Bank PO Syllabus 2025: Prelims & Mains (IBPS & SBI)

Feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of the Bank PO syllabus? You are not alone. Every year, lakhs of aspirants begin their journey to secure a coveted banking job, but only those with a clear, strategic understanding of the syllabus emerge victorious. A well-defined roadmap is not just helpful; it’s essential.

This cornerstone guide is meticulously crafted to be your single source of truth for the Bank PO exam syllabus. We will break down the syllabus for both Prelims and Mains of the two most prominent exams: IBPS PO (IBPS banks list) and SBI PO. By the end of this post, you will have a crystal-clear understanding of every topic you need to master.

Let’s decode the syllabus and build your winning strategy together.

Understanding the Bank PO Exam Structure

Before diving into the topics, it’s crucial to understand the structure of the Bank PO exams. The selection process is typically a three-tiered journey:

1. Phase I: Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
2. Phase II: Main Exam (Mains)
3. Phase III: Interview / Group Discussion

This guide focuses on the syllabus for the written examinations—Prelims and Mains. According to official notifications from IBPS and SBI, the syllabus remains largely consistent, but the difficulty level and question patterns evolve.

Bank PO Preliminary Exam Syllabus

The Prelims is a qualifying exam, where your speed and accuracy are tested. The marks obtained here are not considered for the final merit list, but you must clear the sectional and overall cut-offs to advance. The syllabus is common for both IBPS PO and SBI PO.

Exam Pattern: Prelims

Topic-wise Breakdown for Prelims

Here’s a detailed look at the topics under each section.

1. Quantitative Aptitude

This section tests your numerical ability and problem-solving skills.

• Simplification & Approximation: Questions on BODMAS, square & cube roots, fractions, and percentages.
• Number Series: Finding the missing or wrong term in a series.
• Data Interpretation (DI): This is a high-priority area. Expect questions based on:
  • Tabular DI
  • Pie Charts
  • Line Graphs
  • Bar Graphs
• Arithmetic Problems: This forms the core of the section.
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Percentage & Averages
  • Profit and Loss
  • Simple Interest & Compound Interest
  • Time and Work
  • Time, Speed, and Distance
  • Mixtures and Alligations
  • Partnership
  • Pipes and Cisterns
• Quadratic Equations: Comparing variables (x and y).

2. Reasoning Ability

This section assesses your logical thinking and analytical skills.

• Puzzles & Seating Arrangements: This is the most dominant topic.
  • Linear Seating Arrangement
  • Circular Seating Arrangement
  • Floor/Box Based Puzzles
  • Day/Month/Year Based Puzzles
• Syllogism: Both traditional and new patterns (only a few).
• Inequalities: Direct and coded inequalities.
• Blood Relations: Family tree and coded blood relation problems.
• Direction Sense: Questions based on directions and distance.
• Coding-Decoding: Basic and new pattern coding.
• Order and Ranking: Arranging persons/objects based on given parameters.
• Alphanumeric Series: Questions based on a series of alphabets, numbers, and symbols.

3. English Language

This section evaluates your command of the English language.

• Reading Comprehension (RC): A passage followed by questions.
• Cloze Test: A passage with blanks to be filled with appropriate words.
• Error Spotting: Identifying grammatical errors in sentences.
• Sentence Improvement/Phrase Replacement: Correcting a part of a sentence.
• Para Jumbles/Sentence Rearrangement: Arranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
• Fill in the Blanks: Single or double fillers.
• Vocabulary-based questions: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Word Usage.

Bank PO Main Exam Syllabus

The Mains exam is the real test of your knowledge and endurance. The marks scored here are crucial for the final selection. The difficulty level is significantly higher than the Prelims.

Exam Pattern: Mains (IBPS PO & SBI PO – Broadly Similar)

Topic-wise Breakdown for Mains

1. Data Analysis & Interpretation

Notice the name change from “Quantitative Aptitude.” The focus here shifts heavily towards analytical and interpretation skills.

• High-Level Data Interpretation (DI):
  • Caselet DI
  • Missing DI
  • Radar Graphs
  • Funnel Charts
  • Arithmetic-based DI (e.g., based on Time & Work, Profit & Loss)
• Data Sufficiency: Questions where you determine if the given data is sufficient to answer the question.
• Quantity Comparison (Q1, Q2): Comparing the values of two quantities.
• Advanced Arithmetic Problems: Application-based questions from all arithmetic topics covered in Prelims.

2. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

This section combines advanced reasoning with basic computer knowledge.

• Advanced Puzzles & Seating Arrangements: Multi-variable puzzles that are more complex and time-consuming.
• Logical & Critical Reasoning:
  • Statement and Assumption
  • Statement and Inference
  • Course of Action
  • Cause and Effect
• Machine Input-Output: A set of rules is given, and you need to trace the steps.
• Data Sufficiency: Similar to the quant section, but for reasoning topics.
• Coded Directions & Blood Relations: More complex variations.
• Reverse Syllogism: Conclusions are given, and you need to find the correct set of statements.
• Computer Aptitude:
  • Fundamentals of Computers & History
  • Operating Systems
  • Computer Hardware & Software
  • Networking & Internet
  • MS Office
  • Keyboard Shortcuts & Abbreviations

3. English Language

The focus shifts from basic grammar to advanced comprehension and vocabulary skills.

• Advanced Reading Comprehension: Passages are often based on economic or financial topics.
• New Pattern Cloze Test: May have different types of blanks.
• Sentence Connectors/Starters: Joining two or more sentences.
• Para Fillers & Para Completion: Completing a paragraph with a suitable sentence.
• Inference-based questions: Drawing conclusions from given passages.
• Error Spotting: Often, multiple parts of a sentence may have errors.

4. General/Economy/Banking Awareness

This is a game-changing section. It’s vast and requires consistent preparation.

• Banking & Financial Awareness:
  • Banking terms and concepts (NPA, CRR, SLR, etc.)
  • History of Banking in India
  • Roles and functions of RBI, SEBI, NABARD
  • Types of Banks, Money & Capital Market
• Current Affairs: Primarily focusing on the last 6-8 months.
  • National and International News
  • Government Schemes
  • Awards and Recognitions
  • Summits and Conferences
  • Sports News
• Static Awareness:
  • Countries, Capitals, and Currencies
  • Important Dams, National Parks, and Sanctuaries
  • Banking Headquarters

5. Descriptive Test

This test is conducted online immediately after the objective test. It assesses your written communication skills.

• Essay Writing: Topics are usually related to current events, social issues, or banking/economy. (Word Limit: ~250 words)
• Letter Writing (Formal/Informal): Writing letters to bank managers, editors, or informal letters to friends/family. (Word Limit: ~150 words)

Note: For IBPS PO, there have been recent changes where the letter writing was replaced with a reading comprehension section in the descriptive test. Always refer to the latest official notification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is the syllabus for SBI PO and IBPS PO the same? A: The core syllabus for both exams is largely the same, especially for the Prelims. However, the Mains exam pattern and the difficulty level of questions can vary. SBI PO is generally considered to be tougher.

Q2: How much time is needed to cover the entire Bank PO syllabus? A: For a dedicated aspirant, 6-8 months of consistent preparation is generally sufficient to cover the syllabus and practice mocks thoroughly.

Q3: Are there any negative markings in Bank PO exams? A: Yes, for every wrong answer in the objective tests (both Prelims and Mains), 0.25 marks (or one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question) are deducted.

Q4: Is it necessary to clear sectional cut-offs? A: Yes, in both Prelims and Mains, you need to clear the minimum cut-off for each section as well as the overall cut-off to be eligible for the next stage.

Q5: What is the most important section in the Mains exam? A: All sections are important due to sectional cut-offs. However, the General/Economy/Banking Awareness section is often considered a score booster as it is less time-consuming if prepared well.

Conclusion & Motivation

Understanding the Bank PO syllabus is the first and most critical step on your path to success. You now have a comprehensive blueprint of what you need to study. Remember, this journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Break down this syllabus into manageable weekly and daily goals. Stay consistent, practice diligently, and never lose sight of your dream.

The path to becoming a Probationary Officer is challenging, but with the right strategy and unwavering determination, you can conquer it. You have the potential, you have the roadmap—now, it’s time to execute.

Leave a comment below with the section you find most challenging! Let’s help each other out. Share this guide with a fellow aspirant!