Aspiring candidates preparing for the South Indian Bank (SIB) Probationary Officer (PO) exam for 2025 must be well‑acquainted with the syllabus and pattern. A clear understanding of how the exam is structured, what topics to cover, and how selection will be done can greatly enhance preparation efficiency and boost confidence on the exam day.
South Indian Bank PO Syllabus 2025 Overview
| Exam conducting body | South Indian Bank (SIB) |
| Post | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Mode of exam | Online objective test followed by interview |
| Sections covered | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, General/Banking Awareness, Data Analysis & Interpretation |
| Total marks (online test) | 200 marks |
| Time duration | 140 minutes |
| Negative marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
South Indian Bank PO Selection Criteria
The selection process for SIB PO 2025 typically involves two major phases: an online objective test and a personal interview. Candidates must perform well in the online test to qualify for the interview round. Final merit is decided on the combined performance of both stages.
Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 | ~ 40 minutes |
| General/Banking & Economic Awareness | 40 | 50 | ~ 20 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 50 | ~ 40 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 50 | ~ 40 minutes |
| Total | 160 | 200 | 140 minutes |
The exam pattern highlights four equally weighted sections, each comprising 40 questions carrying 50 marks. Candidates must manage time efficiently across all sections and ensure accuracy due to negative marking for wrong answers.
- Tests will be available only in English
- 0.25 mark will be deducted for each wrong Answer
Topic | Questions |
Marks |
Time |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 40 minutes |
General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
English Language | 40 | 50 | 40 minutes |
Data Analysis & Interpretation | 40 | 50 | 40 minutes |
Total | 160 | 200 | 140 minutes |
South Indian Bank PO Syllabus 2025 Topic‑Wise
| Section | Key Topics (Indicative) |
|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | Seating arrangement, puzzles, coding‑decoding, input‑output, blood relations, computer fundamentals |
| General/Banking Awareness | Banking terminology, Indian economy, current affairs, financial institutions, static GK |
| English Language | Reading comprehension, para‑jumbles, grammar (tenses, articles, voice), vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms) |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | Data interpretation, number series, profit & loss, time & work, ratio & proportion, probability, mensuration |
This topic breakdown gives a structured list of what to focus on within each section. While the official SIB PO 2025 syllabus may not yet be released, previous year trends confirm these areas as core components.
Reasoning & Computer
- Puzzles.
- Data Sufficiency.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- Verbal Reasoning.
- Logical Reasoning.
- Data Interpretation.
- Analytical Reasoning.
- Number Series.
- Letter and Symbol Series.
- Verbal Classification.
- Essential Part.
- Analogies.
- Artificial Language.
- Matching Definitions.
- Making Judgments.
- Logical Problems.
- Statement and Conclusion
- Theme Detection.
- Cause and Effect.
- Statement and Argument.
- Logical Deduction.
Computer
- Programming and Data Structures.
- Computer Organization and Architecture.
- data Bases
- Computer Networks.
- Theory of Computation.
- Operating System.
- Compiler Design.
- Digital Logic.
- Algorithms
- Web Technologies.
- Information Systems and Software Engineering etc.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Pipes and Cisterns.
- Partnership.
- Problems on L.C.M and H.C.F.
- Compound Interest.
- Numbers and Ages.
- Probability.
- Problems on Trains.
- Averages.
- Percentages.
- Volume and Surface Area,
- Races and Games.
- Quadratic Equations.
- Ratio and Proportion.
- Odd Man Out.
- Mixture and allegation Stocks and shares,
- Computation of Whole Numbers.
- Square Roots.
- Mixture and Allegations.
- Partnership Business.
- Time and Distance.
- Decimals and Fractions.
- Relationships between Numbers.
- Percentages.
- Interest.
- Discount.
- Simple Equations.
- Boats and Streams.
- Profit and Loss.
- Indices and Surds.
- Boats and Streams.
- Problems on Numbers.
- Odd Man Out.
- Compound Interest.
- Mixtures and Allegations.
- Numbers and Ages.
- Problems on L.C.M and H.C.F.
- Problems on Trains.
- Areas.
- Volumes.
- Races and Games.
- Averages.
- Mensuration.
- Permutations and Combinations.
- Bar & Graphs,
- Line charts, Tables
- Simple Interest.
- Time and Work Partnership.
- Simplification and Approximation
General/Banking Awareness
- Current affairs related to national and international issues of the last 6 months,
- Overview of Indian Financial System,
- History of the Indian banking system,
- Recent credit and monetary policies
- Indian History.
- Indian Culture.
- Sports.
- Zoology.
- Famous Days & Dates.
- Botany.
- Indian Politics.
- Physics.
- Indian Parliament.
- Basic GK.
- Chemistry.
- Geography.
- Environment.
- Indian Economy.
- Inventions in the World.
- Basic Computer.
- Famous Books & Authors.
Banking
- RBI
- Monetary Policy
- Nationalization of Banks
- Types of Bank Accounts
- Types of Cheques
- Types of Markets
- Basel Norms
- Banking Abbreviations
- Types of bonds
- Headquarters and taglines of banks
- Heads of Banks
- Financial System, instrument and services
- Non-performing assets
- Bancassurance, Banking acts, Banking Committee
- NBFC Etc
English
- Spelling Test.
- Sentence Arrangement.
- Error Correction (Underlined Part).
- Transformation
- Passage Completion.
- prepositions
- Sentence Improvement.
- Spotting Errors.
- Antonyms
- Homonyms,
- synonyms
- Word Formation
- Direct and Indirect speech
- Active and Passive Voice.
- Para Completion.
- Idioms and Phrases.
- substitution
- Joining Sentences.
- Theme Detection,
- Topic rearrangement of passage
- Error Correction (Phrase in Bold).
- Fill in the blanks.
- Data Interpretation.
- Spelling Test.
- Sentence Completion.
- Sentence Arrangement
Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Table Chart
- Bar Graph
- Line Chart
- Pie Chart
- Combined Data sets
Preparation Tips
- Begin by mapping the syllabus and allotting fixed slots for each section.
- Practice mock tests under timed conditions to improve speed and familiarity with the pattern.
- Focus on accuracy over attempts because of the negative marking.
- For Banking & Awareness section, stay updated with the last 6‑12 months of current affairs, especially banking and financial updates.
- Use previous year question papers (where available) and sectional tests to identify weak areas.
- Regular revision is crucial—maintain short notes of formulas, grammar rules and banking facts.
- Maintain a balanced study plan, giving at least one day per week for full‑length mock tests and self‑analysis of errors.
