The Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) conducts the Business Correspondent/Business Facilitator (BC/BF) certification examination to ensure financial inclusion and enhance the skills of professionals working in the banking sector. This certification has become mandatory for BC agents as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines, making it crucial for candidates to understand the exam structure, eligibility criteria, and important dates for 2025.
IIBF BC BF Exam 2025
The IIBF BC BF certification is designed to provide knowledge inputs and skill sets to Business Correspondents and Business Facilitators who act as a bridge between bank branches and people in remote areas. The certification is now divided into two distinct levels: Basic Certification for BC agents handling only basic transactions like payment transactions, cash-in cash-out, and remittances, and Advanced Certification for BC agents acting as full-fledged BCs covering all regulatory activities.
IIBF BC BF 2025 Important Dates
The IIBF has released comprehensive exam schedules for BC BF examinations throughout 2025. Here are the upcoming key dates:
IIBF BC BF 2025 Important Dates | |
Rregistration Date | Exam Date |
03 June 2025 to 16 June 2025 | 05 July 2025 |
27 June 2025 to 10 July 2025 | 02 August 2025 |
14 August to 28 August 2025 | 20 September 2025 |
IIBF Eligibility Criteria 2025
The BC/BF exam is open to both banking professionals and non-banking individuals. The primary eligibility requirement is a pass in 10th from a recognized board. There is no requirement for graduates. Additionally, the Basic course is designed for new learners, while the Advanced course caters to those seeking higher proficiency or renewing certification.
Educational Qualification
Candidates with SSC/SSLC/Matriculation or equivalent qualification are eligible for admission to the BC BF certification program. This makes the certification accessible to a wide range of candidates seeking to enter the banking sector.
Training Requirements
As per IBA guidelines, training of BC Agents has been made mandatory before appearing for the BC certification examination. The training requirements are:
- Basic Certification: 28 hours of mandatory training
- Advanced Certification: 42 hours of mandatory training
IIBF BC BF Exam Pattern 2025
The examination is conducted in online mode only through computer-based testing. The exam is available in multiple languages including English, Hindi, and various regional languages such as Marathi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Assamese.
Basic Certification Pattern
- Number of Questions: 50 objective type multiple choice questions
- Total Marks: 50 marks
- Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)
- Passing Criteria: Minimum 50% marks (25 out of 50)
- Negative Marking: No negative marking
Advanced Certification Pattern
- Number of Questions: 100 objective type multiple choice questions
- Total Marks: 100 marks
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Passing Criteria: Minimum 50% marks (50 out of 100)
- Negative Marking: No negative marking
IIBF Authorized Training Institutions
The training can be provided by the following RBI-mandated institutions:
- Bankers’ Institute of Rural Development (BIRD)
- National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD)
- National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM)
- Indian Institute of Bank Management (IIBM)
- National Academy of Rudseti (NAR/RSETI’s)
- Individual banks may also provide training adhering to prescribed modules