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IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Date 2026 is 27 December 2026. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is filling 11,403 Customer Service Associate (Clerk) vacancies in public sector banks under CRP CSA-XVI. The preliminary exam was held on 10 and 11 October 2026. Candidates who clear the prelims will get the mains call letter on the official website, ibps.in.
This guide covers the IBPS Clerk 2026 timeline, mains exam pattern, how the final selection works and a practical preparation plan for the next nine weeks.
IBPS Clerk 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration | 1 – 28 August 2026 (extended) |
| Prelims exam | 10 and 11 October 2026 |
| Prelims result | Expected before the mains call letter |
| IBPS Clerk mains exam date 2026 | 27 December 2026 |
| Official website | ibps.in |
IBPS Clerk 2026 Vacancies and Eligibility
- Total vacancies: 11,403 Customer Service Associates across participating public sector banks.
- Qualification: A degree in any discipline, computer literacy and the ability to read, write and speak the official language of the state applied for. For Kerala vacancies, Malayalam proficiency is needed.
- Age: 20 – 28 years, with relaxation as per rules.
The official notification is available here: IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification (PDF).
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 min |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 min |
A quarter of the marks for each question is deducted for a wrong answer. Each section has its own time limit, and you need to clear the sectional cut-offs. Final selection is based only on the mains score; there is no interview for IBPS Clerk. Candidates must also pass the language proficiency test for their state.
Nine-week Preparation Plan for IBPS Clerk Mains
- Weeks 1–3: Strengthen high-level puzzles and seating arrangements, data interpretation and arithmetic. Read banking and financial news daily.
- Weeks 4–6: Solve one sectional test per subject every day. Prepare notes on RBI policy, government schemes and banking terms for General/Financial Awareness, which often decides the merit.
- Weeks 7–8: Take a full mains mock every two days with strict sectional timing.
- Week 9: Revise notes, current affairs of the last six months and computer awareness basics.
Kerala candidates should also revise Malayalam reading and writing for the language proficiency test.
How to Download the IBPS Clerk Mains Call Letter
- Visit ibps.in and open the CRP Clerks-XVI section.
- Click the mains call letter link (available after the prelims result).
- Log in with your registration number and password or date of birth.
- Download and print the call letter along with the information handout.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Result and Cut-off
Before the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Date 2026, IBPS will publish the prelims result on ibps.in. The result shows whether you qualified for the mains exam. IBPS also releases state-wise and category-wise cut-off marks along with the score card. The cut-off depends on the number of vacancies in each state, the number of candidates and the difficulty of the paper.
- Check the result using your registration number and password or date of birth.
- Download the score card when it is released to see your sectional marks.
- Use the cut-off to judge how much you need to improve for the mains.
Language Proficiency Test
IBPS Clerk vacancies are state-wise. Candidates must know the official language of the state they apply for. For Kerala, this means you must be able to read, write and speak Malayalam. Candidates who cannot prove proficiency in the language test are not considered for allotment, even after clearing the mains. Candidates who studied the language in Class 10 or 12 may be exempt as per the notification.
Provisional Allotment After the Mains
After the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Date 2026 and the result, IBPS prepares a state-wise merit list. Banks are allotted to candidates based on merit, preference and vacancies. The final appointment depends on document verification and the rules of the allotted bank.
High-Value Topics for IBPS Clerk Mains
| Section | Focus topics |
|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | Puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, inequality, input-output, computer basics |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data interpretation, arithmetic word problems, quadratic equations, number series |
| General English | Reading comprehension, error detection, para jumbles, word usage |
| General / Financial Awareness | RBI policies, banking terms, government schemes, current affairs of six months |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IBPS Clerk mains exam date 2026?
The mains exam is scheduled for 27 December 2026.
Is there an interview in IBPS Clerk?
No. Final selection is based on the mains score, subject to the language proficiency test.
How many vacancies are in IBPS Clerk 2026?
11,403 vacancies under CRP CSA-XVI.
Where will the prelims result be published?
On the official website ibps.in.
More bank updates: IBPS Jobs | Bank Jobs.
Disclaimer: Kerala Job News is not affiliated with IBPS or any bank. Dates and details are based on the IBPS CRP CSA-XVI notification and announcements as reported at the time of writing. Please check ibps.in for the latest schedule and call letters.
