The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS RRB PO exam every year for Officer Scale I, II, and III posts. The exam is conducted in multiple stages, including Prelims, Mains, and Interview (except for Officer Scale-II & III, which have a single-level exam). This article provides a complete overview of the exam pattern, marking scheme, selection process, and mediums of examination. Keep reading to get all the details.
What is the exam pattern for IBPS RRB PO 2026?
The IBPS RRB PO exam pattern differs based on the post and stage of the exam. Officer Scale-I has prelims and mains, while Officers Scale-II & III appear for a single-level exam followed by an interview. The exam is objective-type and includes reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English/Hindi language, general awareness, computer knowledge, and professional/financial awareness for higher scales. The key highlights of the IBPS RRB PO exam are:
- Objective online exam for all posts
- Sectional and overall cut-offs apply
- Duration and number of questions vary by stage and post
Check the IBPS Calendar 2026
What is the selection process for IBPS RRB PO 2026?
The selection process for officer posts depends on the scale applied for. Officer Scale-I candidates must qualify for Prelims, Mains, and Interview, while Officer Scale-II & III candidates appear for a single-level online exam and interview. Final selection is based on Mains or Single-Level Exam scores and interview marks.
IBPS RRB Officer Scale-I Selection Process:
- Prelims Exam (Qualifying Stage)
- Mains Exam (Final Selection for Interview)
- Interview Round
IBPS RRB Officer Scale-II (General Banking Officer and Specialist Cadre) & Officer Scale-III Selection Process:
- Single Exam (Final Selection for Interview)
- Interview Round
IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam is the first stage of selection. It consists of two sections: Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude, with a total of 80 questions to be completed within 45 minutes. This exam is qualifying in nature, and candidates must meet sectional and overall cut-offs to be eligible for the Mains Exam.
- The IBPS RRB PO Prelims Exam is the first stage of selection for Officer Scale-I.
- It consists of two sections, Reasoning and Numerical Ability, with a total of 80 questions to be completed within 45 minutes.
- This exam is qualifying in nature, and candidates must meet the sectional and overall cut-off to be eligible for the Mains Exam.
| S. No. | Sections | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| 1. | Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 25 minutes |
| 2. | Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 80 | 80 | 45 minutes |
What is the IBPS RRB Officer Scale I Exam Pattern for Mains?
The Officer Scale-I Mains Exam is conducted for candidates who clear Prelims. It has 200 questions to be completed in 120 minutes covering reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general awareness, English/Hindi language, and computer knowledge.
- There will be 200 questions in total.
- Total marks are 200.
- The time duration is 120 minutes.
- Sections include Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, Language, and Computer Knowledge.
- The language section can be attempted in English or Hindi.
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests | Medium of Exam | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|
| 1 | Reasoning | * | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| 2 | Computer Knowledge | * | 40 | 20 | 15 minutes |
| 3 | General Awareness | * | 40 | 40 | 15 minutes |
| 4a | English Language | English | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 4b | Hindi Language | Hindi | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 5 | Quantitative Aptitude | * | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Note: Candidates can opt for either 4a or 4b. Sections marked with * can be attempted in English or Hindi.
Attempt a FREE IBPS RRB PO Mock Test
What is the IBPS RRB Officer Scale II Exam Pattern for Mains?
The Officer Scale-II Exam is a single-level online exam. It is conducted for Generalist (GBO) and Specialist Cadre posts. Candidates must attempt all sections within the given time.
- There will be 200 questions for GBO and 240 questions for Specialist Cadre.
- The time duration is 120 minutes for GBO and 150 minutes for Specialist Cadre.
- Sections include Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, Computer Knowledge, Financial/Professional Awareness, and Language.
- The language section can be attempted in English or Hindi.
Officer Scale-II General Banking Officer (GBO) Exam Pattern
The Officer Scale-II (Generalist) exam is a single-level objective exam consisting of five sections. Candidates have a total of 200 questions to be completed in 120 minutes.
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests | Medium of Exam | No. of Qs. | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|
| 1 | Reasoning | Hindi/English | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| 2 | Computer Knowledge | Hindi/English | 40 | 20 | 15 minutes |
| 3 | Financial Awareness | Hindi/English | 40 | 40 | 15 minutes |
| 4a | English Language | English | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 4b | Hindi Language | Hindi | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 5 | Quantitative Aptitude & DI | Hindi/English | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Officer Scale-II (Specialist Cadre) Exam Pattern
The Specialist Cadre exam has six sections, with a total of 240 questions to be completed in 150 minutes.
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests | Medium of Exam | No. of Qs. | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|
| 1 | Professional Knowledge | Hindi/English | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 2 | Reasoning | Hindi/English | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 3 | Financial Awareness | Hindi/English | 40 | 40 | 15 minutes |
| 4a | English Language | English | 40 | 20 | 30 minutes |
| 4b | Hindi Language | Hindi | 40 | 20 | 30 minutes |
| 5 | Computer Knowledge | Hindi/English | 40 | 20 | 15 minutes |
| 6 | Quantitative Aptitude & DI | Hindi/English | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 240 | 200 | 150 minutes |
Note: Candidates can opt for either 4a or 4b. Sections marked with * can be attempted in English or Hindi.
What is the IBPS RRB Officer Scale III Exam Pattern for Mains?
The Officer Scale-III Exam is conducted as a single-level online exam for all candidates.
- The Officer Scale-III Single Exam consists of five sections and carries a total of 200 marks.
- The time duration is 120 minutes.
- Sections include Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, Computer Knowledge, Financial Awareness, and English/Hindi Language.
- The exam is bilingual (English & Hindi), with some regional language options.
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests | Medium of Exam | No. of Qs. | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|
| 1 | Reasoning | Hindi/English | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| 2 | Computer Knowledge | Hindi/English | 40 | 20 | 15 minutes |
| 3 | Financial Awareness | Hindi/English | 40 | 40 | 15 minutes |
| 4a | English Language | English | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 4b | Hindi Language | Hindi | 40 | 40 | 30 minutes |
| 5 | Quantitative Aptitude & DI | Hindi/English | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Is there any negative marking in the IBPS RRB PO Officer Exam?
All objective exams have a negative marking scheme. Candidates must note that blank answers carry no penalty. Scores are normalized using the equi-percentile method.
| Exam Stage | Negative Marking | Blank Answers | Score Normalization | Final Merit |
|---|
| Prelims | 0.25 | No penalty | Equi-percentile | Qualifying only for Mains |
| Mains (Scale-I) | 0.25 | No penalty | Equi-percentile | Shortlisting for Interview |
| Single-Level (Scale-II/III) | 0.25 | No penalty | Equi-percentile | Shortlisting for Interview |
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In which medium is the IBPS RRB PO exam conducted?
The RRB PO Exam is bilingual (English & Hindi). Certain states/UTs also allow regional languages. Candidates must select their preferred medium in the online application.
| State / UT | Version of Tests (Medium) |
|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | English, Hindi, Telugu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | English, Hindi |
| Assam | English, Hindi, Assamese |
| Bihar | English, Hindi |
| Chhattisgarh | English, Hindi |
| Gujarat | English, Hindi, Gujarati |
| Haryana | English, Hindi |
| Himachal Pradesh | English, Hindi |
| Jammu & Kashmir | English, Hindi, Urdu |
| Jharkhand | English, Hindi |
| Karnataka | English, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani |
| Kerala | English, Hindi, Malayalam |
| Madhya Pradesh | English, Hindi |
| Maharashtra | English, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani |
| Manipur | English, Hindi, Manipuri |
| Meghalaya | English, Hindi |
| Mizoram | English, Hindi |
| Nagaland | English, Hindi |
| Odisha | English, Hindi, Odia |
| Puducherry | English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam |
| Punjab | English, Hindi, Punjabi |
| Rajasthan | English, Hindi |
| Tamil Nadu | English, Hindi, Tamil |
| Telangana | English, Hindi, Telugu, Urdu |
| Tripura | English, Hindi, Bengali |
| Uttar Pradesh | English, Hindi, Urdu |
| Uttarakhand | English, Hindi |
| West Bengal | English, Hindi, Bengali |
What is the interview stage for IBPS RRB PO 2026?
Candidates who qualify in the Mains (Scale-I) or Single-Level Exam (Scale-II/III) are called for the interview stage, coordinated by NABARD and IBPS. Interview marks are combined with exam scores for final selection.
- The interview is only for Officer posts
- Marks combined with Mains/Single-Level Exam scores
- Shortlisting based on merit
Key Takeaways
The IBPS RRB PO Exam Pattern includes Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages for Officer Scale-I, II, and III, with objective exams, sectional cut-offs, and bilingual options.
- Officer Scale-I undergoes Prelims, Mains, and an interview; Scale-II & III have a single-level exam followed by an interview.
- Prelims for Scale-I: 80 questions in 45 minutes (Reasoning & Numerical Ability).
- Mains for Scale-I: 200 questions in 120 minutes covering reasoning, quantitative, language, general awareness, and computer knowledge.
- Scale-II & III: Single exam with sections like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer & Financial Awareness, and Language, in 120–150 minutes.
- Negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer; the exam is bilingual with some regional language options.
