Bank Exam Syllabus 2026 PDF Download Free: PO, Clerk Posts (Subject-wise)
Jul 10 2026
Before applying to the banking exams like IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, and other banking exams, candidates must be aware of the Bank Exam Syllabus 2026 outlines and subject and section-wise topics, and the marks allotted for each topic are some important things you may know. Being updated with the latest bank exam syllabus is crucial to make your preparation more effective. On this page, we provide a detailed breakdown of prelims and mains topics, along with the bank exam syllabus 2026 PDF download. Candidates can download the bank exam syllabus PDF for free to make a quick reference. By knowing the bank exam syllabus in advance, you can learn proper time management and a clear preparation strategy. In short, a thorough understanding of the Bank Exam Syllabus ensures focused preparation, higher efficiency, and better chances of scoring well in both Prelims and Mains examinations.
Bank Exam Syllabus PDF 2026 Free Download Link
Bank Exam Syllabus 2026
Here is the bank exams and their syllabus covered list table. Below is a simple and clear overview of the syllabus, followed by major banking exams conducted by SBI, IBPS, and RRB. While the core subjects remain similar, the difficulty level and focus areas may vary slightly.
| Exams | Prelims Subjects Covered | Mains Subjects Covered |
| IBPS PO | Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language | Reasoning, Data Analysis & Interpretation, English Language, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness / Digital/ Financial Awareness, including RBI circulars |
| IBPS Clerk | Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, English Language | Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, General English, General/Financial Awareness |
| SBI PO | Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, English Language, General Awareness / Economy/ Banking Knowledge |
| SBI Clerk | Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, English Language | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, General English, General/Financial Awareness |
| IBPS RRB PO | Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Awareness, General Awareness, English/Hindi Language |
| IBPS RRB Clerk | Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, Computer Knowledge, General Awareness, English/Hindi Language |
What Are Bank Exams in India?
Bank exams in India are competitive tests conducted by organisations such as the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), State Bank of India (SBI), and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to recruit candidates for roles including Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, and Specialist Officers (SO) in public sector banks. These annual exams follow a multi-stage process, which includes preliminary and main written tests, as well as an interview for officer positions. A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement.
What Is the Bank Exam Syllabus?
The bank exam syllabus specifies the subjects and topics to prepare for each exam stage and post. It mainly includes Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, General or Financial Awareness, and Computer Knowledge.
Which subjects have the highest weightage in Bank Exams?
Knowing the importance of each subject can help you prepare better for bank exams. The section-wise Syllabus 2026 weightage provides transparency for creating effective study plans. The weighted syllabus banking exam for the preliminary and main exams is given here.
| Selection Process for Bank Exams | ||
| Posts | Process | Exams |
| Clerk | Two-tier | Pre + Main |
| PO | Three-tier | Pre + Main + Interview |
Prelims Exam Weightage |
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Subjects |
Weightage |
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English Language |
30% |
|
Reasoning Ability |
35% |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
35% |
Mains Exam Weightage |
|
|
Subjects |
Weightage |
|
English Language |
20% |
|
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude |
30% |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
30% |
|
General Awareness |
20% |
What is the Bank Exam Syllabus for Prelims 2026?
The Bank Exam Prelims syllabus assesses aptitude, speed, and accuracy across three sections: Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. As this is a qualifying stage, focus on meeting sectional cut-offs through consistent practice and a solid understanding of fundamentals.
Bank Exam Syllabus for IBPS PO / Clerk Prelims
Here is the IBPS PO/Clerk prelims sections with the syllabus for the prelims exam.
For Detailed IBPS PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
IBPS PO / Clerk Prelims |
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For Detailed IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
What is the SBI PO and Clerk Prelims Syllabus for 2026?
Here is the SBI PO/Clerk prelims exam sections to be covered with the syllabus for the prelims exam.
For Detailed SBI Clerk Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
SBI PO/Clerk Prelims |
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| Reasoning Ability | Quantitative Aptitude | English Language |
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For Detailed SBI PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
What is the IBPS RRB PO and Clerk Prelims Syllabus for 2026?
Here is the IBPS RRB PO/Clerk prelims exam sections with topics and syllabus for the prelims exam.
For Detailed IBPS RRB PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
RRB PO/Clerk Prelims |
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| Reasoning Ability | Quantitative Aptitude |
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For Detailed IBPS RRB Clerk Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
What is the Bank Exam Syllabus for Mains 2026?
The Bank Exam Mains syllabus is more detailed and checks your deeper understanding of subjects. It includes Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude or Data Analysis, English Language, and General/Financial Awareness. Since Mains marks are crucial for final selection, regular practice and clear concepts are very important.
Bank Exam Syllabus for IBPS PO/ Clerk Mains
Here is the IBPS PO/Clerk mains sections with the syllabus for the mains exam.
IBPS PO / Clerk Mains |
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Bank Exam Syllabus for IBPS RRB PO / Clerk Mains
The RRB PO/Clerk mains exam has sections like reasoning, computer awareness, general awareness, english/hindi language, and quantitative aptitude. Here is the syllabus.
IBPS RRB PO / Clerk Mains |
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Bank Exam Syllabus for SBI Clerk Mains
The SBI Clerk mains exam consists of sections like quantitative aptitude, reasoning ability and computer aptitude, general English, and general/financial awareness. Here is the syllabus for the mains exam.
SBI Clerk Mains |
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| Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | General English | General/Financial Awareness |
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Approximation and Simplification, Boats and Stream Problems, Data Sufficiency, Data Interpretation – Caselete, Radar/Web, Bar Graph, Line Chart, Tabular, Pie Chart, etc. Number Series, Average, HCF and LCM, SI & CI, Problem on Ages, Pipes, and Cisterns, Probability, Mixture and Allegation, Mensuration, Permutation and Combination, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Partnership, Quantity Comparison, Speed Distance and Time, Train Problems, Work and Time, Quadratic Equations. |
Logical Reasoning – Passage Inference, Statement, Assumption, Conclusion, Argument, etc. Alpha-Numeric Series, Blood-Relation, Coding-Decoding, Direction Sense, Inequalities, Order and Ranking, Alphabet Related Questions, Age Puzzles, Floor Puzzles, & Circular Seating Arrangement, Linear Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Symbol Series. |
Error Detection, Connectors, Fill in the blanks (Double/Multiple/Sentence) Cloze Test (New Pattern), Inference, Phrase Replacement, Find the Odd man Out, Phrasal Verb Related, Para Jumbles, Reading comprehension, Paragraph Conclusion, Sentence Completion, Word usage/ Vocabulary Based Questions, Antonyms and Synonyms. |
General Awareness: Current Affairs, Sports News, General Knowledge, Superlatives – India and world, Science, and Tech-related current events, Important Days, Government schemes, etc.
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Bank Exam Syllabus for SBI PO Mains
Here is the SBI PO mains exams consists of sections like Data Analysis and Interpretation, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness / Economy/ Banking Knowledge. Here is the syllabus.
SBI PO Mains |
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Data Analysis and Interpretation |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude |
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Tabular Graph, Line Graph, Pie Chart, Bar Graph, Radar Graph Case-let, Missing Case DI, Let it Case DI, Data Sufficiency, Probability, Permutation and Combination |
Verbal Reasoning, Syllogism, Circular Seating Arrangement, Linear Seating Arrangement, Double Lineup, Scheduling, Input-Output, Blood Relations, Directions and Distances, Ordering and Ranking, Data Sufficiency, Coding and Decoding, Coded Inequalities, The course of Action, Critical Reasoning, Analytical and Decision Making |
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Verbal Ability, Word Association, Sentence Improvement, Para Jumbles, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Fill in the blanks |
Financial Awareness, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Static Awareness, Banking and Financial Awareness |
Descriptive Test Syllabus For Bank Exams
Here is the descriptive test syllabus for the bank exams of IBPS PO and SBI PO.
| IBPS PO Descriptive Test | |||
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Descriptive Paper (Essay and Comprehension) May be broadly based on Economic and Social issues, emerging trends in Banking and Technology, Current events, Ethics, etc. |
2 |
25 |
30 minutes |
| SBI PO Descriptive Test | |||
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Descriptive Test - Communication Skills |
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1 out of 2 |
30 |
30 minutes |
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Situation Analysis Writing |
1 out of 2 |
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Report Writing / Precis Writing |
1 out of 2 |
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Total |
3 |
30 |
30 minutes |
Section-Wise Bank Exam Syllabus
The following table is a section-wise bank exam syllabus that helps aspirants to understand the syllabus and effectively utilise their time.
|
Section Name |
Asked In |
Focus Level |
|---|---|---|
|
Reasoning Ability |
Prelims & Mains |
Speed + Accuracy |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
Prelims & Mains |
Calculation + Logic |
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English Language |
Prelims & Mains |
Comprehension + Grammar |
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General Awareness |
Mains Only |
Current Affairs |
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Computer Awareness |
Mains (Selected Exams) |
Basics |
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Descriptive English |
Mains (PO / AO Exams) |
Writing Skills |
Why Knowing the Syllabus Is Important?
Here, we have provided key points to focus on to understand the importance of the syllabus for the exam.
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It helps you clearly understand what topics to study and what to skip, saving time and effort.
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You can plan your preparation better by focusing on high-weightage and scoring sections.
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It avoids confusion caused by studying unnecessary or out-of-scope topics.
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Knowing the syllabus helps you manage time effectively during preparation and exams.
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It allows you to choose the right books, mock tests, and practice materials.
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Regular syllabus-based revision improves confidence and exam performance.
FAQs
Q: Is the bank exam syllabus the same every year?
The core syllabus remains mostly the same, but the exam pattern and difficulty level may change slightly each year based on the exam authority.
Q: Is there any change in the syllabus for SBI and IBPS exams?
The basic syllabus is similar for SBI and IBPS, though the question pattern and level may vary slightly between the two.
Q: Which subject is most important in bank exams?
All subjects are important, but Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability usually carry higher weightage and score if prepared well.
Q: Is GA asked in the prelims exam?
No, General Awareness (GA) is generally asked only in the Mains exam, not in the Prelims.
Q: How many months of current affairs should be prepared?
Candidates should prepare at least the last 6 months of current affairs for most bank exams.
Q: Is the syllabus the same for the Clerk and PO exams?
The syllabus is mostly the same, but PO exams are slightly more difficult and include additional topics like descriptive tests and interviews.
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