About IBPS Clerk
IBPS Clerk is the common exam for the clerical cadre of many public sector banks. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) runs it. In the latest notification the post is called Customer Service Associate (CSA), and earlier it was known as Clerk. IBPS does not hire anyone itself. It holds the exam, and the banks that took part in the process give the jobs.
The participating banks in the latest notification are Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India.
IBPS conducts this recruitment once a year. You apply for one State or Union Territory only, and the bank vacancies are state-wise. You must also know the local language of that state.
IBPS Clerk at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post | Customer Service Associate (CSA), clerical cadre |
| Jobs offered by | Participating public sector banks (listed above) |
| Qualification | Graduation in any discipline, with computer literacy |
| Age limit | 20 to 28 years (upper age relaxed for reserved categories) |
| Stages | Online Preliminary, Online Main, Local Language test, provisional allotment |
| Mode | Online, objective-type (MCQ) tests |
| Interview | No interview |
| Negative marking | One-fourth of the marks of the question for each wrong answer |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Official website | www.ibps.in |
Eligibility
Nationality
You must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle here, or a person of Indian origin who moved from certain countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) to settle in India. Candidates in the last four groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.
Educational qualification
A degree (graduation) in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. You must already hold the mark-sheet or degree certificate when you register, and the final result must be declared on or before the last date of registration. You also have to enter your graduation percentage in the form.
Computer literacy is required: a certificate, diploma or degree in computer operations or languages, or computers/IT studied as a subject in school or college. Ex-servicemen without a degree can apply if they are matriculates with an Army Special Certificate of Education (or the Navy/Air Force equivalent) after at least 15 years of service.
Age limit
The minimum age is 20 years and the maximum is 28 years on the cut-off date given in the notification (1 August in the latest cycle). The 28-year limit applies to General and EWS candidates. Relaxation in the upper age limit:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen | Actual period of defence service + 3 years (8 years for disabled ex-servicemen of SC/ST), maximum age 50 years |
| Widows, divorced women and women judicially separated, not remarried | Upper age up to 35 years (General/EWS), 38 years (OBC), 40 years (SC/ST) |
The SC/ST/OBC relaxation can be added to only one of the PwBD, ex-servicemen or widow/divorced-women relaxations.
Language and attempts
You should be able to read, write, speak and understand the official local language of the state you apply for. If you have not studied that language in Class 10 or above, you must pass a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). The notification does not set a limit on the number of attempts.
Selection process
- Online Preliminary Examination – a qualifying test. You must reach the cut-off in each of the three sections.
- Online Main Examination – the merit stage. Only Main marks count for the final merit list.
- Provisional allotment – the Main score (out of 200) is converted to a score out of 100. Shortlisted candidates are allotted to a participating bank on merit-cum-preference, following the reservation rules.
- Local Language Proficiency Test – marks-based and qualifying. It is held after the Main exam or allotment and before joining, unless you hold a Class 10 or higher certificate showing you studied that language.
There is no interview. If two candidates have the same score, the older candidate is placed higher. IBPS may also keep a reserve list of about 30 percent of the vacancies, which stays valid for a limited period.
Exam pattern
Online Preliminary Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Each section is timed separately. You have to qualify in all three sections.
Online Main Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Total | 160 | 200 | 125 minutes |
For every wrong answer, one-fourth of the marks of that question is deducted. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. The Main exam has a minimum score for each section and a minimum total score. The tests are in English and Hindi, plus some regional languages depending on the state you choose (English Language is in English only). If sessions are held on different days, scores are normalised.
Syllabus
The notification gives only the sections and marks. IBPS publishes the detailed topics in the Information Handout that comes with the call letter. In general, the sections test the following skills, as per the latest notification:
- English Language – reading and language skills in English.
- Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude – arithmetic and data-based questions.
- Reasoning Ability – logical and analytical reasoning.
- General / Financial Awareness (Main only) – current affairs, banking and financial knowledge.
- Computer Aptitude (Main only, paired with Reasoning) – basic computer knowledge.
Download the Information Handout from ibps.in after you apply to see the exact topic list.
Salary and posts
The post is Customer Service Associate in the clerical cadre. The notification gives this basic pay scale: ₹24,050 – 1,340 (3 years) – 28,070 – 1,650 (3 years) – 33,020 – 2,000 (4 years) – 41,020 – 2,340 (7 years) – 57,400 – 4,400 (1 year) – 61,800 – 2,680 (1 year) – 64,480. Allowances and perks are paid as per the rules of the bank you join, so the in-hand salary varies by city and bank.
Usual allowances in banks include dearness allowance, house rent allowance and city compensatory allowance, but the exact amounts depend on the bank.
How to apply
- Go to www.ibps.in and open the CRP CSA link when the notification is out.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the form, choose your State/UT, local language and medium of exam.
- Upload your photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration as the guidelines say.
- Pay the fee online and keep a printout of the final form.
Fee in the latest notification: ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD/ex-servicemen/disabled ex-servicemen, and ₹850 for everyone else (these include GST). The fee is not refunded. Submit only one application, because only the latest complete one is kept. A paid edit window opens after registration closes.
Exam calendar
Usual, may change. In the latest cycle the order was:
- Notification and online registration: August.
- Preliminary exam: September–October.
- Preliminary result: October–November.
- Main exam: November.
- Main result and provisional allotment: December to March of the next year.
Check the tentative schedule in the notification and on ibps.in each year.
Preparation tips
- Learn the pattern first: the Preliminary is a 60-minute test with three separate timers, so practise time per section.
- Because each Preliminary section has its own cut-off, do not ignore your weakest section.
- Practise mock tests on a computer, as the exam is online.
- Read a daily newspaper and monthly current affairs for the General/Financial Awareness section of the Main exam.
- Revise basic arithmetic tables, squares and percentages to save time.
- Do not guess wildly: a wrong answer costs one-fourth of its marks.
- Learn the local language of your state. If you did not study it in school, you will have to clear the language test.
FAQs
What is the age limit for IBPS Clerk?
The age limit is 20 to 28 years on the cut-off date in the notification. The upper limit is relaxed for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), PwBD (10 years), ex-servicemen and some women candidates.
What qualification is needed for IBPS Clerk?
A graduation degree in any subject, plus computer literacy. The result must be declared by the last date of registration.
How many stages are there?
Two online exams (Preliminary and Main), then provisional allotment and a Local Language Proficiency Test if you have not studied the state language. There is no interview.
Is there negative marking in IBPS Clerk?
Yes. One-fourth of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer in both Preliminary and Main. Blank answers carry no penalty.
Do Preliminary marks count in the final merit?
No. The Preliminary is qualifying only. Final merit uses the Main exam marks.
Can I apply for more than one state?
No. You can apply for one State or Union Territory only.
Is IBPS Clerk the same as the SBI Clerk exam?
No. IBPS conducts it for many public sector banks, while State Bank of India runs its own Junior Associate exam.
Always confirm the details in the official notification of the year you apply for.