Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers/Management Trainees.
The IBPS PO Exam is conducted every year by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to select eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officers in different public sector banks in India. IBPS PO exam has been conducted every year since 2011, and this will be the 16th edition. IBPS CRP PO/MT CRP-XVI is for the selection of candidates for 11 public sector banks. IBPS PO Prelims, Mains, and Interview will be the three stages of the selection process to recruit candidates for Probationary Officer vacancies.
The number of vacancies and complete details for IBPS PO Recruitment will be announced with the release of the official notification pdf. In this article, we have discussed complete details for IBPS PO.
The online registration dates will be announced along with the IBPS PO Notification for the IBPS PO/MT CRP XVI Exam. The important dates will also be updated below as soon as released.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| IBPS PO Notification | June |
| Online Registration Process Starts | June |
| Online Registration Process Ends | July |
| Last Date to Pay Application Fee | -- |
| Dates for Application Correction | -- |
| IBPS PO Prelims Exam Date | 22nd and 23rd August |
| IBPS PO Mains Exam Date | 4th October |
The IBPS PO Vacancies will be announced along with the official notification pdf. Last year, IBPS had released 6189 vacancies for Probationary Officer/Management Trainee posts, which have been shared here. The maximum number of vacancies was announced for Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra, and Canara Bank.
| Participating Banks | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | General | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of Baroda | 150 | 75 | 270 | 100 | 405 | 1000 |
| Bank of India | 105 | 53 | 189 | 70 | 283 | 700 |
| Bank of Maharashtra | 150 | 75 | 270 | 100 | 405 | 1000 |
| Canara Bank | 150 | 50 | 200 | 100 | 500 | 1000 |
| Central Bank of India | 75 | 37 | 135 | 50 | 203 | 500 |
| Indian Bank | 105 | 52 | 189 | 70 | 284 | 700 |
| Indian Overseas Bank | 69 | 33 | 121 | 44 | 183 | 450 |
| Punjab National Bank | 30 | 15 | 54 | 20 | 81 | 200 |
| Punjab & Sind Bank | 53 | 27 | 98 | 36 | 144 | 358 |
| UCO Bank | 15 | 07 | 27 | 10 | 41 | 100 |
| Total | 929 | 437 | 1601 | 618 | 2604 | 6189 |
The registration dates will be announced along with the release of the notification. The online registration procedure will begin after the release of official notification. For complete details regarding the steps to apply, the application fee, and documents required.
IBPS conducts the Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for recruiting Probationary officers in 11 Participating banks and accepts online applications through its official website. The Institute of Banking and Personnel Selection will release the notification with the complete schedule and detailed information.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer |
| Exam Name | CRP PO/MT CRP-XVI |
| Vacancy | To be notified |
| Participating Banks | 11 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Recruitment Process | Prelims - Mains - Interview |
| Education Qualification | Graduate |
| Age Limit | 20 years to 30 years |
| Salary | Rs. 74,000 to 76,000 |
| Official website | www.ibps.in |
The exam dates for both Prelims and Mains have been released along with IBPS Calendar. As expected, Prelims Exam is scheduled for 22nd and 23rd August and Mains Exam on 4th October. All eligible and interested candidates are required to register online for the recruitment process on the official IBPS website. Upon submission of the duly filled application form with the required fee, uploading of signature, photographs, handwritten declaration, and documents, the application process is completed.
The 3-tiered selection process consists of Preliminary and Main Exams which will be conducted online, followed by Interviews. Candidates must pass each exam to get shortlisted and progress to the next stage. The final selection will be based on Mains and Interview merit.
The application needs to be done online. To avoid technical errors, use one of the following browsers:
Candidates applying online must have the following pre-requisites:
The application form can only be filled out on the official website of IBPS i.e. www.ibps.in. Before proceeding with the registration and application process, all candidates are requested to go through the complete guide for IBPS PO Online Application.
Fee/Intimation charges once paid will NOT be refunded on any account nor can they be held in reserve for any other examination or selection. The application fee must be paid online.
| SNo. | Categories | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SC/ST/PWD | Rs. 175/- (inclusive of GST) |
| 2 | General and Others | Rs. 850/- (inclusive of GST) |
Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT) are recruited every year through a Common Recruitment Process (CRP), commonly known as the IBPS PO exam. The CRP was started in 2011 and is being conducted for the 15th time this year hence is officially called IBPS PO /MT CRP XVI.
The selection process consists of 3 phases (preliminary, mains and interview) and the candidate must qualify each of them to proceed to the next phase.
The banks are allotted based on candidates' preferences which are made at the time of online application. IBPS plays its part in the selection process only till the provisional allotment to different banks. After that, the responsibility to intimate the qualified candidates about their joining dates and procedures lies with the respective banks.
Public Sector Banking has become an illustrious career option in current times as it comes with the promise of attractive salary, perks, job security, fast growth and good work-life balance. The government of India had set up Personnel Selection Services (PSS) in 1975 for the recruitment of probationary officers and clerks to all public-sector banks. PSS was later changed to the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) in 1984 as per the mandate of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
| Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
Penalty for Wrong Answers: There is a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests of both Preliminary and Main exams. A wrong answer leads to a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question. Example: 0.25 marks will be deducted as a penalty for a wrong answer to a question that carries 1 mark. There will be no penalty for leaving a question blank.
Candidates who qualify the main exam are called for a face-to-face interview which carries a maximum of 100 marks. The minimum qualifying mark in the interview is 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates).
The interview round is generally 15-20 minutes long, where a panel of bank officials ask questions about: the candidate, banking sector, current affairs, general awareness, etc. Candidates must be well dressed, confident and carry all required documents to the interview.
The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the main examination and interview. The final score is calculated with weightage in the ratio of 80:20 respectively.
The initial in-hand salary of an IBPS Probationary Officer is Rs. 74,000 to 76,000 with dearness allowances, special allowances, and other benefits. The basic pay scale is: Basic: Rs. 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920 as per revision.
The exam is conducted online at numerous centres all over India and candidates can mention their preferences during application. If seats are unavailable, IBPS may allot an exam centre other than the choices made. IBPS is the sole authority on adding or removing an exam centre and candidates can’t request a change. Any inappropriate behaviour at the exam centre can lead to cancellation of candidature.
The Nodal Banks/ Participating Organisations may arrange pre-examination training for SC/ST/Religious Minority Community candidates at certain centres as per Government of India guidelines. This orientation covers question types, common mistakes, time management tips, best practices, and strategies.
Candidates belonging to the above categories can avail of training by indicating the same in the relevant column while applying online. The pre-exam training is free of cost; travel, food, and lodging expenses are borne by the candidate. It is usually conducted for five days before the exam and dates are announced on the official website.
| North India | South India | East India | West India |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agra Allahabad Amritsar Bareilly Chandigarh Dehradun Gorakhpur Jammu Kanpur Karnal Lucknow Ludhiana New Delhi Patiala Rohtak Shimla Varanasi |
Bengaluru Chennai Coimbatore Gulbarga Hyderabad Kavaratti Kochi Madurai Mangalore Mysore Port Blair Puducherry Thiruchirapalli Thiruvananthapuram Vijayawada Vishakhapatnam |
Agartala Balasore Behrampur (Ganjam) Bhubaneshwar Dhanbad Guwahati Hubli Kolkata Muzaffarpur Patna Ranchi Sambalpur Shillong Siliguri Tirupati |
Ahmedabad Aurangabad Bhopal Indore Jabalpur Jaipur Jodhpur Mumbai Nagpur Panaji (Goa) Pune Raipur Rajkot Vadodara |
IBPS may add additional centres or remove some depending on need. Candidates opting for pre-examination training should download their call letter for training by entering their registration number and password/ date of birth from the Bank's website. Pre-exam training call letters will not be sent by post.
Candidates must download the admit card from the official website as hard copy will not be sent by post. To login, candidates require:
The admit card is made available 10 to 15 days before the exam. The call letter is issued in 3 phases:
IBPS releases results after completion of each phase. Final merit (state-wise and category-wise) is prepared in descending order of marks secured in the Main exam and interview. Candidates within the number of vacancies in merit list are considered for appointment subject to medical fitness.
Preparation must be systematic and based on the latest exam pattern. Choose the right study material to understand concepts and practice a wide variety of questions.
Previous years' exams showed unexpected patterns, so practice new pattern questions (application of concepts in new form). Practice a lot to avoid issues.
Candidates should go through previous year questions to understand what to expect. Follow quality sources for study notes, quizzes, and video lectures with the latest pattern. Apart from self-study, join coaching or online test series for better preparation.
Online Test Series are available for various Bank & SSC exams. Practice papers are prepared to match the exam pattern and expected changes and level of questions.
The cut-off is released for each phase along with the scorecard. Previous year cut-off for Preliminary Exam is shown below for reference.
| Category | Cut Off (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
| GEN | 49.21 |
| SC | 45.96 |
| ST | 40.96 |
| OBC-NCL | 49.21 |
| EWS | 49.21 |
| HI | 20.61 |
| OC | 33.57 |
| VI | 21.65 |
| ID | 21.83 |
| Subject Name | Maximum Marks | Cut-Off Marks (Gen) | Cut Off (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 4.25 | 6.25 |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 5.50 | 9.75 |
| English Language | 30 | 9.75 | 13.25 |
The eligibility criteria for IBPS PO in terms of educational qualification, computer literacy, nationality, and age limit are detailed below.
Graduation Degree: Candidates must possess a graduation degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
Candidates must possess a valid mark sheet or degree certificate confirming graduation on the date of registration and must mention the percentage obtained in graduation while applying.
Computer Literacy: Working knowledge of computer systems is essential since the examination is conducted in online mode and computer skills are required for banking operations.
A candidate applying for IBPS PO must be one of the following:
Candidates under categories 2, 3, and 4 must possess an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
Candidates applying for IBPS PO should be between 20 and 30 years of age at the time of registration.
The candidate must have been born not earlier than 02 July 1996 and not later than 01 July 2006 (both dates inclusive).
Age relaxation is applicable to reserved categories as per government rules:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PWD) | 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen (Army Personnel) | 5 years |
| Widows / Divorced Women | 9 years |
| Persons domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (1-1-1980 to 31-12-1989) | 5 years |
| Persons affected by 1984 riots | 5 years |
| Regular Employees of Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal (MP Only) | 5 years |
IBPS has introduced revisions in both the Preliminary and Mains exam patterns for IBPS PO . Candidates must understand the updated exam structure to prepare effectively. The revised exam pattern is detailed below.
The IBPS PO Preliminary Examination is conducted online with a total duration of 60 minutes. The exam consists of 3 sections carrying a total of 100 questions for 100 marks.
| S.No. | Name of Tests (Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
| S. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Medium of Examination | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning | 40 | 60 | English & Hindi | 50 minutes |
| 2 | English Language | 35 | 40 | English Only | 40 minutes |
| 3 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 50 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| 4 | General/Economy/Banking Awareness/Digital & Financial Awareness including RBI Circulars | 35 | 50 | English & Hindi | 25 minutes |
| Total | 145 | 200 | 160 minutes | ||
| English Language (Essay & Letter Writing) | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes | |
To ace the IBPS PO exam, it is necessary to know the detailed IBPS PO syllabus. The syllabus is different for the IBPS PO Preliminary Exam and the IBPS PO Mains Exam. Below is the syllabus for both phases.
The IBPS PO Preliminary Exam is the first selection round. Candidates who clear the prelims are eligible to appear for the mains exam. The prelims consist of three major sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude |
|
| Reasoning Ability |
|
| English Language |
|
The mains exam is the most important phase and carries maximum weightage in final selection. The mains consists of 4 + 1 sections: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude (Data Analysis & Interpretation), General Awareness, and a Descriptive Paper.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude / Data Analysis & Interpretation |
|
| General Awareness |
|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude |
|
| English Language |
|
