IBPS Clerk Eligibility 2026, Education and Age Limit

The IBPS Clerk Eligibility 2026 is an important criterion that candidates must understand before applying for the upcoming Clerk examination. Institute of Banking Personnel Selection sets specific eligibility conditions related to education, age limit, and nationality to ensure fair selection. Checking these requirements in advance helps candidates confirm whether they qualify for the recruitment process. It also prevents application rejection at later stages due to ineligibility.

IBPS Clerk Eligibility 2026

The IBPS Clerk Eligibility 2026 includes defined standards for educational qualification and age limit, which must be fulfilled as on the date mentioned in the official notification. Candidates must possess the required academic qualification from a recognized institution and fall within the prescribed age range. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government rules. Only candidates meeting all eligibility conditions will be allowed to participate in the examination and further selection stages.

IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026: Overview

Here is a brief overview of IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026, which will consist of the education qualification required, age limit, and nationality.

IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria

As per the released notification, candidates up to 28 years of age are eligible to apply for the IBPS Clerk Exam. To help you understand better, here are the complete details of the IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026.

Educational Qualification (as on cut off date)

The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a university recognized by the Government of India or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.

• The degree must be completed, and the mark sheet or degree certificate must be available at the time of online registration.
• Candidates must mention the percentage of marks obtained in graduation while filling out the online form.
• Candidates still awaiting final results or provisional certificates are not eligible.

Age Limit (as on cut off date)

The candidate must have been born between 02.08.1998 and 01.08.2006 (both dates inclusive). To be eligible for IBPS Clerk 2026, candidates must fulfill the following age criteria:

Age Relaxation As Per IBPS Clerk Eligibility 2026

There is a relaxation in the age limit for candidates depending on the category. In the table given below, we have provided the age relaxation available to candidates falling under certain categories.

IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality

A candidate must be either:

• A Citizen of India
• A Citizen of Nepal
• A Citizen of Bhutan
• A Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 to permanently settle in India
• A Person of Indian Origin who has migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or East African countries of Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Malawi to permanently settle in India.

Computer Literacy: Mandatory Requirement

IBPS has made computer knowledge a compulsory eligibility condition for the clerical post. Candidates must have:

• A certificate/diploma/degree in computer operations or computer language OR
• Studied Computer/Information Technology as one of the subjects in high school, college, or an institute.
• Without basic computer literacy, candidates are not eligible for the post, as clerks are expected to operate core banking systems and software daily.

Language Proficiency: State/ UT Specific

Since IBPS Clerk recruitment is conducted state-wise, candidates must be proficient in the official language of the state/UT they are applying for.
They should be able to read, write, and speak the local language.

Candidates may be required to pass a language proficiency test at the time of joining if selected.

Credit History and CIBIL Score

A unique aspect of the IBPS Clerk eligibility is the requirement of a healthy credit history at the time of joining. The participating banks may check the candidate’s financial credibility before issuing an offer letter.

• Candidates should have a positive credit score, and no major defaults reflected in their CIBIL report.
• If any loan defaults or outstanding amounts are visible, candidates must:
• Get the CIBIL status updated, or
• Produce No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from concerned lenders at the time of joining.
• The final decision regarding joining lies with the respective bank, and any negative CIBIL status may lead to cancellation of the offer letter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Checking Eligibility

While applying for the IBPS Clerk 2026 exam, many candidates make small mistakes that can lead to rejection of their application. Here are some common errors you should avoid:

• Not Checking the Cut-off Date for Age and Qualification: Always check the date mentioned in the notification for calculating your age or educational qualification. Meeting the eligibility as of that specific date is mandatory.
• Ignoring Language Proficiency Requirements: Applying for a state without knowing its official language can cause issues during the selection process. Make sure you can read, write, and speak the language of the state you’re applying for.
• Incomplete or Incorrect Educational Details: Ensure that your graduation degree is from a recognised university and that you’ve entered the correct information.
• Assuming Age Relaxation Applies Automatically: Candidates from reserved categories must provide valid certificates to claim age relaxation. Don’t assume it applies without documentation.
• Not Fulfilling Nationality Conditions: Check if you meet the citizenship or residency requirements as clearly mentioned in the eligibility criteria.