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Author :
Shilpa Nigam |
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the highly anticipated notification for the IBPS PO 2026 (CRP PO/MT-XVI) recruitment cycle. While the preliminary round remains untouched, banking aspirants face the most radical structural shake-up in recent history.
IBPS has overhauled the Mains exam pattern, restructured sectional weightage, and introduced automated evaluation systems along with strict administrative updates for the 2026 exam cycle.
The online registration window is now active, with the final deadline to apply online set for July 21, 2026.
IBPS PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026: Denser Paper, Shorter Timings
The overall marks for the Mains objective exam remain fixed at 200 marks over 160 minutes. However, the total number of questions has jumped drastically from 145 to 170 questions, forcing candidates to solve more questions in the same timeframe.
General/Banking Awareness Boom: The section has expanded to 50 questions (60 marks) to be solved in 35 minutes. The syllabus now explicitly features deep-tier questions on RBI Circulars, Digital Banking, and Financial Economy.
English Language Devaluation: While the number of questions increased to 40, the total weightage has been slashed to just 20 marks.
Reasoning Section Squeeze: The number of questions (40) and marks (60) remain identical, but the allotted time has been cut down by 5 minutes, down to a strict 45-minute window.
Data Analysis & Interpretation: This critical section sees an increase to 40 questions valued at 60 marks, maintained over a 45-minute duration.
In another major shift, IBPS has removed the traditional Letter Writing component from the descriptive section. The new module will exclusively test Essay Writing and Comprehension.
While the test still commands 25 marks over 30 minutes, IBPS will deploy an automated AI-driven grading system. This mechanism will score candidates strictly based on grammatical accuracy, vocabulary usage, and logical structural flow, eliminating subjectivity in evaluation.
New Mandatory Personality Test Introduced
A new tier called the Personality Test (Self-Report Assessment) has been introduced immediately following the Mains exam. While this psychological and behavioural profiling test is non-qualifying and will not heavily alter the final merit index, it is entirely mandatory. Candidates who skip this assessment will be barred from attending the final interview phase.
To streamline the registration process and curb impersonation, IBPS has launched several administrative updates for the CRP XVI cycle:
Application Correction Window: For the first time, a 2-day edit window will open after July 21, 2026. Candidates can modify select fields for a uniform correction fee of ?200.
Live Photo Capture & DigiLocker: Standard passport photo uploads must now be accompanied by a live webcam photograph tracking verification. Document submission is integrated directly with DigiLocker.
Mandatory UDID Card: Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) must submit a central Unique Disability ID (UDID) card. Traditional medical certificates will no longer be accepted.
Scribe Restrictions: A scribe can now assist only one candidate across the entire IBPS PO 2026 recruitment cycle.
The IBPS PO Prelims exam pattern remains the same, featuring 100 questions for 100 marks with a 60-minute sectional timer. The negative marking penalty remains locked at 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. Final selection merit will continue to rely on the established 80:20 weightage split between the Mains exam and the Interview.
Aspirants are advised to read the official notification document thoroughly on the official IBPS portal before completing their registration.
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