The General, Economy, and Banking Awareness section is an important part of the IBPS PO Mains exam. It is a scoring section and does not require lengthy calculations or logic-based solving. You just need to stay updated with current events and have a good knowledge of banking and financial concepts. In the IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025, this section consists of 40 questions for 40 marks, and you are given 35 minutes to attempt it. This objective section forms a crucial part of your final selection. Knowing the weightage of important topics can help you prepare in the right direction. In this blog, we will break down the most expected topics and the number of questions based on trends from the last few years.
This section is often underestimated or neglected by many aspirants. As a result, they have to suffer the losses in the actual exam. But those aspirants who prepare it well, it acts as their score booster.
Therefore, here’s why you should focus on it:
Also, this section has no sectional cut-off. But scoring high marks in it can help you maximize your total marks. Plus, it can also increase your chances of getting selected for the interview stage.
Let’s take a look at the most expected topics in this section, along with the number of questions you may expect:
| Topic | Expected Questions (2025) |
| Current Affairs (Last 6 Months) | 12–15 |
| Banking & Financial Awareness | 8–10 |
| Static General Knowledge | 5–6 |
| Economy & Budget-related Questions | 3–4 |
| RBI in News / Policies / Circulars | 2–3 |
| Government Schemes and Committees | 2–3 |
| Important Days, Books, Awards | 1–2 |
| Sports, Defence, Appointments, Obits | 2–3 |
Note:
This section does not require memorizing formulas or practicing problems. Instead, it needs regular updates and revision. Follow these tips to prepare efficiently:
Stay updated with news related to India and the world. Focus more on economy, banking, finance, and government schemes. You can read online blogs, newspapers like The Hindu Business Line or use apps that summarize daily current affairs.
Download and revise monthly Banking Awareness compilations from trusted sources. These help you cover RBI updates, latest banking terms, and regulatory changes.
Attempt weekly and monthly quizzes. These not only improve your memory but also give you a sense of the exam format. Make short notes and revise them before the exam.
You must know:
You don’t need deep theory, but you must understand basic terms like:
Go through RBI press releases, financial news updates, and PIB summaries. These are authentic sources that are updated regularly. You can follow the RBI & Government websites by visiting the official RBI (Reserve Bank of India) website and checking the press releases section to get well aware of all the important updates. RBI publishes important information about banking rules and changes in the policy. These changes include updates on repo rate, inflation, and digital payments. These topics are often asked in the IBPS PO Mains exam.
So you should keep in mind that:
This way, you will never miss important news. Plus, it will help you prepare well for Banking and Economic Awareness.
The General Awareness section is your chance to gain easy marks if you prepare smartly. It doesn’t require much time during the exam, so it’s a time-saver too. Just make a habit of reading and revising regularly.
To sum up:
There are 40 questions worth 40 marks.
Current Affairs (last 6 months), Banking Awareness, and Static GK.
Yes, very much! With good revision, you can score 30+ easily.
Use monthly banking PDFs, read newspapers, follow RBI updates, and take quizzes.
Yes, a strong hold over banking awareness improves your performance in interviews as well.
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