Exam Details
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Overview
If you are looking for a secure banking job with steady career growth, good salary, and opportunities in public sector banks, then IBPS Clerk 2026 is one of the best opportunities for you. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for the IBPS Clerk exam to join various participating public sector banks as a Customer Service Associate / Clerk.
The exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and is one of India’s most popular banking recruitment exams. Selected candidates are posted in different banks across India based on vacancies and preferences.
The recruitment process generally includes Prelims Exam + Mains Exam + Provisional Allotment.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Overview: Everything You Must Know
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IBPS Clerk 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Name | Customer Service Associate / Clerk |
| Job Type | Banking / Clerical Cadre |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Provisional Allotment |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 years |
| Salary | Approx. ₹38,000+ to ₹45,000+ (city dependent) |
| Vacancy Range | 4,000 – 8,000+ (expected trend based) |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
Eligibility
IBPS Clerk 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates must ensure they fulfill nationality, educational qualification, age limit, and computer literacy requirements.
Nationality
A candidate must be:
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- Tibetan refugee (as per rules), or
- Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries.
Educational Qualification for IBPS Clerk 2026
Candidates must have:
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university, or
- Equivalent qualification recognized by Government.
Final Year Students
Candidates must possess graduation result by the date mentioned in the official notification.
Computer Knowledge Requirement
Candidates should have:
- Certificate / Diploma / Degree in computer operations, or
- Computer studied as subject in school/college.
(Exact requirement depends on notification.)
IBPS Clerk 2026 Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 28 years
(Exact cut-off date will be in official notification.)
IBPS Clerk Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per rules |
| Widows/Divorced Women | As per rules |
Exam Pattern
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern
The exam is conducted in two stages:
- Preliminary Exam
- Main Exam
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
Key Points:
- Sectional timing present
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks
- Qualifying stage for mains shortlist
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 min |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 min |
Key Points:
- Final merit usually based on mains marks
- Negative marking applicable
- Highly competitive exam
Selection Process
IBPS Clerk 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process usually happens in the following stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
This is the first screening stage.
Purpose:
- Shortlist candidates for mains
- Check speed + basics
Stage 2: Main Examination
This is the deciding stage for final allotment.
Tests:
- Awareness
- English
- Quant
- Reasoning
- Computer Aptitude
Stage 3: Provisional Allotment
Based on mains marks, category, vacancies, and preferences, selected candidates are allotted participating banks.
Stage 4: Document Verification
Selected candidates submit documents like:
- Graduation marksheets
- ID proof
- Category certificate
- DOB proof
- Computer certificate (if required)
Frequently Asked Questions
Preliminary Examination (qualifying in nature)
Main Examination
There is no Interview. Final merit is prepared based on Mains marks. Candidates also need to qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test (if applicable).
Maximum Age: 28 years (as on the date mentioned in notification, usually 1st August).
Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules for reserved categories.
Candidates should also have basic computer knowledge and proficiency in the local language of the state/UT they are applying for.
English Language: 30 Qs / 30 marks (20 min)
Numerical Ability: 35 Qs / 35 marks (20 min)
Reasoning Ability: 35 Qs / 35 marks (20 min)
Mains (200 marks, 160 minutes approx.):
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
General/Financial Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
General English
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