IBPS Clerk 2026 — Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
IBPS Clerk, conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, recruits clerks for a group of participating public sector banks in India (the exact…
TL;DR: IBPS Clerk, conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, recruits clerks for a group of participating public sector banks in India (the…
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
IBPS Clerk (IBPS Clerk — Common Recruitment Process (Clerical Cadre)): IBPS Clerk, conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, recruits clerks for a group of participating public sector banks in India (the exact number of banks varies each recruitment cycle). It is a two-tier online exam (Preliminary → Main); the Preliminary is qualifying and the Main decides the final merit. It is a leading career route for 12th-pass and graduate students who want a stable public-sector banking job.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern
| Total questions | 100 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Marking scheme | −0.25 per wrong answer in Prelims; −0.25 in Mains (0 for unattempted) |
Sections
- Preliminary (qualifying): English 30Q, Numerical Ability 35Q, Reasoning 35Q — 100Q / 100 marks, 60 min (20 min per section)
- Main (counts for merit): General/Financial Awareness 50Q, English 40Q, Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 50Q, Quantitative Aptitude 50Q
- Sectional timing applies in both tiers
Subjects Covered in IBPS Clerk
English Language · Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude · Reasoning Ability · General & Financial Awareness · Computer Aptitude
How to Prepare for IBPS Clerk
- In Prelims, balance all three sections to clear sectional cutoffs — being strong in one section but weak in another can still get you rejected.
- In the Main exam, General & Financial Awareness carries big weight, so read banking and financial news daily (RBI updates, budget, key schemes) for several months before the exam.
- Build speed with daily timed practice on Quant (simplification, DI, arithmetic) and Reasoning (puzzles, seating), since the sectional time limits reward quick, accurate solving.
IBPS Clerk — Frequently Asked Questions
Do Preliminary marks count in the IBPS Clerk merit?
No. The Preliminary exam is only qualifying. Final selection is based on the Main exam score alone.
What is the eligibility for IBPS Clerk?
You generally need a graduate degree (and basic computer literacy); the typical age range is 20–28 years with category relaxations. Verify the current notification on ibps.in.
How many banks participate in IBPS Clerk?
A group of public sector banks recruit through IBPS Clerk; the exact number varies each cycle (check the current notification on ibps.in). You are allotted a bank based on your merit, preferences and vacancies.
📌 Exam patterns and dates can change — always verify the latest details on the official website before applying.
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