. E is shorter than C. Who is the shortest?

Solution: From clues:

• A > B > C > E > D > F F is the shortest.

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Question 10

In a row of students, Priya is 15th from the left and 20th from the right. How many students are in the row?

Solution: Total = Position from left + Position from right - 1 = 15 + 20 - 1 = 34 students

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General Awareness Questions

Question 1

Which body decides the repo rate in India?

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Question 2

Which bank has the highest number of branches in India?

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Question 3

What does NEFT stand for?

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Question 4

Who presents the Union Budget in Parliament?

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Question 5

What is the maximum deposit amount insured by DICGC per depositor?

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Question 6

Which organization publishes the Financial Stability Report in India?

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Question 7

What is the full form of MSME?

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Question 8

Which bank was established under the BRICS grouping?

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Question 9

What does SLR stand for, and what is it calculated on?

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Question 10

Which government scheme offers accidental death and disability insurance through a bank account for a small yearly premium?

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English Language Questions

Question 1

Read the sentence and find the error (if any): "The quality of products (a)/ are decreasing (b)/ day by day (c)/ due to lack of supervision. (d)"

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Question 2

Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning: PROCRASTINATE a) Hasten b) Delay c) Hurry d) Expedite

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Question 3

Fill in the blank with the appropriate word: "The government has decided to _______ the old policy and introduce a new one." a) retain b) scrap c) follow d) maintain

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Question 4

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: P. However, the growing pollution is threatening their existence. Q. Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. R. Scientists are working on various methods to protect them. S. They support approximately 25% of all marine species.

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Question 5

Choose the grammatically correct sentence: a) Neither the manager nor the employees was present. b) Neither the manager nor the employees were present. c) Neither the manager or the employees were present. d) Neither the manager nor the employees are present.

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Previous Year Cutoff

IBPS shows cutoffs only inside the candidate score login, so the figures below are candidate-reported from scorecards. We print a figure only where independent preparation-site trackers agree on it. No 2026 cutoff exists yet, and we are not projecting one.

IBPS PO Prelims Cutoff (General, out of 100)

IBPS PO Main Cutoff (General, out of 225: 200 objective plus 25 descriptive)

Note: IBPS PO cutoffs are category-wise for the whole country, not state-wise. The 2026 Main uses a different marks split from every year above, so read these as history. Category-wise figures and sectional minimums are on the IBPS PO Prelims cutoff and IBPS PO Mains cutoff pages.

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Preparation Strategy

3-Month Preparation Plan

Month 1: Foundation & Concepts

Week 1-2: Quantitative Aptitude

• Focus: Simplification, Number Series, Quadratic Equations
• Data Interpretation basics
• Daily: 50 questions

Week 3-4: Reasoning

• Syllogism, Inequalities, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding
• Basic puzzles and seating arrangements
• Daily: 50 questions

Month 2: Advanced Topics & Speed

Week 1-2: English

• Reading Comprehension strategy
• Grammar rules and error detection
• Vocabulary building (30 words daily)

Week 3-4: General Awareness

• Banking awareness concepts
• Last 6 months current affairs
• RBI notifications and policies

Month 3: Mastery & Revision

Week 1-2:

• Advanced DI and Caselets
• Complex puzzles (floor-based, scheduling)
• Previous year papers (2018-2025)

Week 3-4:

• Full-length mock tests (daily)
• Descriptive writing practice
• Interview preparation

Daily Study Schedule for IBPS PO

Section-wise Tips

Quantitative Aptitude:

• Master speed calculations (learn tables, squares, cubes)
• Focus heavily on Data Interpretation (30% weightage in Mains, 60 of 200 objective marks)
• Practice approximation techniques

Reasoning:

• Seating arrangement and puzzles are crucial
• Practice 3-4 sets daily
• Time yourself strictly

English:

• Read editorials daily (The Hindu/Indian Express)
• Focus on Reading Comprehension
• Learn 20 new words daily

General Awareness:

• Prepare last 6 months' current affairs thoroughly
• Focus on Banking and Financial news
• Read RBI circulars and policy updates

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Recommended Books

Quantitative Aptitude

1. "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal
2. "Fast Track Objective Arithmetic" by Rajesh Verma
3. "Data Interpretation" by Arun Sharma (for Mains)

Reasoning

1. "A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal
2. "Analytical Reasoning" by M.K. Pandey

English

1. "Objective General English" by S.P. Bakshi
2. "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
3. "High School English Grammar" by Wren & Martin

General Awareness

1. "Banking Awareness" by Arihant Publications
2. "Lucent's General Knowledge"
3. Monthly Banking & Current Affairs Magazines

Online Resources

• Websites: AffairsCloud, BankersAdda, Gradeup
• YouTube: Study IQ Banking, Adda247 Banking
• Apps: Gradeup, Testbook, Oliveboard
• Mock Tests: Oliveboard, PracticeMock, IBPS Guide

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You May Also Like

• IBPS PO Preparation Guide 2026, Complete Strategy with Solved Papers
• Ibps Po Preparation 2026
• Bank PO Preparation Roadmap 2026
• Ibps Clerk Papers 2026

Related: IBPS Calendar 2026-27, for every IBPS exam date and result window across the PO, Clerk (CSA), SO and RRB lanes.

Related: Government Exam Calendar 2026, for the full month-by-month schedule of competitive exams this year.

FAQ

Q1. Is IBPS PO exam bilingual?

A: Yes, the exam is conducted in both English and Hindi, except for the English Language section which is only in English.

Q2. Can final year students apply for IBPS PO?

A: Only if their final result is declared on or before 21 July 2026, the CRP PO/MT-XVI education cut-off date. A final-year student whose result is not out by then does not meet the criterion for this cycle.

Q3. How many times can I attempt IBPS PO?

A: There is no restriction on the number of attempts as long as you meet the age criteria.

Q4. What is the training period for IBPS PO selected candidates?

A: The CRP notification does not fix a training or probation period. It says the offer of appointment, with its terms and conditions, is solely the decision of the allotted bank, so the period is the one in your bank's offer letter.

Q5. What is the salary of an IBPS PO?

A: The CRP PO/MT-XVI notification gives the basic pay as ₹48,480 a month at the start, rising in stages to ₹85,920 (the printed scale is ₹48,480-2000/7-62,480-2340/2-67,160-2680/7-85,920). Allowances and perquisites come on top, as per the rules of the allotted bank, so the notification prints no gross or in-hand figure.

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All the best for IBPS PO 2026! Banking sector offers excellent career growth and job security. Stay consistent and you'll succeed! 🏦

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Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. Always refer to the official IBPS notification for latest updates.

A note on sourcing: dates, pattern, vacancies, fee, pay scale and eligibility on this page come from the CRP PO/MT-XVI notification and its 27 August 2026 vacancy update on ibps.in, read on 21 September 2026. Past cutoffs are candidate-reported from scorecards, and the practice questions are our own. IBPS can revise dates and vacancies, so confirm on the official IBPS page before you act on them.