Banking Exam Syllabus 2026: IBPS, SBI & RBI Topics, Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Marking Scheme

The Banking Exam Syllabus 2026 acts as a clear guide for candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI and RBI examinations. Knowing the syllabus in detail helps aspirants focus on relevant topics and plan their preparation in a structured way. Most banking exams follow a similar pattern, with changes mainly in difficulty level depending on the post.

Bank exams are conducted mainly for Clerk, Probationary Officer (PO) and Specialist Officer (SO) posts. Clerk level exams usually have two stages, Prelims and Mains. Officer level exams include Prelims, Mains and an Interview. Popular exams include IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, IBPS RRB Clerk, IBPS RRB Officer Scale 1 and 2, SBI PO, SBI Clerk, RBI Grade B and RBI Assistant.

Bank Exam Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for most banking exams remains largely the same across IBPS, SBI and RBI. Only the depth of questions changes.

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Series
• Simplification and Approximation
• Percentage
• Ratio and Proportion, Partnership
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns
• Time and Distance, Boats and Streams
• Mixtures and Allegations
• Average and Ages
• Mensuration (2D and 3D)
• Permutation, Combination and Probability
• Quadratic Equations
• Data Interpretation (bar, line, pie, mixed, missing, arithmetic, radar, caselet)

Reasoning Ability

• Puzzles
• Seating Arrangement
• Syllogism
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense
• Inequalities
• Input-Output
• Logical Reasoning
• Data Sufficiency
• Ranking and Alphanumeric Series

English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Error Detection
• Fill in the Blanks
• Vocabulary and Word Usage
• Para Jumbles
• Sentence Improvement
• Sentence Completion
• Phrase and Word Replacement
• Spelling Errors

General / Economy / Banking Awareness

• Current Affairs (last 5–6 months)
• Banking and Financial Awareness
• Static Awareness
• Indian Banking System
• Monetary Policy
• Government Schemes
• Important Abbreviations

Computer Aptitude

• Computer Basics and Fundamentals
• Hardware and Software
• Internet and Networking
• Operating System
• Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Memory
• Computer Abbreviations
• Number System
• Basics of Logic Gates
• Cyber Security Basics

Bank Exam Pattern 2026

Most banking exams follow a similar structure at the preliminary level.

Bank Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

• English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes
• Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes
• Numerical Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes

Total: 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes

Bank Mains Exam Pattern 2026

For Clerk Post

• English Language: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes
• Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude: 50 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes
• General / Financial Awareness: 50 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes

Total: 190 questions, 200 marks, 160 minutes

For Probationary Officer (PO) Post

The PO Mains exam has both objective and descriptive papers.

• Reasoning and Computer Aptitude: 45 questions, 60 marks, 60 minutes
• English Language: 35 questions, 40 marks, 40 minutes
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: 35 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes
• General Economy and Banking Awareness: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes

Objective Total: 155 questions, 200 marks, 180 minutes

Descriptive Paper

• English Language (Letter Writing and Essay): 2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes

Candidates who clear Prelims and Mains are called for the Interview. Final selection is based on performance in all stages.

Bank Exam Pattern for Specialist Officer (SO)

Prelims for Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari

• English Language: 50 questions, 25 marks, 40 minutes
• Reasoning: 50 questions, 50 marks, 40 minutes
• General Awareness (Banking Industry): 50 questions, 50 marks, 40 minutes

Total: 150 questions, 125 marks, 120 minutes

Prelims for IT, Agriculture, HR and Marketing Officers

• English Language: 50 questions, 25 marks
• Reasoning: 50 questions, 50 marks
• Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions, 50 marks

Total: 150 questions, 125 marks, 120 minutes

Mains Exam for SO

• Professional Knowledge: 60 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes

For Rajbhasha Adhikari:

• Professional Knowledge (Objective): 45 questions, 60 marks, 30 minutes
• Professional Knowledge (Descriptive): 2 questions, 30 minutes

Bank Exam Selection Process

• Bank Clerk: Prelims and Mains
• Bank PO: Prelims, Mains and Interview
• Bank SO: Written Examination and Interview

Understanding the Banking Exam Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern helps candidates prepare with clarity and confidence for the upcoming exam cycle.