IBPS RRB PO Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility

Two objective online exams, each test separately timed.

Preliminary: 80 marks, 45 minutes

You have to clear both tests. The Preliminary only shortlists for the Main. 40 Quantitative Aptitude questions in 20 minutes is 30 seconds each.

Main: 200 marks, 120 minutes

You take either English or Hindi, not both. Computer Knowledge is 40 questions for 20 marks, half a mark each, while a Reasoning or Quantitative Aptitude question is worth 1.25: two and a half times as much.

Interview

Candidates shortlisted from the Main go to a common interview run by the Nodal Regional Rural Banks with NABARD and IBPS, tentatively in January or February 2027.

Reasoning

Puzzles and seating arrangement (linear, circular, floor and box based), syllogism, inequality, blood relations, direction sense, order and ranking, coding-decoding, alphanumeric and symbol series, alphabet test, data sufficiency, mathematical operations, input-output.

Quantitative Aptitude

Simplification and approximation, number series, quadratic equations, data interpretation (tabular, bar, line, pie and caselet), percentage, ratio and proportion, average, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, pipes and cisterns, time speed and distance, boats and streams, mixture and alligation, partnership, mensuration, permutation and combination, probability, age problems.

General Awareness (Main only)

Banking and financial awareness: the Reserve Bank of India, policy rates, NABARD and its role with Regional Rural Banks, types of banks and accounts, priority sector lending, rural credit and financial inclusion schemes, banking abbreviations. Current affairs of the six months before the exam, and static awareness including the Indian economy and international institutions.

English Language (Main, if chosen)

Reading comprehension, cloze test, para jumbles, error spotting, sentence improvement, fill in the blanks, sentence connectors, vocabulary, idioms and phrases.

Hindi Language (Main, if chosen)

गद्यांश, व्याकरण, वाक्य सुधार, रिक्त स्थान की पूर्ति, त्रुटि पहचान, पर्यायवाची और विलोम शब्द, मुहावरे और लोकोक्तियाँ.

Computer Knowledge (Main only)

Computer fundamentals and generations, hardware and software, input and output devices, memory, operating systems, MS Office, internet and email, networking basics, database basics, computer security, shortcut keys and abbreviations.

Educational qualification

A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or equivalent.

Preference is given to degrees in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Engineering, Pisciculture, Agricultural Marketing and Cooperation, Information Technology, Management, Law, Economics or Accountancy.

Proficiency in the local language set by the participating bank is required. Working knowledge of computers is desirable.

Age, as on 1 September 2026

Above 18 and below 30. Born no earlier than 2 September 1996 and no later than 1 September 2008, both dates inclusive.

The base limit applies to General and EWS candidates. For the higher grades: Scale II above 21 and below 32, Scale III above 21 and below 40.

1. Preliminary, 80 marks. Clear the cut-off in both tests to reach the Main.
2. Main, 200 marks.
3. Common interview, run by the Nodal Regional Rural Banks with NABARD and IBPS.
4. Provisional allotment to a Regional Rural Bank in your chosen state or union territory, on merit and the vacancies reported.

Scale II and III candidates sit one online exam instead of Preliminary and Main, then the same interview. The CRP RRBs XV list stays valid for one year from provisional allotment, or until a fresh allotment, whichever is earlier.

Apply online on ibps.in. Registration for CRP RRBs XV runs 1 to 21 September 2026, with a two-day edit window after it closes.

The state you choose fixes both the language you need and the vacancies you compete for.

From the CRP RRBs XV notification of 1 September 2026. IBPS calls the schedule tentative and gives only months for the exams.

Admit cards, results and any changes appear on the IBPS CRP RRBs XV page.

1. Practise the Preliminary for speed. At 30 seconds a Quant question, choosing which to attempt matters more than method.
2. Put your Main time into Reasoning and Quant, 50 marks each. Computer Knowledge gives the least back.
3. Pick English or Hindi early and prepare only that one.
4. Learn rural and agricultural banking properly. NABARD, priority sector lending, agricultural credit and financial inclusion come up in the paper and again at interview.
5. Prepare for the interview from the start. It's where a good written score is kept or lost.
6. If you have an agriculture or allied degree, be ready to talk about your subject. The notification prefers it.

• IBPS official website
• CRP RRBs XV notice page
• CRP RRBs XV detailed notification (PDF)
• IBPS grievance redressal

Does RRB here mean Railway Recruitment Board?

No. It means Regional Rural Banks. The Railway Recruitment Boards run RRB NTPC, RRB Group D and others.

Is there an interview for Officer Scale I?

Yes, a common interview after the Main.

Do Preliminary marks count towards the final merit?

No. The Preliminary only shortlists for the Main.

Does an agriculture degree help?

Yes. The notification gives preference to agriculture and allied degrees, and to IT, Management, Law, Economics and Accountancy.

What is the age limit?

Above 18 and below 30 as on 1 September 2026, plus category relaxations.

How do Officer Scale II and III differ?

One online exam instead of two, then the same interview.