How IBPS RRB PO selection works
IBPS RRB PO is the Officer Scale-I (Assistant Manager) post in CRP RRBs-XV, a common recruitment process for 28 Regional Rural Banks. Qualifying the prelims takes you to the Main exam. Mains scores shortlist candidates for a common interview. Mains and interview scores are then combined 80:20 for the merit list, and shortlisted candidates are provisionally allotted within the RRBs of the State/UT they applied for.
Stage-by-stage flow
- Pre-exam training (optional)IBPS may arrange online pre-exam training for a limited number of SC, ST, OBC and minority-community candidates who opted for it in the application. It is tentatively in November 2026. Attending it gives no right to selection.
- Prelims — qualifying online testClear the minimum cut-off in both tests, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. An adequate number of candidates in each category is then shortlisted for Mains. Prelims marks don’t carry forward.
- Mains — five objective testsYou need a minimum score in each test, and a total high enough in the merit order, to be called for interview.
- Common interviewCoordinated by the nodal RRBs with the assistance of NABARD and IBPS; 100 marks.
- Final merit & provisional allotmentMains and interview scores are combined 80:20. Candidates are allotted to RRBs of the State/UT they opted for, against the vacancies RRBs actually report.
Prelims — the gateway
A 45-minute online objective test with two separately timed tests: Reasoning (40 questions, 40 marks, 25 minutes) and Quantitative Aptitude (40 questions, 40 marks, 20 minutes). You must qualify in both by scoring the minimum cut-off marks. The marks are used only to shortlist candidates for Mains, category-wise. Both tests are offered in English and Hindi, and in many states also in the regional language. The IBPS calendar schedules the 2026 prelims for 21–22 November (the notification says November/December 2026).
Mains — the decider
Five separately timed objective tests — Reasoning (40 questions, 50 marks, 30 min), Computer Knowledge (40 questions, 20 marks, 15 min), General Awareness (40 questions, 40 marks, 15 min), English Language or Hindi Language, your choice of one (40 questions, 40 marks, 30 min), and Quantitative Aptitude (40 questions, 50 marks, 30 min): 200 questions and 200 marks in 120 minutes. You need a minimum score in each test. Candidates in each category, up to three times the declared vacancies in each state, are called for interview, and only Mains marks count for shortlisting and final merit. Mains scores are not shared with shortlisted candidates until the interviews are over. The IBPS calendar schedules the 2026 Mains for 20 December.
Local language proficiency
For Officer Scale-I, proficiency in the local language prescribed by the participating RRB is an essential qualification. Table A of the notification names the language for each RRB, for example Telugu in Andhra Pradesh, Marathi in Maharashtra, and Hindi in Bihar and Rajasthan. The notification does not describe a separate language test.
Interview & documents
The common interview is coordinated by the nodal RRBs with the assistance of NABARD and IBPS. It is held at select centres; the venue, date and time are in the interview call letter, which you download from ibps.in. The interview carries 100 marks, with a minimum of 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD). You upload scanned documents through a link on the IBPS website. You also bring originals with self-attested photocopies: the call letter, the application printout, date-of-birth proof, photo ID, graduation mark-sheets (result declared on or before 21 September 2026), and caste, EWS or disability certificates as applicable. Missing documents cancel your candidature.
Interviews are tentatively in January/February 2027. Candidates working in government or quasi-government offices, PSUs or nationalised banks must bring an original No Objection Certificate from their employer, and it must not be issued for one particular RRB. Eligible outstation SC/ST/PwBD candidates are paid the second-class rail or bus fare, or actual expenses if lower, on proof of travel.
Final merit & RRB allotment
IBPS combines your Mains and interview scores in an 80:20 ratio. You must qualify in both and rank high enough to be shortlisted. Candidates are then provisionally allotted, tentatively in February/March 2027. For Officer Scale-I, allotment is restricted to the RRBs of the State/UT you opted for and is made against the vacancies RRBs actually report. On equal scores, the older candidate ranks higher. A reserve list may be drawn in each category. It expires one year after the provisional allotment, or earlier if a fresh allotment is made. The RRB itself is the final authority on appointment.
Crack IBPS RRB PO with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ practice sets & timed mocks — to the latest pattern.
Peak for Mains, the stage that counts
Since only the Main exam and the interview build your rank, JobSafal weights your plan toward Mains, while still getting you safely past both prelims tests.
Mains-weighted plan
Clear the prelims, then peak for the Mains tests that decide merit.
Full CBT mocks
Real-interface mocks with rank comparison.
Date alerts
Mains result, interview and allotment reminders.
PYQ practice sets
Practice sets tagged for the prelims and Mains tests.
