The IDBI Bank JAM Syllabus 2026 is essential for candidates preparing for the IDBI Bank Junior Assistant Manager and Assistant Manager recruitment. IDBI Bank has announced 1,300 vacancies and selection will be through an Online Computer Based Test (CBT). Understanding the complete syllabus and exam pattern is the first step to effective preparation. This article covers the detailed exam pattern, subject-wise syllabus, topic-wise weightage, negative marking rules, and preparation tips.
IDBI Bank JAM 2026 – Exam Pattern Overview
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 90 Minutes (Combined) |
| Reasoning | 35 | 35 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | |
| General / Economy Awareness | 30 | 30 | |
| Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 90 Minutes |
Important Exam Rules
- Negative Marking: 1/4 (0.25) marks deducted for each wrong answer
- No Sectional Time Limit: You can switch between sections freely within the 90 minutes
- Qualifying Marks: Sectional and overall cut-off will be decided by IDBI Bank
- Mode: Online CBT (Computer Based Test) at designated exam centers
- Language: English and Hindi (bilingual)
Section 1: English Language (30 Questions)
The English section tests your grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. It is at graduation level.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 7-10 | Moderate to High |
| Cloze Test | 5 | Moderate |
| Error Spotting / Correction | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Fill in the Blanks (Vocabulary based) | 3-4 | Moderate |
| Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Sentence Improvement / Correction | 2-3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Synonyms / Antonyms | 2-3 | Easy |
| Idioms & Phrases | 1-2 | Easy |
Key English Topics to Cover
- Grammar: Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions
- Vocabulary: One-word substitution, Spelling errors, Phrasal verbs
- Comprehension: Passage-based inference, Tone of passage, Central theme
Section 2: Reasoning Ability (35 Questions)
The Reasoning section is the highest-weightage section with 35 questions. It tests logical thinking and analytical ability.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Arrangement (Linear/Circular) | 5-8 | High |
| Puzzles (Floor, Box, Scheduling) | 5-8 | High |
| Syllogism | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Coding-Decoding | 3-5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Blood Relations | 2-3 | Moderate |
| Direction Sense | 1-2 | Easy |
| Inequality | 3-5 | Moderate |
| Data Sufficiency | 2-3 | Moderate to High |
| Order & Ranking | 1-2 | Easy |
| Input-Output | 2-3 | Moderate |
Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude (35 Questions)
This section tests mathematical and numerical ability. It covers both basic arithmetic and advanced data interpretation.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (Bar/Line/Pie/Table) | 8-10 | Moderate to High |
| Number Series | 5 | Moderate |
| Simplification / Approximation | 5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Percentage, Ratio & Proportion | 2-3 | Moderate |
| Profit & Loss | 1-2 | Moderate |
| Simple & Compound Interest | 2-3 | Moderate |
| Time & Work, Pipe & Cistern | 1-2 | Moderate |
| Speed, Distance & Time | 1-2 | Moderate |
| Average, Mixture & Alligation | 1-2 | Moderate |
| Probability, Permutation & Combination | 1-2 | High |
Section 4: General / Economy Awareness (30 Questions)
This section covers current affairs, banking awareness, economic developments, and static GK.
| Topic | Expected Questions |
|---|---|
| Banking & Financial Awareness | 8-10 |
| Current Affairs (Last 6 months) | 8-10 |
| Economy & Budget | 4-5 |
| Static GK (History, Geography, Polity) | 3-4 |
| RBI Policies & Regulations | 2-3 |
| Government Schemes & Yojanas | 2-3 |
Key Banking Awareness Topics
- RBI: Functions, Monetary policy tools (Repo, Reverse Repo, CRR, SLR, MSF, LAF)
- Banking Terms: NPA, CRAR, CASA, KYC, Basel Norms, NEFT, RTGS, UPI
- IDBI Bank: History, HQ (Mumbai), MD & CEO, recent financial results, ownership (LIC)
- Financial Regulators: RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, NABARD, SIDBI
- Government Schemes: PM Jan Dhan Yojana, MUDRA, Stand-Up India, Atal Pension Yojana
- International Organizations: IMF, World Bank, ADB, AIIB — heads and headquarters
Section 5: Computer Knowledge (20 Questions)
This section tests basic computer literacy and awareness of information technology concepts.
| Topic | Expected Questions |
|---|---|
| Computer Fundamentals (Hardware/Software) | 3-4 |
| Operating System (Windows, Linux basics) | 2-3 |
| MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | 3-4 |
| Internet & Networking (LAN, WAN, TCP/IP, HTTP) | 3-4 |
| Database Concepts (DBMS basics) | 2-3 |
| Cyber Security (Virus, Firewall, Encryption, Phishing) | 2-3 |
| Computer Shortcuts & Abbreviations | 2-3 |
IDBI Bank JAM 2026 – Preparation Tips
- Start with exam pattern: Understand the section-wise distribution of 150 questions in 90 minutes — you have only 36 seconds per question on average
- Prioritize Reasoning & Quant: Together they carry 70 out of 150 marks (47% of total). Master these two sections for a strong score
- Banking Awareness is crucial: Unlike other bank exams, IDBI gives significant weightage to economy and banking awareness. Read banking capsules and follow RBI policy updates
- Computer section is scoring: 20 easy questions that most candidates can score 15-18 marks in. Don't neglect this section
- Speed is everything: 150 questions in 90 minutes is very tight. Practice with timer and learn to skip difficult questions quickly
- Mock tests: Give at least 20-25 full-length mocks before the exam. Analyze each mock and track your sectional scores
- Negative marking strategy: With 0.25 negative marking, avoid random guessing. Only attempt questions you are at least 50% sure about
IDBI Bank JAM Syllabus 2026 – FAQ
How many questions are asked in IDBI Bank JAM exam?
The IDBI Bank JAM exam has 150 questions in total: English (30Q), Reasoning (35Q), Quantitative Aptitude (35Q), General/Economy Awareness (30Q), and Computer Knowledge (20Q). Total time is 90 minutes.
Is there negative marking in IDBI Bank JAM exam?
Yes. There is a negative marking of 1/4 (0.25 marks) for each wrong answer. For every 4 wrong answers, you lose 1 mark. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
Is IDBI Bank JAM exam difficult?
The difficulty level is moderate — similar to IBPS PO Prelims. The challenge is the time constraint — 150 questions in 90 minutes means you have only 36 seconds per question. Speed and accuracy are critical.
What is the syllabus difference between JAM and AM exam?
Both JAM and AM take the same Online CBT with the same syllabus and exam pattern. The difference is in the eligibility criteria (age and qualification) and the final merit list, which is prepared separately for each post.
Which books are best for IDBI Bank JAM preparation?
For Reasoning: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal. For Quant: Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal. For English: Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi. For Banking Awareness: Banking Awareness by Arihant or any banking capsule from Oliveboard/Adda247.
Is there sectional time limit in IDBI Bank JAM exam?
No. There is no sectional time limit. You have 90 minutes to attempt all 150 questions across 5 sections. You can switch between sections freely and allocate time as per your strategy.
