Progressive Classes Exam Pattern
IBPS introduced separate sectional timing for each sections in preliminary exam. The IBPS PO exam (CWE 10) for hiring candidates will be based on an online written exam in two parts: Tier 1 or IBPS Preliminary Exam and Tier 2 or IBPS Mains Exam. This examination is followed by a face-to-face interview process.
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
The IBPS PO preliminary examination has a total duration of 1 hour and 20 mintues for each sections, which will be conducted in online mode. It consists of 3 sections with a total of 100 questions and maximum score of 100 marks. There is negative marking in IBPS PO pre exam and 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates must clear the cut-off in all 3 sections to qualify for the IBPS PO Main exam. The section-wise details are given below:
Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing minimum cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS. Adequate number of candidates in each category as decided by IBPS depending upon requirements will be shortlisted for Online Main Examination.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
The IBPO PO Main exam is also conducted online, it has 5(4+1) sections with a total score of 200+25 marks and total duration of 180+30 minutes. IBPS will be conducting a descriptive paper in its mains exam for selection of candidates to the post of Probationary officer. The sections must be attempted in the same order and the allotted time as mandated at the time of the exam. A candidate has to clear both preliminary and mains examination to be eligible for the interview process.
IBPS PO Interview
The candidates who have qualified the mains exam are called for a face to face interview which carries a maximum of 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview is 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates).
The interview round is generally 15-20 minutes long, where a panel of bank officials ask questions to the candidates about themselves, banking sector, current affairs, general awareness, etc. The candidates must be well dressed, confident and carry all required documents to the interview.
The final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks obtained in mains examination and interview. The final scoreis calculated by IBPS with weightage of marks given to the main examination and interviewin the ratio of 80:20 respectively.
Penalty for Wrong Answers:
There is a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests of both Preliminary and Mains exams. A wrong answer to an objective question by the candidate will lead to a penalty of one fourth of the marks assigned to that question. For example, 0.25 marks will be deducted as penalty for wrong answer to a question that carries 1 mark. There will be no penalty for leaving a question blank, i.e. if no answer is marked by the candidate.
Final Score Calculation for IBPS PO Exam:
The final score for the IBPS PO exam is calculated keeping the following points in mind:
• Marks obtained in the Preliminary Exam (Tier-1) will not be considered in the final score and are only for qualifying to Mains Exam (Tier-2).
• Candidates must qualify Phase-2 and Interview separately to be eligible for final merit.
• The weightage (ratio) of CWE Main exam and interview for final merit list will be 80:20 respectively.
• The aggregate score out of 100 is used for the final merit list for each category.Candidates with top merit rank in each category are finally selected.
IBPS PO Syllabus
IBPS exam syllabus is no different from any other bank exam. While IBPS issues only the broad subjects, they can be further subdivided into individual topics, based on the questions that have appeared in the exams over the past few years. The IBPS PO syllabus is divided into two parts:
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Syllabus
This comprises of Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Graduation Degree: The eligibility criteria for the IBPS CWE exam is as basic as a graduation degree (BA, BCom, BSc, B.Tech or as such) in any discipline from a University recognized by the Government of India. Any such candidate who has received equivalent qualification which is recognized by the Central Government is also eligible to apply for this exam.
The candidates must be in possession of a valid Mark-sheet / Degree Certificate that certifies that they are a graduate on the day they registers for this exam, and must indicate the percentage of marks obtained in Graduation while registering for the IBPS Bank-PO examination.
Computer Literacy: Working knowledge of computer systems is necessary for the job as well as to give the IBPS PO exam which is conducted in online mode.
Language Proficiency: Verbal and written proficiency in official language of the State/UT is desirable. The candidate must be able to read, write and speak the language.
Nationality / Citizenship of Applicants:
A candidate applying for IBPS CWE/Bank PO Examination must be one of the following:
1. Citizen of India
2. Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
3. Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement
4. Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam or East African countries of Zaire,Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, Malawi, with the intention of permanent settlement in India
Candidates belonging to the category 2, 3, 4 must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Govt of India in their favour.
Age Eligibility of candidates applying for IBPS Bank PO Examination (As on 01.08.2021):
Any candidate who is applying for the IBPS CWE examination should not be less than 20 years oldand not more than 30 years old at the time of registration. In addition to this, there isage relaxation application to category wise candidates as per the government rules:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PWD) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Army personnel) | 5 years |
| Widows/Divorced Women | 9 years |
| Persons with Domicile of Jammu &Kashmir during the period of 1-1-1980 to 31-12-1989 | 5 years |
| Persons affected by 1984 riots | 5 years |
| Regular Employees of Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal | |
| retrenched from service(for MP state Only) | 5 years |
Exam Centre
The IBPS PO exam (CWE) is conducted online at numerous centers all over India and the candidate can mention their preferences at the time of filling in the online application. However, if there is non-availability of seats at preferred venues,IBPS may allot an exam centre other than the choices made by acandidate. IBPS is the sole authority on adding or removing an exam center and candidates can’t make requests for change in the exam centre. Any inappropriate behavior at the exam center can lead to cancellation of the candidature.
Admit Card & Call Letter
Candidates must download the IBPS PO 2021 admit card from the official website of the bank as the hard copy of the IBPS PO Admit Card will not be sent to the candidate via post. To login on the official website, the candidates will require the following:
• Registration No/Roll No
• Date of Birth/ Password
The admit card will be made available 10 to 15 days before the IBPS PO 2021 Exam. The admit card or call letter for IBPS PO 2021 will be issued in 3 phases:
• Online Preliminary Examination
• Online Mains Examination
• Interview