Major Changes in IBPS PO 2025, Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme

The IBPS PO Notification 2025 has been officially released on 30th June 2025, and the application process began on 1st July 2025. With the release of the IBPS PO Notification, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has announced several changes in the exam pattern, marking scheme, salary structure, and more.

In this blog, we have broken down all the major changes in the IBPS PO 2025 exam as per the official notification released on ibps.in.

IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

The IBPS PO 2025 Preliminary Exam Pattern has undergone notable changes. While the total number of questions remains the same, the mark distribution for two key sections Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability has been revised.

Quantitative Aptitude

  • Earlier: 35 Questions | 35 Marks
  • UPDATED: 35 Questions | 30 Marks

Reasoning Ability

  • Earlier: 35 Questions | 35 Marks
  • UPDATED: 35 Questions | 40 Marks
Name of TestQuestions/ MarksTime Allotted (Separately Timed)
English Language30/3020 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude35/3020 minutes
Reasoning Ability35/4020 minutes
Total100/10060 minutes

IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2025

The IBPS has officially revised the IBPS PO 2025 Mains Exam Pattern, introducing key structural changes in both the Objective sections. While the total marks remain unchanged, the distribution of questions, section-wise weightage, and content focus have been updated to better assess candidates’ analytical ability, banking awareness, and communication skills.

  • Total number of questions has been reduced from 155 to 145 in the Objective Test.
  • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude has been renamed to Reasoning, with 40 questions for 60 marks (earlier: 45 questions).
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation section marks have been reduced from 60 to 50, with the number of questions remaining the same (35).
  • General Awareness section has been expanded to include Digital/Financial Awareness and RBI Circulars.
  • Total exam duration has been revised to 3 hours and 10 minutes, down from the previous total of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The revised IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern are as follows:

Name of TestQuestions/MarksTime Allotted
Reasoning40/6050 minutes
General/Economy/Banking Awareness / Digital/Financial Awareness (incl. RBI)35/5025 minutes
English Language35/4040 minutes
Data Analysis & Interpretation35/5045 minutes
Total (Objective Test)145/200160 minutes

Marking Scheme For Prelims And Mains

The marking scheme for both prelims and mains have been revised by the IBPS. The details of the revised marking scheme are as follows:

For Prelims

Component2025Remarks
Total Questions100No change
Total Marks100No change
Quant Section35 Q / 30 M🔻 Marks reduced
Reasoning Section35 Q / 40 M🔺 Marks increased

*Negative Marking: 1/4 of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer.

For Mains

Component2025Remarks
Total Questions145🔻 Questions reduced
Total Marks (Objective)200No change
Data Interpretation35 Q / 50 M🔻 Marks reduced
Reasoning40 Q / 60 M🔻 Qs reduced, marks same
Awareness Section35 Q / 50 M (incl. RBI, Digital, Fin)🔺 Marks increased + expanded content
Descriptive Paper2 Q / 25 MNo change

*Negative Marking: 1/4 of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer.

IBPS PO Salary Structure

The IBPS PO 2025 Notification has been officially released, highlighting detailed information about the salary structure and compensation offered to newly appointed Probationary Officers (POs). As per the notification, every newly recruited officer—regardless of their posting location—will receive a starting basic pay of ₹48,480.

The detailed IBPS PO salary progression is as follows:

Basic Pay: ₹48,480 – 2000/7 – 62,480 – 2340/2 – 67,160 – 2680/7 – 85,920

In addition to the basic salary, IBPS POs are entitled to various allowances and perks as per the rules of the participating banks. These may include:

  • Dearness Allowance (DA)
  • House Rent Allowance (HRA)
  • City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)
  • Special Allowances
  • Lease/rental accommodations (as per bank policies)

Note: Allowances and benefits are subject to revision as per the guidelines issued by the Government and individual bank policies.

Major Changes in IBPS PO 2025 – FAQs

Q1. When was the IBPS PO 2025 Notification released?

Ans. The IBPS PO 2025 Notification was officially released on 30th June 2025.

Q2. What is the starting date to apply for IBPS PO 2025?

Ans. The IBPS PO 2025 online application process began on 1st July 2025.

Q3. Has the IBPS PO 2025 Prelims exam pattern changed?

Ans. Yes, the mark distribution for Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability has been revised in Prelims.

Q4. What changes were made to the IBPS PO Mains exam pattern?

Ans. The total number of Objective questions has been reduced from 155 to 145, with updated section-wise marks and content.

Q7. What is the revised duration of the IBPS PO Mains 2025 exam?

Ans. The new total duration is 3 hours and 10 minutes, reduced from 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Q8. What is the negative marking scheme in IBPS PO 2025?

Ans. 1/4 of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains.

Q9. Has the Reasoning section changed in IBPS PO Mains 2025?

Ans. Yes, it’s now titled “Reasoning” (earlier “Reasoning & Computer Aptitude”) with 40 questions for 60 marks.

Q10. What’s new in the General Awareness section?

Ans. It now includes Digital Awareness, Financial Awareness, and RBI Circulars, along with Economy & Banking topics.


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