IBPS Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised), Prelims & Mains Syllabus PDF
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
The IBPS Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 helps candidates understand the subjects, number of questions, marks and time available in each stage. The Preliminary Examination tests English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, while the Main Examination covers a wider range of subjects.
Candidates should also practise previous-year papers because they help in understanding the type of questions, difficulty level and frequently asked topics.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026: Overview
Particulars | Details |
Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
Exam Name | IBPS Clerk / Customer Service Associate 2026 |
Prelims Exam Date | 10 & 11 October 2026 |
Mains Exam Date | 27 December 2026 |
Prelims Questions | 100 |
Mains Questions | 160 |
Prelims Marks | 100 |
Mains Marks | 200 |
Prelims Duration | 60 minutes |
Mains Duration | 120 minutes |
Negative Marking | 0.25 mark for each wrong answer |
Selection Process | Prelims, Mains and LPT as applicable |
Official Website |
IBPS Clerk Selection Process 2026
Stage | Details |
Preliminary Examination | 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes |
Main Examination | 160 questions, 200 marks, 120 minutes |
Language Proficiency Test | Tests proficiency in the applicable regional language |
Final Selection | Based mainly on Main Examination performance and applicable recruitment rules |
NOTE : Candidates should note that the Preliminary Examination is primarily a screening stage for shortlisting candidates for Mains.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
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 Mains Exam Pattern 2026
Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Time |
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 35 minutes |
English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 30 minutes |
General/Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
Total | 160 | 200 | 120 minutes |
There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. The examination is bilingual in applicable sections, while the English Language section is conducted in English.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 for Prelims & Mains
IBPS Clerk English Language Syllabus 2026 | |
Topic | Important Areas |
Reading Comprehension | Banking, economics, society, technology, education, business, environment and current events |
Grammar | Tenses, articles, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, modifiers, voice and narration |
Cloze Test | Grammar, vocabulary, sentence flow and contextual words |
Fill in the Blanks | Single fillers, double fillers and contextual vocabulary |
Error Detection | Tenses, articles, prepositions, pronouns and subject-verb agreement |
Sentence Improvement | Grammar, clarity and appropriate expression |
Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases and one-word substitutions |
Para Jumbles | Sentence order, connectors, mandatory pairs and conclusion |
Phrase Replacement | Grammar and suitable expressions |
Word Usage | Correct use of words in sentences |
Word Swap | Identifying and rearranging incorrectly placed words |
Sentence Rearrangement | Logical arrangement of sentences or sentence parts |
IBPS Clerk Reasoning Ability Syllabus 2026 | |
Reasoning Area | Important Topics |
Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Floor, box, scheduling and comparison-based puzzles, Linear, circular and mixed arrangements |
Syllogism | Statements and conclusions |
Inequality | Direct and coded inequalities |
Coding-Decoding | Letter, number and mixed coding |
Blood Relations | Family-based problems |
Direction Sense | Directions, distance and movement |
Series & Ranking | Alphabet, number and alphanumeric series , Order, position and ranking |
Input-Output | Machine-based arrangement questions |
Data Sufficiency | Information-based reasoning |
Statement & Assumption | Logical conclusions |
Statement & Argument | Valid and invalid arguments |
Analogy | Relationship between words or numbers |
Classification | Finding the different element |
Decision Making | Logical decision-based questions |
IBPS Clerk Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2026 | |
Topic | Important Areas |
Percentage | Basic and advanced percentage problems |
Ratio & Proportion | Direct and inverse proportion |
Average | Basic and weighted averages |
Profit, Loss & Discount | Profit, loss and discount calculations |
Simple Interest | Interest-based calculations |
Compound Interest | Compound growth and interest |
Time & Work | Work efficiency and combined work |
Time, Speed & Distance | Speed, distance and travel problems |
Mixture & Alligation | Mixture and replacement questions |
Partnership | Investment and profit-sharing |
Number Series | Missing and incorrect number series |
Simplification | Basic calculations and approximation |
Quadratic Equations | Finding roots and comparing values |
Data Interpretation | Tables, graphs, charts and caselets |
Probability | Basic probability questions |
Permutation & Combination | Counting-based questions |
Mensuration | Area, volume and surface area |
Data Sufficiency | Information-based numerical problems |
IBPS Clerk Computer Syllabus 2026 | ||
Hardware and software basics | Windows operating system | Internet terminology |
Internet services | MS Word, MS Excel , MS PowerPoint | History of computers |
Networking | Communication systems | Database basics |
Computer security | Viruses & Security tools | Basic cyber security concepts |
IBPS Clerk General and Financial Awareness Syllabus 2026 | |
Area | Important Topics |
Current Affairs | National and international events of recent months |
Banking Awareness | Banking terms, systems and developments |
Financial Awareness | Financial system and institutions |
RBI | Functions, policies and monetary system |
SEBI | Role and functions |
IRDAI | Insurance regulation |
Banking History | Development of Indian banking |
Government Schemes | Important financial and social schemes |
Financial Institutions | RBI, SEBI, NABARD and other institutions |
International Organisations | IMF, World Bank, ADB and UN |
Economy | Economic terms and major developments |
Budget | Union Budget and key announcements |
Monetary Policy | RBI monetary policy and related terms |
IBPS Clerk Topic-Wise Weightage
Reasoning Ability Expected Weightage | ||
Topic | Expected Prelims Questions | Expected Mains Questions |
Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 10–15 | 15–20 |
Syllogism | 3–5 | 3–5 |
Inequality | 3–5 | 3–5 |
Coding-Decoding | 3–5 | 3–5 |
Blood Relations | 2–3 | 2–3 |
Direction Sense | 1–3 | 1–2 |
Alphanumeric Series/Ranking | 2–3 | 2–3 |
Input-Output | 0–3 | 3–5 |
Data Sufficiency | 0–2 | 2–3 |
Computer Aptitude | — | 5–10 |
Numerical Ability Expected Weightage | ||
Topic | Expected Prelims Questions | Expected Mains Questions |
Simplification & Approximation | 10–15 | 5–8 |
Number Series | 5 | 5 |
Data Interpretation | 5–10 | 15–20 |
Quadratic Equations | 5 | 5 |
Arithmetic | 5–10 | 8–12 |
Data Sufficiency | 0–3 | 3–5 |
Miscellaneous | 2–5 | 3–5 |
English Language Expected Weightage | ||
Topic | Expected Prelims Questions | Expected Mains Questions |
Reading Comprehension | Around 10 | 10–15 |
Cloze Test | 5–7 | 5–10 |
Error Detection | 5 | 5 |
Para Jumbles/Sentence Rearrangement | 3–5 | Around 5 |
Fill in the Blanks | 3–5 | 3–5 |
Vocabulary | 2–5 | 3–5 |
General Awareness Expected Weightage | |
Topic | Expected Mains Questions |
Banking & Financial Awareness | 20–25 |
Current Affairs | 10–15 |
Static GK | 5–8 |
Government Schemes & Policies | 3–5 |
RBI, SEBI & IRDAI | 3–8 |
Budget & Economic Survey | 2–4 |
International Organisations | 2–3 |
Books, Awards & Sports | 2–3 |
How to Prepare for IBPS Clerk Exam 2026?
The IBPS Clerk preparation strategy 2026 should focus on concepts, speed, accuracy and regular mock-test practice.
Start with the basic concepts of every subject.
Practise Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude every day.
Read current affairs regularly.
Revise banking and financial awareness.
Improve English vocabulary and grammar.
Solve previous-year question papers.
Take sectional mock tests.
Attempt full-length mocks regularly.
Analyse mistakes after every mock test.
Revise weak topics before the examination.
Since there is negative marking, candidates should focus on attempting questions accurately instead of making random guesses.
Some Useful Important Links & PDFs
Important Resource | Click & Download Links |
Apply Online Link | |
Notification detail | |
Check Official Notification | |
IBPS Official Website | |
Join airGurukul Channel |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many questions are there in IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026?
The Preliminary Examination has 100 questions for 100 marks, with a total duration of 60 minutes.
What is the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam date 2026?
The IBPS Clerk/CSA Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 10 and 11 October 2026, as per the IBPS calendar.
Is there negative marking in IBPS Clerk 2026?
Yes. A penalty of 0.25 mark is applied for each incorrect answer in the objective examinations.
How should I prepare for IBPS Clerk 2026?
Start with basic concepts, practise important topics daily, solve previous papers, revise current affairs and take regular mock tests.
Comments