In 2026, focus on preparing for banking exams: Major organizations like SBI, IBPS, and RBI have similar syllabi but varying difficulty levels. In most cases, the exams are conducted in two or three stages: Prelims (qualifying), Mains (merit-determining), and Interview (for officer-scale posts).

Banking Syllabus 2026: Core Subjects & Important Topics 

Section Key Topics to Focus On
Quantitative Aptitude Simplification/Approximation, Data Interpretation
(Bar, Pie, Line, Radar), Number Series (Missing/Wrong), Quadratic Equations,
Arithmetic (Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work, Speed & Distance).
Reasoning Ability Puzzles (Floor, Box, Month-based), Seating Arrangement
(Circular, Linear), Syllogism, Inequality, Blood Relations,
Coding-Decoding, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency.
English Language Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles,
Error Spotting, Fillers, Sentence Improvement, Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms).
General Awareness Current Affairs (Last 6 months), Banking & Financial Awareness
(RBI functions, Monetary Policy, NPA, Basel Norms), Static GK (Capitals, National Parks, Awards).
Computer Aptitude Keyboard Shortcuts, MS Office, Internet & Networking,
Basics of Hardware/Software, Cyber Security.

Banking Exam Syllabus for Special Exams

1. IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale-I)

  • The X-Factor: No English in Prelims. This is the only officer-level exam where you can clear Prelims with just Math and Logic.

  • Prelims:

    • Reasoning (40 Q)

    • Quantitative Aptitude (40 Q)

    • Total Time: Composite 45 mins (No sectional timing).

  • Mains:

    • Reasoning, Computer Knowledge, General Awareness, English OR Hindi Language, and Quantitative Aptitude.

  • Phase 3: Interview.

2. IBPS RRB Clerk (Office Assistant)

  • The X-Factor: Speed is King. Cut-offs are notoriously high (often 75+/80 in Prelims) because the paper is easy.

  • Prelims: Same as RRB PO (Reasoning + Numerical Ability).

  • Mains: Same subjects as RRB PO but lower difficulty level.

  • Phase 3: No Interview.

3. IBPS Clerk

  • The X-Factor: Financial Awareness focus. The GA section often leans heavily on banking terminology and current financial news rather than static GK.

  • Prelims: English (30), Numerical Ability (35), Reasoning (35). Sectional timing applies (20m each).

  • Mains:

    • General/Financial Awareness (50 Q)

    • General English (40 Q)

    • Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (50 Q)

    • Quantitative Aptitude (50 Q)

  • Phase 3: No Interview (Language Proficiency Test may happen if you lack 10th/12th proof of local language).

4. IBPS PO

  • The X-Factor: Selection Ratio. This is the standard “gold” benchmark. The Mains exam includes a Descriptive Test (Letter & Essay) which must be typed on a keyboard.

  • Prelims: English, Quant, Reasoning.

  • Mains:

    • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (45 Q)

    • General/Economy/Banking Awareness (40 Q)

    • English Language (35 Q)

    • Data Analysis & Interpretation (35 Q) – Note: Pure arithmetic is rarely asked here; it’s mostly DI.

    • Descriptive: Essay (250 words) & Letter (150 words).

  • Phase 3: Interview.

5. IBPS SO (Specialist Officer)

  • The X-Factor: Domain Knowledge. Your professional subject (IT, Law, Marketing, HR, Agriculture) carries the maximum weight in Mains.

  • Prelims:

    • Law/Rajbhasha: English, Reasoning, General Awareness.

    • IT/HR/Marketing/Agri: English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude.

  • Mains: Professional Knowledge Only (Objective + Descriptive for Rajbhasha).

  • Phase 3: Interview.

6. SBI PO

  • The X-Factor: Psychometric Test & Group Exercise. Phase 3 isn’t just an interview; it often includes a GE (Group Exercise) and a Psychometric profiling test. The Mains level is generally tougher than IBPS PO.

  • Prelims: Standard (Eng, Quant, Reas).

  • Mains: Similar structure to IBPS PO but with higher weightage on Critical Reasoning and Data Analysis.

  • Phase 3: Psychometric Test + Group Exercise + Interview.

7. SBI Clerk (Junior Associate)

  • The X-Factor: No Sectional Cut-off. Unlike IBPS exams, SBI Clerk historically has no sectional cut-off in Prelims or Mains; only the overall score matters.

  • Prelims: Standard (Eng, Num, Reas).

  • Mains: Standard Clerical pattern (GA, Eng, Quant, Reas/Comp).

  • Phase 3: Language Proficiency Test (Strict).

8. RBI Assistant

  • The X-Factor: Accuracy. The Prelims is very easy, leading to cut-offs often exceeding 90/100. You cannot afford mistakes.

  • Prelims: Standard (Eng, Num, Reas).

  • Mains:

    • Reasoning

    • Quantitative Aptitude

    • English Language

    • Computer Knowledge (40 Q – Separate section, very scoring)

    • General Awareness

  • Phase 3: Language Proficiency Test (Strict).

9. RBI Grade B (General)

  • The X-Factor: Management & Economics. This is not a typical bank exam. It requires academic study of Economics and Finance.

  • Phase 1 (Prelims):

    • General Awareness (80 Marks – Highest Weightage)

    • Reasoning (60 Marks)

    • English (30 Marks)

    • Quant (30 Marks)

  • Phase 2 (Mains):

    • Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (50% Objective, 50% Descriptive Typing)

    • Paper II: English (Descriptive Writing Skills)

    • Paper III: Finance & Management (50% Objective, 50% Descriptive Typing)

  • Phase 3: Interview.

Bank Exam syllabus

Comparison Table for Banking Exams 2026

Exam Name Role Level The “X-Factor” (Unique Feature) Prelims Pattern Highlights Mains Pattern Highlights Interview?
IBPS RRB PO Officer Scale-I No English in Prelims Reasoning & Quant only. (Composite time 45m). English OR Hindi language option. Computer Knowledge is a separate section. ✅ Yes
IBPS RRB Clerk Assistant Speed is King Same as PO but much easier. Cut-offs are very high. Same subjects as PO. Easier level. ❌ No
IBPS Clerk Assistant Financial Awareness Standard 3 sections (Eng/Quant/Reas) with 20m timer. Focus on Financial Awareness. No Descriptive test. ❌ No
IBPS PO Officer Descriptive Test Standard 3 sections. Includes Descriptive Writing (Essay/Letter). Heavy DI focus in Quant. ✅ Yes
IBPS SO Specialist Domain Expertise

IT/HR/Mkt: Quant, Reas, Eng.

Law: GA, Reas, Eng.

 Professional Knowledge only (Your specialization). ✅ Yes
SBI PO Officer Psychometric Test Standard 3 sections. Hardest difficulty. Includes Psychometric Test & Group Exercise in Phase 3. ✅ Yes
SBI Clerk Assistant No Sectional Cut-offs Standard 3 sections. No sectional cut-offs in Mains either. Local Language Test is strict. ❌ No
RBI Assistant Assistant High Accuracy Very Easy paper $\rightarrow$ Ultra high cut-offs (90+). Includes a separate, scoring Computer Knowledge section (40 Q). ❌ No
RBI Grade B Officer (Gr. B) Management & Eco Phase 1 is a “harder” version of generic bank exams. Phase 2 is Academic: Eco & Social Issues, Finance, Management (Obj + Descriptive). ✅ Yes

Quick Guide: Which one should you target?

  • Math/Logic is weak? – Target IBPS Clerk or IBPS RRB (Easy level).

  • Is English weak? – Target IBPS RRB PO/Clerk (You can choose Hindi).

  • General Awareness is strong? – Target RBI Grade B or SBI PO.

Conclusion

Understanding the Banking Syllabus 2026 is important, but cracking the SBI, IBPS, and RBI exams requires expert guidance, shortcut techniques, and good time management. Scholars SSC Academy offers updated study materials, small batches, and personalized mentoring, making it a good option for banking coaching in Delhi. Contact us for complete guidance to succeed on your first attempt.