The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Probationary Officer (PO) recruitment through CRP PO/MT every year for participating public sector banks. IBPS PO Cut off marks play a decisive role at every stage: Prelims, Mains, and Final allotment. Candidates must clear both sectional and overall cutoffs to progress. Understanding previous trends helps set realistic targets for the 2026 cycle, especially with revised vacancies reported around 7,000+ posts. This article covers expected cutoffs, category-wise details, and the last seven years’ data for Prelims, Mains, and Final stages.
Understanding IBPS PO Cut off Marks
IBPS releases category-wise and section-wise cutoffs along with scorecards after each stage. Prelims is qualifying in nature (out of 100), while Mains (out of 225, including descriptive) carries significant weight. The final cutoff is calculated as 80% of Mains marks + 20% of Interview marks, normalized out of 100. Factors influencing cutoffs include exam difficulty, number of vacancies, candidate performance, and normalization. Higher vacancies often moderate cutoffs, while tougher papers can lower them. Aspirants should aim 10–15 marks above expected cutoffs in mocks for a safe buffer. Official cutoffs appear on ibps.in only after results.
Factors Affecting IBPS PO Cut off 2026
Several variables shape the cutoff each year. The difficulty level of the paper is primary—easier sections raise overall scores and cutoffs. Vacancy numbers directly impact competition; more posts generally ease the bar. The total number of applicants and their performance distribution also matter, as does the normalization process across shifts. Category-wise reservations create different benchmarks for UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwBD. Changes in exam pattern, such as any adjustments to section timings or marks, can influence outcomes. Monitoring these trends from previous cycles helps candidates adjust strategy effectively for 2026.
Expected IBPS PO Cut off 2026 for Prelims and Mains
With the 2026 Prelims scheduled around late August and Mains in early October, and vacancies revised upward, cutoffs are expected to stay in a moderate range similar to recent years. For Prelims (out of 100), General category may fall between 48 and 55 marks, depending on paper difficulty. Mains (out of 225) could range from 65 to 75 for UR candidates. Reserved categories typically see 3–10 marks lower overall. These are projections based on past trends and higher vacancies; actual figures will vary. Candidates should target higher scores in mocks to stay competitive. Sectional cutoffs remain mandatory and must be cleared separately.
Expected IBPS PO Prelims Cutoff 2026 (Category-wise, out of 100)
| Category | Expected Cutoff Range |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 48 – 55 |
| OBC-NCL | 48 – 54 |
| EWS | 48 – 54 |
| SC | 44 – 50 |
| ST | 40 – 46 |
| PwBD (HI/OC/VI/ID) | 15 – 35 |
Expected IBPS PO Mains Cutoff 2026 (Category-wise, out of 225)
| Category | Expected Cutoff Range |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 65 – 75 |
| OBC-NCL | 62 – 73 |
| EWS | 62 – 72 |
| SC | 50 – 60 |
| ST | 45 – 55 |
| PwBD (HI/OC/VI/ID) | 25 – 50 |
IBPS PO Prelims Cut off – Previous 7 Years (Category-wise)
Prelims cutoffs have fluctuated between the high 40s and high 50s for the General category over the last seven years. Easier papers or fewer vacancies push numbers higher, while tougher shifts keep them lower. Reserved categories consistently record lower thresholds. Sectional cutoffs in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English must also be met. Reviewing this trend helps identify safe score targets for 2026 preparation. Data below is compiled from official releases.
IBPS PO Prelims Cut off Trend (Out of 100)
| Year | GEN | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49.21 | 49.21 | 45.96 | 40.96 | 49.21 |
| 2024 | 48.50 | 48.50 | 48.00 | 41.00 | 48.50 |
| 2023 | 54.25 | 54.25 | 49.50 | 43.00 | 54.25 |
| 2022 | 49.75 | 49.75 | 46.75 | 40.75 | 49.75 |
| 2021 | 50.50 | 50.50 | 44.50 | 38.00 | 50.50 |
| 2020 | 58.75 | 58.50 | 51.00 | 43.50 | 57.75 |
| 2019 | 59.75 | 59.75 | 53.50 | 46.25 | 59.75 |
IBPS PO Mains Cut off – Previous 7 Years (Category-wise)
Mains cutoffs (out of 225) show greater variation due to the descriptive paper and higher difficulty. General category scores have ranged from the low 60s to low 80s. Strong performance in Reasoning, Data Analysis, General Awareness, and English Descriptive is essential. Category differences remain consistent, with SC and ST cutoffs notably lower. Analyzing this data reveals that consistent sectional strength matters more than overall attempts alone. The table reflects official category-wise overall cutoffs.
IBPS PO Mains Cut off Trend (Out of 225)
| Year | GEN | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75.75 | 75.75 | 59.00 | 51.75 | 72.50 |
| 2024 | 66.50 | 66.00 | 54.25 | 47.50 | 64.75 |
| 2023 | 63.00 | 62.25 | 50.25 | 41.00 | 61.00 |
| 2022 | 71.25 | 69.75 | 59.25 | 53.25 | 70.50 |
| 2021 | 80.75 | 75.75 | 65.50 | 57.75 | 77.25 |
| 2020 | 83.50 | 78.63 | 66.38 | 52.25 | 75.75 |
| 2019 | 71.50 | 70.25 | 55.63 | 38.13 | 65.88 |
IBPS PO Final Cut off – Previous Years (Category-wise Minimum Scores)
The final cutoff combines normalized Mains and Interview scores out of 100. Minimum scores for provisional allotment have stayed in the low-to-mid 40s for General candidates in recent cycles. Maximum scores are higher and indicate top-rank performance. Reserve lists sometimes appear with slightly lower marks. Interview performance can bridge gaps for candidates close to the Mains cutoff. Tracking these figures helps set overall selection goals beyond just clearing written stages.
IBPS PO Final Cut off (Minimum Scores out of 100 – Approximate/Official)
| Year | GEN | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 46.11 | 44.04 | 38.53 | 36.73 | 43.64 |
| 2024 | 42.69 | 40.18 | 35.91 | 33.69 | 39.93 |
| 2023 | 41.13 | ~38.69 | ~34.73 | ~31.93 | ~38.71 |
| 2022 | 43.47 | 41.38 | 38.02 | 36.24 | 41.76 |
| 2021 | ~47.00 | ~44.00 | ~40.18 | ~37.89 | ~45.20 |
Category-Wise IBPS PO Cutoff Insights and Preparation Tips
Reserved categories benefit from lower thresholds, yet competition within each category remains intense. PwBD cutoffs are significantly lower across stages. Candidates should prioritize weak sections early and practice full-length mocks under timed conditions. Focus on accuracy over attempts because of negative marking. Review official scorecards from previous years for sectional patterns. Stay updated via ibps.in for 2026 notifications, admit cards, and exact cutoffs once released. Consistent revision of current affairs and banking awareness strengthens Mains performance.
Conclusion
IBPS PO cutoffs for 2026 will depend on the actual exam difficulty and vacancy utilization. Previous seven-year trends show Prelims generally hovering near 48–55 for General, Mains between 63–80, and Final around 41–47. Use the tables above as benchmarks while aiming higher in preparation. Clear both sectional and overall cutoffs at every stage. Regular practice, targeted revision, and mock analysis remain the most reliable path to selection. Check the official IBPS website regularly for the latest updates on results and cutoffs.
FAQs Based On IBPS PO Cut off for Prelims and Mains Exam
1. What is the expected IBPS PO Prelims Cut off 2026?
The expected IBPS PO Prelims cutoff 2026 for General/UR candidates may remain around 48–56 marks out of 100. However, the actual cutoff can vary depending on the difficulty level, vacancies and candidate performance.
2. What will be the IBPS PO Mains Cutoff 2026?
The expected IBPS PO Mains cutoff for General/UR candidates is estimated at around 63–72 marks out of 225. The actual cutoff will be announced by IBPS after the Mains examination.
3. Is there a sectional cutoff in IBPS PO Prelims 2026?
Yes. Candidates generally need to qualify both the section-wise and overall cutoff in Prelims. The three sections are English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Therefore, scoring well overall but falling below the sectional requirement can prevent qualification.
4. Is there a sectional cutoff in IBPS PO Mains?
Yes, candidates have to satisfy the applicable sectional and overall requirements prescribed by IBPS. The exact 2026 cutoff will be known only after the Mains result and scorecard are released.
5. Does the IBPS PO Prelims score count in the final selection?
No. Prelims is primarily a screening/qualifying stage for appearing in Mains. The final merit is based on the prescribed weightage of Mains and Interview; recent information indicates an 80:20 Mains-to-Interview weightage.
6. How much should I score to be safe in IBPS PO Prelims 2026?
Instead of targeting the expected cutoff itself, candidates should aim for a comfortable margin. For General candidates, 60+ marks can be used as a practical preparation target, although no score can guarantee qualification because the actual cutoff depends on the exam and normalization.
7. What factors affect the IBPS PO Cutoff 2026?
The major factors include:
- Number of vacancies
- Number of candidates appearing
- Difficulty level of the examination
- Overall candidate performance
- Category of the candidate
- Normalization across shifts
- Section-wise performance
The 2026 recruitment has 6,715 reported vacancies, which may influence the cutoff compared with previous cycles.
8. Will the IBPS PO Cutoff 2026 be different for different categories?
Yes. IBPS releases cutoff marks separately for categories such as General, EWS, OBC, SC and ST, along with applicable PwBD categories. Reserved-category cutoffs are generally lower than the General-category cutoff, although the exact difference varies by year.
9. What was the recent IBPS PO Prelims cutoff for General candidates?
Recent reported General-category Prelims cutoffs have fluctuated considerably. One published five-year trend lists 49.21 in 2025, 48.50 in 2024, 54.25 in 2023, 49.75 in 2022 and 50.50 in 2021.
10. What was the recent IBPS PO Mains cutoff for General candidates?
According to the reported five-year trend, the General-category Mains cutoff was 75.75 in 2025, 66.50 in 2024, 63.00 in 2023, 71.25 in 2022 and 80.75 in 2021. These figures demonstrate why candidates should not rely on a fixed cutoff prediction.
11. How can I check the IBPS PO Cutoff 2026?
Candidates can check the cutoff through the official IBPS website after the result is declared. The cutoff is generally available along with the scorecard/result details.
12. Is IBPS PO Mains cutoff more important than Prelims cutoff?
Yes, from the perspective of final selection. Prelims determines eligibility for Mains, whereas the Mains score contributes substantially to the final merit along with the Interview. Therefore, candidates should start Mains preparation alongside their Prelims preparation.
13. Can the IBPS PO Cutoff 2026 increase compared with last year?
Yes. The cutoff can increase if the paper is easier, candidate performance is stronger or the number of vacancies decreases. Conversely, a difficult paper or higher vacancies can lead to a lower cutoff. Therefore, expected cutoff figures should not be treated as final.
14. What is the difference between IBPS PO qualifying cutoff and safe score?
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score required to clear a particular stage. A safe score is a preparation target kept significantly above the expected cutoff to provide a margin against variations in difficulty, normalization and competition. Candidates should therefore aim above the predicted cutoff rather than targeting the cutoff itself.
15. When will the official IBPS PO Cutoff 2026 be released?
The official cutoff is expected to be released after the respective examination stage along with the result/scorecard. Until IBPS publishes the official figures, all 2026 cutoff numbers circulating online should be considered expected or projected figures, not confirmed cutoffs.
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