Are you a graduate looking for a secure, stable, and respectable job to start your career? The IBPS Clerk exam is one of the most popular and sought-after banking exams in India, offering a golden opportunity to join a Public Sector Bank and build a bright future.
But what exactly is an IBPS Clerk? What is their role in a bank? What are the eligibility criteria, the in-hand salary, and the step-by-step process to get selected for this prestigious job?
Welcome to the ultimate master guide by Rojgar Point. This article is your A-to-Z blueprint for the IBPS Clerk examination. We will cover every single detail you need to know to secure your first job in the banking sector. Let’s begin your journey! 🏦
What is IBPS Clerk?
First, let’s understand the term. IBPS Clerk refers to the recruitment process for the Clerical Cadre in various Public Sector Banks (PSBs), conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
- IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection): An autonomous body that conducts recruitment exams for all major Public Sector Banks in India.
- Clerk: This is an entry-level post in a bank. A bank clerk is often the first point of contact for customers and is responsible for handling most of the day-to-day banking transactions. The official title is often Clerk / Office Assistant.
In simple terms, IBPS Clerk is a national-level competitive exam held annually to select candidates for clerical positions in 11 Public Sector Banks across the country.
The Role of a Bank Clerk: Job Profile & Career Path
A bank clerk is the face of the bank for most customers. Their role is crucial for the smooth functioning of a bank branch.
Job Profile and Responsibilities:
- Customer Service: Assisting customers with their queries, providing information about bank products, and resolving their issues.
- Handling Cash: Managing cash at the counters, which includes accepting deposits and paying out withdrawals.
- Transaction Processing: Clearing cheques, issuing demand drafts (DDs), and handling other payment instruments.
- Account Management: Opening new bank accounts and updating customer information and passbooks.
- Back-Office Work: Maintaining ledgers, managing records, and handling internal correspondence.
Career Progression Path:
The career growth for an IBPS Clerk is very promising. With hard work and by clearing internal promotional exams, a clerk can rise to the officer level.
- Clerk
- Trainee Officer / Probationary Officer (PO) (After clearing internal exams)
- Assistant Manager (Scale I)
- Branch Manager (Scale II)
- Senior Manager (Scale III)
- Chief Manager (Scale IV) and so on.
IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria (Updated 2025)
To apply for the IBPS Clerk exam, you must meet the specific criteria for nationality, age, and education.
| Criteria | Requirement |
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of India. |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 years. (A candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.09.1997 and not later than 01.09.2005, as per the latest trend. Please verify with the official 2025 notification). |
| Educational Qualification | A Bachelor’s Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognized by the Govt. Of India. |
| Computer Literacy | Operating and working knowledge in computer systems is mandatory. Candidates should have a Certificate/Diploma/Degree in computer operations/language or should have studied Computer/IT as one of the subjects in High School/College/Institute. |
| Language Proficiency | Proficiency in the Official Language of the State/UT for which a candidate applies is preferable. You will be required to read, write, and speak the language. |
Age Relaxation
The upper age limit is relaxed for candidates from reserved categories.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Actual period of service rendered + 3 years |
| Widows, divorced women | 9 years |
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern & Selection Process
The selection process is a two-tiered journey. Unlike the PO exam, there is no interview for the final selection.
- Phase I: Preliminary Examination
- Phase II: Main Examination
Phase I: Preliminary Exam
This is a qualifying online exam to screen candidates for the Main exam.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Phase II: Main Exam
The marks obtained in the Main exam are considered for the final merit list.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
| General/ Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 Minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 Minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 Minutes |
Final Selection: The final selection is made based on the marks scored by the candidate in the Main Examination only.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus: What to Study
Here’s an overview of the key topics for the Prelims and Mains exams.
- Reasoning Ability: Puzzles (Seating Arrangement, Floor-based), Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Inequality.
- Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude: Data Interpretation (Bar, Line, Pie, Tabular), Simplification/Approximation, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, and Arithmetic topics (Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, etc.).
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, and Vocabulary.
- General/Financial Awareness: Current Affairs (last 6 months), Banking and Financial Awareness (RBI, NPA, Banking terms), and Static GK (Important days, Capitals, etc.).
- Computer Aptitude: Basics of Computers, Hardware, Software, Internet, MS Office, and Keyboard Shortcuts.
IBPS Clerk Salary Structure (In-Hand)
The salary of an IBPS Clerk is quite attractive for an entry-level position. The current basic pay is ₹19,900. The in-hand salary is much higher after adding various allowances and perks.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the approximate monthly in-hand salary.
| Salary Component | Approximate Amount (City X) |
| Basic Pay | ₹19,900 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ~ ₹8,500 (Varies with inflation) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ~ ₹2,000 |
| Special Allowance | ~ ₹3,200 |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | ~ ₹750 |
| Gross Salary (Approx.) | ~ ₹34,350 |
| Deductions (NPS, Tax, etc.) | ~ ₹2,500 – ₹3,000 |
| In-Hand Salary (Approx.) | ₹31,000 – ₹32,000 per month |
Other Perks: Besides the salary, a clerk gets medical benefits, leave travel concession, and other staff welfare schemes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is there an interview for the IBPS Clerk exam?
Ans: No, there is no interview for the final selection in the IBPS Clerk recruitment process. The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination only.
Q2: What is the Language Proficiency Test (LPT)?
Ans: After the final selection, candidates will have to appear for a Language Proficiency Test (LPT) in the official language of the state they have applied for. This test is mandatory and qualifying in nature. If a candidate fails the LPT, their selection may be canceled.
Q3: Can a final-year student apply for the IBPS Clerk exam?
Ans: Yes, final-year students can apply provisionally. However, they must be able to produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before the specified cut-off date.
Q4: How many attempts are there for the IBPS Clerk exam?
Ans: There is no limit on the number of attempts. A candidate can appear for the exam as long as they fulfill the age eligibility criteria.
We hope this master guide from Rojgar Point has given you complete clarity on the IBPS Clerk exam. It is a fantastic opportunity to start a secure and respectable career in the banking sector with a graduate degree. Start your preparation with full dedication and take the first step towards a bright future!
