IBPS Clerk Syllabus

IBPS Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 (Revised)

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Clerk exam is a highly competitive examination in the banking sector. Candidates preparing for the IBPS Clerk Exam should be aware of the latest syllabus and exam pattern. The IBPS Clerk 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern is expected to remain similar to the previous year, covering both Prelims and Mains exams.

Key Highlights of IBPS Clerk Exam 2026

Feature	Detail
Exam Conducting Body	Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Exam Name	IBPS Clerk 2026
Category	Syllabus & Exam Pattern
IBPS Clerk Exam Date 2026	Prelims – 10th and 11th October, 2026; Mains – 27th December, 2026
No. of Questions	Prelims – 100; Mains – 155
Maximum Marks	Prelims – 100; Mains – 200
Negative Marking	0.25 marks for each wrong answer
Selection Process	Preliminary Exam & Main Exam
Official Website	www.ibps.in

IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026

The IBPS Clerk selection process consists of two stages: Preliminary Exam and Main Exam. Both are online objective tests with multiple-choice questions. It is crucial for candidates to score at least the minimum cut-off marks in each section, as determined by IBPS.

IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Prelims exam is the initial screening stage. Candidates who qualify will proceed to the Mains exam. It comprises three sections, each with a separate time limit of 20 minutes.

Test	Medium	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
English Language	English	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 (Updated)

The Mains exam is the second and final stage of the selection process. It includes four sections, totaling 155 questions for 200 marks. Each section is separately timed, and the marks obtained in this exam are considered for final selection. The number of questions in the Mains Exam has been revised to 155, and the exam duration will be 2 hours (120 minutes).

Test	Medium	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration
General/Financial Awareness	*	40	50	20 minutes
General English	English	40	40	35 minutes
Reasoning Ability	*	40	60	35 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	*	35	50	30 minutes
Total	-	155	200	120 Minutes

IBPS Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

Candidates must be proficient in the local language of the State/Union Territory they apply for. This test is qualifying in nature and is conducted after the Online Main Examination but before final joining. Candidates who have studied the local language in their 10th standard or higher are exempt. Failure to clear this test results in disqualification.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 (Prelims & Mains)

The syllabus for English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude for both Prelims and Mains is similar, although the difficulty level is higher in the Mains phase. The Mains syllabus includes an additional section on General & Financial Awareness and Computer Aptitude.

IBPS Clerk Syllabus for English Language

This section assesses proficiency in English, covering grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Idioms and Phrases
• Synonyms
• Multiple Meaning
• Antonyms
• Error Spotting
• Active & Passive Voice
• Preposition Rules
• Direct & Indirect Speech
• Reading Comprehension
• Spellings
• Tenses Rules
• Phrases
• Cloze Test (Fill in the Blanks)
• Noun, Pronoun
• Jumbled Paragraphs
• Adjective, Adverb

IBPS Clerk Syllabus for Reasoning Ability

This section measures logical and analytical aptitude, covering various reasoning topics.

• Logical Reasoning
• Alphanumeric Series
• Alphabetic Series
• Tabulation
• Order and Ranking
• Time & Distance
• Data Sufficiency
• Clocks & Calendars
• Coded Inequalities
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense Test
• Analogy
• Seating Arrangements
• Puzzles
• Syllogism
• Coding & Decoding

IBPS Clerk Numerical Ability Syllabus

This section evaluates aptitude in basic mathematics and statistics.

• Data Interpretation
• Mensuration - Cone, Sphere, Cylinder
• Ratio and Proportion
• Number Systems
• Percentage
• HCF & LCM
• Sequences and Series
• Surds and Indices
• Permutation and Combination
• Problem on Ages
• Probability
• Fractions
• Profit and Loss
• Geometry
• Quadratic Equations
• Trigonometry
• Approximation and Simplification
• Linear Equations
• Mixtures and Alligations
• Simple Interest & Compound Interest

IBPS Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026 for General/Financial Awareness

This additional section in Mains assesses general awareness and financial knowledge.

• Science – Inventions & Discoveries
• Common Abbreviations (Computers, Organisations, Schemes, etc)
• Current Important Events
• GDP & Economic Indices
• Current Affairs – National & International
• SEBI & its functions
• Awards and Honours
• Banking Terminology & Banking Abbreviations
• Economic News
• Basics of Computers & Internet
• Banking News
• Banking Instruments
• Indian Constitution
• History of banking in India
• Books and Authors
• Types of banks (Public, Private, RRBs, Payment Banks, Small Finance Banks)
• Important Days
• NBFCs – meaning and types
• History
• Banking Products & Services: Types of accounts, Loans & advances, Priority Sector Lending (PSL), Retail banking, Wholesale banking, Digital banking
• Geography
• Payment Systems: NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, BHIM, AEPS, Digital wallets, Payment gateways
• Countries and Currencies
• Government Schemes Related to Banking: PMJDY, PMMY (Mudra), Stand-Up India, PM SVANidhi, PMJJBY, PMSBY, Atal Pension Yojana
• Insurance & Pension: IRDAI roles, Types of insurance, LIC basics, NPS and PFRDA
• Important Financial & Government Reports
• Types of financial instruments: Shares, Bonds, Debentures, Mutual Funds
• International Banking: Bretton Woods institutions – IMF, World Bank, SWIFT, LIBOR, Basel–I, II, III

IBPS Clerk Mains Syllabus for Computer Aptitude

Questions on Computer Awareness are often asked in the Mains Exam to assess basic computer application, internet, and social media knowledge.

• Microsoft Office
• Computer Abbreviations
• Computer Network
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Input and Output Devices
• Email
• Components of Computer
• Social Media advantages & disadvantages
• Computer Storage Devices
• MS Word basics
• Internet
• MS Excel basics
• OSI Model
• MS PowerPoint basics

Negative Marking

Both IBPS Clerk Prelims and Mains exams have negative marking. For each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted. No marks are lost for unanswered questions.