Preliminary Exam (Phase 1)100 questions100 marks60 minNegative marking
Qualifying only
Marking: −0.25 per wrong answer
English Language30 Q · 30 marks · 20 minQuantitative Aptitude35 Q · 30 marks · 20 minReasoning Ability35 Q · 40 marks · 20 min
Sectional timing means each of the three sections is a separate 20-minute sprint — you cannot borrow time. Note the re-weighted marks: 35 reasoning questions carry 40 marks while 35 quant questions carry only 30.
Main Exam — Objective (Phase 2)170 questions200 marks160 minNegative marking
Merit — 200 of your 225 counted Mains marks
Marking: −0.25 per wrong answer
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude40 Q · 60 marks · 45 minData Analysis & Interpretation40 Q · 60 marks · 45 minGeneral, Economy, Banking, Digital & Financial Awareness50 Q · 60 marks · 35 minEnglish Language40 Q · 20 marks · 35 min
Computer Aptitude is folded into the Reasoning section (~5 questions). Three 60-mark blocks — Reasoning, Data Analysis & Interpretation and Awareness — carry 90% of the objective marks; English objective is only 20.
Main Exam — English Descriptive (Phase 2)25 marks30 minNo negative marking
Merit — the remaining 25 Mains marks
Marking: No negative marking
2 tasks
Small marks, huge leverage: 25 descriptive marks feed the same 225-mark Mains total that decides 80% of your rank, and many candidates leave them on the table.
Interview (Phase 3)100 marks~15–20 min panelNegative marking
Merit — 20% of the final score
Marking: Minimum qualifying 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWBD)
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Final merit = 80% Mains + 20% Interview. A strong interview cannot rescue a weak Mains, but it routinely swings borderline ranks — treat the 100 marks seriously.