Build a career as a IBPS PO
The most coveted banking exam - become a bank officer in 11 public sector banks.
Know the IBPS PO before you start
3,000–5,000+
Vacancies / Year
11
Participating Banks
3 (Prelims + Mains + Interview)
Exam Phases
₹52,000+/month (CTC)
Starting Salary
Roles & salary as you grow
The IBPS PO opens an entry role that promotes upward — here's the ladder and what each rung pays.
Stage 1
Probationary Officer / Management Trainee
₹52,000 – ₹60,000/month (CTC)
Entry-level officer post. Confirmation as Officer Scale-I after probation period (1–2 years).
Stage 2
Officer Scale-I (after probation)
₹36,000 – ₹63,840 basic + allowances
Junior Management grade with responsibility for branch operations, loans, and customer relationship management.
Stage 3
Branch Manager (Officer Scale-II / III)
₹48,000 – ₹85,000/month (in-hand)
After 3–7 years of service, internal promotion to manage branch operations independently.
*Indicative ranges from public data; actual pay varies by employer, city and cycle.
Are you eligible?
Education
Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university
Age
20–30 years (SC/ST: +5 years, OBC: +3 years, PwD: +10 years)
Nationality
Citizen of India / Specified categories
How the IBPS PO is structured
IBPS PO has three phases. Prelims is a 1-hour screening test (100 marks). Mains is a 3-hour 200-mark objective paper + 25-mark descriptive test. Shortlisted candidates attend an Interview (100 marks). Final merit = Mains (80%) + Interview (20%).
Preliminary Examination
Main Examination - Objective
Main Examination - Descriptive
What you'll study
menu_bookQuantitative Aptitude / Data Analysis
menu_bookReasoning Ability
menu_bookEnglish Language
menu_bookBanking & Financial Awareness
How to crack the IBPS PO
Clear Prelims first - it's a screening test
Prelims is a 1-hour 100-mark qualifier. You need sectional cut-offs in all 3 sections. Target 21+ in English, 24+ in Reasoning, and 20+ in Quant. Total aim: 68+ for General category.
Mains Data Interpretation is the key differentiator
DI in IBPS PO Mains is tough and lengthy (caselet, triple graph DI). Practice 10 DI sets daily in the last 2 months of prep. This section separates toppers from averagers.
Banking Awareness needs daily habit, not last-minute cramming
Read RBI circulars, Bankersadda's weekly Banking Awareness PDFs, and current affairs capsules. Cover static banking (types of accounts, RTGS/NEFT limits, CRR/SLR, repo rate) thoroughly.
Descriptive test: practice essay + letter for 30 min daily
Essay topics in IBPS PO are banking/economy-related (Digital India, NPAs, Cryptocurrency). Letters are formal (complaint to bank manager, letter to RBI). Practice structured writing with introduction, 3 body points, and conclusion.
Interview preparation: know your background
IBPS PO Interview is 100 marks (20% weightage). Prepare: Why banking? Recent RBI policy changes, current affairs in banking sector, personal strengths, and why IBPS vs private banks.
The IBPS PO cycle
July–August
August–September
October–November
November–December
January–February (following year)
March–April
Prep for IBPS PO with PrepClever
Launching 2026. Join the waitlist for early access, free mock tests, and a personalised study plan.
See the full IBPS PO guide arrow_forwardIBPS PO — common questions
How many banks participate in IBPS PO?
IBPS PO recruits for the participating public sector banks - including Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India.
What is the IBPS PO salary after joining?
The basic pay for IBPS PO (Scale-I) is ₹36,000/month. With HRA, DA, CCA, and other allowances, total CTC is approximately ₹52,000–₹60,000/month depending on posting city.
How many attempts are allowed in IBPS PO?
No official limit on attempts, but the upper age limit applies (30 years for General, 33 for OBC, 35 for SC/ST).
Is IBPS PO difficult?
The Prelims is moderately competitive. The Mains DI and Reasoning sections are challenging. Competition ratio is approximately 60:1 (applicants to vacancies). Consistent 3-4 months of structured prep is needed.
Is there an interview for IBPS PO?
Yes. After Mains, shortlisted candidates attend a Personal Interview worth 100 marks. The final merit list is based on Mains (80%) + Interview (20%).
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