IBPS Clerk Syllabus: IBPS Clerk exam prep feels a bit like trying to drink from a firehose—between mastering lightning-fast quant tricks, tackling the absolute beast that is reasoning puzzles, and trying to actually care about current financial updates, it’s a whole emotional rollercoaster.
Sure, you’ve got to survive both the Prelims and Mains before sweating through the local language test, but honestly, ditching those rigid, robotic study schedules and just treating the syllabus like a messy, puzzle-solving marathon makes the whole ordeal way less soul-crushing.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus
IBPS Clerk exam feels a bit like running a marathon while solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded—lakhs of us chase just a handful of bank seats every single year, completely throwing our sanity out the window.
Sure, knowing the syllabus inside out is great, but let’s face it: your actual knowledge barely matters if you can’t somehow teach your brain to fly through questions with terrifying speed and laser-sharp accuracy under immense pressure.
Honestly, watching the timer tick down while second-guessing a basic math shortcut is a special kind of panic most aspirants wouldn’t wish on their worst enemy, yet here we all are, willingly signing up for the chaos anyway.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2026 Details
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Name of Exam | IBPS Clerk 2026 |
| Post | Clerk |
| Selection Process | Prelims and Mains |
| Number of Questions | Prelims: 100 Mains: 160 (Revised) |
| Marks Segregation for IBPS Clerk Exam |
Prelims: 100 Marks Mains: 200 Marks |
| Duration of Exam | IBPS Clerk Prelims: 1 Hour IBPS Clerk Mains: 2 Hours 5 Minutes (Revised) |
| Marking scheme | 1 mark each for every correct answer in the Online Test |
| Negative marking | 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question in MCQs |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Category | Syllabus |
IBPS Clerk Selection Process 2026
Honestly, thank goodness there is no interview stage for the IBPS Clerk exam—dealing with a panel after barely surviving the written rounds sounds like my absolute worst nightmare. You just have to sweat it out through two objective tests (Prelims and Mains) and clear those cut-offs to move forward.
To keep things spicy, IBPS actually tweaked the Mains format last year—like messing with the internal marking scheme—while leaving the Prelims basically untouched, because why make things easy, right?
IBPS Clerk Prelims Pattern
- Mode of Exam: Online (Computer-Based Test)
- Duration: 60 minutes (1 hour)
- Total Questions: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark for each correct answer
- Negative Marking: 25 marks deductedfor every incorrect answer
| Sections | Questions/Marks | Duration (in minutes) |
| English Language | 30 Questions/30 Marks | 20 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 Questions/35 Marks | 20 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 Questions/35 Marks | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 60 |
IBPS Clerk Mains Pattern (Revised)
- Mode of Exam: Online (Computer-Based Test)
- Duration:125 minutes
- Total Questions: 160Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Maximum Marks: 200
- Sectional Timing: Separate time limit allotted for each section
- Marking Scheme: 1 markfor each correct answer (as per the prescribed marks)
- Negative Marking: 25marks deducted for every incorrect answer
| Sections | No. of Questions | Duration (in minutes) |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 Questions/60 Marks | 35 |
| English Language | 40 Questions/40 Marks | 35 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 Questions/50 Marks | 35 |
| General/ Financial Awareness | 40 Questions/50 Marks | 20 |
| Total | 160 Questions/200 Marks | 125 Minutes |
IBPS Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026
The Prelims Syllabus consists of Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. Check the subject-wise topics below.
Reasoning Syllabus
The Reasoning Ability syllabus for IBPS Clerk mainly tests a candidate’s logical thinking and problem-solving skills. It includes topics like puzzles, seating arrangement, coding-decoding, blood relations, inequalities, and series.
- Seating Arrangements
- Puzzles
- Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Blood Relations
- Order and Ranking
- Alphanumeric Series
- Distance and Direction
- Verbal Reasoning
- Coding-Decoding
- Logical Reasoning
- Classification
- Odd One Out
- Series Completion
English Language Syllabus
The English Language syllabus focuses on checking candidates’ grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. It covers areas like reading comprehension, error spotting, cloze test, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence improvement.
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Sentence Correction
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para/Sentence Completion
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- One Word Substitution
- Idioms and Phrases
- Phrase Replacement
- Error Detection
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Passage Completion
- Grammar
- Spelling Correction
- Word Usage
- Word Swap
- Tenses
Numerical Ability Syllabus
The Numerical Ability syllabus tests candidates’ speed and accuracy in solving mathematical problems. It includes topics like simplification, data interpretation, number series, arithmetic, and quadratic equations.
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification/Approximation
- Quadratic Equation
- Data Sufficiency
- Mensuration
- Average
- Profit and Loss
- Ratio and Proportion
- Work, Time, and Energy
- Time and Distance
- Probability
- Relations
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Permutation and Combination
IBPS Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026
There are four sections in the Mains exam with different sectional timings, such as Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness, and Computer Aptitude. Check topics below.
Mains Reasoning Syllabus
- Seating Arrangements
- Puzzles
- Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Blood Relations
- Order and Ranking
- Alphanumeric Series
- Distance
- Direction Sense
- Verbal Reasoning
- Classification
- Simplification
- Coded Inequalities
- Machine Input-Output
- Statements and Arguments
- Assertion and Reasoning
- Passage and Conclusions
- Decision Making
Mains English Language Syllabus
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Sentence Correction
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para/Sentence Completion
- Vocabulary
- Word Formation
- Misspelt Words
- Phrases and Idioms
- Passage Completion
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Active/Passive Voice
Mains Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification/ Approximation
- Quadratic Equation
- Data Sufficiency
- Mensuration
- Average
- Profit and Loss
- Ratio and Proportion
- Work, Time, and Energy
- Time and Distance
- Probability
- Relations
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Permutation and Combination
Mains General Awareness Syllabus
- Current Affairs
- Banking Awareness
- GK Updates
- Currencies
- Important Places
- Books and Authors
- Awards
- Headquarters
- Prime Minister Schemes
- Important Days
- National & International Current Affairs
- Central Government Schemes
- Banking and Financial Awareness,
- Recent RBI Circulars-Based Questions,
- Business & Economy Related News
- Important Appointments, Important
- Union Budget
Mains Computer Aptitude Syllabus
- Basics of Hardware and Software
- Windows operating system basics
- Internet terms and services
- Basic Functionalities of MS Office (MS Word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint)
- History of Computers
- Networking and communication,
- Database basics
- Basics of Hacking
- Security Tools and Viruses.
It is necessary for all the candidates applying for the IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam to go through the syllabus as mentioned in the IBPS Clerk notification to be released by IBPS to prepare judiciously for this exam.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus PDF
IBPS Clerk notification to drop just to see the syllabus feels a bit like waiting for a bus that’s perpetually five minutes away—annoying, predictable, and totally out of our control. Sure, the actual PDF isn’t floating around out there yet, but let’s be real, banking exams don’t radically reinvent the wheel overnight; reasoning puzzles and quant arithmetic are still going to haunt us regardless of what the new official booklet says.
So instead of sitting on our hands refreshing the page like caffeine-addicted zombies, we might as well dive straight into last year’s predictable chaos and tackle English and general awareness now, because the universe loves irony and the moment we actually start studying is the exact second they’ll finally update the link.
IBPS Clerk Exam Medium
The IBPS Clerk Exam is conducted in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and the respective regional languages of each state. In Hindi-speaking states, the exam is offered in both English and Hindi, while in non-Hindi-speaking states, it is conducted in English and the local regional language. Refer to the state/UT-wise language list below.
| State Name | Medium of Examination |
| Andaman & Nicobar | English and Hindi |
| Arunachal Pradesh | |
| Bihar | |
| Chandigarh | |
| Chhattisgarh | |
| Delhi | |
| Haryana | |
| Himachal Pradesh | |
| Jharkhand | |
| Ladakh | |
| Madhya Pradesh | |
| Meghalaya | |
| Mizoram | |
| Nagaland | |
| Uttarakhand | |
| Rajasthan | |
| Sikkim | |
| Andhra Pradesh | English, Hindi, and Telugu |
| Assam | English, Hindi, and Assamese |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu | English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and Konkani |
| Goa | English, Hindi, and Konkani |
| Gujarat | English, Hindi, and Gujarati |
| Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh | English, Hindi, and Urdu |
| Karnataka | English, Hindi, Kannada, and Konkani |
| Kerala, Lakshadweep | English, Hindi, and Malayalam |
| Maharashtra | English, Hindi, Marathi, and Konkani |
| Manipur | English, Hindi, and Manipuri |
| Odisha | English, Hindi, and Odia |
| Puducherry | English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam |
| Punjab | English, Hindi, and Punjabi |
| Tamil Nadu | English, Hindi, and Tamil |
| Telangana | English, Hindi, Telugu, and Urdu |
| Tripura, West Bengal | English, Hindi, and Bengali |
Is it possible to cover the IBPS Clerk Syllabus in 2 Months?
Yes, if a candidate is serious about his/her attempt this year, then the syllabus can be covered in 2 months provided that a candidate must have a background in Quants, English, and Reasoning. Check the study plan here.
| Week | Topics to Cover | Focus Area |
| Week 1 | Puzzles & Seating Arrangement, Number Series, Simplification, Reading Comprehension | Building basics |
| Week 2 | Syllogism, Inequality, Coding-Decoding, Simple/Compound Interest, Percentage, Cloze Test, Error Spotting | Concept + vocabulary building |
| Week 3 | Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Data Interpretation, Para Jumbles, Fillers | Application-based practice |
| Week 4 | Full syllabus revision + sectional mock tests | Prelims-level testing |
| Week 5 | Advanced Puzzles, Machine Input-Output, DI-heavy sets, Data Sufficiency, Advanced Grammar | Mains-level depth |
| Week 6 | General/Financial Awareness, Banking Terms, Computer Aptitude | GA & Computer Knowledge |
| Week 7 | Full-length Mains mocks, speed drills on weak sections | Test-taking speed |
| Week 8 | Revision, formula sheets, error log review, final mocks | Final revision |
Some Bonus Tips
- Prioritise high-weightage topics: Puzzles & Seating Arrangement (Reasoning) and Data Interpretation (Quant) carry maximum marks; allocate more time here.
- Start General Awareness from Week 1: daily short reading sessions prevent last-minute cramming.
- Attempt at least 1 mock testweekly from Week 3 onward to track accuracy and attempt strategy.
- Maintain error notes and revise recurring mistakes weekly instead of only solving new questions.
IBPS Clerk Tie-Breaking Policy
Honestly, watching two people tie down to the exact same score always gives me a weird mix of pity and fascination—like, what are the odds? But rules are rules, and if it comes down to a dead heat, seniority wins the day, meaning we’re handing the edge to whoever got here first chronologically (sorry, younger folks, wisdom of the ages and all that).
If by some cosmic joke they were born on the exact same millisecond too, I guess we’ll just have to nitpick over alphabet soup or who aced the hardest section, because at that point, the universe just loves a little bureaucratic drama.
FAQs
What is the marking scheme for Prelims and Mains?
The IBPS Clerk Prelims will be of 100 marks of 1 hour and the IBPS Mains Exam will be of 200 marks of 2 hours 5 minutes.
Is there any negative marking in the IBPS Clerk Exam?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 for every incorrect answer in the IBPS Clerk Prelims and Mains Exam.
What is the IBPS Clerk Syllabus?
The IBPS Clerk Prelims syllabus covers three sections: Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude.