The IBPS RRB PO Shift Timings 2026 are important for candidates appearing for the Officer Scale I Preliminary Examination on 21 and 22 November 2026. The exam will be conducted in four shifts each day. The reporting times are 8:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM. Each shift will have an exam duration of 45 minutes. Candidates should check their admit cards to confirm their exact shift, reporting time and exam centre. Read this blog to know the complete shift-wise schedule, exam duration and important exam-day instructions.
IBPS RRB PO Prelims Shift Timings 2026
The IBPS RRB PO Preliminary Examination 2026 will take place on 21 and 22 November 2026. The exam will be held in four shifts each day to accommodate candidates at different exam centres. The IBPS RRB PO Prelims Shift Timings table below provides the shift-wise reporting time, exam start time and end time.
| Shift | Reporting Time | Exam Timing | Duration |
| Shift 1 | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | 45 Minutes |
| Shift 2 | 10:15 AM | 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | 45 Minutes |
| Shift 3 | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM | 45 Minutes |
| Shift 4 | 2:30 PM | 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM | 45 Minutes |
Important: The above is the published shift-wise schedule. Candidates must check their individual admit cards for their confirmed exam date, reporting time, gate-closing time and exam centre details. The official IBPS website provides the call letters for Officer Scale I.
IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam Date 2026
The IBPS RRB PO Officer Scale I Preliminary Examination will be conducted on 21 and 22 November 2026. The IBPS RRB PO shift timings will be mentioned on candidates’ call letters. Each candidate will be allotted one exam date and one shift, so they should check their admit cards carefully and reach the examination centre on time.
| Exam Details | Dates / Information |
| Exam Name | IBPS RRB PO Prelims 2026 |
| Recruitment Cycle | CRP RRBs-XV |
| Post | Officer Scale I |
| Exam Dates | 21 and 22 November 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Number of Shifts | 4 per day |
| Admit Card Release | 9 November 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | 20 December 2026 |
Candidates can also check the IBPS RRB Exam Dates 2026 to know the complete schedule for PO, Clerk and Officer Scale II and III examinations.
IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam Duration 2026
The IBPS RRB PO Prelims exam duration is 45 minutes. The paper has two sections: Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude. There are 80 questions in total, carrying 80 marks.
Both sections have separate time limits. Candidates must complete each section within its allotted time.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time Duration |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | 25 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 40 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 80 | 80 | 45 Minutes |
Candidates should understand the IBPS RRB PO exam pattern and practise solving questions within these time limits. Regular practice will help them improve their speed and accuracy before the examination.
Is There Negative Marking in IBPS RRB PO Prelims 2026?
Yes, there is negative marking in the IBPS RRB PO Preliminary Examination 2026. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks or one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
There is no penalty for questions left unanswered.
For example:
- Correct answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect answer: -0.25 marks
- Unattempted question: 0 marks
Candidates should understand the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Negative Marking scheme before attempting the exam. Focus on accuracy and avoid blind guessing to prevent unnecessary mark deductions.
IBPS RRB PO Admit Card 2026: Check Your Shift and Reporting Time
The IBPS RRB PO Admit Card 2026 was released on 9 November 2026. Candidates can download their call letters from the official IBPS website.
The admit card contains important details related to the examination, such as:
- Candidate’s name and roll number
- Registration number
- Exam date
- Allotted shift
- Reporting time
- Gate-closing time
- Exam centre name and address
- Candidate’s photograph and signature
- Important exam-day instructions
Candidates should check all the details carefully after downloading the IBPS RRB PO Hall Ticket. If they find any error, they should contact IBPS through the official channels as soon as possible.
Important Exam Instructions for IBPS RRB PO 2026
Candidates appearing for the IBPS RRB PO 2026 examination should follow all the instructions mentioned on their admit cards. They should keep the required documents ready before leaving for the exam centre.
Here are some important exam-day instructions:
- Carry Your Admit Card: Bring a printed copy of your IBPS RRB PO Admit Card 2026 to the examination centre.
- Paste Your Photograph: Paste one recent photograph in the space provided on the call letter.
- Carry Photo ID Proof: Bring an original photo identity proof and its photocopy. The photocopy should be attached to the admit card as instructed.
- Carry an Extra Photograph: Keep one additional passport-size photograph with you.
- Reach on Time: Report to the examination centre according to the reporting time mentioned on your admit card.
- Check Your Exam Centre: Read the complete centre address before the exam day and plan your travel.
- Follow Security Rules: Cooperate during identity verification and other entry checks.
Valid Photo ID Proofs for IBPS RRB PO Exam 2026
Candidates can carry any one of the following valid photo identity proofs, as permitted by the examination instructions:
- PAN Card
- Passport
- Permanent Driving Licence
- Voter ID Card
- Bank Passbook with photograph
- Aadhaar Card
- E-Aadhaar Card with photograph
- Employee ID Card
- Valid College or University ID Card
- Photo ID issued by a Gazetted Officer or People’s Representative on official letterhead
ID Proofs Not Accepted
- Ration Card
- Learner’s Driving Licence
Important: Candidates should carry the original ID proof along with the required photocopy. Those who fail to provide the required documents may not be allowed to enter the examination hall. Always follow the latest instructions printed on your call letter.
What Should Candidates Carry for IBPS RRB PO Prelims 2026?
As part of the IBPS RRB PO Exam Day Guidelines, candidates should prepare their exam-day documents in advance to avoid last-minute problems.
Use this simple checklist before leaving for the examination centre:
- Printed copy of the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Admit Card 2026.
- One recent passport-size photograph pasted on the admit card
- One additional passport-size photograph
- Original valid photo identity proof
- Photocopy of the same identity proof
- Any other document specifically mentioned on the admit card
Keep all these documents in one folder so you can find them easily at the exam centre.
Conclusion
The IBPS RRB PO Shift Timings 2026 are important for candidates appearing on 21 and 22 November 2026. The examination will be conducted in four shifts each day. Candidates should check their shift-wise reporting time, exam start time and end time before the examination. They must also download their admit cards and carry all the required documents to the exam centre. Since the exam duration is only 45 minutes, candidates should practise mock tests and manage their time carefully. Start your final revision with PracticeMock and improve your preparation before the examination.
Related RRB PO Articles
| IBPS RRB PO Salary | IBPS RRB PO Exam Pattern |
| IBPS RRB PO Cut Off | IBPS RRB PO Syllabus |
| IBPS RRB PO Previous Year Question Papers | |
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FAQs
Q1. When will the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam 2026 be conducted?
The IBPS RRB PO Preliminary Examination 2026 will be conducted on 21 and 22 November 2026 for Officer Scale I posts.
Q2. How many shifts are there in the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam 2026?
The IBPS RRB PO Prelims examination will be conducted in four shifts each day. Candidates will receive their allotted shift through their admit cards.
Q3. What are the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Shift Timings 2026?
The IBPS RRB PO Shift Timings 2026 are given below:
- Shift 1: 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM
- Shift 2: 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM
- Shift 3: 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM
- Shift 4: 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
Candidates should check their individual IBPS RRB PO admit cards for confirmed timings.
Q4. What is the reporting time for IBPS RRB PO Prelims 2026?
The published reporting times are 8:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM for shifts 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Candidates must follow the reporting time mentioned on their admit cards.
Q5. What is the duration of the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam 2026?
The total duration of the IBPS RRB PO Preliminary Examination is 45 minutes. It includes 25 minutes for Reasoning Ability and 20 minutes for Quantitative Aptitude.
Q6. What is the total number of questions in the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam 2026?
The examination contains 80 questions carrying 80 marks. There are 40 questions from Reasoning Ability and 40 questions from Quantitative Aptitude.
Q7. Is there negative marking in the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam 2026?
Yes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
Q8. When was the IBPS RRB PO Admit Card 2026 released?
The IBPS RRB PO Prelims Hall Ticket 2026 was released on 9 November 2026. Candidates can download it from the official IBPS website.
Q9. What documents should I carry for the IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam 2026?
Candidates should carry a printed admit card, an original valid photo ID proof, a photocopy of the same ID and an additional passport-size photograph. They should also follow any extra document instructions mentioned on their admit cards.
Q10. Can I enter the exam centre after the reporting time?
Candidates should reach the exam centre within the reporting time mentioned on their admit cards. Entry may not be allowed after the prescribed gate-closing time.
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