Candidates for the upcoming Customer Service Associate (Clerk) recruitment examination conducted by the IBPS can now refer to the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 for the Preliminary and Main Examination. The syllabus for both the exams has been released by the IBPS and contains information on the exam pattern, subject-wise topics, marking scheme and more.
Before starting your preparation for IBPS Clerk 2026 exam, go through the newly revised syllabus for the exam. On this page, we have provided the complete syllabus for IBPS Clerk 2026 exam along with the latest exam pattern, section-wise topics, preparation strategy and direct link to download syllabus PDF for candidates’ reference to prepare for one of the most competitive banking exams in the country.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 Overview
| IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 Overview | |
| Particular | Details |
| Organization | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | IBPS Customer Service Associate (Clerk) 2026 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Selection Process | Prelims + Mains |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Question Type | Objective (MCQ) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 Marks |
| Official Website | https://ibps.in/ |
IBPS Clerk 2026 Selection Process
IBPS Clerk 2026 Selection Process is used to recruit eligible candidates for the post of Customer Service Associate (CSA) in various Public Sector Banks across the country. The selection process is transparent and based on merit. It comprises of two online examinations followed by Document Verification. There is no Interview round in IBPS Clerk selection process unlike IBPS PO recruitment.
The candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination will be eligible to appear in the Main Examination. The final merit list will be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in the Mains Examination, subject to verification of documents and fulfilling other eligibility criteria.
| IBPS Clerk 2026 Selection Process | ||||
| Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying Stage) | ||||
The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the recruitment process. It is conducted online and serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. The exam includes three sections • English Language • Numerical Ability (Quantitative Aptitude) • Reasoning Ability Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks decided by IBPS. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not considered for the final merit list. This stage is only qualifying in nature | ||||
| Stage 2: Main Examination (Merit Deciding Stage) | ||||
| Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are called for the Main Examination. This is the most important stage because the final selection depends entirely on the marks obtained in the Mains Exam • General/Financial Awareness • General English • Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude • Quantitative Aptitude Candidates should prepare thoroughly for every section, as competition is high and the final merit list is prepared state-wise and category-wise based on Mains performance | ||||
| Stage 3: Document Verification | ||||
Candidates who are provisionally selected based on the Main Examination are invited for Document Verification. During this stage, candidates must produce all original documents to verify their eligibility • Admit Card and Score Card • Graduation Marksheet/Degree Certificate • Class 10 & 12 Certificates • Valid Photo ID Proof • Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable • PwBD Certificate (if applicable) • Domicile/Local Language Proof (if required) • Passport Size Photographs Any discrepancy in the submitted documents may lead to cancellation of candidature • Local Language Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in the official/local language of the State or Union Territory they have applied for. If a candidate has not studied the local language in Class 10 or Class 12, the participating bank may conduct a Local Language Proficiency Test before final appointment Failure to qualify this test may result in disqualification | ||||
| Final Selection | ||||
The final appointment is offered after successful completion of the following: • Qualifying the Preliminary Examination • Securing a place in the Main Examination merit list • Successful Document Verification • Meeting Local Language Proficiency requirements (where applicable) • Satisfying all eligibility conditions prescribed by IBPS and the participating bank |
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination 2026 is the first round of the recruitment process for Customer Service Associate (CSA) for Public Sector Banks. The Preliminary Exam is conducted online. This round is a qualifying round and only those candidates who clear the sectional and overall cut-off marks in the Preliminary Exam will be shortlisted for the Main Exam.
The Preliminary Examination score is not considered for the final merit list. This stage is to qualify for the next stage of recruitment. The examination is meant to assess the candidate’s reasoning ability, numerical aptitude and proficiency in English language within the given time. Hence, speed, accuracy and proper time management are essential to score well in this examination.
| IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 | |||
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Highlights of IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Subject-wise Details
English Language
This section tests the candidate’s understanding of English grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence correction, error detection, cloze test, para jumbles, and other language-based questions. Good reading speed and grammar fundamentals are essential for scoring well.
Numerical Ability
The Numerical Ability section evaluates mathematical aptitude through questions on simplification, number series, arithmetic, data interpretation, quadratic equations, approximation, percentages, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, averages, time and work, speed and distance, and related topics. Regular practice is the key to improving both speed and accuracy
Reasoning Ability
This section measures logical thinking and analytical skills. Candidates can expect questions on puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, inequality, blood relations, coding-decoding, direction sense, alphanumeric series, order and ranking, and miscellaneous reasoning topics.
Negative Marking
IBPS follows a negative marking system in the Preliminary Examination. For every incorrect answer, one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
Important Points for Candidates
The Preliminary Examination is the first qualifying stage of the IBPS Clerk recruitment process
Candidates must clear both the sectional cut-off and the overall cut-off to qualify for the Main Examination.
The total duration of the exam is 60 minutes, with 20 minutes allotted to each section.
There is no option to switch between sections before the allotted sectional time ends
The final merit list is prepared only on the basis of the Main Examination marks; Prelims scores are used solely for shortlisting candidates for the next stage
| IBPS Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026 (Subject-wise) | |
| Subject | Important Topics |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Fill in the Blanks, Para Jumbles, Sentence Improvement, Vocabulary, Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Inequality, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order & Ranking, Alphanumeric Series, Input-Output, Logical Reasoning |
| Numerical Ability | Simplification, Approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Average, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Simple & Compound Interest |
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
IBPS Clerk Mains Examination 2026 is the last and most critical stage of the selection process for the Customer Service Associate (CSA) post. Those candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination will be able to sit for the Mains Exam.
The marks obtained by candidates in the Mains Examination are considered for the final selection of candidates. Therefore, candidates should try to score as high as possible in all sections of the Mains Examination
| IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026 | |||
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 Minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 35 | 60 | 35 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 30 Minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 120 Minutes |
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026 Subject-wise Details
General / Financial Awareness
This section evaluates a candidate’s awareness of current affairs, banking and financial institutions, RBI policies, government schemes, Indian economy, static banking knowledge, important appointments, awards, books, sports, and national & international events. Regular newspaper reading and banking awareness preparation are essential for scoring well.
General English
The English section measures grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence improvement, para jumbles, cloze test, error detection, fillers, and language proficiency. Candidates should improve their reading speed and grammar concepts for better performance.
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
This section tests logical thinking, analytical ability, and basic computer knowledge. Questions are generally asked from puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, syllogism, inequalities, blood relations, data sufficiency, logical reasoning, operating systems, internet fundamentals, MS Office, networking, and computer awareness.
Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude section examines numerical calculation skills and problem-solving ability. Important topics include arithmetic, data interpretation, simplification, quadratic equations, number series, percentages, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, averages, time and work, time, speed & distance, and probability.
Important Points about IBPS Clerk Mains Exam 2026
Mains Examination is the final stage of the IBPS Clerk recruitment process
Final selection is prepared only on the basis of Mains Examination marks
The exam contains 155 objective-type questions carrying 200 marks
Candidates receive 120 minutes with separate time allotted to each section
| IBPS Clerk Mains Subject-wise Details | |
| Subject | Detailed Topics Covered |
| General / Financial Awareness | Current Affairs, Banking Awareness, RBI & Monetary Policy, Financial Institutions, Government Schemes, Budget & Economic Survey, Banking Terms, Static GK, National & International Events, Important Days, Awards & Honours, Books & Authors, Sports, Important Committees, Currency & Capital Markets |
| General English | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Para Jumbles, Fillers, Phrase Replacement, Word Swap, Vocabulary, Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, Grammar, Spelling Errors, Sentence Rearrangement |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Order & Ranking, Inequality, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning, Statement & Conclusion, Computer Fundamentals, MS Office, Internet, Networking, Operating System, Computer Hardware & Software, Memory Devices, Computer Abbreviations, Cyber Security Basics |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data Interpretation, Simplification, Approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Problems, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Average, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Pipes & Cistern, Time, Speed & Distance, Boats & Streams, Partnership, Mixture & Allegation, Simple & Compound Interest, Probability, Permutation & Combination, Mensuration |
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 FAQs
Q1. What is the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026?
Answer:
The IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 is divided into two stages—Preliminary Examination and Main Examination. The Prelims includes English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Numerical Ability, while the Mains consists of General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude
Q2. How many stages are there in the IBPS Clerk 2026 selection process?
The IBPS Clerk recruitment process consists of two online examinations:
Preliminary Examination and Main Examination
Candidates who qualify both stages and complete the required verification process are considered for final appointment
Q3. Is there any interview in IBPS Clerk 2026?
Answer:
No. IBPS does not conduct an interview for Clerk (Customer Service Associate) recruitment. The final merit list is prepared solely on the basis of the marks obtained in the Main Examination
Q4. Are Prelims marks counted in the final merit list?
Answer:
No. The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature. Only the marks obtained in the Main Examination are considered for preparing the final merit list
Q5. Is there negative marking in the IBPS Clerk Exam?
Answer:
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer in both the Preliminary and Main examinations. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions
