Exam pattern at a glance
IBPS RRB Clerk 2026 (Office Assistants, CRP RRBs-XV) is an online exam held in two phases. Prelims only screens; mains marks build the final merit, and there is no interview. As per the IBPS calendar, prelims is on 6, 12 and 13 December 2026 and mains on 30 January 2027 (tentative).
Prelims exam pattern
Two objective tests, each with its own timer — 80 questions for 80 marks in 45 minutes. You must clear the minimum cut-off in both tests; IBPS then shortlists an adequate number of candidates in each category for mains.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 25 min | English, Hindi & listed state language |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 20 min | English, Hindi & listed state language |
| Total | 80 | 80 | 45 min | −¼ of marks per wrong answer |
Mains exam pattern
Mains is the stage that decides selection. You need a minimum score in each test to be considered for provisional allotment, and how many candidates are shortlisted depends on the vacancies in each state.
| Part | Taken by | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective tests (5) | All mains candidates | 200 | 200 | 2 h |
| Interview | Not held for Office Assistants | — | — | — |
Mains — test-wise breakdown
Each test is timed separately. The fourth test is a language test: you take either English Language or Hindi Language, not both. IBPS can modify the structure, including duration, and announces any change on ibps.in.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 50 | 30 min | English, Hindi & listed state language |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 20 | 15 min | English, Hindi & listed state language |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 15 min | English, Hindi & listed state language |
| English Language (or Hindi Language) | 40 | 40 | 30 min | English |
| Hindi Language (or English Language) | 40 | 40 | 30 min | Hindi |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 50 | 30 min | English, Hindi & listed state language |
| Total (one language test) | 200 | 200 | 120 min | −¼ of marks per wrong answer |
Final merit & provisional allotment
Office Assistant mains is fully objective, and there is no interview. Your mains score goes straight into the merit list used for provisional allotment.
Final merit
Only marks obtained in the online main exam are counted. You must score at least the minimum in each mains test, and clearing every test may not be enough on its own — your total must also rank high enough. If two candidates have the same score, the older one is placed higher.
Provisional allotment
Shortlisted candidates are provisionally allotted to an RRB within the state/UT they chose in the application, on merit-cum-preference and the actual vacancies the RRBs report. A reserve list is drawn up in each category to the extent of vacancies as per extant provision.
Negative marking, stage by stage
IBPS uses one rule for every objective 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 (both tests) | ¼ of the question’s marks |
| Mains (all five tests you take) | 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 list. Scores from different sessions, if held, are normalised using the equi-percentile method, to two decimal places.
Prep for IBPS RRB Clerk with your own daily plan
Daily targets for Reasoning, Quant, English & General Awareness — sequenced for the IBPS RRB Clerk prelims and mains.
Prepare for every test in the pattern
Knowing the pattern is step one. Your IBPS RRB Clerk plan in JobSafal turns the tests into short daily targets. JobSafal doesn’t have IBPS RRB Clerk mock tests or PYQ sets yet, so time yourself against the 25 + 20 minute prelims timers as you practise.
Daily targets
The topics behind each test, split into small daily targets.
Reasoning & Quant
The two prelims tests, which also carry 50 marks each in mains.
English & General Awareness
Language and awareness topics for two of the five mains tests.
English & Hindi
Study in either language.
