IBPS PO Exam Centres 2026: Check List of Test Cities for Prelims & Mains

IBPS PO prelims exam is conducted in four shifts -9 am to 10 am, 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, 2 pm to 3 pm, and 4 pm to 5 pm. IBPS PO Mains exam is conducted in two shifts- 9 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 5.30 pm. The shift timings of the prelims and Mains exams are mentioned on the admit card. Candidates need to appear for the exam as per their shift timings. Candidates reporting late to the exam centre will not be allowed to enter the exam hall. IBPS PO exam timings for prelims and mains exams are given below.

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Timings

Shifts	Timings
Shift 1	9 am to 10 am
Shift 2	11.30 am to 12.30 pm
Shift 3	2 pm to 3 pm
Shift 4	4 pm to 5 pm

IBPS PO Mains Exam Timings

Schedule	Shift 1	Shift 2
Exam Time	9 am to 12.30 pm	2 pm to 5.30 pm
Reporting Time	8 am	1 pm

Travelling Allowance is not given to candidates in order to reach the IBPS PO exam centre. Candidates should go to the exam centre at their own expense. Candidates should bring ball-point pen, blue ink stamp pad and glue to the exam centre. Sheets of paper are provided which can be used for rough work or taking down the question number you would like to review at the end of the test before submitting your answers. After the test is over candidates must submit these sheets of paper by putting them in the designated drop box before leaving the venue. Candidates must write their registration number and roll no. on the rough sheets. 

You should reach the IBPS PO exam centre early before the reporting time to complete the verification process. After you are given entry to the exam hall, you need to sit on the allotted system. After that, you need to login with the password as mentioned on the IBPS PO admit card. Before beginning with the test, you should read the instructions catefully. You are also supposed to write the handwriting sample. All the questions comprises multiple choices. Out of the five answers, only one is the correct answer. You have to select the most appropriate answer and ‘mouse click’ that alternative which you feel is appropriate/correct. The alternative/ option that you have clicked on will be treated as your answer to that question. There will be penalty for wrong answers marked by you. For every wrong answer marked by you, 1/4 of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

Any stationery item like textual material (printed or written), bits of papers, Geometry/Pencil Box,  Plastic Pouch, Calculator, Scale, Writing Pad, Pen Drives, Log Table, Electronic Pen/Scanner, any communication device like Mobile Phone, Bluetooth, Earphones, Microphone, Pager, Health Band etc. Other items like Goggles, Handbags, Hair-pin, Hair-band, Belt, Cap, Any watch/Wrist Watch, Camera, metallic item, eatable item opened or packed, water bottle (only transparent water bottle is allowed), Any other item which could be used for unfair means for hiding communication devices like camera, bluetooth devices etc. After AarogyaSetu status display at the entry gate, candidates will be required to switch off their mobile phones, and deposit it at the designated location, to be collected while exiting. Any candidate who is found either copying or receiving or giving assistance will be disqualified. Candidates should avoid wearing ornaments like Ring, Earrings, Nose-pin, Chain/Necklace, Pendants, Badge, brooch etc.

Along with the IBPS PO admit card, candidates need to bring the photo-identity proof such as PAN Card/Passport/Driving License/Voter’s Card/Bank Passbook with photograph/Photo Identity proof issued by a Gazetted Officer (on official letterhead)/Photo Identity proof issued by a People’s Representative (on official letterhead)/Identity Card issued by a recognised
College/University/Aadhar/E-Aadhar Card with a photograph/Employee ID in original as well as a photocopy. Ration Card and Learner’s Driving License are not accepted as valid ID proof. In case of candidates who have changed their names are allowed only if they produce original Gazette notification/their original marriage certificate/affidavit in original. Candidates are allowed to carry ballpoint pen inside the exam hall.

You are required to correctly enter the pin code in IBPS PO application form since appointment letter and other important documents are send on the registered pin code. Errors in application forms can sometimes lead to issues during document verification. It is better that candidates must contact the examination authority directly to know about the specific impact of the error in the application form and if there is any way to correct it.

IBPS PO full form stands for the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officers. The exam is conducted online once a year and comprises three-stage selection process-prelims, Mains and interview. Candidates are recruited in 11 participating banks. The final selection of candidates is done based on the Mains exam and interview. The prelims exam comprises 100 marks and Mains paper carries 225 marks.

After clearing the online tests of IBPS PO exam, candidates are called to participate in a Personal Interview with a panel of experts. This interview assess the overall suitability for the position of probationary officer, and include questions about their qualifications, work experience, and personal characteristics. After the Personal Interview a merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains exam and interview. Candidates who are placed in the merit list are eligible for appointment as a probationary officer in the participating banks. Candidates should note the letter of appointment is issued by the participating banks. Allotment of candidates is done based on merit-cum-preference.

You are required to correctly enter the pin code in IBPS PO application form since appointment letter and other important documents are send on the registered pin code. Errors in application forms can sometimes lead to issues during document verification. It is better that candidates must contact the examination authority directly to know about the specific impact of the error in the application form and if there is any way to correct it.

The career growth of Probationary Officer is very good. Candidates get vast opportunities after grabing the job. On the basis of their performances, experiences, and knowledge below are the positions that candidates get time to time.

1. Middle Manager – Middle Management Grade Scale 2 
2. Senior Manager – Middle Management Grade Scale 3 
3. Chief Manager – Senior Management Grade Scale 4 
4. Assistant General Manager – Senior Management Grade Scale 5 
5. Deputy General Manager – Top Management Grade Scale 6 
6. General Manager – Top Management Grade Scale 7 
7. Executive Director 
8. Chairman and Managing Director

It is advised to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre one hour before the given time. They should carry hall ticket along with them otherwise they will not be able to give the exam.

Applicants can take print of the IBPS PO application form after the Mains exam. To reprint the online form, candidates need to enter registration number or roll number and date of birth or password. Aspirant need to show the printout of their application forms during interview. The link to take the printout of the application form will remain active within specified time frame. 

The ratio of candidates selected for an interview are 80:20. Aspirants are selected based on mains exam and their performance in interview is based upon final merit list. The interview is held for 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks are 40 per cent and for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD are 35 per cent.

The revision of IBPS PO salary for bank employees was approved to be effective from November 2017 under the 11th bipartite settlement. The revised salary is valid for a span of five years till 2023 or until revised by the government. Nearly 8.8 Lakhs employees are benefiting from the approval of the 11th bipartite settlement. 

The IBPS PO exam syllabus for preliminary and mains exam is different. The prelim exam tests a candidate's knowledge in English Language, Maths and Reasoning Ability. The main exam tests aspirants' knowledge in GK, English, Maths, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, and Financial Awareness. The level of difficulty of both the exams is also not same. 

Yes, there are sectional timings in IBPS PO exam. In prelims exam, candidates get 20 minutes to solve each section. In Mains exam, to solve English section, candidates get 40 minutes. The duration to attempt Data Interpretation and Analysis section and Reasoning section, candidates get 45 minutes and 50 minutes respectively. The time duration allotted for General Awareness section is 25 minutes. To solve the descriptive paper, candidates get 30 minutes. The sectional timings for IBPS PO prelims and Mains exams are given below.

 Prelims Exam

Sections	Duration (In minutes)
English Language	20
Quantitative Aptitude	20
Reasoning Ability	20
Total	60

Mains Exam

Section name	Allotted Time
English Language	40
Data Interpretation and Analysis	45
Reasoning	50
General Awareness	25
Total	160
English (Essay and Letter Writing)	30 minutes
Grand Total	3 hours 10 minutes

 

Yes. The authority revised the IBPS PO exam pattern in 2025 for Prelims and Mains. The official notification was released on June 30, 2025 on the official website at ibps.in. The IBPS PO prelims exam carries 100 marks, whereas the Mains exam was conducted for 200 marks (objective)+ 25 marks (Descriptive).

To score 70 in IBPS PO exam, candidates need to work regularly on improving speed and gaining marks. Topics and question asked from it also plays an important role. Frequent revision will work. Read the chapters and syllabus properly.