The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 Response Sheet for the recruitment of Probationary Officers/Management Trainees (CRP PO/MT-XIV). Candidates who appeared for the preliminary examination held in October 2026 can now access their individual response sheets and the provisional answer key through the official portal. This release marks a crucial step in the selection process, allowing aspirants to verify their marked answers against the correct solutions provided by the board.
Along with the release of the IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 Response Sheet, the authority has also activated the online objection window. If any candidate finds a discrepancy or an incorrect answer in the provisional key, they are encouraged to submit their challenges within the stipulated timeframe. This transparency ensures a fair evaluation process before the final results and merit lists are prepared for the next stage, which is the IBPS PO Main Examination.
IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026: Overview
The following table provides a comprehensive summary of the IBPS PO recruitment drive and the current status of the preliminary answer key release.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Authority | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) / Management Trainee (MT) |
| Exam Name | IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 |
| Answer Key Status | Released Online |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, and Interview |
| Official Portal | www.ibps.in |
Important Dates for IBPS PO 2026
Candidates must keep a close watch on the following schedule to ensure they do not miss the deadline for downloading the response sheet or raising objections.
| Event / Milestone | Official Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 07 November 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 07 November 2026 |
| Exam Conducted Date | 19 October 2026 and 20 October 2026 |
| Answer Key Release Date | 07 November 2026 |
| Objection Window Start Date | 07 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Objections | 07 December 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 09 December 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Declaration | February 2027 |
How to Download IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 Response Sheet
Accessing your IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 Response Sheet is a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to download your document from the official IBPS website:
- Visit the official website of the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection at www.ibps.in.
- On the homepage, click on the link titled “CRP PO/MT” located on the left sidebar.
- Select “Common Recruitment Process for Probationary Officers/Management Trainees XIV”.
- Look for the specific link that says “Click here to View Your Response Sheet and Provisional Answer Key for CRP-PO/MT-XIV”.
- A new login page will appear. Enter your Registration Number/Roll Number and Password/Date of Birth.
- Enter the Captcha code as shown on the screen and click the “Login” button.
- Your IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 Response Sheet will be displayed on the screen.
- Download the PDF and take a printout for your future reference and score calculation.
How to Calculate Your Tentative Score
Once you have downloaded the response sheet, you can estimate your marks before the official results are announced. The IBPS PO Prelims exam follows a specific marking scheme:
- Correct Answer: Add 1 Mark.
- Incorrect Answer: Deduct 0.25 Marks (Negative Marking).
- Unattempted Question: 0 Marks.
Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) – (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25).
How to Submit Online Objections / Challenges
If you believe that a particular answer provided in the official key is incorrect, you have the right to challenge it. The IBPS provides a dedicated window for submitting objections. Please note that objections submitted after the deadline of 07 December 2026 will not be entertained.
Steps to Raise Objections:
- Log in to the objection portal using your candidate credentials on the official IBPS website.
- Select the question number you wish to challenge.
- Upload valid documentary evidence or a solution that supports your claim.
- Pay the required objection fee (if applicable) per question through the online payment gateway.
- Submit the objection and save the confirmation page.
The board will review all submitted challenges. If an objection is found to be valid, the answer key will be rectified, and a final answer key will be released in February 2027.
IBPS PO Prelims Expected Cutoff 2026
Based on the difficulty level of the shifts held on 19th and 20th October, here is the expected category-wise cutoff for the Prelims examination.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Marks (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 54.50 – 58.75 |
| OBC (NCL) | 53.25 – 57.50 |
| EWS | 52.75 – 56.25 |
| SC | 48.50 – 51.00 |
| ST | 43.25 – 46.50 |
Important Quick Links
Use the direct links below to access the official portals for the IBPS PO 2026 recruitment process.
| Link Description | Action / Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Answer Key PDF | Click Here |
| Submit Objection Online | Click Here |
| Download Question Paper / Response Sheet | Click Here |
| Official Portal | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was the IBPS PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 Response Sheet released?
The response sheet and provisional answer key were officially released on 07 November 2026.
2. What is the last date to raise objections against the IBPS PO Answer Key?
Candidates can submit their objections online until 07 December 2026. No requests will be accepted after this date.
3. Is there a fee for challenging the IBPS PO Answer Key?
Yes, candidates are generally required to pay a nominal fee per question challenged. The exact fee details are mentioned on the objection portal during the submission process.
4. When will the IBPS PO Prelims Final Result be announced?
The final result, along with the final answer key, is expected to be declared in February 2027 after the verification of all objections.