General Awareness Strategy for IBPS PO Mains

The General Awareness (GA) section in the IBPS PO Mains can be a decisive factor in securing a high rank. Unlike other sections, GA is not time-consuming if you are well-prepared. The focus is on accuracy and updated knowledge rather than calculations, making daily reading and revision essential. A combination of daily updates, structured revision, and targeted practice can make this the most scoring part of IBPS PO Mains paper.

General Awareness Strategy for IBPS PO Mains

The GA section in IBPS PO Mains is an excellent opportunity to boost your score if approached systematically. With 35 questions worth 50 marks to be completed in 25 minutes, it demands a strong command over current affairs, economy, banking awareness, and RBI circulars.

Key Focus Areas in the IBPS PO GA Section

A well-planned approach with regular revision will make the GA section an opportunity to boost your IBPS PO Mains score significantly. Those who treat it with equal importance as reasoning or quant will stand a better chance of clearing the overall cut off.

1. Banking Awareness: This segment tests your knowledge of the Indian banking system. Topics include:

• Functions and roles of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Monetary policies and Basel norms
• Priority sector lending guidelines
• Types of bank accounts and their features
• Payment systems such as NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, and digital banking developments

2. Economy and Financial Awareness

• Union Budget and Economic Survey highlights
• GDP growth rates, inflation trends, and economic indicators
• Mergers and acquisitions of banks
• Major government economic initiatives and schemes

3. RBI Circulars and Guidelines: Questions often refer to recent RBI circulars. Important areas include:

• Banking regulations and compliance updates
• Monetary policy changes
• Digital transaction guidelines
• Cybersecurity measures in banking

4. Digital Awareness: With the shift toward digital finance, expect questions on:

• Digital wallets, UPI, and payment gateways
• Fintech advancements and blockchain technology
• Cybersecurity frameworks in banking
• Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) concepts

5. Current Affairs: Cover 6-7 months of important current affairs before the exam, focusing on:

• Financial news and banking appointments
• Government schemes and policy changes
• International summits, agreements, and economic partnerships
• Sports, awards, and important national events

Preparation Tips for Scoring High in General Awareness

• Daily Reading: Follow a trusted current affairs source, RBI press releases, and economic news in newspapers.
• Monthly Revision: Revise current affairs in monthly capsules to retain information better.
• Practice MCQs: Solve previous year’s GA questions and take daily quizzes to test recall speed.
• Time Management: As the section is time-bound, aim to complete it in under 20 minutes to allow time for review.
• Avoid Guesswork: Since negative marking applies, answer only what you are confident about.