most important di questions for sbi po mains
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If you’re aiming to maximize your score in the Data Analysis & Interpretation section, mastering the Most Important DI Questions for SBI PO Mains 2026 is the single best way to secure a top rank. SBI has completely moved away from basic chart reading toward multi-layered, variable-based, and arithmetic-integrated DI sets. The most critical Data Interpretation (DI) types for SBI PO Mains are Caselet DI, Missing/Arithmetic Table DI, and Radar/Radar-Pie Mixed DI.  The section contains 30 questions worth 60 marks, with each question worth 2 marks. Success on the Mains exam depends on strong logical reasoning, fundamental mathematical concepts (such as Time & Work, Profit & Loss, and Probability), and strategic variable elimination rather than being slowed down by artificially created mock exams. To help you master this high-weightage section, we analyzed the last 5 years of Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to bring you the top 30 expected DI sets, complete with step-by-step solutions and answer keys.

Most Important DI Questions for SBI PO Mains 2026: PYQ-Based Quiz

Below are 30 high-yield questions categorized across 6 primary Data Interpretation sets structured exactly like recent SBI PO Mains papers.

Advanced Data Interpretation Practice QuizScore: 0.00
Directions (Q1–Q30)Choose the correct option. Each correct answer carries +2 marks and each incorrect answer carries −0.5 marks.
Set 1: Variable-Based Missing Table DI (Q1–Q5)
MerchantCP of PDiscount on PMP of QProfit on Q
A₹400x%₹60020%
B₹60015%₹800y%
C₹500(x+10)%₹70025%

Note: For A, MP of P is 50% above CP, and SP of P equals CP of Q.

Q1. If Merchant A makes a total profit of ₹20 on Item P, what is x?

Correct Answer: C) 30
Explanation: Marked price of P for A = 400 × 1.5 = ₹600. Selling price = ₹400 + ₹20 = ₹420. Discount = ₹180. Therefore, x = 180/600 × 100 = 30%.

Q2. What is the cost price of Item Q for Merchant A under the condition in Q1?

Correct Answer: A) ₹420
Explanation: The note states that the selling price of Item P equals the cost price of Item Q. From Q1, selling price of P = ₹420. Therefore, cost price of Q = ₹420.

Q3. If Merchant B sells Item Q at a 10% discount on its marked price, what is y, the profit percentage on Item Q?

Correct Answer: E) Cannot be determined
Explanation: Selling price of Q for B = 90% of ₹800 = ₹720. However, the cost price of Item Q for Merchant B is not given or derivable. Therefore, profit percentage y cannot be determined.

Q4. If x = 20, find the selling price of Item P for Merchant C when its marked price is ₹800.

Correct Answer: B) ₹560
Explanation: Discount for C = x + 10 = 30%, not 40%. Selling price = 70% of ₹800 = ₹560.

Q5. What is the ratio of the marked price of Item P for Merchant A to the marked price of Item Q for Merchant B?

Correct Answer: A) 3:4
Explanation: Marked price of P for A = ₹600 and marked price of Q for B = ₹800. Ratio = 600:800 = 3:4.
Set 2: Banking Loan Caselet (Q6–Q10)A bank processed 1,200 applications. Home Loans were 40%. Auto:Personal = 3:5. Home approval = 75%, Personal approval = 60%, overall approval = 65%.

Q6. How many Auto Loan applications were received?

Correct Answer: A) 270
Explanation: Home Loans = 40% of 1200 = 480. Remaining applications = 720. Auto:Personal = 3:5, so Auto = 3/8 × 720 = 270.

Q7. How many Home Loan applications were approved?

Correct Answer: C) 360
Explanation: Approved Home Loans = 75% of 480 = 360.

Q8. What is the approval percentage for Auto Loans?

Correct Answer: C) 55.56%
Explanation: Total approved = 65% of 1200 = 780. Approved Personal Loans = 60% of 450 = 270, and approved Home Loans = 360. Approved Auto Loans = 780 − 360 − 270 = 150. Approval rate = 150/270 × 100 = 55.56%.

Q9. What is the ratio of unapproved Personal Loans to unapproved Home Loans?

Correct Answer: A) 3:2
Explanation: Unapproved Personal Loans = 40% of 450 = 180. Unapproved Home Loans = 25% of 480 = 120. Ratio = 180:120 = 3:2.

Q10. If the average approved Auto Loan amount is ₹5 lakh, what is the total amount disbursed?

Correct Answer: B) ₹7.50 crore
Explanation: Approved Auto Loans = 150. Total disbursed = 150 × ₹5 lakh = ₹750 lakh = ₹7.50 crore.
Set 3: Boats and Streams DI (Q11–Q15)B1: still 25, downstream time 4 h; B2: still 18, time 5 h; B3: still 30, time 3 h; B4: still 20, time 4.8 h. Each covers 120 km downstream.

Q11. What is the river-current speed for Boat B1?

Correct Answer: C) 5 km/h
Explanation: Downstream speed = 120/4 = 30 km/h. Current speed = 30 − 25 = 5 km/h.

Q12. How long will Boat B2 take to cover 84 km upstream?

Correct Answer: B) 7 hours
Explanation: Downstream speed = 120/5 = 24 km/h. Current = 24 − 18 = 6 km/h. Upstream speed = 18 − 6 = 12 km/h. Time = 84/12 = 7 hours.

Q13. What is the ratio of the upstream speed of B3 to the downstream speed of B4?

Correct Answer: C) 4:5
Explanation: For B3, downstream speed = 40 and current = 10, so upstream speed = 20. B4 downstream speed = 120/4.8 = 25. Ratio = 20:25 = 4:5.

Q14. B1 and B3 move toward each other from points 220 km apart in still water. When will they meet?

Correct Answer: B) 4 hours
Explanation: Their still-water speeds are 25 and 30 km/h. Relative speed = 55 km/h. Time = 220/55 = 4 hours.

Q15. What is the average downstream speed of all four boats?

Correct Answer: B) 29.75 km/h
Explanation: Downstream speeds are 30, 24, 40, and 25 km/h. Average = 119/4 = 29.75 km/h.
Set 4: Company Performance DI (Q16–Q20)X: IT 80, Client 70, R&D 60, Retention 90, Profit 50. Y: IT 60, Client 80, R&D 80, Retention 70, Profit 70.

Q16. Which parameter has the maximum percentage difference between X and Y relative to Y's score?

Correct Answer: A) IT Infrastructure
Explanation: Percentage differences relative to Y are: IT = 20/60 = 33.33%; Client = 10/80 = 12.5%; R&D = 20/80 = 25%; Retention = 20/70 = 28.57%; Profit = 20/70 = 28.57%. IT is highest.

Q17. What is Company X's average score across all five parameters?

Correct Answer: B) 70
Explanation: Average = (80 + 70 + 60 + 90 + 50)/5 = 350/5 = 70.

Q18. If Y's R&D expenditure is ₹160 crore for a score of 80, what is X's expected expenditure for a score of 60?

Correct Answer: B) ₹120 crore
Explanation: Expenditure per score point = 160/80 = ₹2 crore. For 60 points, expenditure = 60 × 2 = ₹120 crore.

Q19. By what percentage is Y's Profit Margin score higher than X's?

Correct Answer: D) 40%
Explanation: Difference = 70 − 50 = 20. Percentage higher relative to X = 20/50 × 100 = 40%.

Q20. What is the ratio of X's combined IT and Retention scores to Y's combined Client and R&D scores?

Correct Answer: A) 17:16
Explanation: X total = 80 + 90 = 170. Y total = 80 + 80 = 160. Ratio = 170:160 = 17:16.
Set 5: Employee Distribution DI (Q21–Q25)Total employees = 5,000. HR 15% (M:F 2:3, PG 40%); IT 35% (4:3, 60%); Finance 20% (3:2, 50%); Marketing 30% (1:1, 30%).

Q21. How many female employees work in IT?

Correct Answer: B) 750
Explanation: IT employees = 35% of 5000 = 1750. Female share = 3/7, so females = 750.

Q22. How many post-graduate employees are in HR and Finance combined?

Correct Answer: C) 800
Explanation: HR PGs = 40% of 750 = 300. Finance PGs = 50% of 1000 = 500. Total = 800.

Q23. What is the ratio of male employees in HR to male employees in Marketing?

Correct Answer: A) 2:5
Explanation: HR males = 2/5 × 750 = 300. Marketing males = 1/2 × 1500 = 750. Ratio = 300:750 = 2:5.

Q24. If 20% of female IT employees leave, how many female IT employees remain?

Correct Answer: A) 600
Explanation: Initial female IT employees = 750. Remaining after 20% leave = 80% of 750 = 600.

Q25. What percentage of the total workforce are non-post-graduates in Marketing?

Correct Answer: B) 21%
Explanation: Marketing employees = 30% of 5000 = 1500. Non-PGs = 70% of 1500 = 1050. Percentage of total workforce = 1050/5000 × 100 = 21%.
Set 6: Quantity Comparison and Data Sufficiency (Q26–Q30)Compare the quantities or determine which statements are sufficient.

Q26. Quantity I: √144 × 15 − 40. Quantity II: Simple interest on ₹2,000 at 12% p.a. for 6 years.

Correct Answer: B) Quantity I < Quantity II
Explanation: Quantity I = 12 × 15 − 40 = 140. Quantity II = 2000 × 12 × 6/100 = 1440. Therefore, Quantity I < Quantity II.

Q27. Quantity I: Time taken by A alone if A and B finish in 12 days and B alone in 20 days. Quantity II: Time to cover 180 km at 60 km/h.

Correct Answer: A) Quantity I > Quantity II
Explanation: A's rate = 1/12 − 1/20 = 1/30, so A takes 30 days. Quantity II = 180/60 = 3 hours = 1/8 day. Hence Quantity I > Quantity II.

Q28. Find the marked price. I: Sold at 20% discount with 10% profit. II: Cost price is ₹400.

Correct Answer: C) Both together sufficient
Explanation: Neither statement alone gives the marked price. Together, selling price = 110% of 400 = ₹440, and 80% of marked price = ₹440. Thus marked price = ₹550.

Q29. Find the stream speed. I: 48 km downstream in 3 hours. II: 32 km upstream in 4 hours.

Correct Answer: C) Both together sufficient
Explanation: Downstream speed = 16 km/h and upstream speed = 8 km/h. Stream speed = (16 − 8)/2 = 4 km/h. Both statements are required.

Q30. Quantity I: Probability of exactly two heads in three fair-coin tosses. Quantity II: Probability of drawing a red card from 52 cards.

Correct Answer: B) Quantity I < Quantity II
Explanation: Quantity I = 3/8 = 0.375. Quantity II = 26/52 = 1/2 = 0.5. Therefore, Quantity I < Quantity II.

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High-Weightage DI Patterns & Trend Analysis for SBI PO Mains 2026

To clear the Mains section cut-off and maximize your score, you must understand the exact patterns SBI tests every year:

  1. Arithmetic-Based DI Sets: SBI PO Mains heavily weaves core arithmetic chapters into graphs and missing tables. You will rarely get direct chart questions; instead, you must apply formulas from Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Boat & Stream, and Mixture & Alligation.
  2. Caselet Data Interpretation: Expect 1 to 2 dense caselets containing 5 to 10 questions. These are passage-based sets requiring quick categorization using Venn Diagrams, logical grids, or structured tables.
  3. Variable & Algebraic DI: A staple pattern in recent years where numerical values in charts are replaced by variables ($x, y, k$). Sub-questions provide algebraic conditions to find these variables first.
  4. Hybrid / Combination Graphs: These pair two different visual tools (e.g., Pie Chart + Table, Bar Graph + Line Chart) requiring data extraction from both sources.

Real Exam vs Mock Tests: What Toppers & Candidate Insights Reveal

A common complaint among banking aspirants on candidate forums and Reddit communities is that top mock test series make Mains DI sets excessively tough and unrealistic.

  • The Reality of Mock Tests: Many mock tests rely on tedious, multi-digit calculations that waste time without testing core reasoning.
  • The Reality of SBI PO Mains: The actual SBI PO Mains exam is logic-driven rather than purely calculation-heavy. While the sets look intimidating at first glance, cracking the initial logic or variable equation usually opens up all 5 sub-questions smoothly.
  • Actionable Takeaway: Do not get discouraged by low scores in mock tests. Focus your practice on Previous Year Questions (PYQs) and high-quality standard sets from trusted sources like Guidely, Testbook, or Smartkeeda.

Topic-Wise Priority Matrix & Expected Weightage of DI for SBI PO Mains 2026

Check the expected weightage of the different types of DI for SBI PO Mains –

DI Pattern / TopicExpected QuestionsDifficulty LevelPreparation Priority
Caselet DI (Paragraph/Venn)5 – 10HighTop Priority
Mixed DI (Pie + Table / Bar + Line)5 – 8Moderate – HighTop Priority
Missing & Variable Table DI4 – 6Moderate – HighHigh Priority
Arithmetic DI (Profit/Loss, TSD, T&W)4 – 8HighHigh Priority
Quantity Comparison (QA vs QB)2 – 5ModerateMedium Priority
Data Sufficiency2 – 5ModerateMedium Priority
expected weightage of di and quant topics in sbi po mains 2026

Proven Time Management & Set Selection Strategy for Mains DI

Attempting all 30 questions in 45 minutes under strict sectional timing is almost impossible for most candidates. The key to clearing Mains is smart selection:

  1. The First 2 Minutes (Scanning Phase): Quickly skim through all 30 questions. Identify the 2 or 3 DI sets that belong to your strongest arithmetic chapters.
  2. Prioritize Single/Double Variable Tables First: Missing tables and standard double charts (like Pie + Table) usually have a lower entry barrier than lengthy logical caselets.
  3. Target 12–15 High-Accuracy Questions: In SBI PO Mains, scoring 22–30 marks out of 60 puts you in the top percentile. Aim for 100% accuracy on 12 to 15 questions rather than rushing through 22 rushed attempts.
  4. Master Mental Math Shortcuts: Memorize percentage-to-fraction equivalents (up to 1/20), squares up to 50, and cubes up to 25 to cut down solving time per question.

Related Articles
SBI PO NotificationSBI PO SyllabusSBI PO Exam Date
SBI PO Eligibility CriteriaSBI PO SalarySBI PO Cut Off
SBI PO ResultSBI PO Exam 2026 PrepSBI PO PYQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How many DI questions are asked in SBI PO Mains?

The Data Analysis & Interpretation section in SBI PO Mains contains 30 questions carrying 60 marks. The section has a fixed sectional timing of 45 minutes.

Q2. Is there sectional cut-off in SBI PO Mains Data Analysis & Interpretation?

Yes, SBI PO Mains maintains both sectional cut-offs and overall cut-offs. Candidates must qualify in each individual objective section as well as the descriptive paper.

Q3. Which arithmetic topics are most important for Mains DI?

The most high-weightage arithmetic chapters for Mains DI are Profit, Loss & Discount, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Boats & Streams, Simple & Compound Interest, and Probability.

Q4. Are actual SBI PO Mains DI questions harder than mock tests?

Usually, mock tests tend to be artificially calculation-heavy. Real SBI PO Mains questions focus more on conceptual clarity, variable solving, and logical linking rather than extremely lengthy manual calculations.

Q5. What is a good attempt score in SBI PO Mains Data Analysis & Interpretation?

Attempting 12 to 16 questions with 90%+ accuracy (yielding 24–30+ marks) is considered a very strong performance in the DAI section of SBI PO Mains.

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