IBPS Clerk 2026 Notification, Exam Date, Vacancy, Eligibility, Syllabus & More
Table of Contents
The IBPS Clerk 2026 notification is expected to be released in July/August 2026. The Prelims exam is scheduled for 10-11 October 2026, while the Mains exam will be held on 27 December 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official IBPS website for the latest announcements regarding vacancies, application dates, and admit cards.
What is the IBPS Clerk Exam?
The IBPS Clerk Exam is a national level examination conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for the recruitment of Clerks (Customer Service Associates) in public sector banks across India. The exam is conducted in two stages namely Prelims and Mains. Those who qualify in both stages are selected for the clerical posts in the participating banks. It is one of the most popular banking exams for graduates who are looking for a stable career in the banking sector.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Overview
Before you dive into the details, here is a one-look summary of the exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | CRP CSA-XVI (IBPS Clerk 2026) |
| Post | Customer Service Associate (CSA), formerly called ‘Clerk’ |
| Exam Level | National |
| Vacancies | To be announced (15,736 in the previous cycle) |
| Participating Banks | 11 Public Sector Banks |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Language Proficiency Test |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 years |
| Application Fee | Rs. 850 (General/OBC/EWS); Rs. 175 (SC/ST/PWD/ESM) |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
IBPS Clerk 2026 Notification
IBPS is likely to release the official IBPS Clerk 2026 notification in July or August 2026. Before applying, this Notification PDF will be published on the official website www.ibps.in with all the details of the vacancies, state-wise vacancies, registration dates, eligibility conditions, exam pattern, etc.
Till the time fresh notification is released, you can see the general structure and requirements from last year official notification PDF. The format doesn’t change that much from one year to the next, so it gives you a pretty good preview.
Till the time fresh notification is released, you can see the general structure and requirements from last year official notification PDF. The format doesn’t change that much from one year to the next, so it gives you a pretty good preview.
IBPS Clerk Exam Dates 2026
On January 16, 2026, IBPS published its official exam calendar for 2026, confirming the dates for Prelims and Mains in advance. Here is the full timeline as it stands today, with dates which are yet to be confirmed clearly marked.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| IBPS Clerk Notification 2026 | July–August 2026 (Expected) |
| Online Registration Start | To be announced |
| Last Date to Apply Online | To be announced |
| Application Correction Window | To be announced |
| Pre-Exam Training Call Letter | To be announced |
| Prelims Admit Card | October 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 10 and 11 October 2026 |
| Prelims Result | November 2026 (Expected) |
| Mains Admit Card | December 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | 27 December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | March 2027 (Expected) |
With the dates for Prelims and Mains already announced, you have a clear runway to plan your preparation. Now, working backward from 10 October 2026, you have a few months to build your basics and a few more weeks after Prelims to sharpen your Mains-specific topics like General Awareness and Computer Aptitude.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Vacancy
The exact number of vacancies for the 2026 cycle will be released by IBPS along with the official notification. Until then, the recent trend gives you a realistic idea of what to expect.
| Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 15,701 (later revised to 15,736) |
| 2024 | 11,826 |
| 2023 | 4,545 |
| 2022 | 6,035 |
| 2021 | 7,855 |
| 2020 | 2,557 |
| 2019 | 12,075 |
See how vacancies change from year to year, from 2,557 in 2020 to more than 15,000 in 2025. This often depends on the number of retiring clerks, the number of new branches opening and changes in the hiring needs of the banking sector. Low vacancy year does not mean tougher exam. It means higher cut-off. There are more candidates fighting for lesser seats.
State-wise and Category-wise Vacancy (Previous Cycle)
The table below shows how the 15,701 vacancies from the most recent completed cycle were distributed across states and reservation categories. This is useful if you want to estimate your chances in your home state, though the 2026 numbers will be different once announced.
| State/UT | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | General | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 589 | 28 | 754 | 272 | 1138 | 2781 |
| Maharashtra | 166 | 142 | 437 | 159 | 730 | 1634 |
| Karnataka | 214 | 108 | 338 | 135 | 591 | 1386 |
| Tamil Nadu | 247 | 9 | 322 | 116 | 523 | 1217 |
| Gujarat | 76 | 164 | 295 | 105 | 469 | 1109 |
| West Bengal | 256 | 52 | 237 | 102 | 439 | 1086 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 142 | 191 | 140 | 93 | 392 | 958 |
| Bihar | 118 | 4 | 201 | 72 | 365 | 760 |
| Odisha | 87 | 126 | 66 | 54 | 239 | 572 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 77 | 33 | 110 | 42 | 200 | 462 |
| Assam | 26 | 44 | 102 | 36 | 189 | 397 |
| Rajasthan | 67 | 53 | 77 | 37 | 177 | 408 |
| Punjab | 112 | - | 74 | 33 | 164 | 383 |
| Telangana | 61 | 27 | 81 | 32 | 161 | 362 |
| Kerala | 35 | 1 | 89 | 34 | 195 | 354 |
| Chhattisgarh | 34 | 97 | 13 | 28 | 142 | 314 |
| Delhi | 39 | 19 | 73 | 23 | 125 | 279 |
| Jharkhand | 27 | 60 | 31 | 24 | 126 | 268 |
| Haryana | 32 | - | 47 | 15 | 94 | 188 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 32 | 4 | 25 | 13 | 60 | 134 |
| Total (All States) | 2456 | 1257 | 3566 | 1463 | 6959 | 15,701 |
What Changed in the IBPS Clerk Mains Pattern
If you have seen the old IBPS Clerk study material or last year videos, you may notice Mains exam pattern looks different now. IBPS has changed the pattern of Mains and it is very important to know exactly what has changed before you start preparation.
| Feature | Earlier Pattern | Revised Pattern (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 190 | 155 |
| Total Duration | 160 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | Two separate sections | Combined into one section |
| Total Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Sectional Timing | Yes, per section | Yes, per section |
In simple terms you have lesser questions to attempt in lesser time and Reasoning and Computer Aptitude are tested together instead of 2 separate papers. This makes managing your time even more important as you can’t afford to spend too long on any one section.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the exam pattern will help you plan your time and attempt the sections in the order of priority. Both Prelims and Mains are conducted in CBT (Computer Based Test) mode and each section has separate timing.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
The Prelims exam is a qualifying round with 3 sections with a timer of 20 minutes each. To go further you must clear both the sectional and overall cut-off.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern (Revised)
The Mains exam holds the real weightage for your selection. It has four sections, including the combined Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude section added in the updated pattern.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 120 minutes |
Negative Marking: Every wrong answer costs you one-fourth (0.25) of the marks allotted to that question, in both Prelims and Mains. You do not get penalized for leaving answers blank, so random guessing is more dangerous than skipping a question you really do not know.
Qualifying Rule: You must clear both the sectional cut-off (minimum marks in each section) and the overall cut-off in Prelims to be shortlisted for Mains. The same rule applies at the Mains stage before the final merit list is prepared.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before you start your application, make sure that you meet all three eligibility requirements: nationality, educational qualification and age. Even if you clear both exams, you might get rejected at the document verification stage if you miss even one of these.
Nationality and Citizenship
You are eligible to apply for IBPS Clerk 2026 if you are one of the following:
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal, Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, intending to settle permanently
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia), or Vietnam, with the intention of settling permanently in India
Educational Qualification and Computer Literacy
A graduation degree in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India or equivalent. You should have completed your degree already and should have your mark sheet or certificate ready as you will have to enter your percentage while filling the online form.
Beyond your degree, IBPS also expects:
- Basic computer literacy evidenced by a certificate, diploma or degree in computer operations or languages or having studied Computer Science/IT as a subject in school or college
- Working knowledge of the official language of the state or union territory you are applying for, which is useful at the stage of Language Proficiency Test
- Ex-servicemen without a formal computer qualification, who must be matriculate and have an Army Special Certificate of Education (or equivalent) in addition to 15 years of service in the Armed Forces
Age Limit and Age Relaxation
The age limit for IBPS Clerk 2026 is 20 to 28 years as on 1 August 2026. This means you should be born between 2nd August 1997 and 1st August 2005 (both dates inclusive). If you’re in a reserved category you get some extra years added on to the upper limit.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 3 years |
| Persons With Disabilities (PWD) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual service period + 3 years (8 years for SC/ST disabled ex-servicemen), capped at 50 years |
| Widows, divorced women, and women legally separated and not remarried | Up to 35 years (General/EWS), 38 years (OBC), 40 years (SC/ST) |
| Persons affected by the 1984 riots | 5 years |
IBPS Clerk 2026 Application Process
The entire application process is done online at www.ibps.in. There are three main steps: registering, filling in your details and uploading documents and paying the application fee. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Go to the official IBPS website and click on the CRP-CSA link for new registration.
- Enter your basic details to receive a provisional registration number and password via SMS and email.
- Fill up the application form by logging in with your registration number and password.
- Use the ‘Save and Next’ option as you go along so that you can review your entries before final submission.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration as per the format given in the notification.
- Be careful while selecting your state for provisional allotment. This decision is final and cannot be changed later.
- Make payment of the application fee through Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking or Mobile Wallet.
- Download and print the e-receipt and the application form for your records after payment.
IBPS Clerk Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PWD / Ex-Servicemen | Rs. 175 (intimation charges only) |
| General and All Others | Rs. 850 (includes intimation charges) |
Document Specifications You Will Need
One of the common reasons for applications to get stuck is incorrect formatting of documents. Have these specifications ready before you start filling the form, so you are not struggling at the last minute.
| Document | Format | Dimensions | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | JPG/JPEG | 200x230 px (4.5x3.5 cm) | 20–50 KB | Colour photo, white background, no cap or sunglasses |
| Signature | JPG/JPEG | 140x60 px | 10–20 KB | Black ink on white paper, not in capital letters |
| Left Thumb Impression | JPG/JPEG | 240x240 px (3x3 cm, 200 DPI) | 20–50 KB | Use black or blue ink |
| Handwritten Declaration | JPG/JPEG | 800x400 px (10x5 cm, 200 DPI) | 50–100 KB | Must be in your own handwriting, in English, no capitals |
| 10th/SSC Certificate | A4 page size | Up to 500 KB | Clear, readable scan |
Scan your photograph, signature and thumb impression a few days in advance. If a file is not in the correct format or size, your upload may be rejected by the system. Last minute formatting issues can cost you valuable application time.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Selection Process
The selection process for IBPS Clerk consists of three stages and your final result totally depends on your performance in the second stage.
| Stage | What It Involves |
|---|---|
| 1. Preliminary Exam | An online objective test covering English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. This stage is only qualifying in nature, meaning your Prelims score does not count toward your final rank. |
| 2. Mains Exam | An online exam covering General/Financial Awareness, English Language, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. Your marks here decide your final merit and selection. |
| 3. Language Proficiency Test (LPT) | A test to confirm you can read, write, and speak the official language of the state you applied for. If you already studied the local language up to Class 10, you may be exempted. |
Is there an interview in IBPS Clerk? No. There is no interview round at any level. Your final selection will depend 100% on your Mains exam score followed by document verification and language test.
This is one of the biggest differences between IBPS Clerk and exams like IBPS PO where an interview does play a role. For Clerk, every mark you get in the Mains exam is very important as there is no next stage to improve a low score or make up for it with strong communication skills.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026
Prelims syllabus includes three subjects, Mains syllabus expands these subjects and introduces General/Financial Awareness and Computer Aptitude. Here is the full topic-wise breakdown.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Syllabus
| Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability | English Language |
|---|---|---|
| Number Series | Seating Arrangement | Cloze Test |
| Data Interpretation | Puzzles | Reading Comprehension |
| Simplification/Approximation | Inequalities | Spotting Errors |
| Quadratic Equations | Syllogism | Sentence Improvement |
| Data Sufficiency | Input-Output | Sentence Correction |
| Mensuration | Blood Relations | Para Jumbles |
| Average, Ratio & Proportion | Coding-Decoding | Fill in the Blanks |
| Profit and Loss | Order and Ranking | Para/Sentence Completion |
| Simple & Compound Interest | Direction Sense | – |
| Time, Speed and Distance | Alphanumeric Series | – |
| Permutation and Combination | – | – |
IBPS Clerk Mains Syllabus (Additional Topics)
On top of the Prelims topics, the Mains exam tests you on these additional areas:
| General/Financial Awareness | Computer Aptitude |
|---|---|
| Banking and Insurance Awareness | History and Generations of Computers |
| Financial Awareness | Computer Hardware and Input/Output Devices |
| Government Schemes and Policies | Computer Languages and Basics of DBMS |
| Current Affairs (last 6–8 months) | Operating System and Internet Basics |
| Static Awareness | Computer Networks and Security |
| – | MS Office Suite and Shortcut Keys |
Practical Tip: Current Affairs and Banking Awareness together make up a large chunk of the General/Financial Awareness section so reading a daily news digest focused on banking, government schemes and major appointments will help more than reading a generic newspaper end to end.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Language
The Preliminary and Main exams are conducted in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages except for the English Language section which is always tested in English only. This gives a fair chance to the candidates of different states to attempt the exam in their comfortable language.
| State / UT | Medium of Examination |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Sikkim | English, Hindi |
| Andhra Pradesh | English, Hindi, Telugu |
| Assam | English, Hindi, Assamese |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu | English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani |
| Goa | English, Hindi, Konkani |
| Gujarat | English, Hindi, Gujarati |
| Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh | English, Hindi, Urdu |
| Karnataka | English, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani |
| Kerala, Lakshadweep | English, Hindi, Malayalam |
| Maharashtra | English, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani |
| Manipur | English, Hindi, Manipuri |
| Odisha | English, Hindi, Odia |
| Puducherry | English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam |
| Punjab | English, Hindi, Punjabi |
| Tamil Nadu | English, Hindi, Tamil |
| Telangana | English, Hindi, Telugu, Urdu |
| Tripura, West Bengal | English, Hindi, Bengali |
List of 11 Participating Banks
IBPS Clerk recruitment covers 11 public sector banks. Once you clear the Mains exam, you will be allotted to one of these banks based on your preference order and the available vacancies in your selected state.
| Participating Banks (IBPS Clerk 2026) |
|---|
| Bank of Baroda |
| Bank of India |
| Bank of Maharashtra |
| Canara Bank |
| Central Bank of India |
| Indian Bank |
| Indian Overseas Bank |
| Punjab National Bank |
| Punjab & Sind Bank |
| UCO Bank |
| Union Bank of India |
How to Choose Your Preferred Bank
When you fill out your application, you will be asked to rank these 11 banks in order of preference. This choice is important because once you’re assigned a bank, you typically can’t switch. Here’s a simple way to think through your preference ordering.
- Check branch presence in your state: Banks with a wider branch network in your home state or region are more likely to give you a comfortable posting.
- Look at transfer and posting policy: Some banks move staff frequently across regions while others prefer to keep postings within the same state. Select according to your preference for movement.
- Consider work culture and growth: Ask seniors or check candidate forums about a bank's work environment, promotion timelines, and overall employee satisfaction before ranking it high.
- Language requirements: You will need to match the local language proficiency required in the state where a bank has strong presence as this will impact on your Language Proficiency Test.
- Don’t rank by name recognition: A bank that is well known but has very few branches in your preferred state may have fewer realistic posting options than a lesser known bank with a strong regional presence.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Centres
In the application form, you can select your preferred exam centre separately for Prelims and Mains. Once this option is submitted, you cannot change it. IBPS also reserves the right to allot a nearby centre if the first option chosen by you is not available. Here are some of the main centres by state.
| State/UT | Sample Prelims Centres | Sample Mains Centres |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Guntur, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati | Guntur, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam |
| Bihar | Patna, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gaya | Patna, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur |
| Delhi NCR | Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Greater Noida | Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar | Ahmedabad, Vadodara |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Belgaum | Bengaluru, Hubli, Mangalore |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tirunelveli | Chennai, Madurai, Tirunelveli |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Noida, Agra, Allahabad | Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Meerut |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Durgapur, Siliguri, Asansol | Kolkata, Asansol, Siliguri |
IBPS Clerk 2026 Pre-Exam Training
IBPS Clerk 2026 Pre Exam Training (PET) is a free training program conducted by IBPS for the candidates of SC, ST, OBC, Minority and other eligible categories. It helps aspirants understand the exam pattern, practice questions and gain confidence before the actual exam. The training is voluntary and online or at designated centres.
IBPS Clerk Salary 2026
IBPS Clerk salary starts with a basic pay of Rs. 24,050 per month which is revised over the pay scale with regular increments. Besides basic pay, you also receive allowances like Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance etc. All these allowances along with basic pay make up your gross monthly salary.
| Salary Component | Amount (Approx., in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 24,050 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | 4,769 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 2,740 |
| Special Allowance (SPL DA) | 1,114 |
| Transport Allowance | 850 |
| Other Allowances (TA/DA) | 134 |
| Approximate Gross Salary | 40,720 |
IBPS Clerk Admit Card 2026
IBPS Clerk Admit Card 2026 is an important document released by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection before the examination. It contains important details such as exam date, timing of shift, venue and candidate information. You will not be permitted to enter the exam hall without it.
How to Download IBPS Clerk Admit Card 2026
- Visit the official website of IBPS.
- Then Click on the link of “CRP Clerical” OR IBPS Clerk Admit Card.
- Enter your Registration Number/Roll Number and Password or Date of Birth
- Fill the captcha code and submit it.
- Your admit card will show on the screen.
- Download and take a clear print out for exam use.\
IBPS Clerk Answer Key 2026
IBPS Clerk 2026 Answer Key will help candidates to check their response and calculate their score post the exam. Candidates can compare their answers with the answer key and work out their probable score before the result is declared.
IBPS is likely to bring in more transparency in terms of answer keys and response sheets in the upcoming recruitment cycles, according to the latest updates.
IBPS is likely to bring in more transparency in terms of answer keys and response sheets in the upcoming recruitment cycles, according to the latest updates.
How to Download IBPS Clerk Answer Key 2026
- Visit the official site of IBPS.
- Click on the link of IBPS Clerk Answer Key 2026.
- Login using your Registration Number and Password/Date of Birth.
- See Answer Key and Response Sheet.
- Download the PDF on your device and refer to it later.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Cut Off
The IBPS Clerk 2026 cut-off is the minimum score required to qualify for each stage of the recruitment process. It varies every year depending on factors such as the number of vacancies, exam difficulty level, and the total number of candidates appearing for the exam.
Candidates must secure both the sectional and overall cut-off marks to move to the next stage of selection.
Candidates must secure both the sectional and overall cut-off marks to move to the next stage of selection.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Result
The IBPS generally announces results one or two months after each phase of the exam. Then comes the Prelims Result and later the Mains Result with the Final Cut off marks for each state and category.
To verify your result, login to the official website with your registration details. The final merit list is prepared as per maximum marks obtained in the Mains exam separately for each state and category and candidates on this list are called for document verification and language proficiency test.
To verify your result, login to the official website with your registration details. The final merit list is prepared as per maximum marks obtained in the Mains exam separately for each state and category and candidates on this list are called for document verification and language proficiency test.
IBPS Clerk Previous Year Question Papers
Solving previous year papers is one of the most reliable ways to prepare as it gives you an exact idea of how questions are framed, topics that are repeated and the difficulty level of the actual exam as compared to generic practice sets.
- When you sit down with a previous year paper, treat it as the real exam:
- Strictly time yourself using the same sectional limits as the actual exam
- Don’t check answers midway; complete the full paper first
- After finishing, go back and check all wrong answers and understand why you got the wrong one, not just what the right one was
- Track accuracy and speed separately, as both are important for your final score
IBPS Clerk Preparation Strategy
The IBPS Clerk syllabus is huge but the exam is more about speed and accuracy than difficulty. Most questions are of medium difficulty and what differs a good score from an average one is how quickly you move through the paper. Here's a section-by-section approach.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Start with basic calculations speed work. Tables, squares up to 30 and percentage to fraction conversions are real time savers in the exam.
- Practice Data Interpretation daily, as it often has the highest marks to time ratio if you can read the data quickly
- Simplification and Approximation. Never pass these. These are usually the fastest marks in the whole paper
Reasoning Ability
- Seating and puzzles Arrangements are usually the most important, so spend more of your daily practice time on these
- Read each condition in a puzzle carefully before you draw your diagram. Misreading one clue early on can waste several minutes
- Solve Syllogism and Inequality using a fixed method (Venn diagrams or symbols) instead of changing the method in exam
English Language
- If your English is weak, try to read one editorial or news article daily to build your vocabulary and reading speed naturally
- Rules-based practice of grammar rules for Sentence Improvement and Error Spotting, not memorising sentences
- Practice timed Reading Comprehension passages. Speed of comprehension is more important than vocabulary alone.
General Awareness (Mains)
- Concentrate on last 6-8 months of banking and financial current affairs as this is the window from which IBPS generally picks questions
- While reading, make short, revisable notes of RBI policies, government schemes and major banking sector news instead of trying to remember all in your head
- Revise the static banking awareness (RBI structure, types of accounts, monetary policy tools) at least once in a week
General Tips
- Once you have completed the basics for each topic, take at least two full-length mock tests per week.
- After every mock spend more time analysing your mistakes rather than trying the next mock test, this is where the real improvement happens
- Decide your section order and time allocation in advance and stick to it on every mock so that it becomes automatic on exam day
- Make sure your ideas are clear instead of collecting too many books or resources; depth in fewer sources is better than breadth in many
Best Books for IBPS Clerk 2026
| Subject | Recommended Book | Author/Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Reasoning Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| English Language | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| English Grammar | High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
| Computer Awareness | Computer Knowledge | Arihant Experts |
| Banking & General Awareness | Banking Awareness | Arihant Experts |
| Previous Year Papers | Disha 26 Year-wise IBPS Clerk Preliminary & Main Exams Previous Year Solved Papers | Disha Publication |
| Complete Preparation Book | Disha IBPS Bank Clerk Guide for Preliminary & Main Exams | Disha Publication |
FAQ’s About IBPS Clerk Exam 2026
The IBPS Clerk 2026 notification is expected in July or August 2026 on the official IBPS website.
The exact vacancies will be announced in the notification. A large number of vacancies are expected based on previous years.
No, there is no interview. Selection is based on the Mains exam score.
The starting basic pay is ₹24,050 per month. The gross salary is around ₹40,000–₹41,000 per month.
The fee is expected to be ₹850 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.
The Mains exam now has 155 questions to be completed in 120 minutes. Total marks remain 200.