What is IBPS Clerk?
IBPS Clerk Selection Process Overview
- Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (Screening Tier)
- This is an online objective test designed to evaluate a candidate’s foundational speed and aptitude.
- Structure: It consists of three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.
- Logistics: Candidates must solve 100 questions in a total duration of 60 minutes (with a strict 20-minute sectional timer for each part).
- Nature: The Prelims phase is purely qualifying; marks scored here are used only to shortlist candidates for the Mains exam and are not counted toward the final merit ranking.
- Phase 2: Main Examination (Final Merit Tier)
- Candidates who clear both the sectional and aggregate cut-off benchmarks in the Prelims become eligible to write the Main examination.
- Structure: It comprises four comprehensive sections: General/ Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude.
- Logistics: The online paper features 160 questions valued at a maximum of 200 marks, with a total composite testing duration of 125 minutes (allotted via dedicated sectional timers).
- Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (Screening Tier)
Provisional Bank Allotment & Selection
IBPS Clerk Eligibility 2026
1. Educational Qualification & Literacy Modules
- Graduation Degree: Candidates must hold a valid Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any discipline (such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, etc.) from a university recognized by the Government of India, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
- Documentary Requirement: A valid final degree certificate or an official university mark sheet showing graduation status must be possessed by the candidate at the time of online application registration. The exact percentage of graduation marks must be calculated and correctly updated in the form.
- Possess a valid Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in computer operations or a specific computer language.
- OR Must have studied Computer Science or Information Technology as one of the active subjects during High School, College, or any other recognized institute.
- State-Specific Command: Clerks directly interact with frontline banking consumers. Therefore, proficiency in the official local language of the applied State or Union Territory (UT) is highly necessary.
- Proficiency Standard: Candidates should know how to effectively read, write, speak, and understand the official language of the state they choose to apply for. Candidates who cannot produce proof of studying the local language in Standard 10 or 12 will have to clear a Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT) prior to joining.
2. Age Limit & Category-Wise Relaxations
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 28 Years
- Basic Criteria: General and EWS category candidates must strictly fall within this standard age window.
| Candidate Category | Permitted Upper Age Relaxation | Effective Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC / ST) | 5 Years | 33 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | 31 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years | 38 Years |
| Persons affected by the 1984 Riots | 5 Years | 33 Years |
| Widows, Divorced, or Legally Separated Women (Unmarried) |
| Based on Category Limit |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) / Disabled Ex-Servicemen |
Actual period of defence service rendered + 3 Years (8 Years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen from SC/ST) | Maximum Ceiling: 50 Years |
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern & Selection Structure
The selection process for the IBPS Clerk cadre is structured entirely across two online evaluation tiers. Since there is no Personal Interview round for clerical recruitments, clearing the individual sectional and aggregate milestones in these phases is vital.
Phase 1: IBPS Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Examination is an online computer-based screening test designed to evaluate a candidate’s fundamental speed, accuracy, and aptitude. Marks scored in this phase are purely qualifying in nature and are not added to the final selection merit list.
Prelims Section-Wise Allocation
| Name of the Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Sectional Duration | Medium of Exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes | English Only |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes | State-Specific Local Lang / Bilingual |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes | State-Specific Local Lang / Bilingual |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes (1 Hour) | – |
Mode of Exam: Online (Computer-Based Test).
- Sectional Timer: Each section is bound by a strict 20-minute independent countdown; candidates cannot switch between sections manually.
- Negative Marking Mechanism: Each correct choice yields 1 mark. For every incorrect objective choice, a penalty of 0.25 marks is deducted. Unattempted questions carry zero penalty.
- Dual Cut-off System: To qualify for the Mains round, candidates must successfully clear both the Sectional Cut-off for each individual subject and the State-wise Category Aggregate Cut-off.
Phase 2: IBPS Clerk Main Exam Pattern
Candidates shortlisted from the Preliminary phase are eligible to write the Main examination. This is the final selection tier, and provisional bank allocation is calculated solely on the basis of marks secured in this paper.
Mains Section-Wise Allocation
| Name of the Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Sectional Duration | Medium of Exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 Minutes | State-Specific Local Lang / Bilingual |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes | English Only |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 35 Minutes | State-Specific Local Lang / Bilingual |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 35 Minutes | State-Specific Local Lang / Bilingual |
| Total Combined | 160 | 200 | 125 Minutes (2h 5m) | – |
- Mode of Exam: Online (Computer-Based Test).
- Negative Marking Mechanism: A standard penalty of 0.25 marks of the weightage assigned to that specific question is deducted for every wrong objective entry. No marks are deducted for blank responses.
- Provisional Allotment Criteria: IBPS determines the final state-wise and category-wise cut-off criteria using structural factors such as the total volume of vacancies, test difficulty level, and number of test-takers.
- Final Merit Rule: Candidates must clear individual sectional cut-offs and the aggregate minimum score. Provisional allotment across the participating nationalized banks is issued strictly in order of merit-cum-preference ranking mapped using only these Mains marks.
IBPS Clerk Preliminary Exam Syllabus
| Section Name | Core Topics Covered | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, Basic Grammar Rules | 30 Marks |
| Numerical Ability | Simplification, Approximation, Number Series (Missing & Wrong), Data Interpretation (Tabular, Bar, Line), Quadratic Equations, Time and Work, Speed, Distance and Time, Average, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Partnership, Problems on Ages | 35 Marks |
| Reasoning Ability | Seating Arrangements (Linear, Circular, Square), Puzzles (Floor, Box, Scheduling), Syllogism, Coded Inequalities, Coding-Decoding, Alphanumeric Series, Blood Relations, Distance and Direction, Order and Ranking, Data Sufficiency, Alphabet Test, Input-Output | 35 Marks |
| Total | – | 100 Marks |
IBPS Clerk Main Exam Syllabus
| Section Name | Core Topics Covered | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | Core Banking Awareness, RBI Functions & Circulars, Financial Markets, Insurance Sector Awareness, Government Schemes and Policies, National & International Current Affairs (Last 6 Months), Static GK (National Parks, Dams, Capitals, Headquarters) | 50 Marks |
| General English | Advanced Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Advanced Error Detection, Double Fillers, Sentence Connectors, Paragraph Completion, Word Swap, Idioms & Phrases, Synonyms & Antonyms (Objective Type Only) | 40 Marks |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | Reasoning: High-level Puzzles & Seating Arrangements, Critical Reasoning (Assumptions, Course of Action), Machine Input-Output, Coded Blood Relations, Coded Directions, Advanced Data Sufficiency. Computer Aptitude: Computer Hardware & Software, Operating Systems, Memory Units, Networking & Internet, MS Office Suite, Keyboard Shortcut Keys, DBMS Basics, Computer Viruses & Malware | 60 Marks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Complex Data Interpretation (Bar, Line, Pie, Radar, Mixed Graphs), Caselet DI, Missing Data DI, Mixtures and Allegations, Mensuration (2D & 3D), Permutation and Combination, Probability, Quantity Comparison (Quantity I vs II), Arithmetic Data Sufficiency | 50 Marks |
| Total | – | 200 Marks |
Step-by-Step IBPS Clerk Application Process
Aspirants who meet the mandatory eligibility criteria can apply for the IBPS Clerk exam online through the official portal during the active registration window. The complete application journey involves the following systematic steps:
- Step 1: Official Portal Access & Selection: Go to the official website of IBPS (www.ibps.in) and click on the “CRP Clerical” link available on the home page. Select the active link for the current Common Recruitment Process for Clerks.
- Step 2: Basic Registration: Click on the “Click Here for New Registration” tab. Input your primary details such as Full Name, Mobile Number, and Email ID. Upon successful submission, a unique Provisional Registration Number and Password will be automatically generated and sent via SMS and Email.
- Step 3: Document Uploading: Log in with your new credentials and upload scanned copies of your required documents strictly adhering to the dimensions and file sizes mentioned in the official handbook:
- Recent Passport-size Photograph (Colored)
- Clear Signature (Using black ink on white paper)
- Left Thumb Impression (Clearly visible on white paper)
- Handwritten Declaration (Written in English by the candidate themselves on white paper with black ink)
- Step 4: Academic & Personal Form Filling: Enter your detailed educational qualifications, graduation graduation percentage, permanent address, local language preferences, and your choice of exam centers for both Prelims and Mains phases.
- Step 5: Bank Preference Locking: Orderly select and lock your preferences of participating nationalized public sector banks where you wish to get allocated post-selection.
- Step 6: Online Application Fee Payment: Complete the process by checking all entered details and paying the non-refundable application charges through the official online payment gateway integration.
- Step 7: Final Printout: Once the transaction status shows success, download and take a physical printout of both the automatically generated e-receipt and the fully completed application form for future institutional verification.
Application Fees & Registration Charges
The individual registration application fees are fixed by the authority and include integrated tax charges. The payment must be completed fully via online mode:
| Candidate Category | Application Fees & Intimation Charges |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen | ₹175 (Intimation charges only, inclusive of GST) |
| All Other Categories (Gen / OBC / EWS) | ₹850 (Inclusive of application and intimation charges) |
- Important Terms: The application fee is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances. Candidates must ensure they thoroughly clear the basic age and graduation eligibility benchmarks prior to processing the payment.
- Online Payment Gateways: Charges can be seamlessly processed online using Debit Cards (RuPay/Visa/MasterCard/Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/Mobile Wallets, or Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Offline modes are completely invalid.
Exam Overview & Logistics
1. Conducting Authority
The entire competitive examination lifecycle, framework layout planning, secure online server monitoring, score normalization, state-wise cut-off mapping, and final provisional bank seat allotments are officially handled by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
2. Exam Frequency & Annual Timeline
The IBPS Clerk Common Recruitment Process is conducted strictly once a year. The standard recruitment schedule operates across the following modern calendar window:
- Official Notification Release: Usually published in the month of June or July.
- Preliminary Examination (Online): Conducted in the month of August.
- Main Examination (Online): Scheduled and conducted in the month of October.
- Final Provisional Allotment: The final merit deployment list is officially released on the 1st of April of the next financial year.
IBPS Clerk Cut-off
1. IBPS Clerk Online Preliminary Examination Cut-Off (Out of 100)
The Preliminary exam is strictly a screening test. Candidates must clear these state-wise baseline scores to sit for the Main evaluation layer:
| State / Union Territory | 2025 Cut-Off | 2024 Cut-Off | 2023 Cut-Off | 2022 Cut-Off | 2021 Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 69.75 | 79.00 | 79.25 | 84.00 | 81.50 |
| Maharashtra | 46.00 | 73.00 | 72.75 | 75.50 | 70.25 |
| Delhi (NCR) | 84.00 | 80.75 | 78.25 | 84.50 | 77.25 |
| Gujarat | 45.25 | 77.25 | 75.25 | 81.00 | 72.00 |
| Bihar | 61.25 | 79.50 | 78.00 | 87.50 | 76.00 |
| Rajasthan | 77.50 | 83.25 | 82.00 | 86.25 | 81.50 |
| West Bengal | 78.50 | 85.50 | 85.50 | 89.50 | 79.00 |
| Punjab | 81.00 | 81.25 | 81.00 | 83.25 | 75.50 |
| Haryana | 78.50 | 83.00 | 80.25 | 85.50 | 78.50 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 69.75 | 73.00 | 78.00 | 85.00 | 77.25 |
| Karnataka | 46.00 | 64.75 | 74.00 | 74.25 | 67.25 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 64.50 | 77.50 | 81.25 | 76.50 | 71.00 |
2. IBPS Clerk Online Main Examination Cut-Off (Normalized Out of 100)
The Main examination is conducted out of 200 marks, but IBPS officially normalizes the final score out of 100 to declare the final provisional allotment ranking. Since there is no interview phase, these marks dictate ultimate selection:
| State / Union Territory | 2025 Cut-Off | 2024 Cut-Off | 2023 Cut-Off | 2022 Cut-Off | 2021 Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 40.25 | 42.13 | 43.63 | 43.43 | 36.38 |
| Maharashtra | 39.25 | 39.50 | 40.50 | 41.13 | 35.63 |
| Delhi (NCR) | 46.13 | 45.75 | 46.25 | 47.38 | 38.88 |
| Gujarat | 36.00 | 37.63 | 38.38 | 39.75 | 35.00 |
| Bihar | 40.75 | 41.50 | 42.88 | 43.25 | 36.50 |
| Rajasthan | 45.00 | 43.88 | 44.75 | 45.38 | 38.25 |
| West Bengal | 42.75 | 43.50 | 44.50 | 44.88 | 38.13 |
| Punjab | 44.75 | 44.13 | 45.13 | 45.25 | 38.50 |
| Haryana | 42.25 | 43.25 | 44.25 | 44.75 | 37.75 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 41.88 | 41.75 | 42.63 | 43.13 | 36.25 |
| Karnataka | 37.38 | 36.88 | 37.75 | 38.63 | 34.13 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 45.25 | 42.00 | 43.25 | 43.63 | 37.13 |
Crucial Strategic Insights from the 5-Year Trends
- The Mega Shift in 2025 Prelims: A highly unique pattern was witnessed in 2025 where coastal and high-vacancy states like Maharashtra (46.00), Gujarat (45.25), and Karnataka (46.00) saw exceptionally low Preliminary scores due to massive structural changes in seat distribution.
- High-Competition Belts: States such as Delhi, West Bengal, and Punjab consistently operate on a highly rigid cut-off matrix. For these territories, candidates must safely target an operational accuracy of 85%+ in Prelims.
- Mains Stability: While Prelims cut-offs show severe annual jumps, the Normalized Mains cut-off trend has strictly maintained a baseline range between 36.00 to 47.00 marks out of 100 across the past 5 block cycles. Focused domain preparation in General/Financial Awareness remains the primary key to cross this threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IBPS Clerk exam?
The IBPS Clerk exam is a national-level competitive examination conducted annually by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). It is organized to recruit qualified graduates into the Clerical Cadre positions across 11 participating public sector banks in India.
What are the eligibility criteria for IBPS Clerk exam?
To be eligible, a candidate must be between 20 to 28 years of age (with applicable upper age relaxations for reserved categories) and possess a Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognized university. Additionally, operating knowledge of computer systems and proficiency in the official local language of the applied state/UT are mandatory.
What is the exam pattern for IBPS Clerk exam?
The exam is conducted entirely online across two phases: Preliminary and Main. The Preliminary Exam has 100 objective questions for 100 marks with a 60-minute duration. The Main Exam consists of 160 objective questions carrying a maximum of 200 marks, with a total composite time limit of 125 minutes.
Is there any negative marking in the IBPS Clerk exam?
Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers in both the Preliminary and Main objective exams. For every incorrect multiple-choice answer, 0.25 marks (one-fourth of the marks assigned to that specific question) will be deducted. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
How can I apply for the IBPS Clerk exam?
Candidates can apply online through the official IBPS portal (www.ibps.in) during the active application window. The process involves basic registration, uploading a passport photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration, filling out personal/academic details, locking bank preferences, and paying the non-refundable registration fee online (₹850 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD/ESM).
What is the selection process for IBPS Clerk exam?
The selection follows a strict two-stage online examination model: Prelims and Mains. There is no Personal Interview round for the clerical cadre. The Preliminary marks are only qualifying in nature, and the final state-wise merit list and provisional bank allotments are compiled 100% based on the marks secured in the Main Examination.
