IBPS Clerk
Recruits Customer Service Associates (the renamed clerical cadre) in 11 public sector banks; postings are state-wise, so candidates apply for one state.
Eligibility
A bachelor's degree in any discipline and working knowledge of the official language of the state applied for. Age 20-28 years with standard category relaxations. Computer literacy (certificate/diploma or computer studied at school/college) is required.
Age limit: 20-28 years (relaxations for reserved categories)
Exam pattern
Two online objective stages, no interview. Prelims: 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes — English Language (30), Numerical Ability (35), Reasoning Ability (35), each with a 20-minute timer. Mains: 190 questions, 200 marks, 160 minutes across General/Financial Awareness (50Q/50m), General English (40Q/40m), Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (50Q/60m) and Quantitative Aptitude (50Q/50m). Wrong answers deduct 0.25 of the allotted marks. Final state-wise merit is based solely on mains marks.
Syllabus at a glance
Prelims covers basic English grammar and comprehension, arithmetic and simplification, and reasoning puzzles and arrangements. Mains raises difficulty and adds General/Financial Awareness — banking terminology, RBI and current affairs — plus computer aptitude fundamentals. No descriptive paper.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application window (extended) | 1-28 Aug 2026 (open) | confirmed |
| Prelims exam | 10-11 Oct 2026 | confirmed |
| Prelims result | Nov 2026 | expected |
| Mains exam | 27 Dec 2026 | confirmed |
| Provisional allotment | Apr 2027 | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations — R.S. Aggarwal
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Banking Awareness — Arihant Experts
- A New Approach to Reasoning — B.S. Sijwali & Indu Sijwali (Arihant)
How toppers play it
- Selection rests entirely on mains — there is no interview — so treat prelims as a speed filter and build mains depth in General/Financial Awareness and computer aptitude early.
- Prelims cut-offs are state-wise; check your state's past cut-offs, since competitive states (Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra) need noticeably higher scores.
- Aim for very high accuracy in prelims — toppers attempt 85-95 questions; 0.25 negative marking punishes guesswork.
- For mains GA, revise the last 5-6 months of banking and financial current affairs plus static banking facts — it is the highest return-per-hour section.
- Practise full 160-minute mains mocks to manage the fixed sectional durations.