IBPS PO 2026 syllabus: section-wise topics for every stage
Prelims is a qualifying screen of English, quantitative aptitude and reasoning. Mains adds general, economy and banking awareness and data analysis, plus a descriptive paper of essay and letter or comprehension writing.
✓ Data verified 6 Oct 2026
IBPS lists the test names and the broad areas in its notification. The topic lists below are the areas that keep repeating in past papers, so treat them as a practical checklist.
English Language
Prelims and Mains- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test and para jumbles
- Error spotting, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement, phrase replacement
- Vocabulary: word usage, synonyms and antonyms, idioms
English Comprehension notes and practice · 14 topics
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Analysis
Prelims and Mains- Simplification and approximation, number series, quadratic equations
- Data interpretation: tables, bar and line graphs, pie charts, caselets, missing data
- Arithmetic word problems: percentage, ratio, average, profit and loss, interest, time and work, speed and distance, mixtures
- Mensuration, permutation and combination, probability
- Data sufficiency (mains)
Quantitative Aptitude notes and practice · 23 topics
Reasoning Ability
Prelims and Mains- Puzzles and seating arrangements (linear, circular, floor and box based)
- Syllogism and inequalities
- Blood relations, direction sense, coding and decoding, order and ranking
- Input and output, data sufficiency
- Higher order reasoning: statement and assumption, course of action, inference (mains)
General Intelligence & Reasoning notes and practice · 20 topics
General, Economy and Banking Awareness
Mains- Current affairs of the last several months, especially finance and economy
- Banking awareness: RBI functions and policy, types of banks, payment systems, financial inclusion, recent banking news
- Budget, economic survey and government schemes
- Static GK: important days, awards, organisations, headquarters
General Awareness notes and practice · 14 topics
Descriptive Paper
Mains- One essay and one letter or comprehension-type writing task, in English, written by typing on the screen
- Topics are broadly on economic and social issues, banking and technology trends, current events and ethics
Tip: Practise typing full answers on the keyboard within the time limit, because the descriptive paper is typed in the exam.
Personality test and interview
Final stage- Your graduation subjects, banking and economy awareness, home state and bank preferences, current events
For the number of questions, marks, timing and negative marking of each stage, see the IBPS PO exam pattern.
IBPS PO syllabus: FAQs
What is the IBPS PO syllabus?
English Language (Prelims and Mains); Quantitative Aptitude and Data Analysis (Prelims and Mains); Reasoning Ability (Prelims and Mains); General, Economy and Banking Awareness (Mains); Descriptive Paper (Mains); Personality test and interview (Final stage). Prelims is a qualifying screen of English, quantitative aptitude and reasoning. Mains adds general, economy and banking awareness and data analysis, plus a descriptive paper of essay and letter or comprehension writing.
Where is the official IBPS PO syllabus published?
The conducting body is Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). The syllabus and pattern are given in the official notification for each cycle, so check that notice before you finalise your plan.