The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Clerk exam every year to recruit Customer Service Associates/Clerks for participating public sector banks across India, under the ongoing CRP CSA-XVI cycle. The exam consists of three stages – Prelims, Mains, and a Language Proficiency Test (LPT) – testing Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Aptitude, and General/Financial Awareness.
Important Note: The syllabus and exam pattern below are based on the previous IBPS Clerk cycle, since the detailed notification for CRP CSA-XVI (expected around 31 July/1 August 2026) has not yet been released. Candidates should cross-check the final subject list against the official notification once published.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post | Clerk |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, and Language Proficiency Test (LPT) |
| Total Questions | Prelims: 100 | Mains: 155 |
| Total Marks | Prelims: 100 | Mains: 200 |
| Duration | Prelims: 60 minutes | Mains: 120 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer, both stages |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Final Merit Basis | Prelims is qualifying only; final selection is based on Mains marks, subject to clearing the LPT |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
IBPS Clerk Selection Process 2026
There is no interview at any point in this process.
- Stage 1 – Preliminary Exam: Objective online test, 100 questions/100 marks, 60 minutes. Qualifying in nature – marks are not added to final merit; candidates only need to clear sectional and overall cut-offs.
- Stage 2 – Main Exam: Objective online test, 155 questions/200 marks, 120 minutes. Mains marks are used to prepare the final merit list.
- Stage 3 – Language Proficiency Test (LPT): Conducted by the allotted bank, checks reading, writing, and comprehension in the regional language of the applied state. Qualifying in nature, but failing it can lead to disqualification even after clearing Prelims and Mains.
Both Prelims and Mains carry 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer; unattempted questions are not penalised.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | 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 |
Note: Category-wise minimum qualifying marks for Prelims are not specified in the sources used for this article – check the official notification for exact cut-offs.
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern
Conducted in bilingual format (English and Hindi), except the English Language section.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| General/Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Final selection is based entirely on Mains marks, provided the candidate also clears the LPT.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 – Subject-Wise Breakup
1. Reasoning Ability (Prelims & Mains, common)
Seating Arrangement & Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Inequalities (including coded inequalities in Mains), Alphanumeric Series, Order & Ranking, Input-Output (including machine input-output in Mains), Data Sufficiency, Statement & Conclusions/Assumptions/Arguments, Series Test, Odd Figure Out, Analogy, Classification, Assertion and Reasoning, Decision Making (Mains).
2. English Language (Prelims & Mains, identical)
Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, Word Formation, Spelling), Grammar (Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement/Correction, Phrases and Idioms, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech), Reading & Comprehension (Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Passage Completion, Theme Detection, Deriving Conclusions).
3. Quantitative/Numerical Ability (Prelims & Mains, identical)
Simplification/Approximation, Number Series, Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts), Quadratic Equations, Data Sufficiency, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Averages, Profit/Loss/Discount, Simple and Compound Interest, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work, Mensuration, Mixture and Allegation, Partnership, Permutation/Combination/Probability.
4. Computer Aptitude (Mains only)
Basics of Computer Hardware and Software, Windows Operating System Basics, Internet Terms/Services/Networking, MS Office Basics (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Database Basics, History of Computers, Basics of Hacking, Security Tools and Viruses.
5. General/Financial Awareness (Mains only)
Current Affairs (national/international news, Union Budget & Economic Survey highlights, Government Schemes), Banking & Financial Awareness (Indian financial system, history of Indian banking, RBI monetary/credit policies, banking terms), Regulatory & International Bodies (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, FSDC, IMF, World Bank, ADB, UN), Static GK (Important Days, Books and Authors, Awards, Headquarters, Appointments).
How to Prepare for IBPS Clerk Exam 2026
- Start with the syllabus, not random practice – map out every topic under each subject before picking up question banks.
- Build a sectional timetable, since each Prelims section has its own 20-minute limit – practise solving sets within that time rather than untimed.
- Prioritise high-frequency topics – puzzles and seating arrangement, data interpretation, and reading comprehension typically carry more questions.
- Attempt previous year question papers and mock tests regularly to track speed and accuracy.
- Track and revise weak areas weekly – after every mock test, list the topics where you lost the most marks.
- Don’t ignore Computer Aptitude and General Awareness for Mains – these can be scored quickly with static study material and daily current affairs revision.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official IBPS Website | Click Here |
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is the IBPS Clerk syllabus 2026?
✅ It covers Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Quantitative/Numerical Ability in Prelims, with Computer Aptitude and General/Financial Awareness added in Mains.
Q2. What is the exam pattern for IBPS Clerk 2026?
✅ Prelims: 100 questions/100 marks in 60 minutes (3 sections). Mains: 155 questions/200 marks in 120 minutes (4 sections), each with its own sectional time limit.
Q3. How many questions are asked in the IBPS Clerk exam?
✅ 100 questions in Prelims and 155 questions in Mains, based on the pattern referenced in this article.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the IBPS Clerk exam?
✅ Yes, 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer in both stages; no penalty for unattempted questions.
Q5. Is the IBPS Clerk syllabus the same as IBPS PO?
✅ Not confirmed – candidates should check the official IBPS PO syllabus separately rather than assuming identical topic coverage.
Q6. Is this the confirmed 2026 syllabus?
✅ It reflects the previous cycle’s pattern, since the detailed CRP CSA-XVI notification has not yet been released. Confirm against the official PDF once published.
Disclaimer
The information above is based on the previous IBPS Clerk exam cycle, pending release of the detailed CRP CSA-XVI notification. Candidates are advised to verify the final syllabus and exam pattern directly on the official website, ibps.in, once released.
