Last updated for the IBPS/SBI 2026 recruitment cycle. IBPS conducts common exams for 11 PSU banks; SBI conducts its own separate PO/Clerk exams.
What are Banking Exams?
Banking exams in India are competitive tests for entry-level and mid-level roles in Public Sector Banks. The two major conducting authorities:
- IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) — Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for 11 nationalised banks (PNB, BoB, Canara, Indian Bank, Central Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Punjab & Sind, UCO, Union Bank, Indian Overseas)
- SBI (State Bank of India) — separate PO and Clerk recruitment
- IBPS RRB — Regional Rural Bank recruitment (Officer Scale I / II / III + Office Assistant)
Major Banking Exams
| Exam | Post | Notification | Typical Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBPS PO | Probationary Officer | Aug/Sep | ~4,000 |
| IBPS Clerk | Clerk | Aug/Sep | ~8,000 |
| SBI PO | Probationary Officer | Apr/May | ~2,000 |
| SBI Clerk | Junior Associate | Nov/Dec | ~6,000 |
| IBPS RRB | Officer / Office Assistant | Jun/Jul | ~10,000 |
IBPS PO Exam Structure — 3 Stages
Stage 1 — Prelims
| Section | Q | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
Stage 2 — Mains
| Section | Q | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning + Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 min |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 min |
| Objective Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hr |
| Descriptive (Letter + Essay) | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
Stage 3 — Interview
100 marks personality/knowledge interview.
Detailed Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude
Number System, Simplification, Approximation, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Mensuration, Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar/Line/Pie charts), Probability, Permutation & Combination, Series (Number series, Wrong number).
Reasoning Ability
Syllogism, Puzzles (Seating arrangement, Floors, Boxes), Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Inequalities, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Statement-Conclusion, Alphanumeric series, Logical Reasoning.
English Language
Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Sentence Correction, Fill-in-the-blanks, Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms), Idioms & Phrases, Sentence Improvement, Word usage.
General / Banking Awareness
Current Affairs (last 6 months), Banking & Financial Awareness (RBI, SEBI, IRDA, SBI history, banking terms — CRR, SLR, Repo, Reverse Repo), Static GK (Capitals, Currencies, Sports awards), Government schemes, Union Budget, Economic Survey.
Eligibility (IBPS PO)
- Age: 20–30 years (as on 1 July of exam year)
- Education: Bachelor's degree in any discipline (min 60% varies by bank)
- Age Relaxation: OBC — 3 yrs, SC/ST — 5 yrs, PwD — 10 yrs
- Nationality: Indian citizen
- Computer literacy: Basic computer knowledge required
Recommended Books
- Quant: R.S. Aggarwal — Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
- Reasoning: R.S. Aggarwal — Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning; Arihant Reasoning
- English: Wren & Martin — English Grammar & Composition; Norman Lewis — Word Power Made Easy
- Banking Awareness: Arihant Banking Awareness; Manorama Yearbook
- Current Affairs: Bankers Adda daily updates; The Hindu; PIB
Sample Questions
B) ₹1,200
C) ₹1,400
D) ₹1,600
B) Commercial Banks lend to customers
C) RBI accepts deposits from Banks
D) Banks borrow from each other
B) Extremely careful/precise
C) Fast
D) Rich
Preparation Strategy — 6-Month Plan
Months 1–2 — Foundation
- Basic maths & reasoning concepts
- English grammar refresher (tenses, prepositions, articles)
- Start banking awareness — read Bankers Adda daily
Months 3–4 — Speed & Practice
- Sectional tests: 20 Q in 15 min per section
- Learn Vedic maths shortcuts for Quant (percentages, squares, roots)
- Vocabulary building — 10 new words per day
Months 5–6 — Mock Tests
- Daily full-length mocks (Prelims first, then Mains)
- Analyse mistakes — repeat weak topics
- Descriptive writing practice for Mains
Frequently Asked Questions
🚀 Banking Practice — Coming Soon on EkXam!
Meanwhile, sharpen your Quant & Reasoning with our Math Marathon — Speed rounds, Vedic tricks, and topic-wise practice designed for banking-exam speed.
🧮 Enter Maths Corner 📝 Register FreeDisclaimer: Vacancies, cut-offs and eligibility vary by notification. Verify from the latest IBPS notification at ibps.in or SBI at sbi.co.in/careers.