Exam pattern at a glance
IBPS Clerk 2026 (CRP CSA-XVI) is an online, fully objective exam held in two phases. Prelims only screens; Main exam marks build the merit list used for provisional allotment to a bank, state/UT-wise.
Prelims exam pattern
Three objective tests, each with its own 20-minute timer — 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes. The information handout says you need a minimum score in each test and in the total; IBPS then shortlists an adequate number of candidates in each category for mains, depending on vacancies.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min | English |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | English, Hindi + state language* |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | English, Hindi + state language* |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min | −¼ of marks per wrong answer |
*The notification lists the versions for each state/UT — for example English and Hindi for Bihar or Rajasthan, English, Hindi and Telugu for Andhra Pradesh, and English, Hindi, Kannada and Konkani for Karnataka. Each question has five options. Plan to be at the venue for about 2 hours or more (the handout says approximately 150 minutes) for entry, verification and instructions.
Mains exam pattern
Mains is the stage that counts. You need a minimum score in each test and a minimum total; cut-offs are then decided state/UT-wise, depending on the vacancies in each state/UT. IBPS does not share mains scores until provisional allotment is complete.
| Stage | Taken by | Questions | Marks | Counts for merit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | All registered candidates | 100 | 100 | No — screening only |
| Mains | Candidates shortlisted from prelims | 160 | 200 | Yes — the only stage that does |
| Local Language Proficiency Test | After mains / provisional allotment, before joining | — | Marks-based | No — qualifying |
Mains — test-wise breakdown
Each test is timed separately and the order is not fixed. The Main exam runs 125 minutes in all, and IBPS advises planning for about 3 hours or more at the venue for verification and formalities.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 min | English, Hindi + state language* |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min | English |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 60 | 35 min | English, Hindi + state language* |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 35 min | English, Hindi + state language* |
| Total | 160 | 200 | 125 min | All objective |
Provisional allotment & the language test
There is no interview in IBPS Clerk. Clearing mains leads to two steps before you can join a bank.
Provisional allotment
Mains marks (200) are converted out of 100. Candidates high enough in the merit are allotted to one of the participating banks on a merit-cum-preference basis, against the state/UT-wise vacancies the banks actually report. On a tie, the candidate older by date of birth ranks higher.
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
You opt for one language of your state/UT (Annexure III) while applying. The test is marks-based and qualifying, held by the bank or an independent body after mains / provisional allotment but before joining. Failing it means no appointment.
Negative marking, stage by stage
IBPS uses one rule for every test: a wrong answer costs one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question. Leave a question blank and there’s no penalty.
| Exam stage | Penalty per wrong answer |
|---|---|
| Prelims (all three tests) | ¼ of the question’s marks |
| Mains (all four tests) | ¼ of the question’s marks |
| Unattempted questions | No penalty |
Prelims marks are used only to shortlist for mains. Only Main exam marks count for the final merit and provisional allotment. Scores from different sessions, if held, are normalised using the equi-percentile method, with scores taken up to two decimal points.
Crack IBPS Clerk with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ-style practice sets & timed mocks — built around the IBPS Clerk pattern.
Rehearse the exam pattern
Knowing the pattern is step one. JobSafal lets you practise it in timed tests, so separately timed sections feel familiar on exam day.
Timed mocks
Full-length IBPS Clerk mocks in a timed test interface.
Negative-marking analysis
See how your accuracy versus attempts affects your net score, question by question.
Section-wise practice
Drill one section at a time to fix the weak links the pattern exposes.
PYQ-style practice sets
Six timed sets to check your speed and accuracy before the real exam.
