Where the process stands
The indicative vacancies were updated on 27 August 2026 to 7,565 across the participating banks. The largest shares are Bank of Baroda (1,900), Canara Bank (1,500) and Bank of Maharashtra (1,100). Union Bank of India is shown as 'not reported'. IBPS notes that allotment follows the actual vacancies the banks report.
- Online mains: 4 October 2026 (IBPS tentative calendar; the notification says October 2026).
- Mains result and Personality Test: November 2026.
- Interviews: November/December 2026.
- Provisional allotment: January 2027.
- Starting basic pay: ₹48,480 in the scale given in the notification.
Mains pattern: marks per question are not equal
The objective paper has 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, with each section separately timed. A 30-minute descriptive paper follows, bringing the total to 3 hours 10 minutes.
- Reasoning: 40 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes (1.5 marks each).
- General/Economy/Banking/Digital/Financial Awareness, including RBI circulars: 50 questions, 60 marks, 35 minutes (1.2 marks each).
- English Language: 40 questions, 20 marks, 35 minutes (0.5 marks each).
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 40 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes (1.5 marks each).
- Descriptive (English): essay and comprehension, 2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes.
- Penalty: 0.25 of the question's marks for each wrong answer.
What the weighting tells you
Reasoning and Data Analysis together carry 120 of the 200 objective marks, and every question in them is worth three times an English question. A wrong answer in DI costs 0.375 marks, but a correct one earns 1.5. So spend your last fortnight mostly on puzzles, data interpretation and data sufficiency.
Don't skip English, though. You need a minimum score in every section as well as in the total. General Awareness is the one section where last-minute study still pays well: 50 questions answered in 35 minutes, with RBI circulars and banking news named explicitly in the syllabus.
The descriptive paper and the Personality Test
The descriptive paper may cover economic and social issues, emerging trends in banking and technology, current events and ethics. IBPS says it may be evaluated by an automated scoring mechanism that looks at features of writing proficiency. That rewards clear structure, correct grammar and staying on topic more than ornate language.
Candidates who qualify in the mains will be called for a Personality Test, a self-report assessment. It is non-qualifying, but appearing for it is mandatory to be eligible for the interview, and your personality profile is placed before the interview panel. Answer it honestly and consistently. There is no 'right' profile to game, and contradictory answers tend to stand out. It may be held in proctored mode or at exam centres, as IBPS decides.
Final selection combines the mains and interview scores in an 80:20 ratio. The interview is out of 100, with a minimum of 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD). Only mains marks count for shortlisting; prelims marks do not carry forward.
A focused 2-week plan
If you have not yet sat a full 3-hour-10-minute paper, do one before starting this plan, because stamina is a real factor in this exam. A free full-length PO mock on the actual pattern is a good place to start.
- Days 1–5: Every day, do two puzzle or seating sets, one caselet or mixed DI set and one data sufficiency set. In the evening, spend an hour on banking awareness: RBI policy decisions, circulars and government schemes from the last six months.
- Days 6–10: Take three full mains mocks with strict section timing, one on alternate days. On the other days, analyse each mock and write one essay and one précis-style comprehension in 30 minutes.
- Days 11–13: Take one more full mock, revise your GA notes daily, and do quick English practice (error spotting and paragraph-based questions) to secure the section minimum.
- Day 14: Rest, revise, and check your call letter, ID proof and the stamped prelims call letter. IBPS requires you to bring your prelims call letter with an authenticated/stamped copy of your ID proof to the mains.
Key takeaways
- IBPS PO Mains 2026 is tentatively on 4 October, with 7,565 indicative vacancies as updated on 27.08.2026.
- The objective paper has 170 questions, 200 marks and 160 minutes, and Reasoning and DI carry 1.5 marks per question.
- The 30-minute descriptive paper (25 marks) may be machine-scored for writing quality.
- A new self-report Personality Test is non-qualifying but mandatory before the interview.
- Final merit combines mains and interview scores in an 80:20 ratio.
Sources
Dates and patterns change — always confirm on the official website before applying.
