What Is IBPS CLERK?
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Clerk exam is a national-level recruitment exam conducted to select candidates for clerical positions in public sector banks across India. It is one of the most sought-after banking exams, offering a secure job, steady career growth, and attractive perks.
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1. Exam Stages
The IBPS Clerk selection process consists of two main stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Main Examination (Mains)
There is no interview for the IBPS Clerk exam — final selection is based entirely on Mains exam scores.
2. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
- Mode: Online (Computer-based test)
- Duration: 1 hour (20 minutes per section)
- Total Marks: 100
- Sections:
Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Time Allotted |
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
- Negative Marking: 25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- Qualifying Criteria: Candidates must clear sectional cutoffs and the overall cutoff to move to the Mains.
3.Main Examination (Mains)
- Mode: Online (Computer-based test)
- Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Total Marks: 200
- Sections:
Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Time Allotted |
General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
- Negative Marking: 25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- Weightage: The final merit list is prepared based on Mains marks
4.Provisional Allotment
- After the Mains result, candidates are provisionally allotted to banks based on their Mains score and bank preferences filled during the application.
- State-wise and category-wise vacancies affect the cutoff.
5. Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
- Candidates selected after Mains may have to take a Language Proficiency Test (LPT) in the official language of the state/UT they applied for.
- Failure to qualify in LPT can lead to disqualification
6. Eligibility Criteria
- Age: 20 to 28 years (age relaxations for reserved categories)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
- Computer Knowledge: Basic computer skills are necessary.
- Language: Proficiency in the official language of the state/UT you’re applying for.
7. Application Process
- Online Registration: Fill out the form on the official IBPS website.
- Fees:
- General/EWS/OBC: ₹850
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹175
- Admit Card: Issued separately for Prelims and Mains.