IBPS PO 2026 — Exam Pattern
Paper-wise structure, marks per section, duration, marking scheme and the full stage-by-stage selection process.
Mode
CBT (online)
Negative marking
−0.25
IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI) is a two-tier online exam followed by a Personality Test and Common Interview. Phase-I (Prelims) is a 100-mark objective screening test. Phase-II (Mains) has a 200-mark objective test plus a 25-mark descriptive paper (total 3 hours 10 minutes). The final merit is drawn from the Main Examination and the Interview in an 80:20 ratio — Prelims marks do not count.
Scoring
Marking scheme
Correct answer
+1
Wrong answer
−0.25
Unattempted
−0
- 1/4 of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer (Prelims & Mains).
- No penalty for unattempted questions.
- Scores are normalised using the equi-percentile method across sessions.
- Final merit = 80% Main Examination + 20% Interview. Prelims marks are excluded.
Process
Selection process
Preliminary Examination
QualifyingOnline objective test of 100 marks in 1 hour — English (30), Quantitative Aptitude (35 Q / 30 marks), Reasoning Ability (35 Q / 40 marks), each separately timed at 20 minutes. Candidates must qualify each section by the IBPS cut-off; adequate numbers per category are shortlisted for Mains. Screening only — Prelims marks do not count towards final merit.
Main Examination
MeritObjective test (170 questions, 200 marks, 160 minutes across 4 sections) plus a Descriptive test (Essay & Comprehension, 25 marks, 30 minutes). Sectional and overall cut-offs apply. Only Main Exam marks are used to shortlist for the Personality Test and Interview.
Personality Test & Common Interview
MeritCandidates who qualify Mains attend a Personality Test (non-qualifying self-report) and a Common Interview (100 marks; qualifying 40%, 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD) conducted by the participating banks and coordinated by the Nodal Bank. Final score = 80% Main Exam + 20% Interview.
At a glance
Key facts
All stages are conducted online (computer-based). The Descriptive paper is typed on the computer during the Main Examination and may be evaluated by a validated automated scoring mechanism.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the IBPS PO exam pattern?
Two online tiers plus interview: Prelims (100 marks, 1 hour — English 30, Quant 35Q/30, Reasoning 35Q/40), Mains (170 objective questions / 200 marks / 160 minutes across 4 sections + a 25-mark descriptive paper), then a Personality Test and Common Interview. The final merit uses the Main Exam and Interview in an 80:20 ratio.
Is there negative marking in IBPS PO?
Yes. In both the Preliminary and Main objective tests, 1/4 (0.25) of the marks for a question is deducted for a wrong answer. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Do Prelims marks count in the final IBPS PO merit list?
No. The Preliminary Examination is only a screening stage. The final merit list is drawn from the Main Examination and the Interview in an 80:20 ratio — Prelims marks are not added.
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