The IBPS PO interview carries 100 marks and can make or break your final selection. Many candidates who clear Prelims and Mains with good scores fail at the interview stage — either because they didn't prepare for banking-specific questions or because they froze under pressure. The interview is typically 15–20 minutes long, but those minutes decide your career.
Here's how to prepare systematically.
Interview Weightage in Final Merit
| Component | Marks | Weight in Final Merit |
|---|
| Mains | 200 | 80% (i.e., 200 × 0.8 = 160) |
| Interview | 100 | 20% (i.e., 100 × 0.2 = 20) |
| Total merit | 180 marks |
A 10-mark difference in interview = 2 marks in final merit. This sounds small, but in the final cutoff, 1–2 marks can separate selection from waitlist.
Average interview scores: 45–55 (below average), 55–65 (average), 65–75 (good), 75+ (excellent). Aim for 65+.
Most Asked Interview Topics
1. Self-Introduction and Personal Questions (100% asked)
"Tell me about yourself" — This is asked in virtually every interview. Prepare a 2-minute structured introduction:
| Element | What to Include |
|---|
| Name and hometown | Brief, 1 line |
| Education | Degree, college, year |
| Work experience (if any) | Role, company, duration, key learning |
| Why banking | Specific reason, not generic |
| Strengths | 2–3 relevant to banking (analytical, communication, detail-oriented) |
| Hobbies | Only if genuine and you can discuss in depth |
Avoid: Family tree details, memorized speeches, irrelevant information.
2. Banking and Financial Awareness (90% asked)
| Topic | Common Questions |
|---|
| RBI | Role of RBI, current governor, repo rate, CRR, SLR, monetary policy |
| Recent banking news | Mergers, NPA data, digital banking initiatives, CBDC |
| Banking terminology | NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, SWIFT, KYC, AML, CASA ratio |
| Current rates | Repo rate, reverse repo, CRR, SLR, MSF, bank rate |
| Financial inclusion | Jan Dhan, PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY, Mudra loans |
| NPAs | What are NPAs, current situation, SARFAESI Act, IBC |
| Digital banking | UPI transaction volumes, RBI digital rupee, account aggregator |
| Recent budget | Key announcements affecting banking sector |
Must know current rates (as of early 2026):
| Rate | Current Value |
|---|
| Repo Rate | 6.25% (check for latest) |
| Reverse Repo | 3.35% |
| CRR | 4% |
| SLR | 18% |
| MSF | 6.50% |
| Bank Rate | 6.50% |
3. Questions Based on Your Background (80% asked)
| Your Background | Expected Questions |
|---|
| Engineering (B.Tech) | "Why banking and not engineering?" "What's the connection between your degree and banking?" |
| Commerce / MBA | "What financial concepts can you apply in banking?" |
| Arts / Humanities | "How does your background help in banking?" |
| Working professional | "Why leave your current job for banking?" "What's your notice period?" |
| Fresher | "Why should we hire you with no experience?" |
| Gap year | "What were you doing during the gap?" |
4. Current Affairs (70% asked)
| Area | Recent Topics to Know |
|---|
| Economy | GDP growth rate, inflation (CPI), fiscal deficit, current account |
| Government schemes | PM Vishwakarma, PLI schemes, Startup India, Digital India |
| International | G20/G7 updates, India-specific trade agreements |
| Awards | Padma awards, Nobel Prize, sports achievements |
| State affairs | Your home state's recent developments |
5. Situational/Stress Questions (50% asked)
| Question | How to Handle |
|---|
| "What will you do if you're posted to a rural area?" | Show willingness; mention financial inclusion opportunity |
| "What if a senior officer is wrong?" | Diplomatic — present facts respectfully, follow hierarchy |
| "Why were your marks low in X?" | Honest answer + what you learned from it |
| "Can you work on Sundays/holidays?" | "Yes, when duty requires" — banking has Saturday work |
| "What if you don't get selected?" | Show determination — "I'll prepare harder and try again" |
| "Why not UPSC/SSC instead?" | Show genuine interest in banking, not desperation |
Interview Day Strategy
Before the Interview
| Time | Action |
|---|
| Night before | Revise banking awareness notes, sleep by 10 PM |
| Morning | Read today's newspaper headlines (Hindu/IE business page) |
| 1 hour before | Reach venue, carry all documents in order |
| 30 minutes before | Quick revision of your introduction and key rates |
During the Interview
| Do | Don't |
|---|
| Make eye contact with all panel members | Don't stare at one person only |
| Sit straight, hands on the table | Don't slouch or fidget |
| Take 2 seconds to think before answering | Don't rush to fill silence |
| Say "I'm not sure, but I think..." for uncertain answers | Don't make up facts |
| Thank the panel at the end | Don't ask about results/salary |
| Speak clearly at moderate pace | Don't speak too fast or too softly |
Document Checklist
| Document | Copies |
|---|
| Interview call letter | 1 printout |
| ID proof (Aadhar/PAN/Passport) | Original + 2 copies |
| All marksheets (10th, 12th, graduation, PG) | Original + 2 copies each |
| Caste/category certificate (if applicable) | Original + 2 copies |
| Experience certificates (if working) | Original + 2 copies |
| Passport size photos | 4–6 (recent, white background) |
| PWD certificate (if applicable) | Original + 2 copies |
2-Week Interview Preparation Plan
| Day | Activity | Time |
|---|
| Day 1–3 | Banking awareness (RBI functions, rates, recent policies) | 3 hours/day |
| Day 4–5 | Current affairs (last 3 months) | 3 hours/day |
| Day 6–7 | Personal questions practice (mock interview with friend/mirror) | 2 hours/day |
| Day 8–9 | Subject-specific questions (based on your degree) | 2 hours/day |
| Day 10–11 | Mock interviews (online platforms or coaching centers) | 2 hours/day |
| Day 12–13 | Revision + newspaper reading + weak areas | 2 hours/day |
| Day 14 | Light revision, document preparation, rest | 1 hour |
Is the interview in English or Hindi?
You can answer in English, Hindi, or any scheduled language. The panel is expected to accommodate your language preference. However, since banking operations are largely in English, demonstrating reasonable English proficiency helps.
Do they ask technical questions to engineers?
Rarely — unless you bring up your engineering background. If you mention you're an ECE graduate, they might ask "What is 5G?" or "Explain IoT." Keep answers brief and connect back to how technology helps banking.
What's the minimum interview score needed?
There's no separate passing mark for the interview, but the overall cutoff includes interview marks. Scoring below 40/100 in the interview, even with strong Mains marks, can push you below the final cutoff. Aim for 65+ to be safe.
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