{"id":34205,"date":"2026-08-31T18:54:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.ixambee.com\/?p=34205"},"modified":"2026-08-31T19:06:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:36:46","slug":"the-complete-ibps-so-prelims-exam-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ixambee.com\/the-complete-ibps-so-prelims-exam-analysis","title":{"rendered":"IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: Shift-Wise Difficulty, Good Attempts and Questions\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The IBPS SO Prelims Exam 2026 took place on 29th August 2026. The exam was conducted across multiple examination shifts. The examination has now concluded, allowing candidates to review the reported question patterns. This analysis covers the major sections and topics asked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rajbhasha paper tested English, General Awareness, and Rajbhasha. Each section contained 25 questions in the reported paper. The HR paper tested English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and Human Resource. Each section contained 25 questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The papers covered several familiar topics across their respective sections. However, some topics received noticeably higher weightage. The Rajbhasha section focused strongly on terminology and translation. General Awareness placed greater emphasis on banking and financial awareness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The HR section gave greater weightage to Human Resource Management. Organisational Behaviour also formed a major part of the section. This detailed IBPS SO Prelims Exam Analysis covers the reported question distribution. It also highlights the major topics from each section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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What Was the Overall IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The reported Rajbhasha paper contained three sections. These included English, General Awareness, and Rajbhasha. Each section contained 25 questions. The paper therefore had 75 questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The HR paper contained four sections. These included English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and Human Resource. Each section contained 25 questions. The paper therefore had 100 questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specialist Stream<\/strong> <\/td>
Sections<\/strong> <\/td>
Questions Per Section<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
Rajbhasha <\/td>
English, General Awareness, Rajbhasha <\/td>
25 <\/td><\/tr>
HR <\/td>
English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, Human Resource <\/td>
The question distribution varied across the specialist streams. The following sections explain the reported patterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Was the English Section in the Rajbhasha Paper?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The English Language section contained 25 questions. Reading Comprehension focused on self-employment in the USA. Single Fillers contributed five questions. Phrase Replacement also contributed five questions. Misspelt Words contributed five questions. Error Spotting accounted for two questions. Word Arrangement contributed three questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
English Language Topic<\/strong> <\/td>
Questions<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
Reading Comprehension: Self Employment in USA <\/td>
Four areas therefore carried five questions each. These areas accounted for 20 questions. The section tested comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. Candidates also needed accuracy in sentence-based questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Did the General Awareness Section Cover?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
General Awareness contained 25 questions. Banking and Financial Awareness received the highest weightage. This area contributed nine questions. Current Affairs contributed five questions. Static GK and Geography contributed four questions. Art, Culture, Books and Awards contributed three questions. Science, Technology and Railways contributed two questions. Indian Polity and Constitution contributed two questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The distribution shows a strong banking focus. Current Affairs also covered several different areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Banking Topics Were Asked in General Awareness?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Banking and Economy contributed around nine to ten questions. The reported topics included banking headquarters and terminology. RBI policies and institutions also appeared in the section. These included MPC members and the Ombudsman Scheme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
DICGC also formed part of the reported banking topics. KYC documents and NPA criteria also appeared. Agricultural loans and minor savings accounts were also reported. UPI formed another banking-related topic. The analysis also mentioned Indian Bank headquarters. It also included the full form of NSFR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Current Affairs and Static GK Topics Appeared?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Current Affairs contributed five questions. The reported areas included sports, appointments, ministers, and schemes. The sports topic included the FIFA winner. Appointment-related topics covered the IB Chief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Corporate Affairs Minister also appeared among the reported topics. An ISS astronaut formed another reported question. A government update also covered an Aadhaar update date. Static GK and Geography contributed four questions. The topics included places, islands, rivers, and important days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reported examples included the White City and Dholavira. The analysis also mentioned an archipelagic country. United Nations Day formed part of the reported important-day topics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Other General Awareness Topics Were Reported?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Indian Polity and Constitution contributed two questions. The reported areas included Article 370. The retirement of Rajya Sabha members also appeared. Art, Culture, Books and Awards contributed three questions. The reported culture topic included Dappu or Dhol-Dhappa. Literature featured The Vegetarian<\/em> by Han Kang. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Film awards formed another reported area. Science, Technology and Railways contributed two questions. The reported science topics included hydrogen trains and space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Was the Rajbhasha Section Structured?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Rajbhasha section contained 25 questions. Administrative and Banking Terminology carried the highest weightage. This area contributed nine questions. Sentence Translation contributed seven questions. Rajbhasha Rules and Committee contributed five questions. Official Notings and Drafting Phrases contributed four questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The translation questions covered English to Hindi and Hindi to English. Terminology therefore formed the largest area. The paper also tested Rajbhasha rules and official drafting language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Rajbhasha Topics Had the Highest Weightage?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Administrative and Banking Terminology carried nine questions. Sentence Translation carried seven questions. Together, these areas accounted for 16 questions. Rajbhasha Rules and Committee contributed five questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Official Notings and Drafting Phrases contributed four questions. The distribution shows strong emphasis on practical language knowledge. Candidates needed familiarity with administrative and banking terminology. They also needed translation accuracy in both directions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Was the English Section in the HR Paper?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The HR paper followed a different English question pattern. Reading Comprehension based on AI contributed eight questions. Connector contributed one question. Error Detection contributed four questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phrase Replacement contributed four questions. Misspelt Words contributed four questions. Sentence Arrangement contributed four questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reading Comprehension carried the highest individual weightage. The remaining questions covered grammar and vocabulary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Was the Quantitative Aptitude Section?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Quantitative Aptitude section contained 25 questions. Arithmetic contributed seven questions. Bar Graph DI contributed five questions. Wrong Number Series contributed five questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Approximation contributed five questions. Caselet DI contributed three questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arithmetic carried the highest individual weightage. Three other topics carried five questions each. The section tested calculation skills and data interpretation. Series and approximation also received significant weightage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Was the Reasoning Ability Section?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Reasoning Ability section contained 25 questions. Three major topics contributed five questions each. These included the Box Puzzle, Linear Seating Arrangement, and Circular Seating Arrangement. Blood Relation and Syllogism contributed three questions each. Four other topics contributed one question each. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three major puzzle and arrangement topics contributed 15 questions. They therefore dominated the section. Candidates also faced questions from basic reasoning concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Was the Human Resource Section Structured?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Human Resource section contained 25 questions. Human Resource Management carried the highest weightage. HRM contributed 12 questions. Organisational Behaviour contributed eight questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Human Resource Planning contributed two questions. Human Resource Development contributed one question. Industrial Relations contributed one question. Labour Market contributed one question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
HRM and Organisational Behaviour together contributed 20 questions. These areas therefore dominated the HR section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which HRM Topics Were Asked?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HRM contributed 12 questions. The reported topics covered several core HR areas. These included Human Capital Management and Transfer. Employee Benefits and Welfare also appeared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fringe Benefits and Job Description formed part of the reported questions. The weightage shows the importance of core HRM concepts. Candidates needed knowledge across several HR functions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Organisational Behaviour Topics Were Asked?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Organisational Behaviour contributed eight questions. The section covered several important concepts. The reported topics included 360-Degree Feedback and the Halo Effect. Point Factor Method also appeared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Herzberg’s concepts formed another reported area. Stereotyping and the Kirkpatrick Model also appeared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behavioural Interview and Training Needs Analysis completed the reported topics. The topic spread made Organisational Behaviour a broad section. Candidates needed conceptual clarity across several areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Other HR Topics Appeared?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Human Resource Planning contributed two questions. Succession Planning formed the reported topic. Human Resource Development contributed one question. Industrial Relations also contributed one question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Labour Market contributed one question. The reported topic was the Gig Economy. These areas carried lower weightage than HRM and Organisational Behaviour. However, they remained part of the overall HR section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Topics Had the Highest Weightage Across the Papers?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The reported analysis shows different priorities across specialist streams. HRM carried the highest individual topic weightage. Banking and Financial Awareness followed in General Awareness. Administrative and Banking Terminology carried the same nine-question weightage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reasoning placed strong emphasis on puzzles and seating arrangements. English showed a wider spread across language-based topics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Section<\/strong> <\/td>
Highest-Weightage Area<\/strong> <\/td>
Questions<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
General Awareness <\/td>
Banking and Financial Awareness <\/td>
9 <\/td><\/tr>
Rajbhasha <\/td>
Administrative and Banking Terminology <\/td>
9 <\/td><\/tr>
Human Resource <\/td>
Human Resource Management <\/td>
12 <\/td><\/tr>
Reasoning <\/td>
Box Puzzle, Linear Seating, Circular Seating <\/td>
5 each <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The English pattern also differed between the two papers. Rajbhasha English had four five-question areas. HR English gave eight questions to AI-based Reading Comprehension. The remaining questions covered grammar and vocabulary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Should Candidates Learn From the IBPS SO Prelims Analysis?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The reported question pattern highlights several important preparation areas. Rajbhasha candidates should strengthen terminology and translation skills. They should also revise Rajbhasha Rules and Committee topics. Official noting and drafting phrases deserve focused preparation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
General Awareness preparation should include banking and financial awareness. Current affairs should cover appointments, sports, schemes, and important updates. HR candidates should prioritise HRM and Organisational Behaviour. They should also revise Human Resource Planning and related concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reasoning preparation should include puzzles and seating arrangements. Quantitative Aptitude should cover arithmetic, DI, series, and approximation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
English preparation should remain broad. Candidates should practise comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and sentence-based questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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