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When is the IBPS PO Mains 2026?
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IBPS scheduled the PO/MT-XVI Mains for 4 October 2026 in its tentative calendar for 2026-27. As of 9 October 2026 that date has passed, so the next things to watch for are the Mains result, then the Personality Test and interview.
The schedule for CRP PO/MT-XVI
| Stage | Tentative date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | 22 and 23 August 2026 | IBPS calendar of 16 January 2026 |
| Mains | 4 October 2026 | IBPS calendar of 16 January 2026 |
| Results | November 2026 | Notification of 30 June 2026 |
| Personality Test | November 2026 | Notification |
| Interview | November or December 2026 | Notification |
| Provisional allotment | January 2027 | Notification |
IBPS states that it reserves the right to change the dates, so every date in this table is tentative. Check the official site for call letters and result notices.
The Mains paper
The Mains has an objective test of 170 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes, and a descriptive test of 2 questions for 25 marks in 30 minutes. The total duration is 3 hours 10 minutes.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 60 | 45 min |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness (including Digital and Financial Awareness, RBI circulars) | 50 | 60 | 35 min |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 35 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 60 | 45 min |
| Descriptive (Essay and Comprehension) | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
You need the sectional and total minimum scores to be shortlisted. After the Mains, you attend the Personality Test, which is not scored but is mandatory, then the interview of 100 marks. Final merit is Mains 80 : Interview 20.
If you are preparing for the next cycle
Do not infer the next cycle's Mains date from this year's; wait for IBPS's own calendar and notification. Use the IBPS PO preparation strategy to plan the time between Prelims and Mains, and the bank PO interview preparation guide for the last stage. How results are published is in bank exam results.
Source
- IBPS Tentative Calendar 2026-27 (16 January 2026)
- IBPS CRP PO/MT-XVI detailed notification (30 June 2026)
Confirm every date on ibps.in. The full pattern is in the IBPS PO syllabus and exam pattern.
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- IBPS PO syllabusIBPS PO syllabus and pattern for the 2026 cycle: prelims and mains tables, descriptive test, Personality Test, interview weightage and commonly tested topics.
- IBPS PO strategyA section-wise IBPS PO strategy built on the 2026 marks: where the marks sit, how to split sectional time, the prelims-to-mains switch and mock cadence.
- Bank PO interviewBank PO interview guide: IBPS and SBI marks and weightage, the Personality Test and Group Exercise, question themes, documents and a three-week plan.
- Bank exam resultsHow bank exam results, cut-offs, scorecards and final merit work for IBPS, SBI and RBI: shortlisting, sectional cut-offs, reserve lists and allotment.
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