1. Banking Examination Architecture (Prelims vs Mains)
Public sector banking exams conducted by IBPS and SBI follow a strict sectional timing model where candidates cannot switch between sections freely:
100 Questions • 60 Minutes (20 Min/Section)
- Quantitative Aptitude: 35 Qs (20 Minutes)
- Reasoning Ability: 35 Qs (20 Minutes)
- English Language: 30 Qs (20 Minutes)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 (1/4th) penalty per wrong attempt.
200 Marks Objective + 25 Marks Descriptive
- General / Economy / Banking Awareness: 40-50 Questions (Highest ROI)
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 35 Questions
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 45 Questions
- English Language: 35 Questions
- Descriptive Test: Letter & Essay Writing (30 Minutes)
2. Core Pillars of Banking & Financial Awareness
The General Awareness section in Bank PO Mains requires mastery of three distinct knowledge domains:
1. RBI Functions & Monetary Policy Instruments
Structure of the RBI, Reserve Bank of India Act 1934, Banking Regulation Act 1949, Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) composition, and policy rates (Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, Standing Deposit Facility - SDF, Marginal Standing Facility - MSF, Cash Reserve Ratio - CRR, Statutory Liquidity Ratio - SLR). Open Market Operations (OMO) and qualitative credit control tools.
2. Essential Banking Concepts & Regulatory Frameworks
Non-Performing Assets (NPA) classification (Sub-standard, Doubtful, Loss assets), SARFAESI Act 2002, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC 2016), Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework, Basel III Capital Adequacy Norms (CRAR, Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital), Priority Sector Lending (PSL) quotas, and DICGC deposit insurance limits (₹5 Lakh).
3. Fintech & Digital Payment Infrastructure
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) products: Unified Payments Interface (UPI), National Electronic Toll Collection (FASTag), RuPay, Bharat BillPay (BBPS), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC e-Rupee) pilots.
3. Daily Financial Updates & Quizzes on SF Prep
Stay updated with the latest 6 months of banking mergers, RBI circulars, GDP projections, and credit ratings through SF Prep's automated daily news digest and timed quizzes.