IBPS RRB PO Exam Day Guidelines 2026: Quick Answer
On exam day for IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale I) Prelims 2026, carry your printed call letter with your photo pasted on it, one extra copy of the same photograph, an original valid photo ID and a photocopy of that ID. The name on the ID must match the call letter exactly; ration cards and learner's licences are not accepted, and phones, watches, calculators, bags and any metal items are banned inside the centre.
As of 28 Oct 2026: IBPS's tentative calendar (16.01.2026) lists the RRB PO Prelims on 21 and 22 November 2026 and the Mains on 20 December 2026. The CRP RRBs-XV notification itself says "November / December 2026". Your call letter is the final word on your date, shift and reporting time. All rules below are from the official CRP RRBs-XV notification.
IBPS RRB PO 2026 Exam Dates and Prelims Pattern
| Item | Official position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims (Officer Scale I) | 21 and 22 November 2026 (tentative) | IBPS calendar 2026-27 |
| Mains (Officer Scale I) | 20 December 2026 (tentative) | IBPS calendar 2026-27 |
| Prelims result | December 2026 / January 2027 | CRP RRBs-XV notification |
| Prelims paper | Reasoning 40 Qs (25 min) + Quantitative Aptitude 40 Qs (20 min) = 80 marks, 45 minutes | CRP RRBs-XV notification |
| Negative marking | 0.25 of the marks of a question for each wrong answer | Notification, Section E |
| Qualifying rule | Must clear the cut-off in both tests | Notification |
Because each section is separately timed (25 minutes and 20 minutes), you cannot carry spare time from Reasoning into Quant. Practise with that clock: see the full pattern in our IBPS RRB PO syllabus and exam pattern note.
Documents to Carry on IBPS RRB PO Exam Day
| Carry this | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Printed Prelims call letter | Not collected at the venue. Staff stamp it and you must keep it safely, because you need it again at the Mains. |
| Photograph pasted on the call letter | Candidates reporting without a pasted photo will not be allowed to appear. |
| One extra photograph (same as on the call letter) | Mandatory. IBPS advises keeping about 8 copies of the photo you uploaded for later stages. |
| Original valid photo ID | Shown to the invigilator for verification. |
| Photocopy of the same photo ID | Submitted with the call letter. Keep the stamped copy for the Mains. |
| Scribe form (only if you use a scribe) | Collected during the Prelims. |
At the Mains, you must bring the stamped Prelims call letter, the stamped photocopy of your ID and the Mains call letter. IBPS says candidates who do not bring the stamped Prelims call letter and stamped ID copy will not be allowed to sit the Mains. So treat your Prelims call letter as a document, not scrap paper.
Valid Photo ID for IBPS RRB PO 2026 (and What Is Not Accepted)
The notification (Section L) accepts any currently valid photo ID bearing exactly the same name as the call letter, such as:
- PAN Card
- Passport
- Permanent Driving Licence
- Voter's Card with photograph
- Bank Passbook with photograph
- Photo ID issued by a Gazetted Officer or People's Representative on official letterhead
- Identity Card from a recognised college or university
- Aadhaar / e-Aadhaar card with photograph
- Employee ID
- Bar Council Identity Card with photograph
Not accepted: Ration Card and Learner's Driving Licence. If you have changed your name, you are allowed only if you produce the original Gazette notification, original marriage certificate or an original affidavit. IBPS also says signatures in CAPITAL LETTERS will not be accepted, and advises every candidate to have a valid Aadhaar card because online Aadhaar verification may be done at different stages.
Banned Items at the IBPS RRB PO Exam Centre
Section O of the notification lists items that are not allowed inside the examination centre:
| Category | Banned items |
|---|---|
| Stationery | Printed or written material, bits of paper, geometry/pencil box, plastic pouch, calculator, scale, writing pad, pen drive, log table, electronic pen/scanner |
| Devices | Mobile phone, Bluetooth, earphones, microphone, pager, health band |
| Accessories | Goggles, handbag, hair-pin, hair-band, belt, cap |
| Ornaments | Ring, earrings, nose-pin, chain/necklace, pendant, badge, brooch (all thoroughly checked) |
| Others | Any watch, camera, any metallic item, any eatable (opened or packed) |
Breaking these rules can mean cancellation of candidature, a ban from future exams and a police complaint. There is no safe locker promise: IBPS says arrangements for safekeeping cannot be assured, so leave these items at home or with someone outside. Rough sheets are given at your desk and must be handed back before you leave.
Biometric Verification Rules on Exam Day
Your photograph and biometric data (right thumb impression or another finger) may be captured and matched against the photo you uploaded. Follow these official points:
- Do not change your appearance from your uploaded/live photo until the process ends.
- Remove mehndi, ink or colour from your fingers before exam day.
- Wash and dry dusty fingers; wipe moist fingers dry.
- If your right thumb is injured, tell the centre staff at once; another finger may be captured.
- Refusing biometric capture on any occasion may lead to cancellation of candidature.
IBPS RRB PO Exam Day Checklist (Night Before and Morning)
| When | Do this |
|---|---|
| 2-3 days before | Download the call letter from ibps.in, check name, date, shift, venue and reporting time. Visit or map the venue. |
| Night before | Paste the photo, keep the extra photo, original ID and its photocopy in one transparent folder. Clean mehndi/ink off fingers. |
| Morning | Leave early enough to reach before the reporting time printed on your call letter. Carry nothing from the banned list. |
| In the hall | Read the on-screen instructions, use the rough sheet, and switch sections only when the system moves you. |
| After the exam | Keep the stamped call letter and stamped ID copy safely for the Mains. Leave in an orderly way. |
In the last week, do one timed full test a day, for example our IBPS RRB PO Prelims Full Mock Test 01 and the RRB PO Prelims 2026 new pattern mock. For a day-by-day revision plan, read our IBPS RRB PO preparation plan 2026.
IBPS RRB PO Exam Day Guidelines FAQs
What documents are required for the IBPS RRB PO exam 2026?
The printed call letter with your photo pasted, one extra identical photo, an original valid photo ID and a photocopy of that ID. Scribe users also bring the scribe form.
Is Aadhaar on mobile (DigiLocker) accepted at the RRB PO exam?
The notification lists Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar with photograph, but mobile phones are banned inside the centre, so carry a printed e-Aadhaar or the original card plus a photocopy.
RRB PO exam me kaun sa ID proof valid hai?
PAN, Passport, permanent Driving Licence, Voter ID, photo Bank Passbook, college ID, Aadhaar/e-Aadhaar, Employee ID ya Gazetted Officer ka photo ID. Ration card aur learner's licence valid nahi hain.
Can I wear a watch in the IBPS RRB PO exam?
No. Any watch or wrist watch is banned. The timer is shown on the computer screen.
RRB PO prelims call letter wapas milega ya jama hoga?
Prelims call letter jama nahi hota; centre staff us par stamp lagata hai. Use sambhal kar rakhein, kyunki Mains me stamped call letter aur ID copy dono dene honge.
Is there negative marking in IBPS RRB PO Prelims 2026?
Yes. One-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer.
Practice Next
- Exam hub: IBPS RRB PO 2026 and free IBPS RRB PO mock tests.
- Know the job: IBPS RRB PO eligibility and age limit 2026 and IBPS RRB PO salary 2026.
- Last-week drills: coded inequality tricks and simplification tricks for bank exams.
- Browse all study notes.