# IBPS Clerk (Prelims) (IBPS Clerk) — Shishya exam context

> Machine-readable context for IBPS Clerk (Prelims), maintained by Shishya (https://shishya.in) — India's end-to-end free government exam preparation platform. All facts below are free to cite; link back to https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK. Human page: https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK

## Exam pattern
- Category: BANKING · national
- Questions: 100 · Total marks: 100 · Marks per question: 1
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Negative marking: −0.25 per wrong answer
- Languages offered: EN, HI

## Eligibility & vacancies
- Age: 20–28 years (before category relaxation: OBC +3, SC/ST +5)
- Education: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- Approximate annual vacancies: 11,403
- Note: Computer literacy required (certificate/diploma or computer subject studied); proficiency in state language mandatory for posting
- Official portal: https://www.ibps.in (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS))

## Key dates
- 2026-07-30 — Official notification release expected
- 2026-08-01 — CRP CSA-XVI notification released
- 2026-08-01 — Online application window opened
- 2026-08-01 — Application portal opens
- 2026-08-01 — Application portal opens (tentative)
- 2026-08-03 — Official notification release expected
- 2026-08-07 — Official notification release expected
- 2026-08-07 — Official notification release expected

## Syllabus outline
### English Language (weight 1)
Cloze Test · Error Spotting · Fill in the Blanks · Para Jumbles · Reading Comprehension · Sentence Improvement / Phrase Replacement · Sentence Rearrangement · Idioms, Phrases and Spelling · Synonyms and Antonyms · Word Usage / One-word Substitution

### Numerical Ability (weight 1)
Arithmetic · Problems on Ages · Average · Mixture and Alligation · Partnership · Percentage · Profit and Loss · Ratio and Proportion · Simple and Compound Interest · Time, Speed and Distance · Time and Work · Data Interpretation · Bar Graph DI · Line Graph DI · Pie Chart DI · Tabular DI · Mensuration · Number Series · Number System · Permutation and Combination · Probability · Quadratic Equations · Simplification and Approximation

### Reasoning Ability (weight 1)
Alphabet Test · Alphanumeric / Number Series · Blood Relations · Coding-Decoding · Data Sufficiency · Direction and Distance · Inequalities · Order and Ranking · Puzzles · Box / Stack Puzzle · Day / Month Scheduling · Floor Puzzle · Seating Arrangement · Circular Arrangement · Linear Arrangement · Syllogism

## Expected cutoffs (category-wise)
| Category | Expected Cutoff (Indicative) |
|----------|------------------------------|
| General | 72–78 marks (out of 100) |
| EWS | 70–76 marks (out of 100) |
| OBC | 68–74 marks (out of 100) |
| SC | 60–66 marks (out of 100) |
| ST | 55–62 marks (out of 100) |
| PwD | 40–50 marks (out of 100) |

**Guidance:**
- The **General–OBC gap** typically ranges 4–6 marks, with SC/ST cutoffs positioned 12–18 marks below General depending on vacancy distribution and competition intensity.
- Cutoffs fluctuate year-to-year based on **exam difficulty, total vacancies, state-wise reservation**, and candidate turnout; high-vacancy years see marginally lower cutoffs (2–4 marks), while tougher papers compress the range.
- Sectional cutoffs also apply (usually 8–10 marks per section for General); candidates must clear **both sectional and overall cutoffs** to qualify for Mains.

Full cutoff page: https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK/cutoff

## Free resources on Shishya for this exam
- Exam hub (mocks, PYQs, news, dates): https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK
- Full syllabus + free study notes: https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK/syllabus
- Category-wise expected cutoffs: https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK/cutoff
- Memory tricks & mnemonics: https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK/tricks
- How to crack it (strategy guide): https://shishya.in/exams/IBPS_CLERK/guide
- Free day-by-day study plan (personal coach): https://shishya.in/coach
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