The Bank Exam Syllabus is the foundation of preparation for candidates aiming to build a career in the banking sector. Whether you are preparing for Bank PO exams, Clerk exams, or Specialist Officer roles, understanding the syllabus helps you plan your study strategy effectively. The syllabus gives clarity on what to study and helps avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics.
What is the Bank Exam Syllabus 2026?
The Bank Exam Syllabus 2026 covers the core subjects tested in major banking exams such as SBI PO, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, and Cooperative Bank exams. The syllabus is designed to assess a candidate's analytical ability, numerical skills, language proficiency, and subject knowledge. While the syllabus remains mostly the same every year, minor updates may be introduced depending on the exam authority.
What subjects are included in the banking exam syllabus?
The Banking Exam Syllabus generally includes Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General/Banking Awareness, and Professional Knowledge (for SO posts). These sections are common across most bank recruitment exams and test both speed and accuracy. A clear understanding of each section is essential to score well in competitive exams.
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Bank Exam Syllabus for All Subjects
The Bank Exam Syllabus is divided into various sections to evaluate your proficiency in multiple areas. Each section carries a different weight in the exam, so understanding the syllabus of bank exam is essential for effective preparation. Candidates can check the reasoning syllabus for bank exam, english syllabus for bank exam, and quantitative aptitude syllabus for bank exam below.
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Reasoning Syllabus for Bank Exam
The Reasoning syllabus for bank exam is designed to test your logical and analytical thinking skills. This section plays a significant role in the overall score of your Bank PO Exam or Bank Clerk Exam. In 2026, the reasoning section is expected to cover topics such as:
A strong foundation in these topics will ensure you perform well in the reasoning section. Practice with previous year's question papers to get a clear understanding of how questions are framed.
English Syllabus for Bank Exam
The English syllabus for bank exam is designed to assess your command of the English language. This section tests your proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and more. To excel in this part of the banking exam syllabus, here are the key areas to focus on:
For a comprehensive preparation, it is advisable to practice reading comprehension exercises and review grammar rules frequently. Using Bank Exam Syllabus books with practice exercises can help you improve your English language skills.
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus for Bank Exam
One of the most critical sections in the banking syllabus is Quantitative Aptitude. The Quantitative Aptitude syllabus for bank exam typically includes topics like:
- Number System
- Data Interpretation – Bar Graph, Line Graph & Pie chart
- HCF & LCM
- Profit & Loss
- Simple Interest & Compound Interest
- Time & Work
- Time & Distance
- Decimal & Fraction
- Averages
- Mensuration
- Simplification
- Partnership
- Percentages
- Ratio & Proportion
- Averages
- Case Studies Charts and Graphs
- Permutation & Combination
- Probability
Focusing on time management and practicing regularly with mock tests will ensure you perform well in this section.
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Professional Knowledge Syllabus for Bank Exam
The Professional Knowledge syllabus for bank exam is crucial, particularly for those aspiring for specialized roles, such as Bank PO or Specialist Officers. This section evaluates your expertise in banking, finance, and economics. Topics under this syllabus include:
- Banking and Financial Awareness - Current events in Financial World, Monetary Policy, Budget, Economic Survey, Banking, Reforms in India, Bank Accounts of Special Individuals, Loans, Asset Reconstruction, Companies, Non Performing Assets, Restructuring of Loans, Bad Loans, Risk Management, BASEL I, BASEL II, BASEL III, and Organizations—RBI, SEBI, IMF, World Bank & Others
- Economic and Financial Terminologies
- Current Banking Events
- Monetary Policy and Inflation
If you're preparing for an SBI Bank Exam or any other cooperative bank exam, it's important to stay updated on current affairs and banking policies. Books related to banking syllabus will help you gain in-depth knowledge in this area.
General Awareness Syllabus for Bank Exams
General awareness is another important section in the banking exam syllabus that focuses on current events, national and international affairs, and banking-related updates. Key areas to focus on include:
- Banking Awareness
- Current Affairs National
- International Current Affairs
- Sports Abbreviations
- Currencies & Capitals
- General Science
- Government Schemes & Policies
- Awards and Honors
- RBI
- Books and Authors
- National Parks & Sanctuaries
For aspirants preparing for banking exams, subscribing to daily newspapers and keeping track of current affairs will ensure you stay informed about recent developments. For daily updates on current affairs, candidates must also read the Daily Current Affairs.
Bank Clerk Exam Syllabus
The Bank Clerk Exam Syllabus is slightly less challenging than the Bank PO Exam Syllabus but still requires adequate preparation. The structure for bank clerk exam syllabus is similar to bank PO exam syllabus, but the level of difficulty is comparatively lower. The clerk banking syllabus includes:
- Reasoning and Aptitude
- General Awareness
- English Language
- Computer Knowledge
Bank PO Exam Syllabus
The Bank PO Exam Syllabus is more challenging than the banking exam syllabus and demands a higher level of preparation. It includes more in-depth topics and a greater focus on professional knowledge and reasoning abilities. The primary sections in the Bank PO Exam syllabus are:
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
- General Awareness
- Professional Knowledge
While the structure is similar to that of the Bank Clerk exam, the difficulty level is significantly higher, and additional sections like Professional Knowledge play a crucial role in determining your overall score. Candidates must focus on honing their analytical and problem-solving skills to successfully tackle the more difficult questions in the PO exam.
Bank Manager Exam Syllabus
The Bank Manager Exam Syllabus is designed to assess both managerial and technical knowledge, making it more comprehensive than the Clerk and PO exams. The syllabus for Bank Manager exams generally includes:
- Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness and Banking Knowledge
- English Language
- Professional Knowledge (related to banking and finance)
Unlike the Bank PO exam, which focuses more on aptitude and reasoning, the Bank Manager exam also places significant emphasis on a candidate's ability to manage banking operations and possess an in-depth understanding of banking products, services, and regulations.
Local Bank Officer Syllabus
The Local Bank Officer (LBO) is a new post started by public sector banks to improve local banking services and reach more customers. Many banks are now hiring for this role. To prepare well, candidates must know the LBO syllabus, which includes subjects like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, Data Analysis, Computer Knowledge, and General/Banking Awareness. You can check the bank-wise syllabus from the links given below.
| Bank | LBO Syllabus |
|---|
| Indian Overseas Bank LBO Syllabus | Reasoning, English, Data Analysis, Computer Aptitude, General/Banking Awareness |
| Bank of Baroda LBO Syllabus | Reasoning, Quant, English, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness |
| Indian Bank LBO Syllabus | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English, Quant, General Awareness |
| UCO Bank LBO Syllabus | Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Computer Aptitude, English, Banking Awareness |
| Union Bank LBO Syllabus | Reasoning, English, Quant, Computer Aptitude, General/Banking Awareness |
| Punjab and Sind Bank LBO Syllabus | English, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness, Computer Aptitude |
Importance of Coaching in Bank Exam Preparation
While self-study plays a crucial role, many aspirants choose to attend coaching classes for a structured approach. Bank coaching syllabus often includes detailed lessons on every aspect of the Bank Exam Syllabus and provides valuable insights into the exam pattern and techniques for tackling difficult questions.
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All Bank Exam Syllabus Preparation
The Bank Exam Syllabus can vary depending on the type of exam and the specific bank you are targeting. Whether you're preparing for an SBI Clerk Exam, SBI PO Exam, or a Cooperative Bank Exam, each exam has a unique syllabus tailored to the job role. While the core sections like Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness are common across most exams, the difficulty level and additional sections, such as Professional Knowledge, may differ. Let's take a look at the syllabus for some of the major bank exams to give you a clearer understanding.
Why is understanding the bank job syllabus important?
Knowing the bank job syllabus helps candidates set realistic preparation goals and focus on high-weightage topics. Since banking exams are highly competitive, a syllabus-based approach ensures better time management and improved performance. It also helps aspirants choose the right books, mock tests, and study materials.
Free E-Books for Bank Exams
To support aspirants in their bank exam preparation, many platforms offer free e-books that cover key topics and practice questions aligned with the latest exam syllabus. These e-books are especially useful for quick revision, conceptual clarity, and last-minute preparation. Whether you're targeting IBPS, SBI, or any other bank recruitment exam, these resources can significantly boost your preparation.