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📖 IBPS Clerk 2026 • Syllabus

IBPS Clerk 2026 Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Conducting Body: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection • Official Details & Guidelines

The IBPS Clerk selection process consists primarily of two online examinations:

  1. Preliminary Examination

  2. Main Examination

Candidates who qualify the Main Examination may also be required to undergo a Local Language Proficiency Test, subject to the prescribed conditions.

There is no interview in IBPS Clerk/CSA recruitment.

IBPS Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern

The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type online test consisting of three sections.

Subject Questions Maximum Marks Duration
English Language 30 30 20 minutes
Numerical Ability 35 35 20 minutes
Reasoning Ability 35 35 20 minutes
Total 100 100 60 minutes

Important points:

  • The examination is conducted online.

  • Each section has a separate time limit.

  • Candidates must manage their time within each section.

  • Negative marking applies to incorrect answers.

  • One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is generally deducted for each incorrect answer.

  • Preliminary Examination marks are used for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination.

  • Prelims marks are not included in the final merit calculation.

Candidates should practise sectional mock tests because time allotted to one section cannot be transferred to another.

IBPS Clerk Main Exam Pattern

Candidates qualifying in the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear in the Main Examination.

The Main Examination evaluates candidates in four major areas.

Subject Questions Maximum Marks Duration
General/Financial Awareness 40 50 20 minutes
General English 40 40 35 minutes
Reasoning Ability 40 60 35 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude 35 50 30 minutes
Total 155 200 120 minutes

Important points:

  • The Main Examination is conducted online.

  • Each section has a separate time limit.

  • Negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers.

  • The Main Examination score is considered for final merit and provisional allotment, subject to the official rules.

  • Candidates must satisfy the prescribed qualifying requirements.

Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

Candidates provisionally selected for allotment may be required to undergo a Local Language Proficiency Test.

The purpose of this test is to assess whether candidates can communicate effectively in the specified local language of the State or Union Territory for which they have applied.

The test generally evaluates:

  • Reading ability

  • Writing ability

  • Speaking ability

  • Understanding of the local language

Candidates who have already studied the specified local language at the required educational level and can provide acceptable documentary proof may receive exemption according to the notification.

Candidates who fail to satisfy the applicable language proficiency requirement may not be considered for appointment.

IBPS Clerk Final Selection Process

The final selection is based on the prescribed Main Examination score and applicable recruitment conditions.

The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature and is not counted towards the final merit score.

There is no interview for the clerical cadre. The provisional allotment is made according to merit, state-wise and category-wise vacancies, bank preferences and other applicable rules.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus

The IBPS Clerk syllabus covers English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness and Financial Awareness.

Candidates should prepare all subjects systematically and practise previous year questions to understand the examination pattern.

1. English Language

The English Language section evaluates grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and language skills.

Important topics include:

  • Reading Comprehension

  • Cloze Test

  • Error Detection

  • Fill in the Blanks

  • Sentence Correction

  • Para Jumbles

  • Sentence Rearrangement

  • Phrase Replacement

  • Word Usage

  • Synonyms and Antonyms

  • Vocabulary

  • Sentence Improvement

  • Spelling Correction

Candidates should develop a regular reading habit and practise grammar-based questions to improve accuracy.

2. Numerical Ability

The Numerical Ability section tests basic mathematical skills and calculation speed.

Important topics include:

  • Simplification

  • Approximation

  • Number Series

  • Percentage

  • Ratio and Proportion

  • Average

  • Profit and Loss

  • Simple Interest

  • Compound Interest

  • Time and Work

  • Time, Speed and Distance

  • Partnership

  • Mixture and Alligation

  • Problems on Ages

  • Data Interpretation

Candidates should focus on calculation speed, formulas and regular practice.

3. Reasoning Ability

This section evaluates logical thinking, analytical skills and problem-solving ability.

Important topics include:

  • Puzzles

  • Seating Arrangement

  • Syllogism

  • Inequality

  • Coding-Decoding

  • Blood Relations

  • Direction and Distance

  • Order and Ranking

  • Alphanumeric Series

  • Alphabetical Series

  • Number Series

  • Logical Reasoning

  • Data Sufficiency

  • Input-Output

Regular practice of puzzles and seating arrangements can help candidates improve their performance.

4. General and Financial Awareness

General and Financial Awareness is an important component of the Main Examination.

Important topics include:

  • Indian Banking System

  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

  • Banking Terminology

  • Monetary Policy

  • Financial Institutions

  • Digital Banking

  • Payment Systems

  • Financial Inclusion

  • Government Schemes

  • Indian Economy

  • Budget and Economic Survey

  • National and International Current Affairs

  • Important Appointments

  • Awards and Honours

  • Important Days

  • Reports and Indexes

  • Sports Current Affairs

Candidates should regularly revise current affairs, particularly banking, finance and economic developments.

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