Bank Exams list- Eligibility, Selection process, Syllabus, Salary Structure

Banking exams in India are some of the most sought-after government sector jobs, offering job security, growth opportunities, and competitive pay. Every year, a range of bank exams is conducted by different recruitment bodies such as IBPS, SBI, RBI, NABARD, and individual banks to fill positions in clerical, officer, and specialist categories. In this guide, we provide a complete list of upcoming Bank Exams 2025, along with their eligibility criteria, selection process, syllabus, and salary structure.

Bank Exams

Each bank exam differs slightly in terms of pattern, difficulty level, and the nature of posts offered. While exams like SBI PO and RBI Grade B are known for their tougher selection process and higher competition, others like IBPS Clerk and RRB Office Assistant are more accessible for entry-level aspirants. Candidates should align their preparation strategy with the specific exam they are targeting, focusing on areas like reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English, and current affairs. Understanding the exam-specific structure and previous year trends can significantly improve one’s chances of qualifying and securing a stable career in the banking sector.

List of Top Bank Exams 2025

With lakhs of aspirants and limited seats, banking exams require focused preparation and a smart strategy. Whether you aim to be a Clerk, Probationary Officer, or a Grade B Officer, staying informed about eligibility, selection stages, syllabus, and salary is the first step toward a successful banking career in 2025. Here’s a list of the major bank exams to look out for in 2025:

IBPS PO (Probationary Officer)

The IBPS PO exam is conducted annually for recruitment in public sector banks for the post of Probationary Officers. It is one of the most competitive exams and opens doors to officer-level careers in banking. The exam includes three stages, Prelims, Mains, and Interview, and candidates must qualify in each phase to get selected.

IBPS Clerk

The IBPS Clerk exam recruits candidates for clerical positions in various nationalized banks. This exam is ideal for candidates looking to start their banking career at the entry level. It consists of Prelims and Mains exams, and there is no interview round for clerical posts.

IBPS RRB (Office Assistant & Officer Scale I, II, III)

The IBPS RRB exam is held for regional rural banks. It recruits Office Assistants (equivalent to clerks) and Officer Scale I (PO), II, and III (specialist and experienced roles). It’s a great opportunity for those aiming to work in rural and semi-urban areas.

SBI PO

SBI PO is one of the most prestigious banking exams in India, offering lucrative salary packages and career growth. The selection process includes Prelims, Mains, a Descriptive Test, Psychometric Test, and Group Exercise & Interview, making it slightly more intensive than other exams.

SBI Clerk

SBI Clerk recruits Junior Associates for handling customer support and banking operations. It includes a two-stage process, Prelims and Mains, and offers good pay, job stability, and career progression in India’s largest public-sector bank.

SBI CBO

SBI CBO recruits Circle Based Officers, offering a handsome salary package and promising career growth. For this post, candidates need to have an experience of minimum 02 years in a banking institution.

SBI SO

The SBI Specialist Officer exam is held to recruit professionals for roles like IT Officer, HR, Marketing, and Law Officer. The selection process includes online exams and interviews, depending on the post. It is ideal for candidates with domain-specific qualifications.

RBI Grade B

The RBI Grade B Officer exam is one of the most respected government exams in the finance sector. It offers a high starting salary, postings in metro cities, and an elite career path in the Reserve Bank of India. The exam is conducted in three phases: Phase I, Phase II, and the Interview.

RBI Assistant

This exam is conducted to recruit candidates for clerical roles in RBI offices across India. The selection process includes Prelims, Mains, and Language Proficiency Test. It is less competitive than the RBI Grade B but offers central government-level benefits.

NABARD Grade A & B

NABARD conducts exams for Grade A (Assistant Manager) and Grade B (Manager) posts in rural development banking. The exam includes Prelims, Mains (with descriptive writing), and an Interview. It is ideal for candidates with agriculture, economics, or rural development backgrounds.

Private & Cooperative Bank Exams

Banks like HDFC, IDBI, AP Mahesh Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and Karnataka Bank conduct their own recruitment drives for Clerk, Officer, and Assistant roles. These usually include a single-phase online test followed by an interview.

Eligibility Criteria for Bank Exams

To appear for most bank exams in India, candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Some specialist posts may require specific qualifications such as B.Tech, MBA, CA, or Law degrees. The minimum age is usually 20 years, while the maximum age varies between 28 to 30 years for general candidates, with age relaxations available for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, and ex-servicemen categories. Additionally, candidates must be Indian citizens or fall under the specified eligibility criteria for subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees. The eligibility conditions differ depending on the exam and post, but some general criteria are as follows:

Bank Exams Selection Process

The selection process for bank exams generally follows a multi-stage format. Most exams begin with a Preliminary Exam, which is qualifying in nature, followed by a Mains Exam that carries higher weightage. For officer-level posts like PO or SO, a personal interview or group discussion round is also conducted. Some exams may include a descriptive paper, language proficiency test, or psychometric assessment, depending on the role and bank. The final selection is made based on cumulative marks secured in the mains and interview rounds (if applicable).

Salary of Bankers

Bank jobs are known for their attractive salary packages, allowances, and job security. For entry-level posts like Clerks, the monthly in-hand salary ranges from ₹36,000 to ₹40,000, depending on the bank and location. For officer-level posts like PO and SO, the initial salary can be around ₹73,000 to ₹76,000. Higher posts like RBI Grade B or NABARD Grade A offer even more lucrative pay, often exceeding ₹80,000 per month. In addition to the basic salary, employees receive dearness allowance (DA), house rent allowance (HRA), medical benefits, pension, and travel concessions.

Bank jobs offer attractive salaries along with allowances and benefits. Here’s a general breakdown:

Bank Exam Syllabus

Although the syllabus can slightly vary across exams and posts, here’s a general overview:

1. Preliminary Exam Syllabus (For Clerk & PO)

• English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Sentence Rearrangement, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms & Antonyms, Para Completion, etc.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification & Approximation, Number Series, Data Interpretation (Tables, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, etc.), Arithmetic (Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, SI & CI), Quadratic Equations, Data Sufficiency, etc.
• Reasoning Ability: Puzzles & Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Inequality, Direction Sense, Input-Output, Statement & Assumptions, etc.

2. Mains Exam Syllabus

• General Awareness: Current Affairs (last 4-6 months), Banking & Financial Awareness, Static GK (important dates, geography, economy), Government Schemes, RBI, SEBI, and other regulatory bodies.
• Computer Knowledge: Basics of Computers, MS Office & Shortcuts, Internet & Networking, Operating Systems, Computer Terminology, Cyber Security & Malware, etc.
• Descriptive (if applicable): Precis, Email, Report, Letter and Essay Writing.

3. Specialist Officer (SO) Syllabus

Includes professional knowledge relevant to the specific role, like IT, Marketing, HR, Law, etc.