IBPS PO Selection Process 2026: Prelims, Main Exam & Interview
IBPS PO Selection Process for 2026 consists of three phases: the Prelims Exam, the Main Exam, and the Interview. The Prelims is a qualifying round, and only your scores from the Mains and Interview will contribute to the final result. The weightage given to Mains and Interview is in an 80:20 ratio. In the Prelims, candidates will face 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), while the Mains includes 150 MCQs along with 2 descriptive essay questions. The Prelims, Mains, and Interview carry a total of 100, 225, and 100 marks, respectively.
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IBPS PO Selection Process 2026
It is important to note here that IBPS PO Preliminary Exam scores are not taken into account while making the final merit list. Only the scores of the Main Exam and Interview, in the ratio of 80:20, determine the final selection of candidates. Candidates have to appear and qualify all the 3 phases to be eligible for Provisional Allotment.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam 2026
IBPS PO exam pattern includes an online test consisting of 3 sections- English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
- Exam Duration: 60 minutes (20 minutes for each section)
- Total Questions: 100 (Quantitative Aptitude – 35 + Reasoning Ability – 35 + English Language – 30)
- Total Marks: 100 marks (1 mark per question)
- Question Type: MCQs (Multiple Type Questions)
Candidates will have to score sectional as well as an overall cutoff to clear the Preliminary exam. Thus, it is important that they check the IBPS PO Prelims Syllabus before they start with their preparations.
IBPS PO Mains Exam 2026
IBPS PO Main Exam is conducted in both online and offline mode. According to the IBPS PO Mains Syllabus released by the authorities, it has an Objective Paper and a Descriptive Paper. There are 4 sections in the exam- English Language, Data Interpretation and Analysis, Reasoning and Computer Awareness, and General/ Banking and Economy Awareness. Descriptive Paper has only 2 questions i.e. an essay and a letter.
- Exam Duration: 210 minutes (Objective Paper- 180, Descriptive Paper- 30)
- Total Questions: 157 (Objective Paper-155, Descriptive Paper-2)
- Total Marks: 225 marks (Objective Paper-200, Descriptive Paper- 25)
- Questions Type: (Objective Paper-MCQs, Descriptive Paper- Written)
Descriptive Paper will only be examined if the candidate clears the objective paper. They must practice a lot of mock tests and IBPS PO Previous years’ question papers so that they are well-versed with the types of questions asked.
IBPS PO Interview 2026
The Interview Round for IBPS PO is the final step in the selection procedure.
- Interview Round will be of 100 marks.
- It will be a face-to-face interaction conducted in offline mode only.
- Interviews will be organized by the participating and nodal banks in each state.
- Candidates’ traits and communication skills are tested in the interview.
- The candidates must attain 40% (35% for reserved category) to finally qualify for IBPS PO. For this, it is important that the candidates have well-prepared and formed strategies for the Interview round.
Documents Required for IBPS PO Interview 2026
Candidates must produce the following documents in original and their self-attested photocopies in support of their eligibility for IBPS PO 2026
- IBPS PO Online Application Form
- Date of Birth Proof
- Photo Identity Proof
- IBPS PO Admit Card
- Graduation Mark-sheets/ Degree/ Certificates or equivalent qualification result dated on or before August 2026
- Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format as stipulated by the Government of India. The caste certificate of the OBC category must indicate that they belong to the non-creamy layer.
- Income and Asset Certificate issued by competent authorities of the Government of India in the prescribed format for EWS category candidates.
- Disability certificate in the prescribed format issued by the District Medical Board for PWD category
- In case the candidate has used the services of a Scribe then duly filled in details of the scribe in the prescribed format has to be produced.
- Ex-serviceman candidates have to produce a copy of the Service or Discharge book along with a pension payment order and documentary proof of rank held.
- Candidates presently serving in defense have to submit a certificate from a competent authority that they will be relieved from the services on or before August 2026.
- Candidates serving in Government/ quasi govt offices/ Public Sector Undertakings/ Nationalised Banks and Financial Institutions are required to produce a “No Objection Certificate” from their employer.
- Persons eligible for age relaxation as Jammu and Kashmir domiciled must produce the domicile certificate
- Persons eligible for age relaxation as 1984 riots affected must produce a certificate from the District Magistrate certifying the same.
- Experience Letters (Optional)
- Any other relevant documents in support of eligibility
Issuing Authorities for Reserved Category Candidates
The candidates applying and seeking relaxation under various reserved categories such as SC/SC/OBC/PwD are required to obtain the requisite certificates from the authorities designated by Govt. of India.
Certificates issued by any other authority would not be considered valid. The competent authorities for the issuance of documents are listed in the table below.
| Category | Required Documents | Issuing Authorities |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Classes | SC/ ST caste certificate, OBC-NCL Certificate | District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Collector, First Class Stipendiary Magistrate, City Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (not below the rank of First Class Stipendiary Magistrate), Taluk Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, Extra Assistant Commissioner |
| Chief Presidency Magistrate, Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate, Presidency Magistrate | ||
| Revenue Officer (not below the rank of Tehsildar) | ||
| Sub-divisional officer of the Area where the candidate or his family resides | ||
| Persons With Disabilities (PwD) | Disability Certificate I/ Disability Certificate II/ Disability Certificate III | Medical Board at the District level consisting of Chief Medical Officer, Sub-Divisional Medical Officer in the District and an Orthopaedic / Ophthalmic / ENT Surgeon |
IBPS PO Provisional Allotment 2026
Candidates qualifying all the stages of the recruitment and fulfilling the eligibility criteria in all aspects will be provisionally allotted in participating banks.
- Shortlisted candidates will be provisionally allotted based on merit-cum-preference for the vacancies reported by participating organisations.
- Tie Breaking: In case two or more candidates obtain the same score then the candidate elder in age will be ranked above the candidate younger in age.
- Government of India guidelines on reservation policy and other rules and regulations, administrative exigency, etc will be followed while making the allotment.
- The provisional allotment is subject to the candidate fulfilling the criteria for Participating Organisation and identity verification to the satisfaction of the allotted organisation.
- Since the provisional allotment is made to participating organizations on merit cum preference basis, no request for change will be entertained.
- Further, if a candidate who is provisionally allotted does not avail the offer of appointment from the Participating Organisation, his candidature will be cancelled.
- Issuance of offer of appointment including terms and conditions, formalities for verification, joining etc. is solely the decision of the Participating Organisations and shall be final and binding.
- A reserve list of up to 10 percent of the vacancies under each category may be made depending on the availability of candidates.
- In case, Participating Organisations announced further vacancies, provisional allotment will be carried out for the candidates from that reserve list.
- The decision of IBPS in Provisional Allotment of Organisations will be final and binding upon the selected candidates.
- However, IBPS reserves the right to cancel, reallot Organisation-wise allocation or change the process depending upon exigencies or otherwise.
- IBPS PO Recruitment is an All India cadre and provisionally allotted candidates may be posted anywhere in India/ outside India as per the discretion of the participating organisation.
IBPS PO Selection Process 2026 FAQs
Ques: Will I need to fill a separate form for the Main exam?
Ans: No, only a single form would suffice. If you clear the Preliminary exam, you will get the call letter (or admit card) for the Main exam, without filling any separate form.
Ques: What is the ratio of candidates selected for IBPS PO interview?
Ans: A weightage of 80:20 ratio will be taken for the final merit list from Mains and Interview respectively.
Ques: What is the minimum percentage required in graduation for applying for IBPS PO?
Ans: There is no minimum percentage criteria provided in the notification. You just need to be a graduate to apply for the exam.
Ques: Do I need to produce a caste certificate during the selection process?
Ans: For a candidate who does not belong to General Category, a Caste Certificate is necessary. It is not needed while filling the form, but it is necessary in the later stages.
Ques: What is the minimum marks to get selected in IBPS PO?
Ans: IBPS PO interview cut off is released along with the provisional allotment result. The Interview is held for 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview is 40 percent for General category and 35 percent for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD.
Ques: How many banks participate in the recruitment process of IBPS PO?
Ans: A total of 20 banks participate in the process. These are –Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Central Bank of India, Corporation Bank, Dena Bank, IDBI Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, United Bank of India and Vijaya Bank. However, the number of participating banks can also increase or decrease.
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