IBPS RRB 2025 Exam: Notification, Dates, Syllabus & Preparation Strategy

IBPS PO 2025 Syllabus & Exam Pattern — The Complete Abhinay Maths Guide
Table of Contents
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Why This Guide Matters
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Key Exam Dates & Overview
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Selection Process at a Glance
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Exam Pattern 2025 ↳ Prelims ↳ , Mains ↳ , Descriptive Test
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Detailed Syllabus ↳ Prelims Topics ↳ Mains Topics
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Marking Scheme & Cut‑offs
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Smart Preparation Plan (with Abhinay Maths Resources)
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why This Guide Matters
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Probationary Officer exam is the gateway to a coveted career in India’s public‑sector banks. With nearly 10 lakh+ aspirants expected in 2025, knowing exactly what to study and why can be the difference between selection and a near miss. This article distills the official notification and the latest exam calendar into an actionable plan tailored for Abhinay Maths students.
2. Key Exam Dates & Overview
Event | Date |
---|---|
Prelims Exam | 4 Oct 2025 (Sat) · 5 Oct 2025 (Sun) · 11 Oct 2025 (Sat) |
Mains Exam | 29 Nov 2025 (Sat) |
Interview Window | Jan–Feb 2026 (tentative) |
Provisional Allotment | April 2026 |
Snapshot
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Vacancies ? : To be announced (Aug 2025 Notification)
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Mode ? : CBT (Prelims & Mains) + Interview
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Difficulty ? : Moderate → High (Mains)
3. Selection Process at a Glance
PRELIMS ➜ MAINS ➜ INTERVIEW ➜ FINAL RANK
(Objective) (Objective + Descriptive) (Panel)
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Prelims marks are qualifying (not counted in final merit) but decide the Mains shortlist.
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The main score carries 80% weightage, and the interview carries 20%.
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Sectional and overall cut‑offs apply at every stage.
4. Exam Pattern 2025
4.1 Prelims
Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
---|---|---|---|
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
Negative Marking: –0.25 per wrong answer. |
4.2 Mains (Objective)
Section | Sub‑sec | Qs | Marks | Time |
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Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | A | 15 | 30 | |
B | 30 | 30 | 60 min (combined) | |
General/Economy/Banking Awareness | – | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
English Language | A | 5 | 10 | |
B | 30 | 30 | 40 min (combined) | |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | A | 25 | 50 | |
B | 10 | 10 | 45 min (combined) | |
Total Objective | 155 | 200 | 3 h |
4.3 Descriptive Test (Same Day)
Paper | Tasks | Marks | Time |
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English Writing | Essay (1) + Letter (1) | 25 | 30 min |
5. Detailed Syllabus 2025
5.1 Prelims Topics
English Language
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Reading Comprehension (Economy, Banking, Social Issues)
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Cloze Test – contextual, paragraph‑based
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Para Jumbles & Sentence Rearrangement
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Error Spotting (Grammar & Usage)
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Fill‑in‑the‑Blanks / Word Swap
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Vocabulary: Synonyms–Antonyms, One‑Word Substitution
Quantitative Aptitude
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Number Series (missing, wrong‑term, quadratic)
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Simplification/Approximation
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Ratio, Proportion & Partnership
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Percentage & Profit–Loss
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Simple & Compound Interest
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Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns
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Time, Speed & Distance (incl. Train & Boat questions)
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Mixture & Allegation, Average, Ages
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Data Interpretation (Tabular, Bar, Pie, Line, Caselet)
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Probability, Permutation & Combination
Reasoning Ability
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Seating Arrangements: Linear, Circular, Double Row
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Puzzles: Floor, Box, Scheduling, Stack
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Syllogism (incl. Only/Only‐a‑few patterns)
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Inequalities (Direct & Coded)
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Blood Relations, Directions & Distance
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Coding–Decoding (New pattern)
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Order & Ranking, Alpha‑Numeric Series
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Input–Output Machines
5.2 Main Topics
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
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High‑level Puzzles (Hybrid, Triangular, Circular‑with‑Variable)
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Logical Reasoning: Cause–Effect, Course of Action, Assumptions
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Data Sufficiency (2‑3 statements)
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Coding‑Decoding (Matrix, Conditional)
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Input–Output (Alphanumeric, Double‑Shift)
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Coded Inequalities, Syllogism (Reverse, ‘Only Few’)
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Computer Basics: Hardware, Software, OS, Networking, MS Office, Shortcuts, Memory, DBMS, Internet & Security
Data Analysis & Interpretation
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DI: Radar, Funnel, Missing/Incorrect Data, Triple‑Panel
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Caselet DI, Finance‑based DI, Data Sufficiency (Quant‑DI)
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Algebraic Data Sufficiency, Quantity I vs Quantity II
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Permutation–Combination & Probability (Mains level)
General / Economy / Banking Awareness
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Monetary & Fiscal Policy updates (Jan 2024 → Sep 2025)
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Budget 2025 & Economic Survey highlights
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Banking Terms: PSL, NARCL, Prompt Corrective Action, Basel‑III
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Digital Banking: CBDC, UPI Global, ONDC, FinTech Regulations
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Static GK: Headquarters, Codes, Abbreviations, Committees
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International Reports & Indices (HDI, WEF, IMF WEO, etc.)
English Language (Mains)
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Advanced Reading Comprehension (Economy, Philosophy)
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Para Summary & Completion
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Word Usage, Sentence Correction (advanced grammar)
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Cloze Test (new narrative)
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Error Detection (Multiple‑Error type)
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Descriptive: Formal & Informal Letters, Opinion/Evaluative Essays
6. Marking Scheme & Cut‑off Logic
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Each wrong answer → –0.25 marks (all objective papers).
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Prelims Cut‑off varies (past trend: English 7‑11, Quant 8‑11, Reasoning 8‑12; overall 51‑60/100).
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Mains Cut‑off 2024 (for reference): UR 71/200; OBC 69; SC 60.
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Descriptive Test minimum: 10–12/25 (varies).
Cut‑off 2025 will depend on paper difficulty & vacancies (to be released with the result).
7. Smart Preparation Plan
Phase‑wise Strategy
Phase | Focus | Abhinay Maths Support |
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Apr–Jun 2025 | Concept Building | Live Foundation Batches (Quant & Reasoning) + English Grammar Capsule PDF |
Jul–Aug 2025 | Mixed Topic Practice | Daily Practice Sheets • 20 Prelims Mock Tests • Editorial‑Based RC sessions |
Sep 2025 | Full‑Length Mocks & Revision | 15 High‑Level Prelims Mocks • Adaptive Test Analytics |
Oct 2025 (Post Prelims) | Advanced Mains Topics | Mains Booster Course (DI & LR) • 10 Sectional Tests |
Nov 2025 | Descriptive & GA Sprint | 15 Essay/Letter Checks • Daily ‘Banking 360’ GK Capsules |
Dec 2025–Jan 2026 | Interview Ready | Personality Dev. Workshop • Mock Panel Interviews |
Quick Tips
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One‑source rule – pick a single book/site per subject to avoid clutter.
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90-minute rule – simulate exam blocks daily to build stamina.
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Error Log – maintain a sheet of wrong answers & pattern of mistakes.
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GA Pocket Notes – revise monthly capsules every weekend.
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Descriptive Drills – two essays + two letters every week post Prelims.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Are Prelims marks added to the final merit? No – they are only for screening.
Q2. Can I switch the order of sections? Yes, but within sectional time limits.
Q3. When will vacancies be announced? Tentatively August 2025, along with the detailed notification.
Q4. Is there a sectional cut‑off in the Descriptive Test? No, you must simply clear the overall Descriptive cut‑off (minimum score decided by IBPS).
Q5. Which Abhinay Maths course is best for beginners? Our SSC‑Bank Integrated Batch 3.0 covers Quant & Reasoning from scratch and includes 6 IBPS PO Prelims mocks free.
Conclusion
Mastering the IBPS PO syllabus is a marathon, not a sprint. With a clear understanding of what the exam truly demands, smart practice, and expert guidance, you can secure your spot in the final merit list. Start today — October 4 is closer than you think!