IBPS Clerk 2026 — Exam Pattern
Paper-wise structure, marks per section, duration, marking scheme and the full stage-by-stage selection process.
Mode
CBT (online)
Papers
2 papers
Paper-I
100 marks · 1 hr
Negative marking
−0.25
CRP CSA-XVI is a two-tier online examination — Online Preliminary followed by Online Main. There is no interview. Candidates who qualify the Preliminary and are shortlisted appear for the Main; the marks obtained in the Main Examination alone are considered for the final merit listing.
Structure
Paper-wise structure
Preliminary Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Main Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 |
| General English | 40 | 40 |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 |
| Total | 160 | 200 |
Scoring
Marking scheme
Correct answer
+1
Wrong answer
−0.25
Unattempted
0
No penalty
- The penalty is one fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question — so it is 0.25 marks in the Preliminary, and up to 0.375 marks for a Mains Reasoning question worth 1.5 marks.
- A question left blank carries no penalty.
- Marks per question are not uniform in the Main Examination: General English 1.0, General/Financial Awareness 1.25, Quantitative Aptitude 1.25 and Reasoning Ability 1.5.
- Corrected scores across different sessions are normalised using the equi-percentile method, taken to two decimal places.
Process
Selection process
Online Preliminary Examination
Qualifying100 objective questions across English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability in 60 minutes, each test separately timed at 20 minutes. Candidates must qualify in each of the three tests by securing cut-off marks decided by IBPS. Purely a screening stage — these marks do not enter the final merit list.
Online Main Examination
Merit160 objective questions carrying 200 marks in 125 minutes, across General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude. A minimum score is required in each test as well as a minimum total. The 200 marks are converted out of 100 for provisional allotment.
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
QualifyingConducted after the Main Examination / provisional allotment but before joining the bank, by an independent body or the bank itself. Marks-based and qualifying in nature. Candidates producing a 10th standard or higher mark sheet evidencing study of the specified local language are exempt. Failing this test means no appointment.
Provisional Allotment
MeritShortlisted candidates are allotted to one participating bank on a merit-cum-preference basis against State/UT-wise vacancies for FY 2027-28. Where two candidates score the same, the older candidate is placed higher. Allotment once made is final; requesting a change results in cancellation of candidature.
At a glance
Key facts
Both papers are conducted online at centres across India. The Preliminary runs 1 hour but candidates should expect to be at the venue for about 2 hours; the Main runs 125 minutes with roughly 3 hours at the venue, allowing for verification, document collection and log-in. The Preliminary call letter is stamped by venue staff and returned — it must be retained and produced again at the Main Examination along with the stamped ID proof copy, without which entry is refused.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
When is the IBPS Clerk 2026 exam?
The notification gives a tentative schedule by month: Pre-Examination Training and Preliminary call letters in September 2026, the Online Preliminary in October 2026, the Preliminary result and Main call letters in November 2026, the Online Main in December 2026, and Provisional Allotment in March 2027. Exact dates are announced on www.ibps.in.
Is there an interview in IBPS Clerk?
No. Selection is a two-tier online examination — Preliminary followed by Main — with no interview. Only the marks obtained in the Main Examination are considered for the final merit listing. A qualifying Local Language Proficiency Test is held after allotment but before joining.
Is there negative marking in IBPS Clerk?
Yes, in both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. One fourth — 0.25 — of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for a wrong answer. Because marks per question differ in the Mains, that means 0.25 marks in the Preliminary but up to 0.375 for a Reasoning question worth 1.5 marks. A question left blank carries no penalty.
What is the IBPS Clerk exam pattern 2026?
The Preliminary has 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes — English Language 30, Numerical Ability 35 and Reasoning Ability 35, each separately timed at 20 minutes. The Main has 160 questions for 200 marks in 125 minutes — General/Financial Awareness 40 questions for 50 marks in 20 minutes, General English 40 for 40 in 35 minutes, Reasoning Ability 40 for 60 in 35 minutes, and Quantitative Aptitude 40 for 50 in 35 minutes. The Mains tests do not appear in a fixed sequence.
What is the Local Language Proficiency Test?
The LLPT checks reading, writing, speaking and understanding of the State/UT's specified local language. It is held after the Main Examination or provisional allotment but before joining the bank, is marks-based and qualifying in nature. Candidates who produce a 10th standard or higher mark sheet showing they studied that language are exempt. Failing the LLPT means no appointment.
Know the pattern — now practise it
Free mock tests built on the exact IBPS Clerk pattern — bilingual, real exam interface, detailed solutions.
Last verified: · MockSutra verifies exam information against official sources.