Understanding IBPS PO Application Attestation: Definitions, Eligibilities, and Important Considerations

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Probationary Officer (PO) exam is a highly competitive test for aspiring banking professionals. An important aspect of the application process is accurately reporting your previous attempts, especially in the context of the exam's attestation requirements. This article aims to clarify the definitions, rules, and considerations regarding the number of previous attempts while filling in the application form.

What is An Attempt in the IBPS PO Exam?

When filling the application form for the IBPS PO exam, the concept of an 'attempt' is critical. An attempt is defined as:

If You Have Registered and Attended the Exam: It counts as one attempt. This includes both the preliminary and main stages. If You Applied but Did Not Appear: It does not count as an attempt. Simply applying without attending the exam is considered a passive application. Only Main Stage Considered: Appearing only in the preliminary stage not qualifying is not considered an attempt for the purposes of application attestation.

Previous Attempts and Reporting Across Years

When reporting previous attempts, you must include all instances of your participation in the IBPS PO exam, whether you qualified or not. This ensures a reliable record is maintained:

Preliminary Attempts: If you have previously appeared for the IBPS PO preliminary stage, it counts as an attempt. This applies whether you cleared or failed the exam. Main Stage Attempts: Appearing in the mains stage even if you did not qualify is counted as an attempt. The number of attempts in the application form should reflect your experiences, not your success.

Specific Scenarios and Examples

Let's explore a few scenarios to better understand how to report your attempts accurately in the application form:

Example 1: You have appeared for the IBPS PO preliminary stage twice and have not cleared any of these attempts. In this case, the number of attempts should be reported as 0. Example 2: You have appeared for the IBPS PO preliminary stage twice and have cleared it once, subsequently appearing for the mains stage. The number of attempts here should be reported as 1. Example 3: You have appeared for the IBPS PO preliminary stage twice, cleared both, and then appeared for the mains stage. The number of attempts should be reported as 2.

Comparison with SBI PO Exam

While the rules for the IBPS PO exam are clear, the SBI PO exam has different attestation requirements. For SBI PO, attempting the mains stage determines the number of attempts:

SBI PO Specific Rule: In SBI PO, a general candidate can give the exam a maximum of 4 times. Only those who appear in the mains stage are counted in the attempt tally. This differs from the IBPS PO, where there is no barrier in the number of attempts.

Conclusion: Ensuring Accurate Reporting

Accurate reporting of your previous attempts is crucial for the IBPS PO exam. This information is essential for eligibility criteria and determining reservation benefits. Always review the provided information before submitting your application form to ensure that the number of attempts reflects your actual experience accurately.

For any queries regarding IBPS PO application attestations or the entire exam process, it's always advisable to consult the official IBPS website or contact their customer support team for the most up-to-date and accurate information.