IBPS PO & SBI PO Syllabus 2026 — Complete Topic-Wise Breakdown
Detailed topic-wise syllabus for IBPS PO and SBI PO 2026 — Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge with weightage analysis.
IBPS PO & SBI PO Syllabus Overview
The syllabus for IBPS PO and SBI PO is ~90% identical. Both exams test the same 5 subjects at Prelims and Mains level. The key difference is SBI PO Mains has a heavier descriptive paper (50 marks vs 25 marks).
1. Quantitative Aptitude
Prelims Level Topics
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Number Series | 5 | Moderate |
| Simplification / Approximation | 5-10 | Easy-Moderate |
| Data Interpretation (1-2 sets) | 5-10 | Moderate |
| Quadratic Equations | 5 | Easy |
| Arithmetic Word Problems | 5-10 | Moderate |
Mains Level Topics (Data Analysis & Interpretation)
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (3-4 sets) | 15-20 | Moderate-Hard |
| Caselet DI | 5 | Hard |
| Missing DI | 5 | Moderate |
| Data Sufficiency | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Quantity Comparison | 5 | Moderate |
| Arithmetic (Advanced) | 5-10 | Moderate-Hard |
Complete Topic List — Quantitative Aptitude
Number System: HCF, LCM, Divisibility, Remainders, Number properties
Simplification & Approximation: BODMAS, Percentage approximation, Square/Cube roots
Data Interpretation: Bar graph, Line graph, Pie chart, Table, Radar, Mixed DI, Caselet
Number Series: Missing number, Wrong number in series
Quadratic Equations: Roots comparison (x vs y)
Percentage: Basic percentage, Successive percentage change
Ratio & Proportion: Direct/Inverse ratio, Compound ratio
Profit, Loss & Discount: Successive discounts, Cost price based, Partnership
Simple & Compound Interest: SI/CI difference, Population/Depreciation problems
Time & Work: LCM method, Efficiency, Pipes & Cisterns
Speed, Distance & Time: Relative speed, Trains, Boats & Streams
Average: Weighted average, Average change problems
Mixture & Alligation: Alligation rule, Replacement problems
Partnership: Simple and compound partnership, Profit sharing
Probability: Basic probability, Cards, Dice, Balls in bag
Permutation & Combination: Arrangement, Selection, Circular permutation
Mensuration: Area, Perimeter, Volume of 2D/3D shapes
2. Reasoning Ability
Prelims Level Topics
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzles (1-2 sets) | 5-10 | Moderate |
| Seating Arrangement (1-2 sets) | 5-10 | Moderate |
| Syllogisms | 3-5 | Easy-Moderate |
| Inequality | 5 | Easy |
| Blood Relations | 2-3 | Easy |
| Direction & Distance | 1-2 | Easy |
| Coding-Decoding | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Order & Ranking | 2-3 | Easy |
| Alphanumeric Series | 3-5 | Easy-Moderate |
Mains Level Topics (Reasoning & Computer Aptitude)
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzles (3-4 complex sets) | 15-20 | Hard |
| Seating Arrangement (2-3 sets) | 10-15 | Hard |
| Input-Output | 5 | Moderate |
| Data Sufficiency | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Computer Aptitude | 5-10 | Easy-Moderate |
Complete Topic List — Reasoning
Seating Arrangement: Linear (north/south facing), Circular, Square, Floor-based, Double row
Puzzles: Scheduling, Box-based, Multi-parameter comparison, Blood relation based
Syllogisms: Direct, Reverse, Possibility, Either-or cases
Inequality: Direct coded (A © B means A > B), Mathematical inequality
Blood Relations: Family tree, Coded blood relations, Pointing-based
Coding-Decoding: New pattern sentence coding, Letter/Number coding
Input-Output: Machine input rearrangement (step-by-step)
Direction & Distance: Displacement, Compass directions, Shortest distance
Order & Ranking: Linear arrangement, Floor puzzle, Position problems
Data Sufficiency: Two/Three statement sufficiency for conclusion
Alphanumeric Series: Letter-number pattern, Missing element
Logical Reasoning: Statement-Assumption, Statement-Conclusion, Cause-Effect, Course of Action
Critical Reasoning: Strengthening, Weakening, Inference (appears in SBI PO Mains)
3. English Language
Prelims Level Topics
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 7-10 | Moderate |
| Cloze Test | 5 | Moderate |
| Error Detection | 5-7 | Moderate |
| Sentence Improvement | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Para Jumbles | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Fill in the Blanks | 3-5 | Easy-Moderate |
Mains Level Topics
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (2-3 passages) | 10-15 | Hard |
| Sentence Connectors | 5 | Moderate |
| Cloze Test (New Pattern) | 5 | Moderate |
| Error Correction | 5 | Moderate |
| Para Jumbles | 5 | Moderate |
| Vocabulary-based | 5 | Moderate |
| Descriptive (Letter + Essay) | 2 | — |
Complete Topic List — English
Reading Comprehension: Economy-based, Social issues, Abstract themes, Inference, Vocabulary in context, Title suggestion
Cloze Test: Contextual fill-ups, Grammar-based blanks, New pattern (phrase replacement)
Error Detection: Grammar errors in sentences — subject-verb agreement, tense, articles, prepositions
Sentence Improvement: Replace underlined part with correct option
Para Jumbles: Rearrange 5-6 sentences in logical order
Sentence Connectors: Two sentences connected by appropriate conjunction/connector
Fill in the Blanks: Single blank, Double blank, Phrase-based
Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, One-word substitution, Phrase replacement
Column Matching: Match column A phrases with column B to form meaningful sentences
Descriptive Writing (Mains):
- Letter Writing: Formal letter to bank manager, editor, government department / Informal letter
- Essay Writing: Banking, economy, technology, social issues (200-250 words)
- IBPS PO: 25 marks | SBI PO: 50 marks
4. General / Economy / Banking Awareness
This section appears only in Mains (40 questions, 40 marks). It's entirely factual — no calculations, pure recall.
Topic Breakdown
| Category | Expected Questions | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs (last 6 months) | 15-20 | Dynamic |
| Banking Awareness | 8-10 | Static + Dynamic |
| Financial Awareness | 5-7 | Static + Dynamic |
| Static GK | 5-8 | Static |
Complete Topic List — General Awareness
Banking Awareness:
- RBI — Functions, Monetary Policy, Repo/Reverse Repo, SLR, CRR, MSF, LAF
- Payment Systems — NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, NACH, AEPS
- Banking Regulations — Banking Regulation Act 1949, RBI Act 1934, NI Act 1881
- Basel Norms — Basel III, Capital adequacy, Tier I and Tier II capital
- NPA — Classification (Sub-standard, Doubtful, Loss), SARFAESI Act, IBC
- Types of Accounts — Savings, Current, Fixed, Recurring, NRE, NRO, FCNR
- Financial Inclusion — Jan Dhan, Micro-finance, SHGs, Business Correspondents
- Priority Sector Lending — Agriculture, MSME, Education, Housing, Weaker sections
Financial Awareness:
- Union Budget — Key highlights, fiscal deficit, revenue deficit
- GDP, GNP, NNP — Calculation, Current data
- Inflation Indices — CPI, WPI, GDP Deflator
- Credit Rating Agencies — CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, Moody's, S&P, Fitch
- Stock Market — BSE, NSE, SEBI, IPO, FPI, FDI
- Insurance — IRDAI, Types, PMJJBY, PMSBY
- Pension — NPS, APY, EPF, PPF
Current Affairs:
- Appointments — RBI Governor, Bank MDs, Government posts
- Awards — Padma Awards, National/International awards
- Summits — G20, BRICS, SCO, ASEAN, COP
- Sports — Major tournaments, Indian achievements
- Government Schemes — New launches, amendments
- MoUs — India + international agreements
- Economic Data — GDP growth, Forex reserves, Trade data
Static GK:
- Bank HQ, Taglines, Establishment year
- Financial organizations — IMF, World Bank, ADB, NDB, AIIB
- Important committees — Narasimham, Rangarajan, Usha Thorat, Nayak
- Important Acts — Companies Act, FEMA, PMLA, GST
- First in banking — First ATM, First bank, First e-banking
5. Computer Knowledge
Combined with Reasoning in Mains as "Reasoning & Computer Aptitude" (45 Qs, 60 marks).
Complete Topic List — Computer Knowledge
Fundamentals: Generation of computers, Types (Analog/Digital/Hybrid), Components
Hardware: CPU, RAM, ROM, Cache, I/O devices, Storage devices (HDD, SSD, Optical)
Software: System software vs Application software, Operating systems, Compilers, Interpreters
Operating Systems: Windows, Linux basics, File management, Process management
MS Office:
- Word — Formatting, Mail merge, Track changes
- Excel — Formulas, Functions (VLOOKUP, IF, SUMIF), Pivot tables, Charts
- PowerPoint — Slide design, Animations, Slide show
Networking: LAN, WAN, MAN, Internet, Intranet, Protocols (HTTP, FTP, TCP/IP, SMTP)
Internet: Browsers, Search engines, Email, Web 2.0, Cloud computing (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
Database: DBMS vs RDBMS, SQL basics (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE), Normalization, Keys
Cyber Security: Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Ransomware, Phishing, Firewall, Encryption, Digital signatures, VPN
Number System: Binary, Octal, Hexadecimal conversions
Logic Gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR
Subject-wise Weightage Summary
Prelims (100 marks — qualifying only)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 30 | 30 | 30% |
| Quant | 35 | 35 | 35% |
| Reasoning | 35 | 35 | 35% |
Mains Objective (200 marks — for merit)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer | 45 | 60 | 30% |
| English | 35 | 40 | 20% |
| Data Analysis | 35 | 60 | 30% |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 20% |
Mains Descriptive
| Exam | Marks | Weightage in Total |
|---|---|---|
| IBPS PO | 25 | ~11% of 225 |
| SBI PO | 50 | ~20% of 250 |
Preparation Priority (Based on Weightage)
- Reasoning & DI — 60% of Mains marks. Master puzzles, seating, and DI first.
- English — 40 marks objective + 25-50 marks descriptive. Read editorials daily.
- General Awareness — 40 marks of pure recall. Use spaced repetition.
- Computer Knowledge — Combined with reasoning. Basic-intermediate level.
Lesson Doubts
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