IBPS Clerk 2026 (CRP-CSA XVI): Prelims Exam Scheduled (Oct 10–11), Call Letter Status & Vacancy Breakdown

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Common Recruitment Process for Customer Service Associates (CRP-CSA XVI)—traditionally designated as IBPS Clerk—to recruit personnel across 11 participating Public Sector Banks throughout India.

Following the official corrigendum issued on September 29, 2026, the total indicative vacancies have been updated to 11,663 posts across 28 states and 8 union territories (an increase of 260 posts contributed by Bank of Baroda). This makes the CRP-CSA XVI recruitment drive the premier operational entry gateway into the Indian public banking sector.

As of October 1, 2026, the online registration window (which concluded on August 28, 2026) is closed. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for October 10 and 11, 2026, and candidates are awaiting the activation of the official Preliminary Examination Call Letter / Admit Card portal on ibps.in.

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1. Current Official Status & Live Timeline (As of October 1, 2026)

• Current Operational Stage: Examination Scheduled (Prelims Call Letter Awaited).
• Pre-Examination Training (PET): On September 28, 2026, IBPS activated the Online Pre-Examination Training portal for eligible reserved candidates. (Note: PET materials are study training modules, not the actual examination call letter).
• Corrigendum & Updated Vacancies: Issued on September 29, 2026, formally raising total vacancies to 11,663.
• Prelims Admit Card / Call Letter Release: Expected to be activated shortly on ibps.in ahead of the exam.
• Prelims Exam Dates: October 10 & October 11, 2026 (Online CBT in 4 shifts daily).
• Prelims Result Schedule: Preliminary result date has not yet been officially announced by IBPS.
• Mains Examination Schedule: Confirmed in the official IBPS Annual Calendar for December 27, 2026.
• Provisional Allotment: Provisional allotment schedule will be notified through official IBPS updates in accordance with the CRP-CSA XVI notification.

[Notification & Registration: Aug 1–28, 2026]  ──► CONCLUDED
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[Pre-Examination Training (PET): Sept 28, 2026] ──► PUBLISHED FOR ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
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[Updated Vacancy Corrigendum: Sept 29, 2026]    ──► CONFIRMED (11,663 POSTS)
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[Prelims Call Letter Download: Awaited]         ──► ACTIVATION EXPECTED ON ibps.in
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[Prelims Online Examination: Oct 10–11, 2026]   ──► CONFIRMED SCHEDULE
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[Prelims Result Declaration: Not Announced]     ──► PENDING TEST COMPLETION
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[Mains Written Examination: Dec 27, 2026]       ──► FINAL MERIT STAGE

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2. Examination Overview

Parameter	Official Specification
Exam Name	Common Recruitment Process for Customer Service Associates (CRP-CSA XVI / IBPS Clerk 2026)
Conducting Authority	Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Post Title	Customer Service Associate (Clerical Cadre)
Participating Banks	11 Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
Total Notified Vacancies	11,663 Vacancies (Updated via Corrigendum dated 29.09.2026)
Registration Window	August 1, 2026 to August 28, 2026 (Closed)
Selection Stages	Preliminary Examination (Screening) $\rightarrow$ Mains Examination (Final Merit)
Interview Requirement	None (Abolished for all clerical roles)
Negative Marking	0.25 Marks (1/4th deduction per wrong answer)
Official Portal	ibps.in

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3. List of 11 Participating Public Sector Banks

Candidates are allocated to one of the 11 nationalized public sector banks depending on state merit rank and bank preferences submitted during the application process:

1. Bank of Baroda (Updated to 1,460 posts)
2. Bank of India
3. Bank of Maharashtra
4. Canara Bank
5. Central Bank of India
6. Indian Bank
7. Indian Overseas Bank
8. Punjab National Bank (PNB)
9. Punjab & Sind Bank
10. UCO Bank
11. Union Bank of India

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4. How to Download the IBPS Clerk Prelims Call Letter (When Activated)

When IBPS activates the official download link on ibps.in, candidates scheduled to appear on October 10 or 11, 2026, must download and print their call letters through the official IBPS gateway:

[Visit ibps.in] ──► [Click "CRP Clerical / CRP-CSA" on Homepage]
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       [Select "Online Preliminary Exam Call Letter for CRP-CSA XVI"]
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       [Enter Registration No / Roll No & Password / Date of Birth]
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                   [Verify Captcha & Click "Login"]
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       [Download Admit Card PDF & Print Copy along with Instructions]

Mandatory Exam Day Documents

1. Printed Copy of Admit Card: Affixed with a recent passport-size photograph matching the registration upload.
2. Original Photo ID Proof: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Passport, Permanent Driving Licence, or Voter's ID Card.
3. Photocopy of Photo ID Proof: Must be stapled to the call letter and submitted at the test venue.
4. Additional Passport Photographs: At least 2 additional copies of the photograph for identity verification and attendance roster stamping.

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5. Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Baseline Degree: A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government.
• Computer Literacy: Operating and working knowledge in computer systems is mandatory. Candidates should have a Certificate/Diploma/Degree in computer operations/Language OR must have studied Computer / Information Technology as one of the subjects in the High School / College / Institute.
• State Language Proficiency: Candidates must possess proficiency in the Official Language of the State / Union Territory for which vacancies are applied (ability to read, write, and speak fluently).

Age Limit (As on August 1, 2026)

• Minimum Age: 20 Years.
• Maximum Age: 28 Years (Candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.08.1998 and not later than 01.08.2006, both dates inclusive).

Permissible Upper Age Relaxations

Category	Age Concession
Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST)	5 Years (up to 33 years)
Other Backward Classes (OBC - Non-Creamy Layer)	3 Years (up to 31 years)
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)	10 Years
Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen	Actual military service + 3 years (Max 50 years)
Widows, Divorced Women not remarried	Up to 35 years (General/EWS), 38 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST)

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6. Selection Process Architecture

The selection architecture consists of two objective online tests, followed by language verification:

[Phase 1: Online Preliminary Exam]
  • 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes
  • Purely Screening / Qualifying in nature
  • Shortlists approx. 10 times the vacancies for Mains
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[Phase 2: Online Main Examination]
  • 190 Questions | 200 Marks | 160 Minutes
  • 100% Determinant of Final Merit Ranking
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[Phase 3: Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT)]
  • Qualifying verification by allocated bank
  • Exempt if 10th/12th mark sheet certifies local language
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[Provisional Bank Allotment & Document Verification]

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7. Examination Pattern & Marking Scheme

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective CBT)

The preliminary test evaluates rapid problem solving and accuracy with sectional timers:

Section	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks	Allotted Time (Sectional)	Medium of Exam
English Language	30	30	20 Minutes	English
Numerical Ability	35	35	20 Minutes	Bilingual / Regional
Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 Minutes	Bilingual / Regional
Total	100 Questions	100 Marks	60 Minutes (1 Hour)	—

Negative Marking: 0.25 marks penalty per incorrect response. Candidates must qualify each of the three tests by securing minimum cut-off marks decided by IBPS.

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Stage 2: Main Examination (Objective CBT)

The final selection merit list is based exclusively on the score secured in the Main examination:

Test / Section	Questions	Max Marks	Duration	Language Medium
General / Financial Awareness	50	50	35 Minutes	Bilingual / Regional
General English	40	40	35 Minutes	English
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude	50	60	45 Minutes	Bilingual / Regional
Quantitative Aptitude	50	50	45 Minutes	Bilingual / Regional
Total	190 Questions	200 Marks	160 Minutes (2h 40m)	—

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8. Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

Numerical & Quantitative Aptitude

• Data Interpretation: Tabular, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Radar, and Missing Caselets.
• Arithmetic Topics: Percentage, Profit & Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Mixture & Allegation, Partnership.
• Work & Motion: Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns, Time-Speed-Distance, Trains, Boats & Streams.
• Number Properties: Quadratic Equations, Missing and Wrong Number Series, Approximation & Simplification.

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude

• Analytical Puzzles: Floor-flat puzzles, Box puzzles, Day/Month scheduling, Variable mapping.
• Seating Arrangements: Circular, Linear, Parallel row facing north/south, Square/Triangular arrangements.
• Verbal Reasoning: Syllogisms, Coded Inequalities, Direction & Distance, Blood Relations, Input-Output machines.
• Computer Aptitude: Memory units, Binary-to-decimal representations, Flowcharts, Keyboard shortcuts, Networking fundamentals.

English Language

• Comprehension: Economy, science, and social narrative passages.
• Grammar & Usage: Error detection, sentence correction, phrase replacement, active/passive voice.
• Vocabulary: Cloze test, fillers (single and double), synonyms, antonyms, idioms, match the columns.

General & Financial Awareness (Mains Priority)

• Banking Affairs: RBI circulars, monetary policy rates, inflation indices, NPA management, Prompt Corrective Action (PCA).
• Government Schemes: PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY, PM SVANidhi, Mudra Yojana.
• Financial Terms: SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, Basel-III norms, Sovereign Gold Bonds, Treasury Bills.
• Static GK & Current Affairs: National parks, power plants, international summits, sports awards, appointments (last 6 months).

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9. Revised Salary & Pay Scale (12th Bipartite Settlement)

Following the implementation of the 12th Bipartite Settlement between the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and bank trade unions, the remuneration for Customer Service Associates (Clerical Cadre) has seen substantial enhancement:

Salary Component	Approximate Monthly Amount
Starting Basic Pay	₹24,050 – ₹26,730
Dearness Allowance (DA)	~15.7% of Basic Pay (revised quarterly)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)	₹2,500 – ₹3,500 (based on city classification: Area I, II, III)
Special Allowance & DA on SA	~₹4,500 – ₹5,800
Transport Allowance / Conveyance	₹850 – ₹1,200
Approximate Gross Monthly Pay	₹38,500 – ₹43,200
In-Hand / Net Salary (after deductions)	₹34,500 – ₹38,500

Additional Perquisites: Annual medical aid reimbursement, leave encashment, subsidized staff loans (home, personal, vehicle loans at concessional interest rates), and coverage under the New Pension System (NPS).

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10. Official Portal & Authority Links

Resource	Official Destination
IBPS Official Portal	ibps.in
CRP Clerical / CSA Dashboard	ibps.in/crp-clerical-cadre
Pre-Examination Training (PET) Portal	IBPS PET Gateway
Prelims Call Letter Download Portal	IBPS Call Letter Gateway
Helpline Grievance Portal	cgrs.ibps.in
Toll-Free IBPS Contact	1800 222 366 / 1800 103 4566

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11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is the IBPS Clerk final merit list prepared?

The final merit list is computed entirely on the candidate's score in the Online Main Examination out of 200 marks, converted to a standardized score out of 100. Prelims scores are not considered for final merit ranking.

Is biometric authentication conducted at the exam venue?

Yes. IBPS captures biometric thumb impressions and iris / facial scans during the Preliminary Examination and re-verifies them at the Main Examination, Document Verification, and final bank joining stages to prevent impersonation.

What is the Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT)?

Candidates who did not study the official regional language of the applied state in their Class 10th or 12th standard must pass a qualifying Local Language Proficiency Test conducted by the allocated bank prior to joining. Failing the LPT leads to cancellation of provisional allotment.