IBPS PO & SBI Clerk 2026-2027 | Best Books & Smart Preparation Strategy

Introduction

Banking exams remain one of the most sought-after career paths in India, offering excellent salaries, job security, and growth prospects. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts exams for Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, and Specialist Officers across public sector banks, while the State Bank of India (SBI) conducts its own separate PO and Clerk exams.

Both IBPS PO and SBI Clerk share a similar pattern — testing Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge. Ashirwad Publication stocks 79 banking exam books across all sections.

Exam Pattern

IBPS PO — Prelims

• English Language (30 questions, 30 marks, 20 min)
• Quantitative Aptitude (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 min)
• Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 min)

IBPS PO — Mains

• Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (45 questions, 60 marks, 60 min)
• General Economy & Banking Awareness (40 questions, 40 marks, 35 min)
• English Language (35 questions, 40 marks, 40 min)
• Data Analysis & Interpretation (35 questions, 60 marks, 45 min)

SBI Clerk — Prelims

• English Language (30), Numerical Ability (35), Reasoning Ability (35) — 60 minutes total

Subject-wise Best Books for IBPS PO & SBI Clerk

1. Quantitative Aptitude

• RS Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude — S. Chand Publications: The most recommended maths book for banking exams. Covers all Prelims and Mains topics with graded practice exercises.
• Arun Sharma How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT (Tata McGraw Hill): For IBPS PO Mains Data Interpretation and advanced Quant — Arun Sharma is widely recommended.
• Kiran IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude — Kiran Prakashan: Previous year banking exam solved papers for Quant. Excellent for understanding exam-specific question types.

Buy Now: Browse Banking Quant Books

2. Reasoning Ability

• RS Aggarwal Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — S. Chand: Foundation reasoning book for all competitive exams including banking.
• Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand): Advanced reasoning covering new pattern questions like puzzles, seating arrangement, and input-output.
• Kiran Reasoning for Banking — Kiran Prakashan: Banking-specific reasoning practice with previous year questions from IBPS and SBI.

3. English Language

• Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant): Best comprehensive English book for banking exams covering grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and cloze tests.
• Blackbook of English Vocabulary — Nikhil Gupta: Available at Rs.301 (33% off). Essential for vocabulary-heavy IBPS Mains English section.

4. General & Banking Awareness

• Banking Awareness — Arihant Publications: Covers banking history, RBI structure, monetary policy, financial institutions, and government banking schemes.
• Lucent's General Knowledge — Lucent Publication: Static GK coverage for General Awareness sections in banking exams.
• Drishti Current Affairs — Drishti Publication: Monthly compilation covering banking news, RBI policy changes, economic survey data, and current events.

5. Computer Knowledge

• Lucent Computer — Lucent Publication: Concise computer knowledge for banking exams covering MS Office, hardware, internet, and networking basics.

6. Previous Year Papers — Banking

• Kiran IBPS PO Solved Papers — Kiran Prakashan: Year-wise solved papers from all IBPS PO Prelims and Mains. Essential for pattern familiarity.
• Kiran SBI PO/Clerk Solved Papers — Kiran Prakashan: Previous year SBI papers with complete solutions.

Buy Now: Browse All 79 Banking Books at Ashirwad

Smart Preparation Strategy for Banking Exams

• Prelims is the filter — 90% of aspirants fail here. Prioritize speed and accuracy in all three Prelims sections. Practice sectional time limits strictly (20 min per section for IBPS PO).
• Mains is where the battle is won. Banking Awareness and General Economy can give you an edge — many candidates neglect this section.
• English Reading Comprehension (3–4 passages in Mains) is a major differentiator. Read The Hindu Editorial daily to build vocabulary and comprehension speed.
• Daily mock tests from Month 2 onwards. Banking exams are 100% speed-based — 1 correct answer per 30 seconds is the target in Prelims.
• Apply for multiple banking exams simultaneously (IBPS PO, SBI PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, RRB PO, RRB Clerk) — cross-utilize preparation and maximize selection chances.

All 79 banking exam books are available at Ashirwad Publication with genuine editions and fast delivery.

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