What Is the Syllabus for Bank Exams? (Prelims and Mains Explained)
Dec 30 2025
The Bank Exam Syllabus 2026 is the roadmap for aspirants on what to study, how much to study, and where to focus. It clearly describes the subjects, important topics, and exam pattern followed in major banking examinations. Understanding the syllabus at the beginning of preparation helps candidates avoid confusion, save time, and prepare effectively instead of studying random topics. The syllabus plays a crucial role because bank exams are highly competitive, and smart preparation matters more than hard work alone. Knowing the syllabus helps aspirants plan their daily study routine, prioritise high-scoring sections, and practise relevant questions through mock tests. This syllabus applies to all major bank exams conducted in India, including IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO, SBI Clerk, RBI Assistant, RBI Grade B, and RRB Officer/Clerk exams. These exams generally have three stages, including Prelims, Mains, and Interview. This blog provides a Bank Exam Syllabus 2026, covering section-wise topics, exam patterns, and marks distribution in a clear and simple format.
Bank Exam Syllabus PDF 2025 Free Download Link
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 |
|
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
IBPS PO / Clerk Prelims |
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Reading Comprehension |
Simplification & Approximation |
Logical Reasoning |
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Cloze Test |
Profit & Loss |
Alphanumeric Series |
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Para jumbles |
Mixtures & Allegations |
Ranking /Direction /Alphabet Test |
|
Miscellaneous |
Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices |
Data Sufficiency |
|
Fillers |
Work & Time |
Coded Inequalities |
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Error Spotting |
Time & Distance |
Seating Arrangement |
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Paragraph Completion |
Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere |
Puzzle |
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Sentence Rearrangement |
Data Interpretation |
Tabulation |
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Ratio & Proportion, Percentage |
Syllogism |
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Number Systems |
Blood Relations |
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Sequence & Series |
Input-Output |
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Permutation, Combination & Probability |
Coding-Decoding |
For Detailed IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025
What is the SBI PO and Clerk Syllabus for 2026?
SBI PO/Clerk Prelims |
||
| Reasoning Ability | Quantitative Aptitude | English Language |
| Logical Reasoning | Simplification | Reading Comprehension |
| Alphanumeric Series | Profit & Loss | Cloze Test |
| Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Mixtures & Allegations | Para jumbles |
| Data Sufficiency | Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices | Miscellaneous |
| Coded Inequalities | Work & Time | Fill in the blanks |
| Seating Arrangement | Time & Distance | Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting |
| Puzzle | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Paragraph Completion |
| Tabulation | Data Interpretation | Vocabulary |
| Syllogism | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage | Sentence Improvement |
| Blood Relations | Number Systems | Word Association |
| Input-Output | Sequence & Series | Error Spotting |
| Coding-Decoding | Permutation, Combination &Probability | Verbal Ability |
For Detailed SBI PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025
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
IBPS PO / Clerk Mains |
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Seating Arrangements, Puzzles, Inequalities, Syllogism, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Blood Relations, Order and Ranking, Alphanumeric Series, Distance and Direction, Verbal Reasoning |
Cloze Test, Reading Comprehension, Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Para/Sentence Completion |
Number Series, Data Interpretation, Simplification/ Approximation, Quadratic Equation, Data Sufficiency, Mensuration, Average, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Work, Time, and Energy, Time and Distance, Probability, Relations, Simple and Compound Interest, Permutation, and Combination |
Current Affairs, Banking Awareness, GK Updates, Currencies, Important Places, Books and Authors, Awards, Headquarters, Prime Minister Schemes, Important Days, Basic Computer Knowledge |
For Detailed IBPS PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025
Bank Exam Syllabus for IBPS RRB PO / Clerk
IBPS RRB PO / Clerk |
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For Detailed IBPS RRB PO Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025
Bank Exam Syllabus for SBI Clerk Mains
SBI Clerk Mains |
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| Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | General English | General/Financial Awareness |
| 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. |
Reasoning: 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.
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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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For Detailed SBI Clerk Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025
Bank Exam Syllabus for SBI PO Mains
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Data Analysis |
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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 |
Internet, Memory, Keyboard Shortcuts, Computer Abbreviation, Microsoft Office, Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Operating System, Networking, Computer Fundamentals/ Terminologies, |
Financial Awareness, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Static Awareness, Banking and Financial Awareness |
For Detailed IBPS RRB Clerk Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025
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 |
|
English Language |
Prelims & Mains |
Comprehension + Grammar |
|
General Awareness |
Mains Only |
Current Affairs |
|
Computer Awareness |
Mains (Selected Exams) |
Basics |
|
Descriptive English |
Mains (PO / AO Exams) |
Writing Skills |
Exam-Wise Syllabus (SBI, IBPS, RRB)
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.
|
Exam Body |
Prelims Subjects |
Mains Subjects |
|---|---|---|
|
IBPS (PO/Clerk) |
Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude / Data Analysis, English Language, General/Banking Awareness |
|
SBI (PO/Clerk) |
Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis, English Language, General/Financial Awareness |
|
IBPS RRB (PO/Clerk) |
Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English/Hindi Language |
Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Awareness, General Awareness, English/Hindi Language |
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 on Bank Exam Syllabus 2026
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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