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
When is the IBPS PO 2026 exam?
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 22 and 23 August 2026 and the Main Examination for 4 October 2026. Prelims call letters release roughly a week to ten days before the exam on www.ibps.in. The Personality Test and Common Interview follow the Mains result.
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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