The IBPS Clerk Notification 2026 has been officially released by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) under the Common Recruitment Process for Customer Service Associates, popularly known as CRP CSA-XVI. This recruitment drive is for the Clerical cadre (Customer Service Associate) post in Participating Public Sector Banks, for vacancies belonging to the 2027-28 cycle.
If you are targeting a clerical career in a public sector bank, this notification is one of the most important releases of the year. In this post, we break down everything from IBPS Clerk important dates and vacancies to eligibility, exam pattern, and the application process, all sourced directly from the official notification, dated 01.08.2026.
Quick Overview: IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance
IBPS Clerk (CRP CSA-XVI) is a two-tier online examination process (Preliminary and Main), followed by provisional allotment to one of the Participating Public Sector Banks. As per the official notification, indicative vacancies have been announced for the Customer Service Associate post across 11 Participating Public Sector Banks.
Candidates holding a graduate degree from a recognised university and falling within the age bracket of 20 to 28 years (as on 01.08.2026) are eligible to apply online. The IBPS Clerk apply online 2026 process begins on 1st August 2026 and will remain open until 21st August 2026.
Candidates who clear both stages are provisionally allotted to one of the Participating Banks based on merit-cum-preference, and the Basic Pay for Customer Service Associates is ₹24050 plus allowances and perquisites as per the concerned bank’s rules.
Key highlights:
- Recruitment cycle: Vacancies of 2027-28
- Conducting body: IBPS (mandate received from Participating Banks)
- Post: Customer Service Associate (CSA) – Clerical Cadre
- Selection stages: Online Prelims → Online Main → Provisional Allotment
- Official website: www.ibps.in
- Grievance portal: cgrs.ibps.in
A reserve list of approximately 30 percent of the vacancies under each category may also be maintained, subject to availability of candidates, and this list is valid for one year from the date of provisional allotment (or until a fresh allotment is made).
Important Dates to Remember
Activity | Tentative Schedule |
Online registration & payment of fees | 01-08-2026 to 21-08-2026 |
Edit window for modifying application | 2 days after registration closes (to be notified) |
Conduct of Pre-Examination Training (PET) | September 2026 |
Download of Prelims call letter | September 2026 |
Online Preliminary Examination | October 2026 |
Prelims result | November 2026 |
Download of Mains call letter | November 2026 |
Online Main Examination | December 2026 |
Provisional allotment | March 2027 |
These are tentative dates as per the notification; candidates should keep checking www.ibps.in for updates.
Posts, Vacancies and Participating Banks
IBPS Clerk covers 11 Participating Public Sector Banks:
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
The state-wise and category-wise indicative IBPS Clerk vacancy 2026 numbers total approximately 11,400+ vacancies across all States/UTs for the Customer Service Associate post.
State | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
Uttar Pradesh | 1,731 |
Karnataka | 1,414 |
Maharashtra | 1,051 |
Gujarat | 698 |
Tamil Nadu | 675 |
West Bengal | 946 |
Note: Union Bank of India has not reported (NR) vacancy numbers for any State/UT yet. Vacancies mentioned are indicative and subject to change based on actual business needs reported by banks.
IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria
Nationality/Citizenship
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with intent to settle permanently, or
- A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African/other countries, intending to settle in India (with a government eligibility certificate for these categories).
IBPS Clerk Age Limit 2026 (as on 01.08.2026)
- Minimum age: 20 years
- Maximum age: 28 years
- Candidates must be born between 02.08.1998 and 01.08.2006 (both dates inclusive).
Age relaxation:
Category | Relaxation |
SC/ST | 5 years |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years |
Ex-Servicemen (ESM)/Disabled Ex-Servicemen (DESM) | Actual service rendered + 3 years (8 years for Disabled ESM belonging to SC/ST), subject to a maximum age limit of 50 years |
Widows, divorced women and women legally separated who have not remarried | Age concession up to 35 years (General/EWS), 38 years (OBC), 40 years (SC/ST) |
Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC is cumulative with only one other applicable relaxation category. The maximum age limit applies to General and EWS candidates.
Reservation Categories
Category | Details/Rules |
|---|---|
PwBD candidates | Includes Locomotor Disability, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities. |
EWS candidates | Family income below ₹8 lakh/year, with specified asset exclusions. |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates | Must submit a valid NCL certificate. |
Additional Provisions | Compensatory time (20 minutes/hour) and scribe facility available for eligible PwBD/specified disability candidates, subject to prior declaration in the application form. |
Educational Qualification (As on 21.08.2026)
Requirement | Description |
Basic Education | A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or any equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Candidates must indicate the percentage of marks obtained in Graduation while registering online. |
Language Proficiency | Candidates should be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified/opted local language of the State/UT applied for. |
Computer Literacy | Candidates should have a Certificate/Diploma/Degree in computer operations, or should have studied Computer/Information Technology as a subject. |
Ex-Servicemen | Matriculate Ex-Servicemen with the Army Special Certificate of Education (or equivalent) after completing at least 15 years of service. |
Application Fee and How to Apply
Application fee/intimation charges (payable online only, from 01.08.2026 to 21.08.2026):
Candidate Category | Application Fee (Inclusive of GST) |
SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM candidates | Rs. 175/- |
All other candidates | Rs. 850/- |
Bank transaction charges for online payment are to be borne by the candidate.
How to apply for IBPS Clerk (CRP CSA-XVI) 2026:
- Visit www.ibps.in and open the CRP CSA link.
- Click “New Registration” and fill in basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password.
- Upload photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, and SSC/SSLC/10th certificate as per prescribed specifications (Annexure IV of the notification).
- Fill in the application form carefully using “Save and Next,” then complete registration and pay the fee online.
- Take a printout of the system-generated application form and e-receipt for future reference.
Note that fields like Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, State/UT, Post, and Nationality cannot be edited after submission. A separate two-day Edit Window (with a Rs. 200/- correction fee) is provided after the registration period closes for other corrections.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026
The exam pattern consists of a Preliminary Exam and a Main Exam, both objective in nature.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
Sr. No. | Name of Tests | Medium of Examination | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
1 | English Language | English | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
2 | Numerical Ability | English/Hindi | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
3 | Reasoning Ability | English/Hindi | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing cut-off marks decided by IBPS. Adequate numbers of candidates in each category will be shortlisted for the Online Main Examination.
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern
Sr. No. | Name of Tests | Medium of Examination | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
1 | General/Financial Awareness | English/Hindi | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
2 | General English | English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
3 | Reasoning Ability | English/Hindi | 40 | 60 | 35 minutes |
4 | Quantitative Aptitude | English/Hindi | 40 | 50 | 35 minutes |
Total | 160 | 200 | 125 minutes |
Marks obtained in the Online Main Examination only will be considered for final merit listing.
Preparation Guideline Against the Official Dates
Phase | Window (per notification’s tentative schedule) | Focus |
Now – 21 August 2026 | Registration period | Finish applying early; start daily Quant/Reasoning practice alongside registration to avoid a standing start in September |
Late August – September 2026 | 4-5 weeks before Prelims | Full syllabus coverage + timed sectional mocks for Prelims |
Prelims (Oct 2026) – Mains (Dec 2026) | 8-9 weeks | Shift focus to Mains-only sections such as General/Financial Awareness and deepen Quant/Reasoning speed |
Post-Mains – Provisional Allotment (March 2027) | 2-3 months | Document preparation, local language proficiency revision (if applicable), and general banking awareness refresh |
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Negative marking: One-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective Tests; unattempted questions carry no penalty.
- Documents: Candidates must carry a valid call letter and original photo ID (matching the name on the application) at every stage; no documents are accepted separately by IBPS.
- Call letters: The Prelims call letter is authenticated/stamped, not collected, at the venue so it can be retained for the Mains exam along with the stamped ID photocopy.
- Biometric verification: Photograph and biometric (thumb impression) data may be captured/verified at various stages; candidates must not alter their appearance from the uploaded photo.
- Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT): Candidates opting for a State/UT must clear the local language test (qualifying in nature) unless exempted via 10th standard mark sheet showing the language studied.
- Scribe facility: Available only for eligible PwBD/specified disability candidates who declare this in the application form and submit the prescribed medical certificate; compensatory time of 20 minutes/hour applies.
- No change requests: IBPS does not entertain requests for change of exam centre, date, time, venue, or category after submission.
- Prohibited items: Mobile phones, calculators, watches, ornaments, bags, and similar items are not allowed inside the exam hall.
- Unfair means: Any impersonation, use of unfair means, or violation under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, can lead to disqualification and legal action.
Start Your IBPS Clerk 2026 Preparation
Now that the IBPS Clerk Notification 2026 has been released, it’s the right time to begin your preparation with a structured study plan. Explore comprehensive Clerk preparation resources, including updated syllabus, exam pattern, study materials, mock tests, and expert guidance to boost your chances of success.
Conclusion
The IBPS Clerk Notification 2026 (CRP CSA-XVI) opens the door to thousands of indicative vacancies for the Customer Service Associate post across 11 public sector banks for the 2027-28 cycle. With registration open from 01.08.2026 to 21.08.2026, candidates should confirm their eligibility, keep documents ready, and complete the IBPS Clerk application form well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. Read the official notification carefully, prepare a study plan around the exam pattern shared above, and apply online at www.ibps.in within the given timeline.
Other IBPS Exam Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the official notification for the Common Recruitment Process (CRP CSA-XVI), inviting applications for the Customer Service Associate (Clerk) post in 11 Participating Public Sector Banks for vacancies of 2027-28.
Online registration and fee payment run from 01.08.2026 to 21.08.2026. Prelims are tentatively in October 2026, Mains in December 2026, and provisional allotment in March 2027.
The notification lists indicative vacancies across all States/UTs, totalling over 11,000 posts for the Customer Service Associate role, though Union Bank of India has not yet reported its vacancy numbers.
Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years as on 01.08.2026, with age relaxation for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and eligible Ex-Servicemen.
A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognised university, along with local language proficiency and basic computer literacy, is required as on 21.08.2026.
Rs. 175/- for SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM candidates and Rs. 850/- for all other candidates, payable online only.
Prelims (100 marks, 60 minutes) followed by Mains (200 marks, 125 minutes), both objective in nature, followed by provisional allotment based on Mains merit.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective Tests (both Prelims and Mains).
