IBPS Clerk- Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
Start your banking career as a clerk - IBPS Clerk is the gateway to 11 public sector banks.
IBPS Clerk recruits Customer Service Associates (clerical cadre) for 11 participating public sector banks through a single annual exam. Conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, it is one of India's highest-vacancy banking exams - the 2025 cycle opened with 10,277 posts, later revised upward. It offers stable pay, job security, no interview, and a clear promotion pathway to officer cadre.
10,277+ (2025 cycle, later revised up)
Vacancies
11
Participating Banks
2 (Prelims + Mains); no interview
Exam Phases
₹29,000+/month (in-hand)
Starting Salary
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Eligibility Criteria
Education
Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university. Local language proficiency (reading/writing) of the state of posting.
Age Limit
20–28 years (SC/ST: +5 years, OBC: +3 years, PwD: +10 years)
Nationality
Citizen of India
Exam Pattern
IBPS Clerk has two phases. Prelims is a 60-minute, 100-mark screening CBT with 20-minute sectional timing. Mains is a 2-hour-40-minute, 200-mark objective test. There is no interview - final selection is based only on the Mains score, plus a qualifying local-language proficiency check. Objective papers carry 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. IBPS tweaked the Mains distribution in the 2025 cycle - verify the latest notification.
Preliminary Examination
Online CBT60 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Main Examination
Online CBT160 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English Language | 40 | 40 |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
Key Topics & Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude
- check_circleNumber Series
- check_circleSimplification
- check_circleData Interpretation (Basic to Moderate)
- check_circleArithmetic (Percentage, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, Ratio, Time-Work, Speed-Distance)
- check_circleQuadratic Equations
- check_circleApproximation
Reasoning Ability
- check_circleSeating Arrangement (Linear & Circular)
- check_circlePuzzle
- check_circleSyllogism
- check_circleCoding-Decoding
- check_circleBlood Relations
- check_circleInequality
- check_circleAlphanumeric Series
- check_circleDirection Sense
English Language
- check_circleReading Comprehension
- check_circleError Detection
- check_circleSentence Rearrangement
- check_circleCloze Test
- check_circleWord Swap / Phrase Replacement
- check_circleVocabulary
Financial Awareness
- check_circleBanking Terms & Concepts
- check_circleRBI Policy Rates (Repo, Reverse Repo, CRR, SLR)
- check_circleGovernment Banking Schemes
- check_circleCurrent Affairs in Banking
- check_circleFinancial Institutions
- check_circleBudget Highlights
Computer Aptitude
- check_circleComputer Fundamentals
- check_circleMS Office
- check_circleInternet & Networking Basics
- check_circleShortcuts & Abbreviations
- check_circleInput/Output Devices
- check_circleComputer Security Basics
Career Roles & Salary
Customer Service Associate (Clerk)
₹29,000 – ₹35,000/month (in-hand)
Customer service, data entry, account management, and branch operations at bank counters.
Single Window Operator / Teller
₹29,000 – ₹35,000/month (in-hand)
Cash handling, passbook updates, and cheque-clearance roles in bank branches.
Special Assistant / Senior Associate
₹35,000 – ₹45,000/month (with increments)
Reached through seniority - supervisory clerical duties and more complex operations.
Officer Scale-I (via internal promotion)
₹36,000+ basic pay
After clearing JAIIB/CAIIB and accumulating service years, clerks are promoted to officer cadre, typically within 3–7 years.
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How to Prepare
Prelims sectional cut-offs are the first barrier
IBPS Clerk Prelims has sectional minimum scores. Practice sectional timed tests from week 1 - speed with accuracy in Numerical Ability and Reasoning decides selection.
Mains is harder than Prelims - don't underestimate it
Many candidates clear Prelims but fail Mains due to weak Financial Awareness. Start Mains banking GK preparation from day one, not after Prelims results.
Local language proficiency matters
IBPS Clerk requires working knowledge of the posting state's official language, verified through a proficiency test. Choose your state carefully and ensure you can read and write the local language.
No interview - Mains score is everything
Unlike IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk has no interview. Your Mains score directly determines your rank and bank allotment. Every mark matters.
Build speed with daily mock tests
Sectional timing rewards fast, accurate solvers. Attempt free IBPS Clerk mock tests and sectional practice sets on PrepClever, then analyse every attempt to cut careless errors.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Typically July–August |
| Application Window | Typically August (2025: 1–28 August) |
| Prelims Exam | Typically September–October |
| Mains Exam | Typically October–November |
| Result / Provisional Allotment | Typically January–April (following year) |
* Dates are indicative based on historical patterns. Check the official website for confirmed dates.
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IBPS Clerk FAQ
Is IBPS Clerk a good job?
Yes. IBPS Clerk offers excellent job stability, regular pay revisions, pension/NPS benefits, and a structured promotion path to officer cadre. Work-life balance is generally better than private-sector banking.
What is the salary of an IBPS Clerk?
With DA, HRA, CCA and special allowances added to the basic pay, the total in-hand salary is approximately ₹29,000–₹35,000 per month depending on posting city, and rises with annual increments and wage revisions.
How many vacancies does IBPS Clerk offer?
It is one of the highest-vacancy banking exams. The 2025 cycle opened with 10,277 Customer Service Associate posts and was later revised upward. Vacancy counts vary each year by bank and state.
Is there an interview in IBPS Clerk?
No. Selection is based purely on the Mains exam score. Prelims is only a qualifying screening, and there is a qualifying local-language proficiency requirement for the posting state.
Can an IBPS Clerk become an officer?
Yes. Clerks can appear for internal promotion exams (JAIIB/CAIIB certifications help) and become Officer Scale-I within roughly 3–7 years. This is a well-defined path in all participating banks.
IBPS Clerk vs IBPS PO - which should I choose?
IBPS PO is an officer post with higher pay, an interview stage, and transferable postings; IBPS Clerk offers more vacancies, no interview, and usually postings within your home state. The Prelims syllabus overlaps almost entirely, so many aspirants attempt both.
What is the age limit and attempts for IBPS Clerk?
20–28 years for General category (OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwD +10). There is no cap on attempts - you can appear every year while you remain within the age limit.
Is there negative marking in IBPS Clerk?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
How long does it take to prepare for IBPS Clerk?
With a focused plan, 3–4 months is typically enough: 4–6 weeks on concepts, then sectional practice, then daily mocks in the final month. Practice free IBPS Clerk mock tests on PrepClever to track your percentile as you go.
Is IBPS Clerk easier than SBI Clerk?
The two are comparable in difficulty and share the same syllabus. SBI Clerk cut-offs tend to run slightly higher because it is a single-bank recruitment with a strong brand pull; IBPS Clerk spreads vacancies across 11 banks and states.
Which state should I apply from in IBPS Clerk?
You apply for one state/UT and compete against candidates of that state only. Choose a state whose local language you can read and write, since language proficiency is verified before joining.
What is the IBPS Clerk application fee?
Typically around ₹850 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and around ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates; exact figures are confirmed in each year's notification.
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