How IBPS Clerk selection works
IBPS Clerk (Customer Service Associate) is a common recruitment process for 11 public sector banks, run state/UT-wise: you apply for the vacancies of one state/UT only. You qualify the prelims to reach the Main exam; Mains marks alone decide the merit list; shortlisted candidates are provisionally allotted to one bank on merit-cum-preference; and the allotted bank checks your local language proficiency and documents before you join.
Stage-by-stage flow
- Prelims — qualifying online testClear the cut-off in each of the three tests, set by IBPS, to be shortlisted for Mains. Prelims marks don’t carry forward.
- Mains — the scored stageFour objective tests; you need a minimum score in each test and a minimum total. Cut-offs are decided state/UT-wise, depending on vacancies.
- Provisional allotmentMains marks (out of 200) are converted out of 100, and shortlisted candidates are allotted to one bank on merit-cum-preference against the vacancies banks actually report.
- Local Language Proficiency TestQualifying, held after Mains/provisional allotment but before joining — unless your Class 10 or higher mark-sheet shows you studied the language.
- Document verification & joiningThe allotted bank verifies your eligibility documents. Provisional allotment is not itself an offer of employment.
Prelims — the gateway
A 60-minute online objective test: English Language (30 questions, 30 marks, in English only), Numerical Ability (35 questions, 35 marks) and Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 35 marks), each separately timed at 20 minutes. You must clear each test’s cut-off, and IBPS shortlists an adequate number of candidates in each category for Mains; the marks are used only for that shortlisting. The 2026 prelims were scheduled for 10–11 October as per the IBPS calendar, with the result expected in November 2026 (tentative).
Mains — the decider
Four separately timed objective tests — General/Financial Awareness (40 questions, 50 marks, 20 min), General English (40 questions, 40 marks, 35 min), Reasoning Ability (40 questions, 60 marks, 35 min) and Quantitative Aptitude (40 questions, 50 marks, 35 min): 160 questions and 200 marks in 125 minutes. You need a minimum score in each test and a minimum total; cut-offs are decided state/UT-wise depending on the vacancies, and Mains scores aren’t shared until provisional allotment is complete. Only Mains marks count for the final merit list. The 2026 Mains is scheduled for 27 December as per the IBPS calendar.
Final merit & provisional allotment
The Mains total of 200 marks is converted out of 100 for provisional allotment. You must qualify in the Mains and rank high enough within your state/UT. Shortlisted candidates are provisionally allotted to one participating bank on merit-cum-preference, against the vacancies banks actually report — tentatively in March 2027. On equal scores, the older candidate ranks higher. Once made, an allotment can’t be changed.
Local Language Proficiency Test
You must be able to read, write, speak and understand the local language you opted for from your state/UT’s list (Annexure III of the notification). The test is held after the Mains/provisional allotment but before joining, by an independent body or by the bank; it is marks-based and qualifying. If you don’t qualify, you won’t be offered appointment. Candidates who produce a Class 10 or higher mark-sheet or certificate showing they studied that language don’t need to take it.
The notification does not give a date for the language test; it is part of the process run by the allotted bank or an independent body after allotment.
Documents & joining
Provisional allotment is not an offer of employment: the allotted bank verifies your eligibility and identity, and the offer, terms and joining formalities are its decision. At joining/document verification you produce originals with self-attested photocopies — the application printout, date-of-birth proof, photo ID, graduation mark-sheets and certificates (result declared on or before 21 August 2026), the Class 10 or higher certificate showing the local language, if applicable, and category, EWS, disability or ex-servicemen certificates in the prescribed formats. Missing documents cancel your candidature, and employees of government offices, PSUs or nationalised banks must bring a No Objection Certificate from their employer.
Crack IBPS Clerk with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ practice sets & timed mocks — to the latest pattern.
Peak for Mains, the stage that counts
Since only the Main exam builds your rank, JobSafal weights your plan toward Mains — while still getting you safely past every prelims test.
Mains-weighted plan
Clear the prelims, then peak for the Mains tests that decide merit.
Full CBT mocks
Real-interface mocks with rank comparison.
Date alerts
Prelims result, Mains call letter and allotment reminders.
PYQ practice sets
Previous-year questions, solved and tagged for prelims and Mains.
