IBPS SO Answer Key 2026: Scores, Cut-off Note & Marking

IBPS has not issued an answer key for the CRP SPL-XVI Preliminary Examination, and the notification sets out no objection window. Instead, on 22 October 2026 it opened a score display, available until 31 October 2026, and published a "Process for Arriving at Scores" note. For the Main Examination on 1 November 2026, the notification says scores will not be shared with shortlisted candidates until the interview process is complete.

Can you report a wrong question in IBPS SO 2026?

Only while taking the test. Both the SPL-XVI Preliminary Information Handout and the Main Information Handout say an on-screen "Report Question" button is available if a candidate wishes to report an issue in any question. No fee-based challenge is provided for. Process complaints go through cgrs.ibps.in.

IBPS SO marking scheme by post

For each wrong answer in an objective test, one fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. A question left blank carries no penalty.

• Preliminary (125 marks, 80 minutes): English Language, Reasoning and a third test each have 25 questions for 25 marks. The third test is Quantitative Aptitude for IT, Agriculture Field, HR/Personnel and Marketing Officers, and General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry for Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari. Professional Knowledge has 25 questions for 50 marks. Each test has its own cut-off.
• Main (225 marks, 155 minutes): objective tests of 150 questions for 200 marks, including Professional Knowledge with 50 questions for 100 marks, followed by a 25-mark descriptive paper. All tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying, and merit is decided by the Professional Knowledge score.

For the SPL-XVI Preliminary, the scoring note says scores were worked out from the number of correct answers after the wrong-answer penalty and rounded to two decimal places. Cut-offs were applied in two stages: first on each test, then on the total out of 125. The note publishes these cut-offs separately for each of the six posts and each category. For the Main, the notification provides for equi-percentile normalisation if the exam is held in more than one session. In the CRP SPL-XV Main, the scoring note says that for Rajbhasha Adhikari the descriptive score was added to the objective score, while final scores for the other posts were based on the objective questions.

After the Main: what decides selection

Main marks are used both for the interview shortlist and for final merit. The interview carries 100 marks, with a minimum of 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD), and the Main and interview are weighted 80:20. Interview scores of candidates who do not reach the minimum are not disclosed.

IBPS SO answer keys and score notes in past cycles