Bank Exam Syllabus 2020

Bank syllabus is one of the most important aspects for a candidate to be aware of if preparing for bank exams. In India, the banking sector is one of the highest recruitment providing industries, and every year lakhs of candidates fill in applications to get recruited in the banking sector.
The three main bank exams conducted in the country are by State Bank of India, The Reserve Bank of India and the exams conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. Given below are the links where candidates can find the detailed bank syllabus for the exams held:

  1. RBI Syllabus
  2. SBI Syllabus
  3. IBPS Syllabus

In this article, candidates will get to know the detailed bank exam syllabus for the exams scheduled to be conducted in the year 2021.

The recruitment of candidates in the banking sector is done through different online and offline examinations. The latest exam pattern and exam syllabus are mentioned each year with the official notification for the recruitment of the bank exams.

These exams are also conducted for different posts, and the syllabus and exam pattern differs for each post. Candidates preparing for other government exams can visit the linked article.

The syllabus for a few Government exams is similar to the bank exam syllabus, and the preparation for all competitive exams is equally comprehensive and exhaustive. Thus, all Government exams candidates can check the Preparation Strategy for Competitive Exams at the linked article.

Bank PO Syllabus

The Bank PO exam is conducted for the post of Probationary Officer in State Bank of India and other banks participating in the IBPS PO recruitment. Over the years, lakhs of candidates have got drawn towards this sector and especially the Officer’s category. The reason for this is that it is a permanent job and the salary given is high. Also, along with a high salary, the perks provided act as an added advantage.

The table given below mentions the exam pattern and bank PO syllabus in brief for the banks that conduct examination for this post:

Bank Exam Syllabus
Bank PO Syllabus Level of Exam Subjects
SBI PO Syllabus Preliminary Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

Mains Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

General Awareness

Interview
IBPS PO Syllabus Preliminary Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

Mains Exam Reasoning Ability/ Computer Knowledge

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

General Awareness

Interview
IBPS RRB PO Preliminary Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

Mains Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English/Hindi Language

Computer Knowledge

General Awareness

Interview

The section-wise Bank PO syllabus has been given below for the candidate’s reference, and the aspirants can start the preparation for the bank exams scheduled to be conducted in 2021.

Bank PO Syllabus (Section-wise)
Reasoning Ability Quantitative Aptitude Computer Knowledge English Language General Awareness
Coding & Decoding

Puzzles

Seating Arrangement

Logical reasoning

Ranking and Order

Alphanumeric series

Data sufficiency

Syllogism

Input and output

statement, argument & assumption

Reasoning Analogy

Reasoning Inequality

Simplification and Approximation

Profit & loss

Number Series

Quadratic equations

Problems on Ages

Boat and Stream

Data Interpretation

speed, time & distance

percentage

ratio & proportion

number system

simple & compound interest

probability

mensuration

mixture & allegations

Time and Work

Pipes and Cistern

Boat and Stream

Problems on Trains

Memory

input & output devices

Computer Fundamentals

internet

shortcut keys

computer-related terms

computer abbreviations

computer hardware and software

operating system

basic computer networking

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Office

Types of Computers

Cloud Computing

High Level Computer Languages

OSI Model

Database Management System (DBMS)

TCP/IP Model

 

Reading comprehension

cloze test

fill in the blanks

tenses rules

Sentence Rearrangement/ jumbled sentences

Error Detection

preposition rules

paragraph completion

idioms & phrases

Essay & Letter Writing for Descriptive Exam

Banking Awareness

Financial knowledge status

current events across the world

financial institutions and their headquarters

static general knowledge

Aspirants can get the maths tricks and shortcuts to solve questions from the Quantitative Aptitude section in lesser time and more efficiently at the linked article.

Bank Clerk Syllabus

The bank clerk exam is conducted for clerical posts and is a sought after job profile for candidates in India. The exam is conducted annually, and the exam pattern for the bank clerk exam is similar to the one for Bank PO exam. The bank clerk syllabus is also quite similar to the one followed in other bank exams.

The table below gives brief details about the bank clerk syllabus and exam pattern:

Bank Clerk Exam
Bank Clerk Syllabus Level of Exam Subjects
SBI Clerk Syllabus Preliminary Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

Mains Exam Reasoning Ability & Computer Knowledge

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

General Awareness

IBPS Clerk Syllabus Preliminary Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

Mains Exam Reasoning Ability & Computer Knowledge

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

General Awareness

Interview
IBPS RRB Clerk Preliminary Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

Mains Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

Financial Awareness

Computer Knowledge

English/Hindi Language

Candidates must go through the official notification released by the conducting body for the exact exam pattern and syllabus as this is subject to change and the conducting body reserves the right to change the pattern at any point in time.

Solving previous year clerk question papers will also enable candidates to know the level of exam and ensure equal attention to each section of the exam. SBI Clerk question papers and IBPS clerk question papers will be useful for the candidates preparing for the bank clerk 2021 exam.

For candidates preparing for the upcoming exams, the bank syllabus given below for the clerical cadre will help them prepare for the exam.

Bank Clerk Syllabus (Section-wise)
English Language Reading comprehension, cloze test, fill in the blanks, match the columns, phase replacement, error detection, jumbled sentences, rearrangement
Quantitative Aptitude Profit and loss, permutation and combination, percentage, mixtures and allegations, probability, mensuration, data interpretation, upstream and downstream, quadratic equations, approximation, simplification, age problems, number system, speed, distance and time
Reasoning Ability Puzzles, seating arrangement, alphanumeric series, data sufficiency, coding and decoding, blood relations, logical reasoning, directions and displacement, order and ranking
Computer Knowledge Internet, memory, software and hardware, input and output devices, computer fundamentals, computer abbreviations and terms, basic computer networking, shortcut keys
General Awareness Static GK, current events across the world, International and National organisations and their headquarters
Financial Awareness Financial knowledge, economic terms, financial institutions, financial news, economic growth and development

Candidates can get the Shortcut Tricks to find Square and cube of a number at the linked article.

Bank SO Syllabus

Apart from Probationary Officer and Clerk, there is a third post for which banks conduct an examination. This is the Specialist Officers post. The SO exam is conducted for candidates who have specialisations in law, IT, Rajbhasha, Chartered Accountant, Agriculture, Marketing and Human Resources.

The table given below gives the bank SO syllabus and exam pattern in brief:

Bank SO Exam
Bank SO Syllabus Level of Exam Subjects
SBI SO Syllabus Preliminary Exam English Language

Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

Mains Exam Professional Knowledge
Interview
IBPS SO Syllabus Preliminary Exam English Language

Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude or General Awareness

Mains Exam Professional Knowledge
Interview

The bank syllabus for Specialist posts is different from the bank syllabus for PO and clerk. The professional knowledge section comprises questions from the specialisations that the applicant has filled the form for and are his/her strengths. The educational qualifications are different for this post than for the position of Probationary Officer and Bank Clerk.

The bank syllabus for Reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude and English language is the same as PO and clerk and for bank SO, candidates must be well prepared in the field of their specialisation.

For section wise syllabus, candidates can also refer to the below-mentioned links:

Other Bank Exam Syllabus

The State Bank of India and the participating banks in IBPS conduct the bank PO, SO and Clerk exams.
One of the most sought after exams in the banking sector is the Reserve Bank of India recruitment. RBI conducts recruitment for two different posts, and since it is the central bank of India, the number of applicants for the RBI exams is very high.

The bank exam syllabus and exam pattern for the RBI exams are given below in brief:

RBI Exam
RBI Syllabus Level of Exam Subjects
RBI Grade B Syllabus Preliminary Exam General Awareness

Quantitative Aptitude

Reasoning Ability

English Language

Mains Exam Economic and Social Issues

English (Writing Skills)

Finance and Management

Interview
RBI Assistant Syllabus Preliminary Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

Mains Exam Reasoning Ability

Quantitative Aptitude

English Language

Computer Knowledge

General Awareness

Language Proficiency Test

The bank syllabus for RBI is slightly different from the other banks. The syllabus for English language, Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude is the same as the one for PO and Clerk. Given below is the bank syllabus for RBI grade B Officer Phase II examination:

Bank Exam Syllabus – RBI
Subjects Syllabus
Economic and Social Issues Growth and development, economic reforms in India, Rise in inequality, human resource development, the social structure in India, Sustainable Development, employment generation, insurance and capital marketing, globalisation, government debt
Finance and Management Union Budget, Risk management, inflation, monetary policy, the role of information technology, career planning, the role of incentives nature and scope management, corporate governance

Preparation for Bank Exams

Candidates preparing for the bank exams must note that each year lakhs of candidates get drawn towards this sector of employment. With the increase in the number of candidates, the competition is also increasing.

Since the number of vacancies released for each post in different banks is different, candidates must prepare themselves well enough to crack the exam in the very first attempt. Candidates, further in this article will find preparation tips for different posts in the banking sector.

Bank PO Preparation

The post of PO is one of the most aspired and sought after posts and candidates across the country try their best to get an appointment in any bank as a Probationary Officer. Since the job profile allows great salary and various perks, recruitment to this post is also a very tough job.

Candidates preparing for the Bank Officer cadre exam must regularly solve mock tests and question papers to score better marks in the final examination. For candidates appearing for the Bank PO exam, IBPS PO Mock Test and SBI PO Mock Test series provided by BYJU’S will help candidates pace up their speed to answer questions.

Apart from this, previous year papers will also be of great help to aspirants preparing for the exam. Solving IBPS PO question paper and SBI PO question papers will help candidates get an idea about the exam pattern and the level of examination.

Bank Clerk Preparation

The level of bank clerk exam is more lenient than the bank PO exam. The number of vacancies released for the Clerical department is also higher than that released for PO. The exam requires candidates to be able to manage time and then solve the paper within the stipulated time period. For this, candidates must regularly solve previous year papers and practise papers to get better results.

IBPS Clerk Mock Test series by BYJU’S comprises 25 questions each, made to help candidates get a fair idea about the type of questions asked in the final examination. Similarly, SBI Clerk mock tests will help candidates analyse their performances based on the marks scored at the end of the test.

Candidates must carefully go through the bank syllabus before starting the preparation for the exam. This will help them structure a study plan and cover all the topics in detail.

Bank SO Preparation

The SO category of exam conducted requires the candidate to be well aware of the topics included in the specialisation for which he has applied. The best way to prepare for this post is to practise regularly and have mastered the subject of specialisation.

Apart from this, being equally prepared for the other three sections is also very important, and candidates must devote equal time for the preparation of each chapter. Solving IBPS SO previous year question papers are recommended to the candidates. For better results solving mock tests shall also enhance the knowledge of the candidate.

The vacancies released in this section are not very high, so candidates have to face some fierce competition to qualify the bank exam. Go through the bank syllabus carefully and try attempting IBPS SO mock tests. This shall improve the candidate’s speed and efficiency.

RBI Exam Preparation

The RBI exam for the post of Grade B Officer and Assistant, both are considered to be the toughest exams conducted in the banking sector. Qualifying these exams require the candidates to be well prepared and updated.

For this, candidates must spend quality time preparing for each subject equally. Time management is another crucial aspect that needs to be kept in mind while preparing for the RBI exams. It is recommended that candidates must solve RBI Grade B Mock tests regularly to know the exam pattern and the type of questions asked in the exam.

More the mock tests a candidate solves, more are the chances of him qualifying the exam. This is because the candidate manages his speed and time to attempt questions accordingly, which will be helpful during the final examination. So, the RBI Assistant mock tests series can be of great help to candidates.

Since all the bank exams have almost the same bank syllabus and exam pattern, one of the most important and scoring subjects is the general awareness section. Candidates preparing for any bank exam must regularly read newspapers and be aware of all the events and happenings around the world. This acts as an advantage to the candidates preparing for the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions on Bank Syllabus

Q1

Q 1. Which subjects are included in the bank exam syllabus?

Ans. The bank syllabus is common for most of the exams. The common subjects that are a part of most of the bank exams are Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, Computer Knowledge and General Awareness. Apart from this, there is a subject for professional knowledge for the Specialist Officers category.
Q2

Q 2. Which are the most recommended books for bank exam preparation?

Ans. The bank exam syllabus is vast, and preparation requires candidates to have sufficient study material for preparation and clear their doubts. The books that are the most recommended for bank exam preparation include Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Agarwal, Objective General English by S.P.Bakshi, Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal, Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma and Computer Awareness by Arihant.
Q3

Q 3. Is the syllabus for all the bank exams different?

Ans. The bank exam syllabus for all major bank exams is almost the same, with slight changes. However, the exam pattern and selection process may differ. The RBI bank exam syllabus is a bit different in comparison to the other exams.
Q4

Q 4. What is the salary of a Probationary Officer in the banking sector?

Ans. The basic pay offered to a Bank PO is Rs.27,000 (approximately). This basic pay is exclusive of the perks and allowances that are additional to the salary.
Q5

Q 5. What is the minimum educational qualification for a bank clerk?

Ans. The minimum educational qualification for a bank clerk is a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. The educational qualification differs for candidates applying for the Specialist post.
Q6

Q 6. Is there a scope for growth in the banking sector?

Ans. Yes, there is a scope for growth in the banking sector. The employees are eligible for promotions internally. Promotions are scheduled at regular intervals of time.
Q7

Q 7. What is the minimum age for applying for a bank clerk exam?

Ans. The minimum age for a bank clerk is 21 years. There is age relaxation for the upper age limit for candidates belonging to specific categories.
Q8

Q 8. How to prepare the General Awareness section in the bank exams?

Ans. The best way to prepare for the General Awareness section is by reading the newspaper daily. It will enhance your knowledge about the current events of importance around the world in every sector. The India Year Book by publications division, Government of India is another useful option for preparing for the General Awareness section.
Q9

Q 9. Is there negative marking in the bank exams?

Ans. Yes, there is negative marking in the bank exams. A deduction of 0.25 marks is made for every wrongly marked answer.
Q10

Q 10. Which bank is easiest to qualify among SBI, IBPS and RBI bank exams?

Ans. All bank exams are tough to crack. Since RBI is the central bank for the country, the recruitment to this bank is the toughest, also because the number of vacancies released is the least in RBI. IBPS conducts the exam for a set of banks, so the vacancies released are higher in comparison to SBI and RBI, so the probability of qualifying the exam also increases. The difficulty level of the exam shall be the same for all three.

Related Links:

RBI Exam SBI Exam IBPS Exam
IBPS RRB Previous Year Papers IBPS RRB Exam SSC Exams

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  1. What is the minimum age required for appear in bank Po exam?

    • Hi Shashi,
      The general age limit to apply for a bank PO exam is between 20 to 30 years. However, different banks avail for a different age limit eligibility. For selected categories, age limit relaxations are also provided in terms of bank PO eligibility. For further details check Bank POpage.

  2. sir,after diploma we can elligible to any banking paper

    • Hi Shraddha,
      To appear for bank exams candidates are required to have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Check Bank exams for eligibility and details.

  3. Can we give these exams after bcom

  4. Hi
    I have a question regarding the position of PO.
    So I hold experience in banking and NBFC sector and I am looking forward to join bank.
    Do I need to give exam for the same or can I apply directly for the openings

  5. I am a year back degree student, can I write banking exams before completing degree?

    • Hi,
      For SBI Exams, final year students can apply but For IBPS exams students in the final year cannot apply, they need to possess final year degree in order to apply for the exam. Also, If you clear your back exams this year itself you can apply for SBI exams.
      Check the links for preparation:
      SBI Mock Tests
      Bank Exam Preparation

  6. how to complete the syllabus topic wise in time( time management) . like for where to start ,what to start

  7. 1)Can one clear bank exam if he/she has done bsc in bio without maths subject?
    2) can i give po/clerk exams if I’m 20 years old?

  8. In banking is it necessary to go thru in detail about current affairs. Name those particular area that we need to focus on

  9. Sir, I am a BFsc student . Am I eligible for appearing SBI/IBPS PO Exams?