The full form of the ‘IBPS PO’ exam is the ‘Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer’ exam. Since 2011, every year IBPS conducts a PO exam to recruit Probationary Officers for various banks that participate in this exam. Almost all major Public sector banks (except SBI) participate in this exam. Close to 20 banks participate in this exam every year to recruit Probationary Officers. IBPS PO exam is conducted in 3 stages viz.. Prelims, Mains and Interview. Prelims exam is conducted every year in the month of October, Main examination in November-December and Interview in January-February. IBPS CRP PO/MT-XI Prelims Examination 2021 is scheduled to be held on 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th October 2021 while the IBPS PO Main Examination 2021 will be tentatively held on 27th November 2021. Get all IBPS PO information such as Exam date, salary, syllabus, eligibility, exam pattern & results, etc here.
IBPS PO Exam Date 2021
All IBPS PO aspirants must take note of the important dates related to the various exam events of IBPS PO 2021. Below are the important IBPS PO Exam dates as per the original notification released on 03 February 2021 by the IBPS.
| IBPS Exam Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Prelims Admit Card Release | September/ October 2021 |
| Preliminary Exam date | 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th October 2021 |
| Prelims Result | October 2021 |
| Mains Admit Card | November 2021 |
| Main Exam Date | 27th November 2021 |
| Main Exam Result | December 2021 |
| IBPS PO Final Result | February/March 2022 |
IBPS PO Selection Process
IBPS PO Selection process consists of 3 phases
- Phase 1 – Preliminary Exam (online) – 100 Questions / 100 Marks / 1 hour
- Phase 2 – Mains Exam (2 online exams)
- Objective Test – 155 Questions / 200 Marks / 3 Hours
- Descriptive Test (English Language) – Letter Writing & Essay – 25 Marks / 30 Minutes
- Phase 3 – Interview – 100 Marks
In the Objective Tests, there is a NEGATIVE MARKING of one fourth or 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
IBPS PO Exam Pattern
IBPS PO Prelims Exam Pattern
| Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time allotted for each Test |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
There is Negative Marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern
IBPS PO Mains Exam consists of 2 parts – Objective Test (200 marks) and Descriptive Test (25 marks). Both are ONLINE Tests only.
| Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Time allotted for each Test |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 60 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | English | 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Descriptive Test | ||||
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
There is Negative Marking of one fourth or 0.25 in the Objective Test.
IBPS PO Mains Descriptive Test
This is also an ONLINE Test. The descriptive paper will be of 30 minutes duration with 25 marks assigned to the test of English Language. You will be tested on Letter Writing & Essay. You will be needed to secure passing marks to qualify the Descriptive Test, to be decided by the Bank.
Note: Your Descriptive paper will be evaluated only if you score well and clear the cutoff marks in the Objective Tests.
IBPS PO Interview
The total marks allotted for the Interview are 100. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview will not be less than 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates). The weightage (ratio) of the Online Main Exam and interview will be 80:20 respectively.
The final score of candidates shall arrive on the basis of scores obtained by the candidates in both the Main Examination and Interview.
IBPS PO Salary
Below is the typical salary structure of an IBPS PO. The PO salary is almost the same across all the banks with little variations. Check the table below:
IBPS PO Salary Structure
| Basic Pay | RS. 23,700 |
| Special Allowance | Rs. 1,836.75 |
| Dearness Allowance | Rs. 10,163.63 |
| CCA (City Compensatory Allowance) | Rs. 870 |
| Total pay (without HRA) | Rs. 36,570.38 |
| House Rent Allowance | Rs. 2,133.00 |
| Gross salary with HRA | Rs. 38,703.38 |
IBPS PO Salary after the Bipartite Settlement
The IBPS PO schedule a timely increment in the salary of IBPS PO officers. The table is given below shows increment after bipartite settlement:
| Increment Percentage | Basic Pay | Gross Salary |
| 15 % | Rs.26,706/- | Rs.37,068/- |
| 20 % | Rs.27,866/- | Rs.38,678/- |
| 25 % | Rs.29,026/- | Rs.40,288/- |
| 30 % | Rs.30,187/- | Rs.41,899/- |
IBPS PO Allowances and Increments
All IBPS PO’s are entitled to a handsome salary package and various other allowances and benefits. Further, they also enjoy salary increments from time to time as they gain work experience. Below are the list of various Increments and Allowances that an IBPS Probationary Officer enjoy.
| IBPS PO Increments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Basic Salary | New Joiners | Rs 23700 |
| Basic Pay | After 7 years | Rs 30560 |
| Basic Pay | After 2 more years | Rs. 32850 |
| Basic Pay | After 7 more years | Rs. 42020 |
| IBPS PO Allowances | |
|---|---|
| House Rent Allowance | 7% or 8% or 9% of the basic pay |
| Dearness Allowance | 40% of the Basic Pay (varies based on inflation rates) |
| City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) | 3% or 4% depending on Job location |
| Special Allowance | 7.75% of the basic pay |
IBPS PO Job Profile
Bank Probationary Officer (PO) is the most popular choice for all of the bank aspirants. It offers high career growth and good prospects for a bright future in banking.
Typically, a bank PO undergoes a 2 year probation period or training, where he/she understands the practical way and structure of the bank. The probation period divided into various phases depending on the bank. In the probation period, a PO will handle different types of banking activities such as Customer service, Account related queries, Pensions, Cheque Clearing, Cash handling, Loans, Internet banking, Credit Cards, Report Making etc.
Upon completion of the probation period, a PO will be posted as an Assistant Manager or Manager of a bank branch.
Primary Duties of a Bank PO
Customer Service – This is the primary work of any officer in a bank. A Probationary Officer’s main work is to handle customers and try to provide solutions to their queries related to any of the banking services such as Opening accounts, cash deposits, cash with drawl, loans etc.
Cash Handling – Cash handling is mainly done by Bank Clerks. However, PO’s are also trained in this work, to take it up when needed.
Payment Clearances – It is making sure that all the inward and outward flow of money is happening smoothly. This work is also primarily handled by clerks. A PO is second in line after the clerk to take up this work.
Loan Processing – In the probation period most of the time banks assign all PO’s to their loan and Insurance departments to sell their products. They will train you on the bank products, and how to sell, what to sell and how to convince the customers.
Generate New Business – This involves activities such as promoting bank’s products, Selling insurance, new account openings, etc.
Reporting and Verification – As a probationary officer, you will be assigned to generate reports on various items, which may include deposits, withdrawals, ledger balances, etc. You will have to manually verify each transaction and record the changes found.
Customer Complaints – As a PO, you will be required to work as a public relations officer, who handles customer complaints. You will have to address various customer related issues such as account related discrepancies, Cheque complaints, undue charges, and any other customer grievances.
This is briefly the job profile of a Bank Probationary Officer.
There will be regular internal exams/departmental exams conducted by the bank. You can clear these exams and grow in your career in the bank.
IBPS PO Career Growth
IBPS PO career growth hierarchy is as below:
Probationary Officer ===> Middle Manager ===> Senior Manager ===> Chief Manager ===> Assistant General Manager
The table given below shows the career growth and increase in salary Probationary Officers can expect.
| Post | Promotion | Salary |
| Probation Officer | Middle Management Grade Scale 1 | 23,700 to 42,020 |
| Middle Manager | Middle Management Grade Scale 2 | 31,705 to 45,950 |
| Senior Manager | Middle Management Grade Scale 3 | 42,020 to 51,490 |
| Chief Manager | Senior Management Grade Scale 4 | 50,030 to 59,170 |
| Assistant General Manager | Senior Management Grade Scale 5 | 59,170 to 66,070 |
IBPS PO Syllabus
Entire IBPS PO Syllabus can be classified into the 3 Subjects below, and there are different topics under each subject, which we shall see in detail below.
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning Ability
- English Language
Quantitative Aptitude
| 1. Simplification | 7. Quadratic Equations | 13. Time & Work |
| 2. Average | 8. Interest | 14. Number System |
| 3. Percentage | 9. Problems on Ages | 15. Data Sufficiency |
| 4. Ratio & Proportion | 10. Profit & Loss | 16. Linear Equations |
| 5. Data Interpretation | 11. Number Series | 17. Permutation & Combination/Probability |
| 6. Mensuration | 12. Speed, Time & Distance | 18. Mixtures & Alligations |
Reasoning Ability
| 1. Coded Inequalities/ Mathematical Inequalities | 6. Blood Relations | 11. Scheduling |
| 2. Syllogisms | 7. Directions & Distances | 12. Analogy |
| 3. Coding & Decoding | 8. Ordering & Ranking | 13. Classification |
| 4. Circular Seating Arrangement | 9. Arrangement & Pattern | 14. Data Sufficiency |
| 5. Linear Seating Arrangement | 10. Double Lineup | 15. Series |
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar (Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Fill in the Blanks)
- Vocabulary (Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement)
- Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles)
IBPS PO Exam Fee
The category wise fee structure for IBPS PO online application is given below. Fee/Intimation charges once paid will NOT be refunded on any account nor can it be held in reserve for any other examination or selection. The IBPS PO Exam Fee must be paid Online only.
| Sr. No. | Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SC/ST/PWD | Rs.175/- (Intimation Charges only) |
| 2 | All Others | Rs. 850/- (Application Fee + Intimation charges) |
IBPS PO 2021 Registration & Apply Online
Below is the step by step process to register for the IBPS PO 2021 exam and the documents required to be uploaded as part of the application.
Steps to apply online for IBPS PO 2021
- Step 1 : Click on the direct application link (will be updated).
- Step 2 : Click on “Click Here for New Registration”
- Step 3 : Enter the Email ID and Other credentials.
- Step 4 : A temporary registration number & password will be sent on the registered Email ID and Mobile number of the candidate
- Step 5 : Once the candidate has filled the application form, now they have to upload their documents.
- Step 6 : After uploading the documents, click on the Submit button
- Step 7 : Make the payment which is to be done online
- Step 8 : After the payment has been made, the candidate can take out the print of the application form by clicking on the generated reference button.
| Document (scanned) | Dimension & File Size | File Type |
| Image | 200 x 230 pixels and 20-50 KB | JPG or JPEG |
| Signature | 140 x 60 pixels and 10-20 KB | JPG or JPEG |
| Left thumb impression | 240 x 240 pixels and 20-50 KB | JPG or JPEG |
| Hand-written declaration | 800 x 400 pixels and 50-100 KB | JPG or JPEG |