Exams · IBPS Clerk
IBPS Clerk
IBPS Clerk — Prelims exam — day 1 of 2 (CRP CSA-XVI, tentative): 10 Oct 2026 (official — ibps.in). IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination: 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes, one fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer (IBPS notice, 1 Aug 2026). Official site: ibps.in.
IBPS Clerk (Prelims)
IBPS Clerk Prelims — 60-minute test with 100 questions (English, Quant, Reasoning) for clerical posts in public sector banks.
Official answer key: not announced yet — one email when it is
Free IBPS Clerk mock tests and previous year paper practice — start now.
Full-length mocks with instant scoring and solutions, PYQ-pattern papers, topic-wise tests and Ask Shishya when you're stuck. Your scores and a free day-by-day plan are saved to your account. All free, no credit card. Content is AI-drafted and checked against the official notification.
Updated 5 Oct 2026 ·Vacancy counts change every cycle — always confirm the exact number in the latest official notification before applying.
Sourced
Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
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Reading ComprehensionRead the passage and answer the question that follows. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has consistently achieved remarkable milestones with limited resources. While space agencies in developed countries operate with budgets running into billions of dollars, ISRO has demonstrated that cost-effective space exploration is possible through innovation and efficient resource management. The Mars Orbiter Mission, launched in 2013, cost India only 74 million dollars, which was less than the budget of the Hollywood film Gravity. This mission made India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit and the first nation in the world to do so in its maiden attempt. ISRO's success has inspired developing nations to pursue their own space programs and has positioned India as a major player in the global space industry, particularly in satellite launch services. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
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IBPS Clerk eligibility
Verified against the official notification. Source ↗ · last reconciled 2026-05.
- Age
- 20 – 28 years (General)Reference date is 1 August of the exam year. OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree (any discipline) from a recognised university.
- Computer literacy is essential — Class X with computer as a subject, or a certificate/diploma in computer applications.
- Knowledge of the local language of the state opted for is required; verified through a separate language test if not part of the qualifying degree.
- Attempts
- No attempt limit other than the upper age cap.
- Nationality
- Indian citizen, Nepal/Bhutan subject, Tibetan refugee (pre-1962), or PIO with eligibility certificate.
IBPS Clerk cutoffs
Historical cutoffs are a guide, not a prediction. Use them to set a realistic target, not to predict next year's exact number.
Prelims cutoff — overall (qualifying for Mains)
out of 100 marksDifferent states have different cutoffs — high-population states (UP, Maharashtra, Bihar) have the highest cutoffs because of competition density.
| Year | Category | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | General (state-wise range) | 70 – 79 |
| 2024 | OBC | 65 – 76 |
| 2024 | EWS | 68 – 78 |
| 2024 | SC | 55 – 70 |
| 2024 | ST | 45 – 65 |
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
IBPS Clerk salary after selection
Approximate starting gross at an X-class (metro) posting. Actual pay depends on post, city, year of joining and prevailing DA.
Clerk (Single Window Operator)
- Basic pay
- ₹26,730 (12th BPS w.e.f. 2022)
- Gross monthly
- ₹32,000 – ₹40,000 (metro, including DA + HRA + transport)
- Perks
- DA
- HRA
- Medical
- Pension under NPS
- LFC every 2 years
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
IBPS Clerk — Frequently asked questions
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Previous year papers
100 questions across all yearsPrevious year paper practice: each year is a set of PYQ-pattern questions — freshly worded in the pattern of that year's paper, not the paper itself. Every card shows how many it holds against the real paper's count.
2025
21 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2025 paper (which had 100)
Practise these →2024
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2024 paper (which had 100)
Practise these →2023
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2023 paper (which had 100)
Practise these →2022
19 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2022 paper (which had 100)
Practise these →2021
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2021 paper (which had 100)
Practise these →
Mock tests
Take any mock in your preferred language — use the language picker inside the mock to switch (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and 15 more).
IBPS Clerk — Full Mock 1
FULL100 questions · 60 min
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FULL100 questions · 60 min
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FULL100 questions · 60 min
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FULL100 questions · 60 min
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FULL100 questions · 60 min
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FULL100 questions · 60 min
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FULL100 questions · 60 min
Start mock →IBPS Clerk — Full Mock 8
FULL100 questions · 60 min
Start mock →IBPS Clerk — Full Mock 9
FULL100 questions · 60 min
Start mock →IBPS Clerk — Full Mock 10
FULL100 questions · 60 min
Start mock →IBPS Clerk — 2025 PYQ-pattern set (18 of 100 questions)
SET18 questions · 60 min
Start mock →IBPS Clerk — 2023 PYQ-pattern set (20 of 100 questions)
SET20 questions · 60 min
Start mock →IBPS Clerk — 2021 PYQ-pattern set (15 of 100 questions)
SET15 questions · 60 min
Start mock →IBPS Clerk — Full-Length Mock (Real Pattern: 100Q · 60 min)
FULL100 questions · 60 min
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Practice by subject & topic
Full-length subject tests below — 25 questions each, real exam format, instant scoring.Want to drill a single topic? Open it from the syllabus — a topic that has practice questions has a short quiz on its page.
English Language
104 QsNumerical Ability
76 QsReasoning Ability
73 Qs
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Your rank
vs everyone who has taken this examTake a mock to see where you stand on the leaderboard.
Students
71
Mocks taken
304
Average score
44%
Top score
100%
What can I get from IBPS Clerk?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
Top tier performance
88–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Excellent prospects for final selection with good Mains score
- •Choice posting locations in preferred state circles
- •Top-tier PSB allocations possible (PNB, Canara, Union Bank)
- •Strong foundation for banking career progression
- •Likely well above all category cut-offs
- •Consider preparing for IBPS PO/SO for officer cadre positions
Strong qualifying score
78–88% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •High probability of final selection after Mains and interview
- •Clerk posts with preferred location choices — metro and Tier-1 cities
- •Better bank allocation prospects (larger PSBs)
- •IDBI Bank, Bank of India clerical positions — preferred circles
- •Competitive advantage in Mains stage
- •Pay scale: ₹19,900-₹55,000 (JMGS-I scale with allowances)
General category safe zone
68–78% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Clerk positions in all participating PSBs — General category competitive range
- •State Bank of India (SBI) Clerk — if appearing via IBPS allocation
- •Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank clerical posts
- •UCO Bank, Indian Overseas Bank Clerk positions
- •Good chances for preferred state circle allocation
- •Typically above General category cut-off from previous years
Mains qualification likely
55–68% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Clerk posts in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) — OBC category range
- •Bank of Baroda, Union Bank, Canara Bank clerical positions
- •Indian Bank, Bank of India clerical cadre — state circle preferences apply
- •Punjab National Bank (PNB) Clerk — various circles
- •Competitive for OBC/EWS candidates; borderline for General category
Borderline qualifying range
40–55% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •May qualify for Mains in some categories (SC/ST/OBC)
- •Clerical Cadre posts in participating banks — General category cut-off typically higher
- •Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) clerical positions — state-wise allocation
- •Need strong Mains performance to secure final selection
- •Previous year SC/ST cut-offs approximately in this range
Below cut-off range
0–40% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
News & timeline
See older updates →Latest news
IBPS released the Preliminary Examination call letter for CRP-CSA-XVI on October 1, 2026. Candidates can download their admit cards from ibps.in using registration number and password/date of birth.
IBPS updated the Customer Service Associate vacancy count from the initial 11,403 to 11,663 on September 29, 2026, an increase of 260 vacancies across participating banks.
IBPS extended the online registration window for CRP-CSA-XVI from the original August 21 deadline to August 28, 2026, allowing additional candidates to apply.
IBPS issued the detailed notification for Customer Service Associate recruitment on August 1, 2026. Applications opened the same day for 11,403 posts across 11 public sector banks.
Important dates
Application deadline (extended)
passedFri, 28 Aug, 2026
Officialibpsreg.ibps.in ↗Extended from August 21
Application correction window
passedThe expected correction window date has passed — check the official website
ExpectedSeptember 4-5, 2026
Last date to print application
passedSat, 12 Sept, 2026
Reportedpracticemock.comPrelims admit card released
passedThu, 1 Oct, 2026
Officialibps.in ↗Available for download at ibps.in
🏦Prelims exam — day 1 of 2 (CRP CSA-XVI, tentative)
todaySat, 10 Oct, 2026
Officialibps.in ↗IBPS Tentative Calendar 2026-27 (dated 16.01.2026): CSA prelims on 10 and 11 Oct 2026. Your date is on your call letter.
🏦Prelims exam — day 2 of 2 (CRP CSA-XVI, tentative)
tomorrowSun, 11 Oct, 2026
Officialibps.in ↗IBPS Tentative Calendar 2026-27 (dated 16.01.2026): CSA prelims on 10 and 11 Oct 2026.
Prelims result (expected)
36 days awaySun, 15 Nov, 2026
ExpectedUsually announced in November
Mains admit card (expected)
66 days awayTue, 15 Dec, 2026
ExpectedExpected in mid-December
🏦Mains exam (CRP CSA-XVI, tentative)
78 days awaySun, 27 Dec, 2026
Officialibps.in ↗IBPS Tentative Calendar 2026-27 (dated 16.01.2026).
Mains result (expected)
113 days awaySun, 31 Jan, 2027
ExpectedTypically in January
Provisional allotment (expected)
156 days awayMon, 15 Mar, 2027
ExpectedExpected in March 2027 as per notification timeline
Syllabus
Tap any topic for its study notes + a 10-question topic test
English Language
Reading Comprehension
Passage-based questions — easier passages than PO, focus on direct comprehension and vocabulary.
Cloze Test
Fill blanks in a paragraph; single-fill format dominant at Clerk level.
Error Spotting
Identify the part of a sentence with a grammatical error.
Sentence Improvement / Phrase Replacement
Choose the best alternative for an underlined phrase.
Para Jumbles
Re-arrange 5–6 jumbled sentences into a coherent paragraph.
Fill in the Blanks
Single and double-blank sentence completion.
Sentence Rearrangement
Re-order parts of one sentence into a meaningful order.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Word-meaning questions, mostly within RC passages.
Idioms, Phrases and Spelling
Meaning of idioms; identify the correctly/incorrectly spelt word.
Word Usage / One-word Substitution
Choose the contextually correct word; replace a phrase with one word.
Numerical Ability
Simplification and Approximation
BODMAS, fractions, decimals — highest-frequency Clerk topic (8–10 questions).
Number Series
Missing-term and wrong-term series at Clerk difficulty.
Quadratic Equations
Compare two quadratic equations and decide x-y relation.
Data Interpretation
Arithmetic
Permutation and Combination
Basic counting and arrangement problems.
Probability
Single-event probability with coins, dice, balls.
Mensuration
Area and volume of squares, rectangles, circles, cylinders.
Number System
HCF/LCM, divisibility, factors and surds.
Reasoning Ability
Puzzles
Seating Arrangement
Syllogism
Two-statement deductions using all/some/no quantifiers.
Inequalities
Direct and coded inequalities between elements.
Coding-Decoding
Letter-shift, letter-number, and basic symbol coding.
Blood Relations
Family-tree and pointing-style relation problems.
Direction and Distance
Compass directions and shortest-distance problems.
Order and Ranking
Position-based ranking from top, bottom, left, right.
Alphanumeric / Number Series
Letter, number, and symbol series.
Alphabet Test
Word-formation, letter pairs, and position questions.
Data Sufficiency
Decide if statements are sufficient to answer.