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IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026, Subject Wise Exam Pattern for Prelims + Mains Exam

IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 has been revised as per the latest CRP CSA-XVI recruitment process. The exam will be conducted in three stages Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). While the Prelims syllabus remains unchanged, the Mains exam pattern has been updated with 160 questions carrying 200 marks to be completed in 125 minutes.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026

With the IBPS Clerk Notification 2026 now officially released, candidates should begin their preparation according to the latest syllabus and exam pattern. While the Prelims syllabus remains unchanged, the Mains exam pattern has been revised with 160 questions for 200 marks to be completed in 125 minutes, making it essential to follow the updated IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 during preparation.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

To perform well aspirants should regularly practice a variety of questions ranging from basic to moderate difficulty, work on improving their calculation speed and logical thinking, and focus on managing time effectively during the exam.

Particulars Details
Conducting Body Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Recruitment CRP CSA-XVI
Post Name Customer Service Associate (CSA)
Former Name IBPS Clerk
Selection Process Preliminary Examination, Main Examination & Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Mode of Examination Online
Prelims Questions 100
Prelims Marks 100
Prelims Duration 60 Minutes
Mains Questions 160
Mains Marks 200
Mains Duration 125 Minutes
Negative Marking 0.25 Marks
Official Website www.ibps.in

What’s New in IBPS CSA (Clerk) Exam Pattern 2026?

The IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification introduces several important updates:

  • The Main Examination now consists of 160 questions instead of 155.

  • The duration of the Main Examination has been increased to 125 minutes.

  • Quantitative Aptitude now contains 40 questions.

  • The selection process continues to include the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT).

Prelims Exam Pattern

There is no change in the Preliminary Examination pattern. Candidates will have to attempt 100 objective questions carrying 100 marks within 60 minutes, with separate sectional timing.

Section Questions Marks Time
English Language 30 30 20 Minutes
Numerical Ability 35 35 20 Minutes
Reasoning Ability 35 35 20 Minutes
Total 100 100 60 Minutes

IBPS Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026

With the IBPS Clerk 2026 exam confirmed, it’s important for candidates to understand the Prelims syllabus and exam pattern. The Prelims exam is objective and includes three sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Numerical Ability. Below is the detailed syllabus to help you start your preparation in the right direction.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus For Prelims
English Language Reasoning Ability Numerical Ability
Reading Comprehension Puzzles(Box based puzzle, Designation based puzzle, Category based puzzle, Floor / Flat-floor based puzzle, Day / Month / Year based puzzle) Simplification: BODMAS, Square & Cube, Square & cube root, Indices, fraction, percentage etc.
Fillers

Seating Arrangement(Circular Seating Arrangement (Uncertain), Square / Rectangle / Triangular seating Arrangement, Linear seating arrangement, Single row, Double row, Uncertain)

Approximation: BODMAS, Square & Cube, Square & cube root, Indices, fraction, percentage etc.
Sentence Based Error Inequality (Direct and Indirect Statement) Number Series: Missing Number series, Wrong number series
Vocabulary Distance and Direction (Normal) Inequality:Linear equation, Quadratic equationQuantity comparison
Cloze Test Coding-Decoding (General) Ratio and Proportion
Error Detection Blood Relation (Normal) Percentage
Sentence Improvement Syllogism (2/3 statement + 2 conclusion) Number System and HCF & LCM
Word Swap(3 words, 4 words) Series(Alpha-numeric-symbol based, Alpha-numeric based, Word-based, Number based, Digit based series, Letter based series) Average
Word Rearrangement(3 Words, 4 Words) Order – Ranking (Comparison) Age
Sentence Rearrangement Word Pair / Number Pair Partnership
Parajumble Word formation (Meaningful word) Mixture and Alligation
Column Based Odd one out Simple Interest
Idioms & Phrases Word / Number based (Multiple operations) Compound Interest
Word Usage Time and Work
Connectors/Starters Pipe and Cistern
Profit & Loss and Discount
Speed Time Distance
Boat And Stream
Mensuration 2D and 3d
Probability
Permutation & combination
Data Interpretation: Table DI, Missing Table DI, Single Pie chart DI and Multiple pie chart DI, Line chart DI, Bar chart DI, Mixed DI, Caselet
Data Sufficiency: Two Statement

Mains Exam Pattern

The IBPS CSA (Clerk) Mains Examination has undergone a significant change this year. The total number of questions has been increased from 155 to 160, while the overall examination duration has been extended from 120 minutes to 125 minutes. Additionally, the Quantitative Aptitude section now consists of 40 questions instead of 35.

Section Questions Marks Duration
General / Financial Awareness 40 50 20 Minutes
General English 40 40 35 Minutes
Reasoning Ability 40 60 35 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude 40 50 35 Minutes
Total 160 200 125 Minutes

IBPS Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026

More or less, the syllabus for IBPS Clerk Prelims and mains are similar but some topics are added in all the sections with the level of difficulty. The level of the mains exam is comparatively difficult. Check the detailed IBPS Clerk mains syllabus below:

IBPS Clerk Syllabus For Mains
S. No. Subject Syllabus
1. General English
  • Reading comprehension: Conventional, Multiple Short RC, Comprehensive RC
  • Fillers: Single, Double blanks, Double sentence single blanks, Triple blanks, Multiple Options, Sentence Completion, Vocab+Fillers
  • Sentence Rearrangement: Conventional, Mixed Rearrangement, Sentence+Paragraph, Phrase swapping, Phrase rearrangement
  • Error Detection: Old Pattern, Jumbled Error, Multiple Error, Sentence Based Error, Sentence Improvement single option, Sentence Improvement multiple option, similar sentences
  • Inferences: Paragraph Based, Sentence Based, Word Based
  • Coherent Paragraph
  • Paragraph Completion
  • Starters
  • Word Swap
  • Word Rearrangement
  • Spelling Error
  • Idioms and Phrases: Meanings, Usage, Fillers
  • Match The Columns: 3 columns, 2 columns based, column-based fillers
  • Cloze Test: Blank, Replacement, Phrase, Pair Words
  • Phrase Swapping
  • Word Usage: Single, Multiple
2. Reasoning Ability
  • Seating Arrangement: Circular Seating Arrangement (Inscribed); Square / Rectangle / Triangular seating Arrangement (Inscribed); Linear seating arrangement; Single row / Uncertain; Double row; Triple row; Blood Relation Based Seating Arrangement
  • Miscellaneous: Inequality (Coded);Distance and Direction (Normal);Coding-Decoding (Coded);Blood Relation (Coded);Input – Output (Arrangement / Shifting); Resultant Miscellaneous; Syllogism(Normal, Reverse);Series(Alpha-numeric-symbol based, Coded Series);Order – Ranking Mains (Comparison); Data – Sufficiency (2 / 3 statement); Word / Number Based
  • Logical Reasoning: Statement + Assumption; Statement + Inference; Statement + Conclusion
3. Quantitative Aptitude
  • Approximation: BODMAS, Square & Cube, Square & Cube root, Indices, Fraction, Percentage etc.
  • Number Series: Missing Number series, Wrong number series, Double Pattern series, Statement and Variable based number series etc.
  • Inequality: Quadratic equation, Quantity comparison, Statement based Quadratic equation etc.
  • Arithmetic (Simple Arithmetic, Variable based Arithmetic, Filler Based Arithmetic, Multiple statement and Multiple options-based Arithmetic): Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Number System & HCF and LCM, Basic Algebra, Average, Age, Partnership, Mixture and Alligation, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Time and Work, Pipe and Cistern, Profit & Loss and Discount, Speed Time Distance, Boat And stream, Train, Mensuration 2D and 3D, Probability and Permutation and combination, etc.
  • Data Interpretation: Table Data Interpretation (Simple table DI, Missing Table DI, Variable based table DI), Pie chart Data Interpretation (percentage + Degree based and Missing & Variable based), Line chart DI (Single and Multiple line chart), Bar chart DI (Single and Multiple line chart), Mixed DI, Caselet (Table based caselet, Venn Diagram based caselet Arithmetic and Filler based caselet), Radar Data Interpretation, Arithmetic Topic wise Data Interpretation, New pattern Data Interpretation (Scatter, Stock, Funnel, Sunburst) etc.
  • Data Sufficiency: Two Statement and Three Statements Data Sufficiency
4. General/ Financial Awareness National Current Affairs, International Current Affairs, State Current Affairs, Sports News, Central Government Schemes, Agreements/MoU, Books & Authors, Summits & Conferences, Defense News, Science & Technology News, Banking and Financial Awareness, Static Awareness, Recent RBI Circulars Based Questions, Business & Economy related News, Important Days, Obituaries, Important Appointments, Important Awards & Honours, Union Budget 2026, Economic Survey 2026, Ranks/Reports/Indexes

Important Points for IBPS CSA (Clerk) Exam 2026

  • The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature.
  • Final merit will be prepared based on marks obtained in the Main Examination.
  • There will be a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains.
  • Candidates shortlisted after the Main Examination must qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) for final appointment.
  • The examination will be conducted online with sectional timing.
  • Candidates are advised to attempt questions with accuracy to minimize negative marking.

IBPS CSA Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

  • Candidates qualifying the Main Examination will have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). The test is conducted to assess whether candidates can read, write, speak, and understand the local language of the State or Union Territory for which they have applied.
  • Candidates who have studied the specified local language in their 10th or 12th standard may be exempted from appearing for the test, subject to document verification by the participating bank. Those who fail to qualify the LLPT will not be considered for final appointment.

Important: Candidates should not overlook the Language Proficiency Test, as clearing the LPT is essential for final selection under the IBPS Clerk recruitment process.

Related Posts
IBPS Clerk Salary IBPS Clerk Previous Year Papers
IBPS Clerk Selection Process IBPS Clerk Preparation Strategy

 

FAQs

Where can I get the detailed IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026?

The IBPS Clerk Syllabus is divided into two parts. For the Prelims exams, you need to study English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The Mains exams includes Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Reasoning Ability, and General Awareness. Be sure to cover all these topics.

What is the syllabus of IBPS Clerk?

The syllabus of IBPS Clerk includes: Numerical Ability/Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English Language, and General/Financial Awareness.

Is there any major difference in IBPS Clerk Syllabus when compared to other bank exams?

No there is no major difference, the syllabus for almost all bank and insurance exams is the same. The level of questions asked in Officer grade and clerk grade exams may differ.

How long will it take to cover complete IBPS Clerk Syllabus?

If you are preparing from scratch, then it is possible that you can complete the IBPS Clerk syllabus in 3 to 4 months with the proper study plan. However, this may differ from person to person depending on their strengths and weaknesses.

What are the topics of English Language covered in the IBPS Clerk Syllabus?

The topics of English Language covered in the IBPS Clerk Syllabus are mentioned in the above article.

What is the total marks in the IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam?

The total marks in the IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam is 100.

Has the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern changed in 2026?

Yes. As per the latest CRP CSA-XVI notification, the Mains exam now consists of 160 questions carrying 200 marks and must be completed in 125 minutes. The Quantitative Aptitude section has been increased to 40 questions.

Does the Prelims exam also have these changes?

No, these specific changes only apply to the IBPS Clerk Mains examination.

Is the Computer Aptitude section still part of the exam?

No, the "Computer Aptitude" portion has been removed, and the section is now focused solely on "Reasoning Ability."

. Is the IBPS Clerk Prelims syllabus different from the Mains syllabus?

The core subjects remain largely the same in both stages. However, the Main Examination includes General/Financial Awareness and features a higher level of difficulty compared to the Preliminary Examination.

What is the duration of the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam 2026?

The IBPS Clerk Mains Examination is conducted for 125 minutes with separate sectional timing for all four sections.

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