What the IBPS Clerk cut-off means
There are two qualifying bars. The prelims cut-off is sectional: you have to clear English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning separately to be shortlisted for the Mains. The Mains cut-off asks for a minimum score in each test and a minimum total, and it is decided state/UT-wise against the vacancies of each state/UT. There is no interview in this recruitment, so your Mains marks alone decide your place in the merit list.
Prelims cut-off (sectional)
The prelims is a screening test. To reach the Mains you have to score at least the cut-off in each of its three tests. IBPS sets those marks and then shortlists an adequate number of candidates in each category for the Mains, depending on its requirements.
| Test | Questions / marks | Cut-off rule |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 / 30 | Must clear — minimum set by IBPS |
| Numerical Ability | 35 / 35 | Must clear — minimum set by IBPS |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 / 35 | Must clear — minimum set by IBPS |
| Total | 100 / 100 · 60 min | Category-wise shortlist for Mains |
Source: clause D(a) of the CRP CSA-XVI notification and the prelims Information Handout. Each test is timed separately at 20 minutes. The handout adds that you need a minimum score on the total as well as in each test. Neither document gives the cut-off marks themselves. Prelims marks are used only to shortlist candidates for the Mains and don’t count in the final merit list.
Vacancies behind the cut-off, by category
Cut-offs are decided depending on the number of vacancies, and IBPS shortlists candidates category by category. These are the indicative vacancies for 2027-28 as updated on 29 September 2026: 11,663 in all, the sum of the state-wise tables (the original notification of 1 August 2026 listed 11,403).
Source: Annexure I as updated by the corrigendum of 29.09.2026 (Union Bank of India’s vacancies are shown as not reported). These numbers are indicative: provisional allotment is made on the actual vacancies the banks report. Because recruitment is state/UT-wise, the vacancies that matter for you are those of the state/UT you applied for.
Mains cut-off: every test, plus the total
Clause F of the notification says you need a minimum score in each test of the Main exam and a minimum total to be considered further. The cut-offs are decided depending on the number of state/UT-wise vacancies, and candidates are then considered for provisional allotment.
What decides the cut-off
IBPS doesn’t fix the marks in advance. According to the notification, these four things shape where the line falls:
State/UT-wise vacancies
The Mains cut-offs depend on the number of vacancies in each state/UT. This cycle has 11,663 indicative vacancies for 2027-28 (updated 29 Sep 2026), spread unevenly across states/UTs.
Category-wise shortlisting
IBPS shortlists an adequate number of candidates in each category for the Mains, depending on its requirements, so the cut-off differs by category.
Normalisation
If the exam runs in more than one session, corrected scores are normalised using the equi-percentile method and calculated to two decimal places.
Negative marking
Every wrong answer costs a quarter of that question’s marks, and cut-offs apply to this corrected score. Questions you leave blank cost nothing.
How the final merit list works
Only Mains marks count for the final merit list. The Mains carries 200 marks, which are converted out of 100 for provisional allotment. You must qualify in the Mains and rank high enough to be provisionally allotted to one of the participating banks, on a merit-cum-preference basis, against the vacancies of your state/UT. After that comes a qualifying Local Language Proficiency Test before joining, unless your Class 10 or higher mark-sheet shows you studied the opted language.
A few more rules decide close cases. If two or more candidates have the same score, the older candidate is placed higher. Reserved-category candidates selected on the General standard are treated as General candidates. IBPS may also keep a reserve list of about 30% of the vacancies in each category, if enough candidates are available. It lapses one year after provisional allotment or when a fresh allotment is made, whichever is earlier, and being on it doesn’t guarantee allotment.
See how the Mains is scoredCrack IBPS Clerk with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ practice sets & timed mocks — built around the IBPS Clerk pattern.
Clear every section, not just the total
IBPS Clerk cut-offs are sectional. A strong total can’t make up for one weak test. JobSafal helps you spot the weak section early and fix it before exam day.
Section-wise mock analysis
See your English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning scores separately after every mock, so a weak section can’t hide.
Daily plan
Daily targets that spend more time on the section pulling your score down.
Accuracy over guessing
Practise deciding when to skip, since every wrong answer costs a quarter of the question’s marks.
Timed mocks
Separately timed sections, just like the real exam, so you build the right pace for each test.
