Last Updated on: 09 Jan 2026, 08:39 AM

IBPS PO Mains Syllabus: Your Blueprint for the Final Battle

The definitive guide to the IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2025. Get a detailed analysis of high-priority topics for Reasoning, English, GA, and Data Analysis & Interpretation.

IBPS PO Mains Syllabus 2025: A Strategic Topic-wise Breakdown

The Prelims was about speed. The Mains is about substance. This in-depth, topic-by-topic breakdown of the IBPS PO Mains syllabus is the strategic guide you need to prepare for the final showdown.

You’ve navigated the high-speed challenge of the IBPS PO Prelims and emerged victorious. Take a moment to appreciate that achievement. Now, set it aside. The Mains exam is a completely different beast. It’s a marathon of mental endurance, a deep dive into complex concepts, and a true test of your analytical abilities. The score you earn here doesn’t just get you an interview call; it significantly determines your final ranking.

Simply extending your Prelims preparation won't be enough. The Mains syllabus, while built on the same subjects, demands a profound shift in perspective. The focus moves from "how fast can I solve this?" to "how well do I understand this?". It's about tackling fewer questions with greater depth and precision. Understanding this shift is the first step toward crafting a winning strategy.

This article provides a comprehensive, topic-wise deconstruction of the IBPS PO Mains syllabus. We will explore the critical areas within each subject, highlight the high-weightage topics, and give you the clarity needed to structure your preparation for maximum impact.

A Quick Look at the Battlefield: The Mains Exam Pattern

The IBPS PO Mains is a 3-hour and 30-minute exam, comprising a 3-hour objective test and a 30-minute descriptive test. Both are conducted online on the same day.

Objective Test (3 Hours, 200 Marks) Descriptive Test (30 Minutes, 25 Marks)

This test is conducted online immediately after the objective test. It consists of two questions:

• Letter Writing (1 Question)
• Essay Writing (1 Question)

Remember to check the latest official notification on www.ibps.in for any changes.

In-Depth Syllabus Breakdown: Mastering Each Subject

Let's dissect the syllabus for each of the four objective sections to understand where you need to focus your energy.

1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (The Mind Bender)

This is arguably the most challenging section, designed to test your higher-order logical skills. The "Computer Aptitude" part is minimal; the real test is your reasoning ability. With 60 marks for 45 questions, the weightage per question is high.

High-Priority Topics:

• Puzzles and Seating Arrangements: This is the dominant part of the section (20-25 questions). You must master:
  • Complex Linear, Circular, and Square Arrangements (with multiple variables like people, their professions, and their favorite colors).
  • Floor and Box-Based Puzzles.
  • Scheduling Puzzles (Day/Month/Year based).
  • Blood Relation or Direction Sense based puzzles.
• Logical (Critical) Reasoning: This is a major step up from Prelims. Focus on:
  • Statement and Assumption
  • Statement and Inference/Conclusion
  • Course of Action
  • Cause and Effect
  • Argument Strength
• Data Sufficiency: Two or three-statement questions that test your conceptual clarity across various reasoning topics.
• Input-Output (Machine Input): A classic Mains topic that requires you to trace a pattern of word and number rearrangement.

Low-Priority / Quick-Win Topics:

• Coded Syllogism & Inequalities: Advanced versions of the Prelims topics.
• Computer Aptitude: A few basic questions on logic gates, binary-decimal conversion, or computer fundamentals. Do not spend too much time preparing for this.

2. Data Analysis & Interpretation (The Game Changer)

Forget the "Quantitative Aptitude" of Prelims. This section is all about Data Interpretation. With 60 marks for 35 questions, every DI set you solve correctly gives a massive boost to your score. The focus is on analytical ability and endurance with calculations.

High-Priority Topics:

• Advanced Data Interpretation Sets: This is the entire section. You must be proficient in:
  • Caselets: The most important type. Data is presented in a long paragraph, and you must first extract and tabulate it yourself before solving the questions.
  • Arithmetic-Based DI: DI sets based on concepts from Profit & Loss, Time & Work, or Probability.
  • Logical DI: Sets that require Venn diagrams or logical deduction to solve.
  • New Chart Types: Be prepared for unfamiliar charts like Radar Graphs, Funnel Charts, or Bubble Charts.
• Data Sufficiency: Mathematical questions where you need to determine if the given data is sufficient to find the answer.
• Quantity Comparison (Q1, Q2): Comparing the values of two quantities derived from given data.

Low-Priority Topics:

• Number Series & Quadratic Equations: While they might appear, they are less frequent than in Prelims.
• Standalone Arithmetic Problems: A few complex, multi-concept word problems may be included.

3. English Language (The Test of Nuance)

The English section in Mains elevates from basic grammar to a sophisticated test of comprehension and contextual understanding. Rote learning of rules is less effective here; a deep reading habit is your greatest asset.

High-Priority Topics:

• Reading Comprehension: Expect at least two long, dense passages, often from financial or editorial sources. The questions will be inference-based, testing your ability to understand the author's tone and implied meaning.
• New Pattern Cloze Test & Fillers: Go beyond single-word fillers. Prepare for double fillers, sentence fillers, and advanced cloze tests.
• Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement: Longer and more complex sets of sentences that require a strong grasp of narrative flow.
• Error Spotting: Questions are framed in long, convoluted sentences to make spotting grammatical errors more challenging.

4. General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness (The Rank Decider)

This is the section that can create the biggest difference in ranks. It’s a test of how well you’ve followed the financial world for the past 4-6 months. It's less about general knowledge and more about specialized awareness.

High-Priority Topics:

• Banking and Financial Awareness: This is the absolute core. Master topics like:
  • RBI Monetary Policy (Repo Rate, CRR, SLR)
  • Types of Banks, Banking History in India
  • Capital Markets, Money Markets, Negotiable Instruments
  • Financial Institutions (SEBI, NABARD, SIDBI)
  • Priority Sector Lending, NPAs
• Economy-focused Current Affairs:
  • Union Budget and Economic Survey Highlights
  • Major Government Schemes (especially those related to finance)
  • Recent Mergers and Acquisitions in the banking sector
  • Banking news and appointments from the last 4-6 months.
• Static Awareness: Basic knowledge of headquarters of international organizations, important days, etc.

IBPS PO Syllabus PDF Download Now

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Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the total duration of the IBPS PO Mains exam?

The total duration for the objective test is 3 hours (180 minutes), followed by a 30-minute Descriptive Test. Each section in the objective test has its own separate timing.

Is there negative marking in the IBPS PO Mains?

Yes, for every incorrect answer in the objective tests, 0.25 marks (one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question) will be deducted.

What subjects are included in the IBPS PO Mains exam?

The objective test includes four subjects: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language, and Data Analysis & Interpretation. There is also a separate Descriptive Test (English Language).

Is the Descriptive Test qualifying or scoring?

The Descriptive Test is both qualifying and scoring. You must score the minimum qualifying marks, and these marks are also added to your total score for the final merit list.

How many questions are there in the Data Analysis & Interpretation section?

There are 35 questions in the Data Analysis & Interpretation section, but they carry a total of 60 marks, making it a very high-weightage section.

Can I switch between sections during the Mains exam?

No, just like the Prelims, the Mains exam has sectional timing. You cannot switch between sections. Each section must be attempted within its allotted time.

Is there a sectional cut-off in the IBPS PO Mains?

Yes, you must clear the minimum cut-off score for each of the four objective sections and also for the Descriptive Test, in addition to clearing the overall cut-off.

What is the difference between Quantitative Aptitude in Prelims and Data Analysis in Mains?

While the underlying concepts are the same, the Mains section focuses heavily on complex, calculation-intensive Data Interpretation sets (like Caselets and Logical DI) rather than standalone 'speed maths' questions.

Is the Computer Aptitude section very difficult?

The Computer Aptitude questions are combined with Reasoning and are very basic. They usually test fundamental concepts like binary-decimal conversion, logic gates, and basic computer terminology. The main challenge lies in the Reasoning part of this section.

Where can I find the official IBPS PO Mains notification?

The official notification with the detailed syllabus and exam pattern is published on the official website of the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS): www.ibps.in.