IBPS Clerk 2027 · Syllabus & exam pattern
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2027 and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Topics
IBPS Clerk selection: Preliminary (60 minutes); Main (125 minutes), as per the official notice published 1 August 2026.
Subjects, number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for every stage, as printed in the official notice.
IBPS Clerk exam pattern 2027
Stages of selection
- 1Preliminary exam: online objective test of 100 marks (qualifying; shortlists for Mains)
- 2Main exam: online objective test of 200 marks; only these marks count for final merit
- 3Provisional allotment to a participating bank (state-wise, merit-cum-preference)
- 4Local language proficiency test before joining (unless exempt by Class 10 or higher marksheet)
Preliminary
60 minutes (20 minutes per test)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Negative marking: one fourth (0.25) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; no penalty for a blank. You must clear each test's cut-off decided by IBPS.
Main
125 minutes (separately timed tests)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness (20 minutes) | 40 | 50 |
| General English (35 minutes) | 40 | 40 |
| Reasoning Ability (35 minutes) | 40 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (35 minutes) | 40 | 50 |
Negative marking: 0.25 of the marks per wrong answer. A minimum score is required in each test and in the total. Only main exam marks are used for final merit.
Source: CRP CSA-XVI: Common Recruitment Process for Recruitment of Customer Service Associates (CSA) in Participating Public Sector Banks (vacancies of 2027-28) — Notification (published 1 August 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
How the two exams work: cut-offs, negative marking and merit
The preliminary exam is a one-hour online test of 100 questions and 100 marks: English Language (30 questions), Numerical Ability (35) and Reasoning Ability (35), each separately timed at 20 minutes. You must clear the cut-off in each of the three tests; IBPS then shortlists an adequate number of candidates in each category for the main exam.
The main exam is a 125-minute online test of 160 questions and 200 marks: General/Financial Awareness (40 questions, 50 marks, 20 minutes), General English (40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes), Reasoning Ability (40 questions, 60 marks, 35 minutes) and Quantitative Aptitude (40 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes). You need a minimum score in each test and a minimum total, and cut-offs are decided by the vacancies in each state.
In both exams, one fourth (0.25) of the marks of a question is deducted for every wrong answer. A question left blank carries no penalty.
Where an exam is held in several sessions, scores are normalised using the equi-percentile method, to two decimal places. Only main exam marks count for final merit: the 200 marks are converted to a score out of 100 for provisional allotment. If two candidates tie, the older candidate is placed higher.
English is tested in English. The other tests are offered in English, Hindi and, for many states, the regional language listed in the notice — for example Telugu in Andhra Pradesh, Kannada and Konkani in Karnataka, Marathi and Konkani in Maharashtra, Tamil in Tamil Nadu and Bengali in West Bengal.
IBPS Clerk syllabus: tests and sections as printed
The official notice does not print a topic-wise syllabus. It names the tests of each stage with their questions and marks, listed below; prepare the standard topics of each test. Always follow the latest notice.
- Preliminary (60 minutes, 20 per test): English Language (30 questions, 30 marks), Numerical Ability (35 questions, 35 marks), Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 35 marks).
- Main (125 minutes, separately timed): General / Financial Awareness (40 questions, 50 marks, 20 minutes); General English (40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes); Reasoning Ability (40 questions, 60 marks, 35 minutes); Quantitative Aptitude (40 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes).
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Because clerical vacancies are state-wise, you must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified local language of the state or UT you apply for. You choose one language from that state's list (Annexure III) in the online form.
If you produce a Class 10 or higher marksheet or certificate showing you studied that language, you do not take the test. Otherwise the test is held after the main exam or provisional allotment but before joining; it is marks-based and qualifying, and failing it means you will not be offered appointment.
Specified local languages (Annexure III)
| State / UT | Language |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Hindi / English |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu / Urdu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | English |
| Assam | Assamese / Bengali / Bodo |
| Bihar | Hindi / Urdu |
| Chandigarh | Hindi / Punjabi |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Gujarati |
| Delhi | Hindi |
| Goa | Konkani |
| Gujarat | Gujarati |
| Haryana | Hindi / Punjabi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Urdu / Hindi |
| Jharkhand | Hindi / Santhali |
| Karnataka | Kannada |
| Kerala | Malayalam |
| Ladakh | Urdu / Ladakhi / Bhoti (Bodhi) |
| Lakshadweep | Malayalam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi |
| Maharashtra | Marathi |
| Manipur | Manipuri / English |
| Meghalaya | English / Garo / Khasi |
| Mizoram | Mizo |
| Nagaland | English |
| Odisha | Odia |
| Puducherry | Tamil |
| Punjab | Punjabi / Hindi |
| Rajasthan | Hindi |
| Sikkim | Nepali / English |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil |
| Telangana | Telugu / Urdu |
| Tripura | Bengali / Kokborok |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi / Urdu |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi |
| West Bengal | Bengali / Nepali |
Frequently asked questions
What is the IBPS Clerk exam pattern?
Preliminary: English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability (60 minutes (20 minutes per test)). Negative marking: one fourth (0.25) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; no penalty for a blank. You must clear each test's cut-off decided by IBPS. Main: General / Financial Awareness (20 minutes), General English (35 minutes), Reasoning Ability (35 minutes), Quantitative Aptitude (35 minutes) (125 minutes (separately timed tests)). Negative marking: 0.25 of the marks per wrong answer. A minimum score is required in each test and in the total. Only main exam marks are used for final merit.
Is there negative marking in IBPS Clerk?
Yes. One fourth (0.25) of the marks of a question is deducted for every wrong answer in both exams; unanswered questions carry no penalty.
What is the IBPS Clerk exam pattern?
Prelims: 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes (English 30, Numerical Ability 35, Reasoning 35). Mains: 160 questions, 200 marks, 125 minutes (General/Financial Awareness 40, General English 40, Reasoning 40, Quantitative Aptitude 40).