IBPS RRB Mains Syllabus 2025: Detailed Breakdown for Officer Scale I, II, III & Clerk
RRB banking aspirants! The IBPS RRB Mains Exam 2025 is a game-changer for Officer Scale I (PO), Scale II/III (SO), and Clerk posts, with 13,294 vacancies across Regional Rural Banks. Based on the latest IBPS Calendar 2025, Mains for Officer Scale I is expected in December 2025/January 2026, and Clerk in February 2026. The syllabus tests Reasoning, Quant, English/Hindi, GA, Computer, and Professional Knowledge (for SO). With negative marking (0.25) and sectional cutoffs, a targeted prep is key. Let’s break it down section-wise with topics, weightage, and tips—your ultimate guide to scoring 150+!
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Mains Exam Pattern Overview
- Mode: Online CBT, bilingual (English/Hindi).
- Negative Marking: 0.25 per wrong answer.
- Sectional Timing: Yes (composite for some).
| Post | Sections | Total Qs/Marks | Duration | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officer Scale I (PO) | Reasoning (40), Quant (40), English/Hindi (40), GA/Banking (40), Computer (40) | 200 Qs / 200 M | 2 hrs | No Professional Knowledge. |
| Officer Scale II (SO – General Banking/IT/CA/Law/Treasury/Marketing/Agriculture) | Reasoning (40), Quant (40), English/Hindi (40), Financial Awareness (40), Computer (40), Professional Knowledge (40) | 200 Qs / 200 M | 2 hrs | Professional Knowledge varies by stream. |
| Officer Scale III (SO) | Same as Scale II + higher weightage on Professional Knowledge | 160 Qs / 200 M | 2 hrs | Interview follows Mains. |
| Office Assistant (Clerk) | Reasoning (40), Quant (40), English/Hindi (40), GA (40), Computer (40) | 200 Qs / 200 M | 2 hrs | No Interview. |
Cut-offs (2024): Scale I Mains ~80–90 (UR); Clerk ~70–80. Aim for 120+ to qualify.
Detailed Section-Wise Syllabus
1. Reasoning Ability (40 Marks)
Tests logical thinking and problem-solving.
| Topic | Expected Qs | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 10–15 | Linear/Circular, Floor-based, Scheduling |
| Syllogism | 4–5 | Statements & Conclusions, Possibility Cases |
| Inequality | 3–4 | Direct/Coded |
| Input-Output | 4–5 | Shifting, Arrangement |
| Data Sufficiency | 3–5 | 2-Statement |
| Logical Reasoning | 5–7 | Assumptions, Arguments, Strengthen/Weaken |
| Coding-Decoding | 3–4 | Fictitious Language, Symbol-based |
| Blood Relations | 2–3 | Family Tree, Coded |
Tips: Practice 50 puzzles daily. Books: RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma.
2. Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability (40 Marks)
Focus on speed math and DI.
| Topic | Expected Qs | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | 10–15 | Tables, Bar/Line/Pie Charts, Caselets |
| Quadratic Equations | 4–5 | Roots Comparison |
| Simplification/Approximation | 5–6 | BODMAS, Fractions |
| Number Series | 4–5 | Wrong/Missing Number |
| Arithmetic | 10–12 | Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work, Speed/Distance, Ratio, Average, Partnership, Ages |
| Mensuration | 2–3 | Cylinder, Cone, Sphere |
| Probability | 1–2 | Basic Events |
Tips: Master DI with 20 sets/week. Books: R.S. Aggarwal Quant, Quantum CAT (Sarvesh Verma).
3. English Language / Hindi Language (40 Marks)
Choose one; English is common.
English:
| Topic | Expected Qs | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 8–10 | 2 Passages (Inference-based) |
| Cloze Test | 5–7 | Filler-type |
| Error Spotting | 5–6 | Grammar Rules |
| Para Jumbles | 4–5 | Sentence Rearrangement |
| Fill in Blanks | 5 | Single/Double |
| Phrase Replacement | 4–5 | Idioms, Connectors |
| Vocabulary | 5–7 | Synonyms/Antonyms, One-Word |
Hindi (if chosen): Similar structure—Vyakarana, Muhavare, Samas, Pathyakram.
Tips: Read The Hindu daily; practice 2 comprehensions. Books: SP Bakshi, Norman Lewis (Word Power).
4. General/Banking Awareness & Financial Awareness (40 Marks)
High-scoring; focus on current + static.
| Topic | Expected Qs | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 15–20 | Last 6 months (Banking, Economy, Schemes) |
| Banking Terms | 8–10 | RBI, Monetary Policy, NPAs |
| Static GK | 5–7 | RBI Governors, HQ of Banks, Acts (FEMA, SARFAESI) |
| Schemes | 5–6 | PMJJBY, Atal Pension, SHG |
Tips: Read Banking Awareness PDFs; apps like AffairsCloud. Books: Lucent GK, Manorama Yearbook.
5. Computer Knowledge (40 Marks)
Basics for all posts.
| Topic | Expected Qs | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware/Software | 10–12 | CPU, OS, MS Office |
| Internet & Networking | 8–10 | Browsers, Protocols (HTTP), LAN/WAN |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | 5–6 | Ctrl/Alt keys |
| Database/MS Excel | 5–7 | Functions, Queries |
| History/Abbreviations | 5–6 | Computer Generations, CPU |
Tips: Memorize 50 shortcuts; practice Excel. Books: Arihant Computer Awareness.
6. Professional Knowledge (40 Marks – For Scale II/III SO Only)
Stream-specific (e.g., IT: DBMS, Networking; CA: Accounting Standards).
Tips: Focus on your specialization; books like “Professional Knowledge for IBPS SO” by Disha.
Preparation Strategy for IBPS RRB Mains 2025
1-Month Plan (Scale I PO Mains)
| Week | Focus | Daily Routine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning + Quant | 3 hrs each + 1 mock |
| 2 | English/Hindi + GA | 2 hrs each + current affairs |
| 3 | Computer + Full Mocks | 2 hrs + 2 mocks/day |
| 4 | Revision + Error Analysis | 1 mock + weak topics |
Daily Breakdown:
- 2 hrs Quant (DI heavy)
- 2 hrs Reasoning (Puzzles)
- 1.5 hrs English/GA
- 1 hr Computer
- 1 hr Mock + Analysis
Pro Tips
- Mocks: 20+ full tests (Oliveboard/Testbook). Analyze errors.
- GA: Daily 30 mins (AffairsCloud PDFs).
- Quant/Reasoning: Speed drills (5 mins per set).
- English: Read 1 article/day.
- Cut-off Target: Scale I ~100–110 (UR); Clerk ~90–100.
Books List:
- Quant: Quantum CAT (Sarvesh Verma)
- Reasoning: RS Aggarwal
- English: SP Bakshi
- GA: Lucent + Pratiyogita Darpan
- Computer: Arihant
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FAQ
Q1. Is IBPS IBPS RRB Mains Syllabus 2025 tough? A: Moderate. Focus on GA (scoring) and DI in Quant.
Q2. Negative marking in RRB Mains? A: Yes, 0.25 per wrong answer.
Q3. How many attempts for IBPS RRB? A: No limit till age criteria.
Q4. Sectional cut-off in Mains? A: Yes, minimum 40% per section (35% reserved).
Q5. Books for RRB PO Mains? A: RS Aggarwal (Quant/Reasoning), Lucent GK, SP Bakshi English.
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