IBPS Clerk
Recruits clerical cadre Customer Service Associates into the participating public sector banks, with state-wise allotment.
Eligibility
A graduate degree in any discipline by the last date of registration, with computer literacy. Age 20-28 years (SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD 10 years relaxation). Candidates apply for one state and must be proficient in its official language (read, write, speak), which is tested via a Language Proficiency Test. No limit on attempts.
Age limit: 20-28 years (category relaxations apply)
Exam pattern
Two online stages plus a qualifying Language Proficiency Test; there is no interview. Prelims has 100 questions in 60 minutes: English (30), Numerical Ability (35) and Reasoning (35), each with a 20-minute sectional timer and a sectional cut-off. For CRP CSA-XVI the Mains has 160 questions for 200 marks in 125 minutes, separately timed: General/Financial Awareness (40 questions, 50 marks, 20 min), General English (40, 40 marks, 35 min), Reasoning Ability (40, 60 marks, 35 min) and Quantitative Aptitude (40, 50 marks, 35 min). Wrong answers carry a quarter-mark penalty. Prelims is qualifying only; state-wise final merit is based purely on Mains marks.
Syllabus at a glance
Numerical Ability covers simplification, approximation, number series, quadratic equations, arithmetic word problems and basic DI. Reasoning covers puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, inequality, coding-decoding and computer fundamentals. English covers reading comprehension, cloze test, error spotting, fillers and para-jumbles. General/Financial Awareness covers banking terms, RBI, economy, schemes and current affairs.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CRP CSA-XVI (2026) Prelims result | Nov 2026 (per notification, tentative) | expected |
| Mains exam | 27 Dec 2026 (per IBPS tentative calendar) | expected |
| Provisional allotment | Mar 2027 (per notification, tentative) | expected |
| CRP CSA-XVII (2027) notification | Aug 2027 (expected) | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
- 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
- Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
- Banking Awareness – Arihant Experts
How toppers play it
- Prelims cut-offs are state-wise and often in the high 70s out of 100, so speed in simplification/approximation and number series is decisive; drill 15-20 calculation questions daily.
- Because only Mains marks count, General/Financial Awareness is the best marks-per-minute section (50 marks in just 20 minutes): build a banking-terms and current-affairs notebook from about July.
- Reasoning carries the most Mains marks (60), so practise mains-level puzzles under the 35-minute timer.
- Respect sectional timers: attempt easy English questions (fillers, error spotting) before the reading comprehension passage.
- Choose your state carefully; vacancy counts and cut-offs vary widely, and you must pass that state's Language Proficiency Test.