Bank of Baroda PO Syllabus 2026: Prelims and Mains Topics
The Bank of Baroda PO syllabus covers English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning in the Prelims, and adds Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Banking Awareness and a descriptive paper in the Mains. Bank of Baroda recruits Probationary Officers through the IBPS PO/MT recruitment in the latest cycle, so the tests follow the IBPS structure rather than the older bank-run Manipal route.
IBPS names the tests in its notification but does not publish a topic-wise syllabus. The lists below are a working checklist built from the structure of the tests and the questions asked in earlier cycles. Use them as a guide, not as an official list. This page shows what to study, where to start and how the stages overlap.
Table of Contents
Syllabus at a glance
Key changes to know
Prelims syllabus
Mains syllabus
Overlap between stages
Interview and Personality Test
How to cover the syllabus
Syllabus at a Glance
Stage | Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Prelims | English Language | 30 | 20 minutes |
Prelims | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 20 minutes |
Prelims | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 20 minutes |
Mains | Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 40 | 45 minutes |
Mains | General, Economy and Banking Awareness | 50 | 35 minutes |
Mains | English Language | 40 | 35 minutes |
Mains | Data Analysis and Interpretation | 40 | 45 minutes |
Mains | Descriptive (essay and letter) | 2 | 30 minutes |
These question counts and timings are as reported for the latest cycle and should be checked against the official notification.
Key Changes to Know
Route: Bank of Baroda PO now follows the IBPS PO/MT process. Pages that still list a 165-question Bank of Baroda paper with a 150-minute duration describe the older Manipal route.
Mains size: Secondary sources report that the objective Mains test now has 170 questions and a 160-minute duration, against fewer questions in earlier cycles.
Banking Awareness: The General, Economy and Banking Awareness section is reported to carry more weight than before, so current affairs and banking topics deserve steady time.
Computer Aptitude: It sits inside the Mains Reasoning section, so it is tested in the Mains only.
Older pages may still show the earlier syllabus layout, so follow the official notification for the final word.
Prelims Syllabus
The Prelims is a qualifying screening test with sectional cut-offs. Build accuracy and speed here, because it decides whether your Mains attempt counts at all.
Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
English Language | Reading comprehension, cloze test, fill in the blanks, error spotting, para jumbles, sentence rearrangement, vocabulary, phrase replacement | Reading comprehension and error spotting |
Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification and approximation, number series, quadratic equations, percentage, ratio, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, time, speed and distance, data interpretation, data sufficiency | Simplification and number series |
Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, inequalities, blood relations, direction sense, coding and decoding, input-output, order and ranking | Puzzles and seating arrangement |
In the Quantitative section, calculation-based questions such as simplification and number series give quick marks. Puzzles and seating arrangements usually take the most time in Reasoning, so practise them in a fixed time block. In English, reading comprehension and error spotting carry steady weight in most papers.
Mains Syllabus
Reasoning and Computer Aptitude
Reasoning: Advanced puzzles, floor and box puzzles, scheduling, logical reasoning, data sufficiency, statements and conclusions, assumptions and course of action.
Computer fundamentals: Computer generations, hardware and software, memory and storage units, input and output devices.
Operating systems and applications: Common operating system features, MS Office tools, keyboard shortcuts.
Networking and security: Internet basics, network types, email, viruses, firewalls, cyber security and digital banking terms.
General, Economy and Banking Awareness
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Banking | Types of banks and accounts, deposit and loan products, payment systems, KYC, digital banking, financial inclusion schemes |
Regulators and policy | RBI functions, monetary policy tools, repo and reverse repo, SEBI, IRDAI, NABARD |
Economy | Union Budget basics, inflation, GDP, fiscal and monetary policy, government schemes |
Current affairs | Banking news, appointments, awards, summits, sports and international events from the last 6 to 8 months |
Static awareness | Headquarters and heads of banks and institutions, important days, books and authors |
English Language
The Mains English section is tested at a higher level than the Prelims. Expect longer reading comprehension passages, cloze tests, error detection, sentence improvement, para jumbles, word usage and inference-based questions. Build your reading speed before adding new grammar rules.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Sub-area | What to practise |
|---|---|
Chart-based sets | Tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, radar charts, mixed graphs |
Caselets | Text-based data sets that need you to build the table first |
Missing data | Sets where values must be derived from totals, ratios or averages |
Data sufficiency | Deciding whether given statements are enough to answer |
Arithmetic and algebra | Averages, mixtures, ages, boats and streams, pipes and cisterns, probability, permutations |
Descriptive Paper
The descriptive paper has an essay and a letter, written in English on a keyboard. Practise banking, economy, technology and social topics. For letters, learn the format for formal and complaint letters. Keep each answer structured with a short introduction, two or three points and a closing line.
Overlap Between Stages
Area | Prelims | Mains | How to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
English Language | Basic level | Higher level | Study once, then raise the difficulty in Mains practice |
Quantitative and DI | Arithmetic and DI | Heavier DI sets | Cover arithmetic once and spend extra time on DI |
Reasoning | Standard puzzles | Complex puzzles and computer aptitude | Learn puzzle types early and add computer topics after Prelims basics |
Banking Awareness | Not tested | Tested | Start a daily reading habit from day one |
Interview and Personality Test
There is no syllabus for the Personality Test or the Interview. The Personality Test is described in reports as a self-report assessment, and the Interview checks your communication, banking awareness and clarity of thought. Prepare your profile, your bank preferences, current banking news and basic banking concepts. See the IBPS website for the official notices on this stage.
How to Cover the Syllabus
Weeks 1 to 8: Learn concepts in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning and English, and start a daily reading habit.
From week 3: Add Banking Awareness and current affairs for 30 to 40 minutes a day, with monthly notes.
From week 6: Start topic tests and 20-minute sectional tests, in line with the Prelims section timing.
From week 10: Add Data Analysis sets, Computer Aptitude and descriptive writing practice.
Final phase: Take full-length mocks, analyse them the same day and revise from your error log.
Frequently Asked Questions
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