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IBPS PO vs RRB NTPC
IBPS PO: 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes. RRB NTPC: 100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes. Both test Quantitative Aptitude / Maths, Reasoning, so preparing for one covers much of the other. Most aspirants in this bracket sit both.
| IBPS PO Prelims | RRB NTPC CBT 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection | Railway Recruitment Boards |
| Questions | 100 | 100 |
| Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Time | 60 min | 90 min |
| Seconds a question | 36 | 54 |
| Marking | A wrong answer costs a quarter of that question's marks. IBPS publishes section totals, so we spread marks evenly within each section. | +1 for each correct answer, −⅓ for each wrong answer. Common for graduate and undergraduate posts. |
| Sections | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability | General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning |
| Languages | English, Hindi | English, Hindi |
| Age (UR) | 20–30 | 18–33 |
| Qualification | Degree (graduation) in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent; must be a graduate on the day of registration (result declared on or before 21-07-2026). | Degree from a recognised university or its equivalent. |
| Next exam | Not announced | Exam date awaited (awaited) |
| Last cut-off (UR) | 49.21 / 100 (IBPS PO 2025 Prelims cutoff (for Mains shortlist), UR) | 79.93 / 100 (RRB NTPC (Graduate) CEN 05/2024 CBT-1 cutoff, RRB Prayagraj, UR) |
| Mocks on RankVyuh | 9 full (2 free) | 21 full (2 free) |
Which should you prepare for?
- Both test Quantitative Aptitude / Maths, Reasoning, so preparing for one covers much of the other. Most aspirants in this bracket sit both.
- Age: RRB NTPC allows up to 33 (unreserved), IBPS PO up to 30. Past 30, only RRB NTPC stays open without relaxation.
- Qualification: IBPS PO needs degree (graduation) in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent; must be a graduate on the day of registration (result declared on or before 21-07-2026); RRB NTPC needs degree from a recognised university or its equivalent.
- Speed: IBPS PO gives 36 seconds a question against 54 in RRB NTPC. Practise IBPS PO with a stricter clock.
Neither is "easier": cut-offs move with vacancies and candidates every year. Take a free mock of each and compare your two reports; the gap to each exam's last cut-off is the honest answer.
FAQ
- Can I prepare for IBPS PO and RRB NTPC together?
- Yes. Both test Quantitative Aptitude / Maths, Reasoning. Prepare those once, then the sections only one of them has.
- Which has negative marking, IBPS PO or RRB NTPC?
- IBPS PO: A wrong answer costs a quarter of that question's marks. IBPS publishes section totals, so we spread marks evenly within each section. RRB NTPC: +1 for each correct answer, −⅓ for each wrong answer. Common for graduate and undergraduate posts.
- What are the age limits for IBPS PO and RRB NTPC?
- IBPS PO: 20 to 30 for unreserved candidates (as on 2026-07-01). RRB NTPC: 18 to 33 (as on 2027-01-01). Category relaxations apply; check with the age-limit calculator.
Sources: official notifications of Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (website ) and Railway Recruitment Boards (website ); IBPS Detailed Notification, CRP PO/MT-XVI, dated 01-07-2026 (registration 01-07-2026 to 21-07-2026); Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 06/2026, NTPC (Graduate); indicative notice in Employment News 26-09-2026; applications 08-10-2026 to 06-11-2026. Age-limit calculator · All comparisons