IBPS PO Prelims Mock Test (CRP-PO/MT-XV)

Complete Guide to IBPS PO Examination (CRP-PO/MT-XV)

1. Exam Overview & Participating Banks

Full Name of Exam: Common Recruitment Process for Recruitment of Probationary Officers/ Management Trainees in Participating Banks (CRP-PO/MT-XV).

Conducting Body: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).

Total Vacancies: Yes, the exact total number of indicative vacancies is confirmed to be 5208.

List ALL the Participating Banks mentioned in the PDF: Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India.

2. Important Dates (Tentative or Exact)

• Online Registration dates: 01.07.2025 to 21.07.2025 (this period includes Edit/Modification of Application by candidates).
• Preliminary Exam dates: August, 2025.
• Main Exam dates: October, 2025.
• Interview dates: December, 2025/ January, 2026.

3. Detailed Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification: A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India, or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government, is exactly required. Final year students are only eligible if their final result has been declared on or before 21.07.2025, and they must submit a proper document from their Board or University confirming this exact declaration date at the time of the interview. The percentage is calculated by dividing the total marks obtained by the candidate in all subjects across all semesters/years by the aggregate maximum marks in all subjects, multiplied by 100. Fractions are ignored, meaning 59.99% will be treated as less than 60%, and candidates holding a CGPA/OGPA must convert their grades into a percentage strictly as per their University's conversion criteria.

Age Limit: The minimum age is 20 years and the maximum age is 30 years as on 01.07.2025. The exact cutoff dates state that a candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.07.1995 and not later than 01.07.2005 (both dates inclusive).

Age Relaxation:

• Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe: 5 years.
• Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years.
• Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years.
• Ex-Servicemen, Commissioned Officers (including ECOs/SSCOs with at least 5 years of military service and released on completion of assignment otherwise than by dismissal/discharge): 5 years.

Exceptions & Rules: The age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates is allowed on a cumulative basis with only one of the remaining categories (either PwBD or Ex-Servicemen). The maximum age limit specified applies without any relaxation to General Category and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Category candidates. There is no reservation for Ex-servicemen in the Officers' Cadre.

4. Selection Process & Cut-off Rules

Detail the stages: The selection is a multi-tier process beginning with an Online Preliminary Examination, followed by an Online Main Examination for shortlisted candidates. Those who qualify the Main exam must complete a mandatory Personality Test, and finally appear for a Common Interview conducted by the Participating Banks.

Sectional Cut-offs and Overall Cut-offs: For the Preliminary Exam, candidates have to qualify in each of the three individual tests by securing minimum cut-off marks decided by IBPS, after which an adequate number of candidates in each category are shortlisted for the Mains. For the Main Examination, each candidate will be required to obtain a minimum score in each individual test (sectional cut-off) and also secure a minimum total score (overall cut-off) to be considered for the personality test and interview. IBPS decides who passes by setting these cut-offs depending on the number of vacancies available. Prior to the completion of the interview process, the scores obtained in the Online Main examination will not be shared with the candidates. Additionally, to ensure fairness across multiple shifts, corrected scores obtained by candidates in different sessions will be normalized using the equi-percentile method.

5. Exam Pattern (Prelims & Mains)

Prelims: The exam consists of 100 questions for 100 maximum marks, with a total time of 60 minutes.

Mains (Objective): The exam consists of 145 questions for 200 maximum marks, with a total time of 160 minutes.

Mains (Descriptive): This paper is on English Language, specifically testing Essay and Comprehension skills. It consists of 02 questions for 25 maximum marks, with a time duration of 30 minutes. Topics may be broadly based on Economic and Social issues, emerging trends in Banking and Technology, Current events, Ethics, etc.

Negative Marking: For each question in the Objective Tests where a wrong answer has been given, a penalty of one fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to that specific question will be deducted to arrive at a corrected score. If a question is left blank, meaning no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be absolutely no penalty for that question.

6. The Interview Phase & Final Merit

• What are the total marks allotted for the Interview? The total marks allotted for the Interview are 100.
• What is the minimum qualifying percentage for the Interview? The minimum qualifying marks in the interview will not be less than 40% for General category candidates, and 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD candidates.
• What is the exact weightage ratio? The relative weightage ratio of the Online Main Exam and the Interview for the final combined merit score will be exactly 80:20 respectively.

7. Application Fee & Salary

List the exact application fee: The fee is exactly Rs. 175/- (inclusive of GST) for SC/ST/PwBD candidates, and Rs. 850/- (inclusive of GST) for all other candidates (which includes General/OBC).

Salary, Pay Scale, or Probation details: The Basic Scale of Pay for the Probationary Officer/ Management Trainee post is ₹ 48480 - 2000/7 - 62480 - 2340/2 - 67160 - 2680/7 - 85920. The official will also be eligible for allowances and perquisites as per the rules of the Participating Bank in force from time to time.

8. Syllabus (If available)

Specific topics: The notification document does not list a micro-level syllabus (like "Syllogism" or "Data Interpretation" formulas), but it explicitly names the broad subject domains tested: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, Reasoning, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness / Digital/ Financial Awareness including RBI circulars, and Data Analysis & Interpretation. For the Descriptive English Language paper, it specifically notes that topics will include an Essay and Comprehension, which may be broadly based on Economic and Social issues, emerging trends in Banking and Technology, Current events, and Ethics.

9. Nationality & Citizenship Criteria

A candidate must fall into one of the following exact categories:

• A Citizen of India.
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan.
• A Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling.
• A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Exceptions & Rules: Candidates in the latter four categories must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

10. Credit History Requirements

Mandatory Requirement: Candidates must maintain a healthy credit history at the time of joining the participating banks.

CIBIL/NOC Rule: If a candidate's CIBIL or similar agency score is not updated before joining, they must either get it updated or produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the lender proving there are no outstanding adverse accounts. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of the offer letter.

Exceptions: This clause does not apply to candidates who do not have a bank account, and it is not a pre-condition to apply for the exam.

11. Exhaustive Reservation Rules (EWS & PwBD)

Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Income Rules: Family gross annual income must be strictly below Rs. 8.00 lakh for the financial year prior to application.

EWS Asset Exceptions (Disqualifiers): A candidate is completely excluded from EWS, regardless of income, if their family owns:

• 5 acres of Agricultural Land and above.
• A residential flat of 1000 sq. ft. and above.
• A residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified municipalities.
• A residential plot of 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than notified municipalities.

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) Categories:

• Visual Impairment (VI): Includes Blindness (total absence of sight or visual acuity less than 3/60) and Low Vision. VI candidates can use a magnifying font OR a scribe, but not both.
• Hearing Impaired (HI): Deaf (70 DB hearing loss) or Hard of Hearing (60 DB to 70 DB loss).
• Orthopedically Challenged (OC): Includes Leprosy cured, Cerebral Palsy, Dwarfism (adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or less), Muscular Dystrophy, and Acid Attack victims.
• Intellectual Disability (ID): Includes Autism Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Disability (dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc.), and Mental Illness.

Scribe Rules & Exceptions:

• The scribe's academic qualification must be exactly one step below the qualification of the candidate.
• The scribe can be from any academic stream.
• A scribe can act as a scribe for only ONE candidate in this entire CRP process. If caught acting for multiple candidates, both the candidate's and scribe's candidatures are cancelled.
• Compensatory time is strictly 20 minutes per hour of the examination.

12. Pre-Examination Training (PET)

• PET may be arranged exclusively in Online Mode.
• It is restricted to a limited number of candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and Minority Communities.
• Rule: Attending PET does not confer any right to selection in any bank.

13. Identity Verification & Biometric Capture Rules

Valid ID Proofs Allowed: PAN Card, Passport, Permanent Driving License, Voter's Card with photo, Bank Passbook with photo, Photo ID issued by a Gazetted Officer, College/University ID, Aadhaar/E-Aadhaar, Employee ID, or Bar Council ID.

Strictly Banned IDs: Ration Card and Learner's Driving License will absolutely not be accepted.

Name Change Exception: Candidates who changed their names are allowed only if they produce an original Gazette notification, original marriage certificate, or an original affidavit.

Biometric Rules: The Right thumb impression will be captured.

Exceptions & Disqualifiers: Fingers must not be coated with stamped ink, mehndi, or color. If coated, they must be washed completely. If fingers are moist, they must be wiped dry. If the right thumb is injured, other fingers or toes may be captured. Refusing biometric capture leads to immediate cancellation of candidature.

14. Document Upload Specifications (Exhaustive Technical Details)

• Photograph: Must be 4.5cm x 3.5cm, 20 kb - 50 kb size, and 200 x 230 pixels. Background must be light-colored, preferably white. No caps, hats, or dark glasses. Religious headwear is allowed if it does not cover the face. Live Capture Rule: Candidates must additionally capture and upload a live photograph via webcam or mobile phone during registration.
• Signature: Must be on white paper using strictly Black Ink. File size 10 kb - 20 kb, 140 x 60 pixels. Critical Exception: Signatures in CAPITAL LETTERS will be completely rejected.
• Left Thumb Impression: Must be on white paper using Black or Blue ink. File size 20 kb - 50 kb, 240 x 240 pixels. Exceptions: If the left thumb is missing, use the right thumb. If both are missing, use left-hand fingers. If no fingers exist, use a left toe.
• Hand-written Declaration: Must be on white paper using strictly Black Ink. File size 50 kb - 100 kb, 800 x 400 pixels. Must be in English only. Critical Exception: It must NOT be in capital letters. If a candidate cannot write, they may get it typed and append their left thumb impression below it.

15. Provisional Allotment & Reserve List Rules

• Allotment is based on a merit-cum-preference basis.
• Own Merit Rule: Reserved category candidates selected under General norms will be treated as General but must still produce their caste certificate.
• Tie-Breaker Rule: If scores are tied, merit order is decided by date of birth, with the senior candidate placed above the junior candidate.
• Reserve List: A reserve list of approximately 20 percent of the vacancies is kept. This list automatically expires exactly one year after the date of Provisional Allotment.

16. Misconduct, Banned Items & The Public Examinations Act 2024

Banned Items: Absolutely no stationery, bits of paper, mobile phones, bluetooth, earphones, goggles, handbags, hair-pins, belts, caps, ornaments (rings, earrings, nose-pins, chains, badges), watches, metallic items, or eatables are allowed.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: This Act applies strictly to this exam. Unfair means include leaking papers, tampering with OMR sheets, manipulating seating, or creating fake websites.

Legal Consequences: Offences under this Act are legally classified as cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, leading to criminal prosecution and permanent debarment.