IBPS Probationary Officer / Management Trainee (IBPS PO)
Quick facts
| Conducted by | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
|---|---|
| Exam level | National |
| How often | Once a year |
| Mode | Online |
| Qualification | Graduation in any subject |
| Age limit | 2 – 3 years |
| Age relaxation | OBC:3, SC:5, ST:5, PwBD:10 |
| Official website | www.ibps.in |
Overview
IBPS PO recruits Probationary Officers for public sector banks such as Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of India and others (SBI holds its own exam). POs start as Assistant Managers (Scale I officers) with good chances of promotion.
Eligibility
- Education: graduation in any subject. You must have passed by the date of registration.
- Age: 20 to 30 years, with usual relaxations.
Exam pattern & syllabus
| Stage | Sections | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims (1 hour) | English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning | 100 |
| Mains | Reasoning & Computer, Data Analysis & Interpretation, English, General/Economy/Banking Awareness + descriptive English (letter & essay) | 200 + 25 |
| Interview | Personal interview | 100 |
Prelims is qualifying; final merit combines mains and interview (usually 80:20). Sectional time limits and negative marking of one-fourth apply.
How to prepare
- Speed is everything – practise sectional tests with time limits every day.
- Data interpretation and puzzles carry the most weight in mains.
- Read banking and economy news daily for the awareness section.
- Write a letter and an essay every week for the descriptive paper.
Latest IBPS PO updates
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IBPS PO and SBI PO?
The pattern is similar. SBI holds its own exam for SBI only; IBPS PO covers other public sector banks.
Please note: eligibility, age limits and exam pattern change from year to year. This page gives general guidance only; the official notification for each year is final.