- The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the Online Preliminary Examination Call Letter / Admit Card for the centralized recruitment of Probationary Officers and Management Trainees (CRP PO/MT-XVI) across participating Public Sector Banks.
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Aspirants who registered for the recruitment drive can access their individual hall tickets using their Registration Number / Roll Number and Password / Date of Birth (DD-MM-YY) via the official web portal at ibps.in.
- Candidates must present a printed copy of the call letter along with valid photo identification at the assigned testing venue. Below is the comprehensive master operational guide detailing key recruitment parameters, computer-based exam patterns, sectional cut-offs, normalization formulas, shift reporting schedules, and essential RK Advice tips.

IBPS PO Prelims Admit Card 2026: Fast Overview
| Parameter | Official Specification Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Recruitment Campaign | Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers (CRP PO/MT-XVI) |
| Target Designation | Probationary Officer / Management Trainee (PO / MT) |
| Participating Banks | Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, PNB, Union Bank of India & 7 other PSBs |
| Recruitment Phase | Phase 1: Online Preliminary Examination (CBT) |
| Call Letter Status | Released & Active for Download Online |
| Required Login Credentials | Registration Number / Roll Number & Password / Date of Birth |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 (1/4) Marks deducted per incorrect response |
| Sectional Timing | Strict 20 Minutes per Section (60 Minutes Composite) |
| Official Central Portal | ibps.in |
Critical Examination Dates & Schedule
The preliminary evaluation is administered across designated digital centers nationwide in multiple shifts:
Candidates must carefully read all exam day instructions mentioned on the IBPS PO Prelims Admit Card 2026.
| Event Milestone | Official Scheduled Timeline | Operational Status |
| Official Employment Notification Release | Concluded per schedule | Completed |
| Online Application & Fee Remittance Window | Closed per notification | Closed |
| Prelims Call Letter Download Opening | Available on Official Portal | Live Online |
| Last Date to Download Admit Card | Up to Candidate Examination Date | Active |
| IBPS PO Preliminary Exam Dates | Multiple Continuous Shifts | Scheduled / Underway |
| Declaration of Preliminary CBT Results | Expected 15 to 20 Days Post Exam | Upcoming |
| Conduct of Online Main Examination | Post Prelims Result Announcement | Upcoming |
Daily Shift Timings & Center Reporting Schedules
The preliminary examination runs in four daily shifts. Candidates must strictly observe the reporting time printed on their admit cards:
| Examination Shift | Scheduled Reporting Time | Exam Commencement Time | Exam Concluding Time |
| Shift 1 (Morning Session) | 08:00 AM | 09:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 (Mid-Day Session) | 10:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 (Afternoon Session) | 01:00 PM | 02:00 PM | 03:00 PM |
| Shift 4 (Evening Session) | 03:30 PM | 04:30 PM | 05:30 PM |
(Note: Examination center security gates close permanently 30 minutes after the printed reporting time. Late arrivals are strictly denied entry).
Comprehensive CBT Examination Pattern & Marks Weightage
The preliminary examination consists of an objective test carrying 100 questions across three sections, with a total duration of 60 minutes:
| Section / Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Allotted Sectional Time | Medium of Examination |
| 1. English Language | 30 Questions | 30 Marks | 20 Minutes | English Only |
| 2. Quantitative Aptitude | 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| 3. Reasoning Ability | 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| Consolidated Examination Scheme | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes (1 Hour) | β |
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β IBPS PO Prelims: 100 Q / 100 Marks β
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βΌ βΌ βΌ
English Language Quantitative Aptitude Reasoning Ability
(30 Q / 30 M / 20 Min) (35 Q / 35 M / 20 Min) (35 Q / 35 M / 20 Min)
Core Operational Rules:
- Sectional Time Constraints: Each subject has a dedicated 20-minute countdown timer. When 20 minutes expire, the screen locks and automatically transitions to the next section; candidates cannot navigate between sections freely.
- Negative Marking Penalty: Each wrong attempt incurs a deduction of 0.25 (1/4) marks. Unattempted questions carry no penalty (0.00 marks).
- Qualifying Nature: The preliminary test is purely a screening stage. Marks secured in Prelims are not included in the final merit rank or bank allotment calculations.
Subject-Wise Syllabus Breakdown
1. Reasoning Ability (35 Questions / 35 Marks / 20 Minutes)
- Puzzles & Seating Arrangements: Linear (single/double row), circular, rectangular, floor-based, flat-floor, scheduling, box, and uncertain number arrangements (comprising 15 to 20 questions).
- Syllogisms: Contemporary standard formats, including “Only a few”, “Some”, “All”, and possibility-based questions.
- Inequalities: Direct algebraic and coded inequality statements.
- Blood Relations & Direction Sense: Multi-generational family structures and angle-based direction calculations.
- Coding-Decoding: Substitute coding, conditional patterns, and alphanumeric matrix configurations.
2. Quantitative Aptitude (35 Questions / 35 Marks / 20 Minutes)
- Data Interpretation (DI): Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, tabular sets, and caselet DI formats (10 to 15 questions).
- Number Series: Missing term series and wrong term sequence identification.
- Quadratic Equations: Variable factor comparisons ($x$ vs $y$).
- Simplification & Approximation: Fast estimation problems involving decimals, surds, percentages, and order of operations.
- Arithmetic Word Problems: Percentages, profit & loss, simple and compound interest, ratios, averages, partnership, time & work, pipes & cisterns, speed-time-distance, and problems on trains and boats.
3. English Language (30 Questions / 30 Marks / 20 Minutes)
- Reading Comprehension: Long-form passages centered on global finance, technological disruption, or socioeconomic themes, including context-driven synonyms and antonyms.
- Cloze Test: Passage completion requiring contextual vocabulary selection.
- Error Detection: Grammar items focusing on subject-verb agreement, tense modifications, and prepositional usage.
- Sentence Rearrangement & Para Jumbles: Ordering sentences logically into coherent paragraphs.
- Sentence Correction & Fillers: Phrase replacement, single-word blanks, and paired sentence completions.
Category-Wise Expected Sectional & Overall Cut-Off Benchmarks
Candidates must clear both the individual sectional minimums and the composite aggregate cut-off to advance to the Main Examination:
1. Expected Sectional Cut-Off Ranges (Out of Sectional Totals)
| Section Name | Section Total | General / EWS Benchmark | Reserved Categories (SC / ST / OBC / PwD) |
| English Language | 30 Marks | 8.50 β 10.50 Marks | 5.50 β 7.00 Marks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 Marks | 7.50 β 9.00 Marks | 4.50 β 6.00 Marks |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 Marks | 8.00 β 10.00 Marks | 5.00 β 6.50 Marks |
2. Expected Composite Aggregate Cut-Off (Out of 100 Marks)
| Candidate Demographic Category | Statutory Benchmark | Expected Prelims Composite Cut-Off Range |
| Unreserved (General / UR) | Merit-Determined | 52.50 β 57.00 Marks |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | Merit-Determined | 50.50 β 55.00 Marks |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | Merit-Determined | 50.00 β 54.50 Marks |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | Merit-Determined | 44.00 β 48.00 Marks |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | Merit-Determined | 38.00 β 42.50 Marks |
| PwD Categories (HI / OC / VI / ID) | Merit-Determined | 26.00 β 38.00 Marks |
(Note: Raw scores are converted into normalized scores via the equi-percentile method across testing shifts to account for variation in test difficulty).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download IBPS PO Prelims Call Letter 2026
- Open your browser and navigate to the official portal: ibps.in.
- On the homepage left sidebar, click on “CRP PO/MT” and select “Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers/Management Trainees XVI”.
- Click on the active link titled: “Online Preliminary Exam Call Letter for CRP PO/MT-XVI”.
- In the authentication window, select your preferred language (English or Hindi).
- Enter your Registration Number or Roll Number.
- Enter your Password or Date of Birth in the exact format:
DD-MM-YY(e.g., if your birth date is 04 March 1999, type04-03-99including hyphens). - Solve the 5-character alphanumeric captcha displayed on the screen.
- Click “Login” to access your candidate console.
- Verify your test center address, roll credentials, reporting window, and shift schedule.
- Download the document in PDF format and print a high-resolution copy on standard white A4 paper.
Mandatory Checklist for Examination Center Entry
Candidates must present the following items at the venue entrance gate:
- Printed IBPS PO Prelims Call Letter: A clean, legibly printed copy with a passport-size color photograph affixed in the designated box.
- Two Additional Passport-Size Photographs: Matching the image uploaded during online application submission, to be affixed to the attendance roster inside the testing lab.
- Original Government-Issued Photo Identity Proof: A valid identification card, such as:
- Permanent Driving License
- Indian Passport
- Voter ID Card
- PAN Card
- Bank Passbook with affixed photo and bank seal
- Valid College/University Student Identification
- Photocopy of Identity Proof: A clear photocopy of the presented photo ID card. This copy is stapled to your call letter and surrendered to the test administrator before leaving.
- Writing Utility: A transparent blue or black ballpoint pen for scratch sheet calculations and biometric signatures.
- Prohibited Items: Digital wristwatches, smart devices, Bluetooth headphones, calculators, loose papers, metallic jewelry, wallets, and bags are prohibited inside the testing hall.
π‘ RK Advice: 5 Proven Strategies for IBPS PO Prelims Success
- Use the Correct Date of Birth Format: Login errors frequently occur when candidates input their year of birth in four digits (
YYYY). The portal requires the two-digit year format with hyphens (DD-MM-YY). For example, May 8, 1998, must be entered as08-05-98. - Execute a 2-Phase Strategy in Quantitative Aptitude: In the 20-minute math window, do not tackle complex arithmetic word problems or dense caselet DIs first. Spend the first 6 to 8 minutes solving quadratic equations, approximations, and number series to lock in 12 to 15 quick marks, then move to standard DI sets.
- Apply the 3-Minute Puzzle Rule: In the Reasoning section, if a seating arrangement or multi-floor puzzle does not resolve within 3 minutes, set it aside immediately. Shift to standalone items such as syllogisms, inequalities, or direction tests to protect your sectional score.
- Prioritize Accuracy Over Volume: Equi-percentile normalization heavily rewards candidates who maintain high accuracy. Attempting 65 questions with 95% accuracy typically yields a higher normalized score than attempting 80 questions with multiple speculative errors.
- Verify Your Name Matches Exactly Across Documents: The name on your admit card must match the character sequence on your photo ID card. If your legal name changed due to marriage or legal updates, carry an original gazette notification or sworn affidavit to prevent entry issues at the venue.
π Important Links & Quick Action
| Links Table | (Direct Action) |
| π Download IBPS PO Prelims Admit Card | Click Here To Download Admit Cardβ |
| ποΈ IBPS Official Main Website | Official Website β |
| π¬ Join Official WhatsApp Channel | (Instant Alerts) β |
| π Latest Bank Jobs & Admit Cards | RK Job Alert 24 β |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Where can I download the official IBPS PO Prelims Call Letter?
Ans: The official call letter can be downloaded directly from the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection’s web portal at ibps.in through candidate login.
Q2: Is there a sectional cut-off in the IBPS PO preliminary exam?
Ans: Yes. Candidates must achieve the minimum prescribed cut-off score in each of the three individual sections (English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability), as well as clear the composite overall cut-off.
Q3: Do marks scored in the IBPS PO Prelims exam count toward the final selection merit list?
Ans: No. The preliminary examination is qualifying in nature. Final merit rankings and bank appointments are determined exclusively by scores from the Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive) and the subsequent Interview round.
Q4: How can I retrieve my registration details if I lose my password?
Ans: Click on the “Forgot Password” link on the portal login screen at ibps.in, enter your Registration Number along with your registered mobile phone number or email address, and an automated reset token will be sent to your inbox.