The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officers (IBPS PO) is an annual competitive government examination for individuals aspiring to become Probationary Officers/Management Trainees (PO/MT) in Public Sector Banks. The exam comprises three phases: preliminary exam, mains exam, and interview. In 2023, the IBPS PO Prelims will take place on September 23, 30, and October 1. The Mains exam is scheduled for November 5, 2023. Candidates can expect the interview call letter in February 2024, tentatively.
Every year IBPS releases its annual calendar for the tentative dates for the Clerk, PO and Office assistant exams. This year the PO notification is yet to be announced. As per the annual calendar of IBPS, the IBPS PO prelims exam date is September 23, 2023, which means the official notification of the IBPS PO is likely to be released soon. Students have already started with their preparations with all their hearts and mind.
Being a PO of a public sector bank is a matter of prestige in society. Hence, IBPS PO is prominent among all government job aspirants making it one of the toughest exams in India. Every year more than 5 lakh aspirants apply for this exam. Therefore, it becomes difficult to conduct it in one go. Thus, the IBPS conducts it in various shifts and timings. In other words, the exam will be held in multiple shifts in one centre on a single day. Suppose you are going to a certain centre to give your IBPS prelims; you will be allotted a specific shift timing for that specific day; only on that day and time you will be able to give your exam.
Why IBPS conducts PO Exam in Shifts?
Along with the exam pattern, vacancies, IBPS PO exam pattern and syllabus and preparation strategy, students are also curious about the shift timings. You must be wondering why there is a need to create hype about the shift timings anyway? The answer is that shift timings play a vital role in the difficulty level of the exam.
Yes, you read that right. For instance, if you and your friend are allotted the same exam centre but in different shifts, that doesn’t mean you both will get the same set of question papers to attempt. This is because issuing the same question in different shifts might lead to the question paper leaking and other fraudery incidents. I think now it has started making better sense to you.
Another aspect you should know about the shifts in exams is the later your exam time is allotted, the difficulty level of that set of question papers is higher. This is because the aspirant giving exam in the first shift is completely unaware of about the question structure and probability of topics. Whereas in the other hand, by that time, aspirants giving exams in later shifts become aware of the exam structure and topics. They become more immune towards the exam pattern; hence the IBPS curates those sets in a tougher way than the question sets in the first shift.
Though the IBPS PO notification is not yet released, we can’t predict the shift timings, but if we go through the shift timings of some previous years, all of them are the same. Therefore, let’s know about what are the shift timings of the IBPS exam of the previous year. Shift Timings of IBPS PO Exam
Shift Timings of IBPS PO Prelims Exam 2022-23
The dates of the IBPS PO prelims exam 2022-23 were the 15th, 16th and 22nd of October. Please refer to the table below to know the shift timings for each day.
| Shifts | Timings |
| Shift 1 | 09:00 am – 10:00 am |
| Shift 2 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Shift 3 | 02:00 pm – 03:00 pm |
| Shift 4 | 04:30 pm – 05:30 pm |
Shift Timings of IBPS PO Mains Exam 2022-23
The date of the IBPS PO mains exam 2022-23 was November 27 2022. Please refer to the table below to know the shift timings of the exam day.
| Schedule | Shift 1 |
| Exam Time | 9.00 AM to 12.30 PM |
| Reporting Time | 8.00 AM |
The IBPS is very strict with its exam timings. Therefore you need to be there at the exam centre on time as there are certain types of formalities required before you head towards giving the IBPS PO exam. Please refer to the table below to know the pre-exam time distribution.
Reporting and other Time Distribution in Every Shift
| Event | 1st shift | 2nd shift | 3rd shift | 4th shift |
| Reporting Time | 08:00 AM | 10:30 AM | 01:00 PM | 03:30 PM |
| Handwriting Sample | 8:45 to 8:50 AM | 11:15 to 11:20 AM | 01:45 to 01:50 PM | 04:15 to 04:20 PM |
| Exam Start Time | 09:00 AM | 11:30 AM | 02:00 PM | 04:30 PM |
| Exam End Time | 10:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 03:00 PM | 05:30 PM |
The shift and other time distribution of the exam day remains the same every year. But due to unforeseen circumstances, the IBPS can change the shift timings accordingly. Therefore, we recommend you wait for the official notification to be published by IBPS to be sure about the shift timings and other exam details.
Just like the shift timings, IBPS has also set some general guidelines that must be followed by each candidate in the examination centre. Prohibition of violating any of them may lead you to serious actions or maybe disqualification from the IBPS PO candidature. Therefore make sure to keep in mind each and every guideline of IBPS mentioned in your admit card.
General Instructions and Guidelines for Candidates – IBPS PO 2023
Every candidate is provided with a set of general instructions in the IBPS PO Prelims Admit Card. It is crucial for candidates to thoroughly read and understand these instructions before arriving at the exam centre. Here are some important guidelines to remember:
- The examination’s call letter will include the examination date, time, and venue address.
- When appearing for the exam, remember to bring the IBPS PO Call Letter along with a recent passport-sized photograph without fail.
- Using calculators, books, notebooks, written notes, cell phones (with or without a camera), or any electronic devices during the exam is strictly prohibited.
- Ensure that your call letter has a photograph affixed to it, and also bring an original valid photo identity proof with a photocopy of the same identity proof stapled to the call letter.
- Please carry a ballpoint pen with you, as sheets of paper will be provided.
Items NOT Allowed in the Exam Centre
Prohibited items during the examination include:
- Textual material (printed or written), bits of paper, Geometry/Pencil Box, Plastic Pouch, Calculator, Scale, Writing Pad, Pen Drives, Log Table, Electronic Pen/Scanner.
- Communication devices such as Mobile Phone, Bluetooth, Earphones, Microphone, Pager, Health Band, etc.
- Other items like Goggles, Handbags, Hairpin, Hair-band, belts, Cap, Any watch/Wrist Watch, and Cameras.
- Any metallic items.
- Any eatable item, whether opened or packed. Only transparent water bottles are allowed.
- Items that could be used for unfair means, such as hiding communication devices like cameras, Bluetooth devices, etc.
- Avoid wearing Rings, Earrings, Nose-pin, chains/Necklaces, Pendants, Badges, brooches, etc. to the examination centre.
NOTE: After showing your AROGYASETU Status, you are required to submit your phone after switching off to the instructed location. You can recollect it after the completion of the exam while exiting the centre.
Other COVID-19 Instructions to be followed in the Examination Centre
- Candidates must adhere to their designated time slot mentioned in the Call Letter while reporting to the exam venue.
- The mapping of ‘Candidate Roll Number and Lab Number’ will not be displayed outside the exam venue. Instead, it will be communicated individually to the candidates during their entry to the exam venue.
- Only specific items are allowed inside the venue, including:
- a mask (wearing a mask is compulsory), gloves,
- a personal transparent water bottle (candidates need to bring their own),
- a personal hand sanitiser (50 ml),
- a simple pen, and exam-related documents (Call Letter and photocopy of the photo ID card stapled with it). The name on the ID and Call Letter must match.
- For Scribe Candidates, the duly filled and signed scribe form with an affixed photograph is permitted. No other items are allowed inside the venue.
Candidate Registration in the Examination centre
Upon entering the examination centre, candidates will be directed to their respective exam labs, which will be based on their roll numbers. Subsequently, they will undergo a registration process consisting of the following steps:
1. Candidate registration will involve capturing a photograph of the candidate. This photograph will be cross-checked with the photo provided by the candidate during the application process. It is essential not to alter one’s appearance from the uploaded photo.
2. The photograph will be taken while the candidate is standing.
3. The candidate will be assigned a seat number for the examination.
Conclusion
Now you must have a clear understanding of the shift timing and its importance. Also, don’t forget to follow the general instructions mentioned in your admit card. Reaching success is a slow and steady procedure, and you have to be very careful with the thing that is mandatory in terms of exams. Candidates must follow the specific instructions provided by IBPS, including the items allowed and prohibited inside the exam venue. It is essential to adhere to the designated time slot mentioned in the IBPS PO admit card and complete the registration process meticulously. With proper preparation and adherence to guidelines, aspiring candidates can strive to achieve their dream of becoming Probationary Officers in Public Sector Banks.
We wish every IBPS PO aspirant the very best.
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