IBPS PO Exam Pattern
Each stage is checked separately so one stage cannot inherit another stage's scoring rules.
Prelims
Official 2026 pattern| Questions | 100 |
| Total marks | 100 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Negative marking | One-fourth of the marks assigned to the question per wrong answer |
| Sections | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability |
| Test | Qs | Marks | Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 |
Timing: 20 minutes per test.
Candidates must qualify each of the three separately timed tests. The 2026 marks distribution is not equal across sections.
Official source · checked 3 August 2026Mains
Official 2026 pattern| Questions | 172 |
| Total marks | 225 |
| Duration | 190 minutes |
| Negative marking | One-fourth of the marks assigned to an objective question per wrong answer |
| Sections | Reasoning, General, Economy, Banking, Digital and Financial Awareness, English Language, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Descriptive Paper |
| Test | Qs | Marks | Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 60 | 45 |
| General, Economy, Banking, Digital and Financial Awareness | 50 | 60 | 35 |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 35 |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 40 | 60 | 45 |
| Descriptive: Essay and Comprehension | 2 | 25 | 30 |
Timing: Each objective test and the descriptive paper are separately timed.
The total comprises 170 objective questions for 200 marks and 2 descriptive tasks for 25 marks.
Official source · checked 3 August 2026