IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 covers three core subjects in the Prelims stage and four sections in the Mains stage, with a total of 100 marks in Prelims and 200 marks in Mains. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts this recruitment across two written exam stages followed by a Language Proficiency Test. This syllabus is based on the official exam structure released by IBPS.
The IBPS Clerk selection process involves three stages: a qualifying Prelims exam of 60 minutes, a merit-determining Mains exam of 120 minutes, and a Language Proficiency Test conducted by the allotted bank. Both written stages carry a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Visit https://www.ibps.in for the latest notifications.
Understanding IBPS Clerk Exam
The IBPS Clerk exam is designed to recruit individuals for the Clerk cadre in participating public sector banks. The exam evaluates candidates on reasoning, English language skills, quantitative ability, and general/financial awareness – competencies essential for handling customer interactions, transaction processing, and administrative functions in a banking environment. This is a national-level recruitment conducted annually, with selection based primarily on Mains performance after clearing Prelims and the Language Proficiency Test.
Exam Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Name | Clerk |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, Language Proficiency Test |
| Total Questions | Prelims: 100, Mains: 155 |
| Total Marks | Prelims: 100, Mains: 200 |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Official Website | Visit Official Website |
Selection Process
- Preliminary Exam – An objective online test of 100 questions worth 100 marks, completed in 60 minutes. This stage is qualifying in nature; marks are not added to the final merit list. Candidates must clear sectional and overall cutoffs to move ahead.
- Main Exam – An objective online test of 155 questions worth 200 marks, completed in 120 minutes. Mains marks are used to prepare the final merit list.
- Language Proficiency Test (LPT) – Conducted by the allotted bank, this test evaluates reading, writing, and comprehension skills in the official regional language of the state applied for. It is of a qualifying nature; failure leads to disqualification even after clearing both Prelims and Mains.
Exam Pattern – Prelims
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Duration: 60 minutes total (20 minutes per section with individual sectional time limits)
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. Unattempted questions are not penalised.
Exam Pattern – Mains
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 |
| English Language | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 50 |
| General/Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 |
Duration: 120 minutes total with independent sectional time limits (35 minutes for Reasoning & Computer Aptitude and English Language, 30 minutes for Quantitative Aptitude, 20 minutes for General/Financial Awareness)
Format: Bilingual (English and Hindi) except for the English Language section
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer
Merit Basis: Final selection depends entirely on Mains marks, provided the candidate clears the Language Proficiency Test.
Detailed Syllabus – Prelims and Mains
Reasoning Ability
- Seating Arrangement & Puzzles
- Syllogism
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Inequalities
- Alphanumeric Series, Order & Ranking
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Statement & Conclusions
- Statement & Assumptions
- Statement & Arguments
- Series Test
- Odd Figure Out
- Analogy
- Classification
- Assertion and Reasoning (Mains only)
- Decision Making (Mains only)
- Coded Inequalities (Mains only)
- Machine Input-Output (Mains only)
English Language
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, Word Formation, Spelling
- Grammar: Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement/Correction, Phrases and Idioms, Active/Passive Voice, Direct and Indirect Speech
- Reading & Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Passage Completion, Theme Detection, Deriving Conclusions
Quantitative/Numerical Ability
- Simplification/Approximation
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts)
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Sufficiency
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentages
- Averages
- Profit, Loss and Discount
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Time and Work
- Mensuration
- Mixture and Allegation
- Partnership
- Permutation, Combination and Probability
Computer Aptitude (Mains only)
- Basics of Computer Hardware and Software
- Windows Operating System Basics
- Internet Terms, Services and Networking
- MS Office Basics (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)
- Database Basics
- History of Computers
- Basics of Hacking, Security Tools and Viruses
General/Financial Awareness (Mains only)
- Current Affairs: National and international news of the last 6 months, Union Budget and Economic Survey highlights, Government Schemes and Policies
- Banking & Financial Awareness: Overview of the Indian financial system, history of Indian banking, recent RBI monetary and credit policies, banking terms and abbreviations
- Regulatory & International Bodies: RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, FSDC and international organisations such as IMF, World Bank, ADB, UN
- Static GK: Important Days, Books and Authors, Awards, Headquarters, Appointments
High-Weightage Areas
| Section / Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (Mains) | 60 |
| English Language (both stages) | 30 (Prelims) / 40 (Mains) |
| Quantitative/Numerical Ability (both stages) | 35 (Prelims) / 50 (Mains) |
| General/Financial Awareness (Mains only) | 50 |
In the Prelims stage, all three sections are equally weighted at 30-35 marks each. However, in Mains, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude together account for 60 marks (30% of total), making it the highest-weighted section. Quantitative Aptitude and General/Financial Awareness each carry 50 marks, while English Language carries 40 marks. Since Mains marks determine the final merit, candidates should allocate preparation time proportionally to these section weights. Given the sectional time limits in Prelims (20 minutes per section for 30-35 questions), accuracy within strict time constraints is critical.
Preparation Strategy for IBPS Clerk Exam 2026
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 demands a balanced approach across Prelims, but with a strategic shift for Mains. In Prelims, all three sections carry equal marks, but each has only 20 minutes, so speed without loss of accuracy is the differentiator. For Mains, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude become the priority at 60 marks, followed by Quantitative Aptitude at 50 marks. English Language remains a baseline requirement across both stages, not a scoring advantage. The LPT acts as a final gate, so do not neglect regional language proficiency even if you clear both written exams with high marks.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the total duration and structure of the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026?
Ans. IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 spans two written stages: Prelims (100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes) and Mains (155 questions, 200 marks, 120 minutes). Prelims is qualifying only, while Mains determines the final merit. Both carry a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Candidates who clear both stages must also pass the Language Proficiency Test conducted by their allotted bank.
Q2. Which subjects carry the highest marks in IBPS Clerk Mains?
Ans. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude together carry 60 marks out of 200, making it the highest-weighted section in Mains. Quantitative Aptitude and General/Financial Awareness each carry 50 marks. English Language carries 40 marks. Candidates should prioritize Reasoning & Computer Aptitude and Quantitative Aptitude during preparation.
Q3. Is the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 different from the 2025 syllabus?
Ans. The core subject structure remains consistent year to year. However, topic additions or weightage shifts may occur. Always cross-check the final subject list against the official IBPS Clerk notification once it is released to confirm any changes from the previous cycle.
Q4. How much time should I allocate to Computer Aptitude in Mains preparation?
Ans. Computer Aptitude is combined with Reasoning Ability in Mains and carries 20 marks out of the 60-mark section (approximately one-third of the combined section). Since Computer Aptitude topics are mostly static and cover basic computer knowledge, you can cover them efficiently in 2-3 weeks of focused study. This allows you to dedicate more time to Reasoning Puzzles and Seating Arrangements, which are more time-consuming to master.
Q5. Are there sectional cutoffs in IBPS Clerk Prelims and Mains?
Ans. Yes, IBPS prescribes category-wise (UR/EWS/OBC/SC/ST) sectional and overall cutoffs for both Prelims and Mains. Candidates must clear both the sectional minimum and overall cutoff in Prelims to move to Mains. In Mains, the final merit is based on total Mains score, subject to clearing the LPT. Exact cutoff values are not specified in the official syllabus but are announced after the exam based on candidate performance.
Q6. What topics in Reading Comprehension appear most frequently in IBPS Clerk Mains?
Ans. Reading Comprehension under English Language typically includes passages on economics, history, social issues, and current affairs. However, the exact topics vary by exam. The best approach is to practice with previous year question papers to identify passage themes and build vocabulary specific to banking and financial contexts.
Q7. How is the Language Proficiency Test different from the English Language section in the written exam?
Ans. The Language Proficiency Test is a separate assessment conducted by your allotted bank after clearing both Prelims and Mains. It tests reading, writing, and comprehension skills specifically in the official regional language of your state (e.g., Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, etc.), not in English. Failure in the LPT results in disqualification despite clearing the written exams.
Q8. Can I attempt IBPS Clerk Mains without clearing Prelims?
Ans. No. Prelims is a mandatory qualifying stage. You must clear both the sectional and overall cutoffs in Prelims to be eligible to appear for Mains. Prelims marks are not carried forward to the merit list, but clearing it is compulsory to proceed.
