The IBPS PO exam is scheduled for 17th, 23rd, and 24th August (Prelims) and 12th October 2025 (Mains). The notification regarding vacancies, online application dates, and other information is expected to be released in July 2025. The candidates who want to appear in the exam must know all about the IBPS PO selection process 2025. Knowing this will help you plan your preparation and schedule your studies accordingly. The IBPS PO exam selection process consists of Prelims, Mains, and an Interview. The detailed selection process is provided below.
IBPS PO Selection Process 2025- Overview
The IBPS PO recruitment has 3 stages of selection. This is the Prelims exam, the Mains exam, and a Personal Interview. It is important to note that the Prelims exam is only qualifying, and its marks are not counted for the final selection. By qualifying in the Prelims exam, one can appear in the mains exam. The result of the Mains exam and the Interview is counted for the final selection. These are in the ratio of 80:20. This means that the Mains exam score contributes 80% to the final merit list, while the interview score contributes 20%.
| Organisation Name | Institute of Banking Personnel (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | IBPS PO (Also called Management Trainee – MT) |
| Prelims Exam Date | 17th, 23rd, and 24th August |
| Mains Exam Date | 12th October 2025 |
| Selection Process | Stage 1: Prelims Stage 2: Mains Stage 3: Interview |
| Eligibility | Graduate from a government-recognized university. |
IBPS PO Detailed Recruitment Process
The IBPS PO recruitment process consists of three stages:
- Prelims
- Mains and
- Interview
After this, at the time of joining, the candidates are required to be present with the documents such as Medical Fitness records, Character certificate, Police Verification report, and other documents, original copies.
IBPS PO Selection Process Stage 1: Prelims Exam
The IBPS PO Prelims exam consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions total of 100 marks, with a duration of 60 minutes. It consists of 3 sections of Quant, Reasoning, and English. The Quant and Reasoning section is of 35 marks, and the English section is of 30 marks. Each section is of 20 minutes duration. And there are sectional timings and sectional cut-offs applicable in the Prelims exam. The sectional cut-off is not applicable in the Mains exams. Additionally, a penalty of 0.25 marks is applied for incorrect answers attempted. The medium of the exam is English and Hindi, and only English in the English Language section. Note that the Prelims exam is qualifying in nature and its marks are not counted in the final merit.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Preparation Tips
- Read an English newspaper daily (editorials especially).
- Master short tricks for simplification and percentages, Practice DI sets and revise formulas.
- Start with basic puzzles, then move to moderate/high-level. Practice 2 to 3 puzzles daily.
- Make a Study Plan. Follow daily study routine.
- Focus on Weak Areas.
- Attempt Mock Tests regularly.
- Work on accuracy and Speed.
IBPS PO Selection Process Stage 2: Mains Exam
The IBPS PO Mains exam consists of an objective test (MCQs) and a subjective test (Essay and Letter writing). The Objective Test consists of 4 sections, namely: Reasoning and Computer Aptitude (45 questions, 60 marks, 60 minutes), General Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis and Interpretation. A total of 155 questions of 200 marks will be asked in the subjective tests. The mode of examination is online. And the medium of the exam is English and Hindi, except for the English Language Section. The sectional timing and are applicable, and negative marking of 1/4th marks allotted to the wrong answer is applicable. The Descriptive Test consists of 2 questions: 1 Essay and 1 Letter total of 25 marks, with a 30-minute duration.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total (Objective Test) | 155 | 200 | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| English Language (Descriptive Test) | 2 (Letter + Essay) | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Grand Total | 157 | 225 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
Note: There is no sectional cut-off in mains. The candidates need to score the overall cut-off marks to qualify for the next round, that is Interview.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Preparation Tips:
- Practice 3–4 high-level puzzles daily and Cover basic computer topics like hardware/software, networking, MS Office, shortcuts, etc.
- Focus on speed and accuracy with complex DI sets.
- Read editorials (The Hindu, Indian Express) to enhance comprehension.
- Read a monthly current affairs PDF ( from PracticeMock).
- Practice 2 essays and 2 letters weekly.
- Attempt 2–3 full mocks per week.
- Make revision a daily habit — allocate 30–45 minutes daily.
IBPS PO Selection Process Stage 3: Interview
The interview marks consist of 20% weightage in the final selection. Therefore, the candidates must prepare for the interview. For this, you need to be completely informed about the recent banking terms and banking laws, and finance-related queries. Keep yourself updated with the current affairs. Do some small research on the trending social and financial issues within the country. The IBPS POs are appointed as Management Trainees (MT); therefore, the candidates must also have basic knowledge about managerial terms and concepts. This will help you crack the IBPS PO interview.
IBPS PO Interview Structure
- Duration: 15–20 minutes
- Total Marks: 100
- Panel: 4–5 members (bank officials, psychologists, etc.)
- Language: Usually English or Hindi (your comfort matters)
- Weightage: 20% in final selection (80% is from Mains)
Interview Preparation Tips:
- Practice with mock panels or online platforms.
- Read newspapers (The Hindu/Indian Express), RBI website.
- Focus on the last 4–6 months news (national, international, economy, sports)
- Read about Government Schemes, Union Budget, and Economic Survey highlights.
- Know about IBPS, its role, and recent recruitment trends.
- Prepare personal Introduction and be confident.
Important Notes
- There is a sectional cut-off in Prelims as well as Mains , but overall cut-off applies.
- The Prelims marks are not counted in the final selection.
- A Provisional allotment does not guarantee immediate joining; it is subject to verification and document submission.
IBPS PO Document Verification
The IBPS PO selected candidates are required to keep their documents handy so that they can be used for verification purposes. The documents required at the Interview stage and the documents required at the time of Joining must be very clear to the candidates. The list of required documents at both stages is mentioned below.
Documents Required at the IBPS PO Interview
- Interview call letter
- Online Application form
- Proof of Date of Birth
- Photo Identity Proof
- Educational Qualification Certificates
- Caste Certificate
- Passport Size Photographs
- Income & Asset Certificate for EWS candidates
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
- Experience Certificates (if applicable)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) (for Govt/Public Sector employees)
Documents Required at the Joining Stage
- All the above documents (in the original)
- Medical Fitness Certificate: From a registered medical practitioner or as per the bank’s format
- Character Certificates: From 2 respectable persons (non-relative), may be requested by the bank
- Police Verification Report (in some banks): Or acknowledgment of police verification request
IBPS PO Recruitment Process: Summary
The IBPS PO selection process consists of 3 stages, namely, Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Prelims exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, and the Mains exam consists of 155 objective questions and 2 descriptive questions. The total duration of the Prelims exam is 1 hour, and the total duration of the Mains exam is 3 hrs and 30 minutes. The Prelims exam is qualifying, and the Mains exam and the Prelims exam results are counted for the final merit. The interview consists of 100 marks and questions related to banking terms and banking awareness, and current affairs are usually asked in the interview. The final selection is based on 80% weightage of Mains exam marks and 20% weightage of Interview marks. The selected candidates will be appointed as Management Trainees.
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FAQs
After the selection for IBPS PO document verification, allotment to a bank, and the training period starts.
The number of candidates selected for the IBPS PO interview is generally around 3 to 5 times the number of vacancies.
The provisional allotment for the IBPS PO is done based on merit-cum-preference. It is done based on the final vacancies reported by the participating organisations.
The minimum qualifying marks in the IBPS PO interview is 40%. The Candidates who belong to PwD, SC, ST, and OBC categories need to secure a minimum of 25%
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