IBPS PO

The IBPS PO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection– Probationary Officers) Exam is conducted for recruiting personnel for the post of probationary officers (PO)/Management Trainees in the public sector banks of India. The exam comprises of two stages followed by an interview. These are the preliminary exam or the prelims followed by the main exam of the mains. The candidates who clear the main exam are called for an interview.

The exam is a national level exam. The duration of the preliminary exam is 1 hour. The main exam is more elaborate, and the duration is 3.5 hours.

For a candidate to be eligible for the exam he/she must meet the following criteria.

• He/she must be a citizen of India
• He/she can be a subject of Nepal/Bhutan
• Tibetan refugee permanently settled in India prior to January 1, 1962
• Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zaire or Zambia who intend to settle in India.

In addition to the above, the candidate must have a graduate degree or equivalent from any institution recognized by the government of India. He/she must have secured 60% marks in their degree exam. Reserved category candidates must have secured 55% marks.

As far as age limits are concerned candidates belonging to the general category should be at least 20 years old but less than 30 years. For reserved category candidates relaxation is provided in the age limit as per the following criteria.

• For candidates belonging to SC/ST a relaxation of 5 years is given.
• For OBC – Non-Creamy Layer a relaxation of 3 years is given.
• For persons with disability (PWD) a relaxation of 10 years is given.
• For ex-servicemen, commissioned officers, who were in service for not less than 5 years relaxation of 5 years is given.
• For the original residents of Kashmir division of the state of Jammu & Kashmir from January 1980 to December 1989, a relaxation of 5 years is given.
• For candidates affected by the 1984 riots, a relaxation of 5 years is given.

The exam pattern is different for the prelims and mains. The duration of the preliminary exam is 60 minutes. The question paper for the prelims comprises of 30 questions in English to be attempted in 20 minutes, 35 in quantitative aptitude to be attempted in 20 minutes and 35 in reasoning ability to be attempted in 20 minutes. The question paper for the main exam comprises of 5 sections with 35 questions in the English Language to be attempted in 40 minutes, 2 questions in essay and letter writing to be attempted in 30 minutes, 35 questions in data interpretation & analysis to be attempted in 45 minutes, 40 questions in general/economy/banking awareness to be attempted in 35 minutes, 45 questions in reasoning & computer aptitude to be attempted in 60 minutes. Altogether there are 157 questions to be answered in 210 minutes in the main exam. The candidates who clear the main exam are called for interviews.

IBPS organises a training program called the IBPS PO Pre-Exam Training for candidates belonging to the SC/ST/Religious minority communities. This training is free of cost and the candidates are introduced to the exam pattern and given some important tips for clearing the exam. The syllabus covers a wide range of subjects. English and Quantitative Aptitude are of basic level whereas the other areas are more competitive. There are several books available in the market which will give the candidate a look and feel of the exam pattern. Early and thorough preparation is a must.