IBPS Clerk 2026: Exam Date, Pattern & Eligibility

IBPS will hold the Clerk recruitment, officially called CRP CSA XVI for the Customer Service Associate (CSA) post, for vacancies of 2027-28 in participating public sector banks. The tentative schedule places the Preliminary exam in October 2026 and the Main exam in December 2026. Candidates aged 20 to 28 years (as on 01.08.2026) who hold a graduation degree in any discipline as on 21.08.2026 can apply. Confirm all details on www.ibps.in.

When is the IBPS Clerk 2026 exam? Important dates

IBPS has released a tentative schedule for CRP CSA XVI. Online registration and fee payment both ran from 01.8.2026 to 21.08.2026. After registration closed, an edit window for 2 days allows candidates to modify or correct their application form, including online payment for the edit. IBPS said the exact dates of this window will be notified on the official IBPS website.

The Preliminary exam is scheduled for October, 2026, with call letters to be downloaded in September, 2026. The Main exam follows in December, 2026. All these dates are tentative, so check www.ibps.in regularly for the exact exam days and call letter links.

How many vacancies are there in IBPS Clerk 2026?

The vacancies under CRP CSA XVI are for the year 2027-28 and are listed state-wise and bank-wise in Annexure I of the notification. A corrigendum dated 29.09.2026 updated these indicative vacancies, so candidates should always refer to the updated Annexure I rather than the figures in the original notification.

IBPS clearly states that these vacancies are indicative and anticipated, as communicated by the participating public sector banks. Provisional allotment will be made based on the actual vacancies reported by the banks. Because the figures are split across states, banks and categories, check the full breakup in the updated Annexure I on www.ibps.in before choosing the state you apply for.

Who is eligible for IBPS Clerk 2026?

Age is calculated as on 01.08.2026. The minimum age is 20 years and the maximum is 28 years. The notification states that a candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.08.1998 and not later than 01.08.2006, both dates inclusive.

The educational qualification is counted as on 21.08.2026. You need a degree (graduation) in any discipline from a university recognised by the Govt. of India, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. You must have a valid mark-sheet or degree certificate showing you are a graduate on the day you register. You must also enter your percentage of marks in graduation in the online form.

Candidates applying for the vacancies of a particular state or UT should be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding that state's specified local language, as listed in Annexure III. The notification refers to a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) under clause 'H'. Pick your state carefully, keeping the language rule in mind.

What is the IBPS Clerk exam pattern?

Both stages are objective tests conducted online, and each section is separately timed. The Preliminary exam has three tests: English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability. The notice shows a total of 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes.

The Main exam has four tests: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude. The notice shows a total of 160 questions for 200 marks in 125 minutes. Because every section has its own timer, practise time management section by section. IBPS will announce any change in the exam structure on www.ibps.in, and an Information Handout will be given with the call letters.

What is the IBPS Clerk selection process?

Selection starts with the online Preliminary exam. Candidates must qualify in each of the three tests by scoring the cut-off marks that IBPS will decide. An adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by IBPS depending on requirements, will be shortlisted for the online Main exam.

After the Main exam, provisional allotment is scheduled for March, 2027, based on the actual vacancies reported by the banks. The language proficiency requirement for your chosen state also applies, as explained under clause 'H' of the notification. Because sectional cut-offs apply in the Prelims, you cannot afford to neglect any section. Balanced preparation across English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning is essential.

Application fee and form correction

Application fees and intimation charges were payable online from 01.8.2026 to 21.08.2026. The fee amounts for each category are given in the detailed notification on www.ibps.in.

Mistakes in the form can be fixed during the edit window, which is open for 2 days after registration closes. Online payment applies for the edit. The notification also allows category changes in certain combinations, listed below. Use this window carefully, as the dates will be notified on the official IBPS website.

How to apply for IBPS Clerk 2026

Applications are made online through the official website www.ibps.in. Keep your graduation mark-sheet or degree certificate ready, as you must already be a graduate on the day you register and must enter your graduation percentage. Choose the state or UT whose local language you are proficient in.

Pay the fee online within the registration window. Keep a copy of your application. For queries or complaints, IBPS directs candidates to log in to https://cgrs.ibps.in. Always confirm every detail in the official notification and corrigendum on www.ibps.in.

• Visit www.ibps.in and open the CRP CSA XVI link
• Register and fill in your personal and educational details, including graduation percentage
• Select your State/UT and local language
• Pay the application fee/intimation charges online
• Use the 2-day edit window after registration closes if you need corrections