The IBPS Clerk Mains exam 2026 is scheduled for 27 December 2026. It is the second stage of the Common Recruitment Process for Customer Service Associates (CRP CSA-XVI), and candidates who qualify in the Prelims will be eligible to appear. The Mains admit card is expected in December 2026, and the Mains result in January 2027.
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Date 2026 - Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Recruitment cycle | CRP CSA-XVI |
| Post | Clerk / Customer Service Associate (CSA) |
| Total vacancies (revised) | 11,663 |
| Prelims exam dates | 10 and 11 October 2026 |
| Mains exam date | 27 December 2026 |
| Mode of exam | Online |
| Official website | ibps.in |
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Date and Complete Schedule 2026
IBPS has fixed the Clerk Mains examination for 27 December 2026. The table below lists the full recruitment schedule.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification release | 27 July 2026 |
| Online application starts | 1 August 2026 |
| Last date to submit form and pay fee | 28 August 2026 |
| Application correction window | 2 days |
| Prelims admit card | 1 October 2026 |
| Pre-Examination Training (PET) | 3 October 2026 |
| Prelims exam | 10 and 11 October 2026 |
| Prelims result | November 2026 |
| Mains admit card | December 2026 |
| Mains exam | 27 December 2026 |
| Mains result | January 2027 (expected) |
| Provisional allotment | March 2027 (expected) |
IBPS Clerk Mains Admit Card 2026
The Mains admit card is expected to be released in December 2026, before the exam. The exact release date has not been announced. Candidates should check ibps.in regularly for the call letter, along with updates on the Prelims result.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Result 2026
The Prelims was held on 10 and 11 October 2026. The result is expected in November 2026, and only Prelims qualifiers can appear for the Mains. Qualifying depends on meeting both the sectional and overall cut-off marks.
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Mains exam is online and carries 160 questions for 200 marks in 125 minutes. The pattern was revised this year, with 5 more questions and 5 more minutes than before. Each section has its own time limit, and every wrong answer carries a negative mark of 0.25.
| Sr. No. | Test | Medium | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General/Financial Awareness | English and Hindi | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | General English | English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | English and Hindi | 40 | 60 | 35 minutes |
| 4 | Quantitative Aptitude | English and Hindi | 40 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Total | — | — | 160 | 200 | 125 minutes |
The sections are not necessarily asked in this sequence. There are sectional cut-offs in both Prelims and Mains, so candidates must clear each section's minimum marks as well as the overall requirement.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
The Prelims also has a negative marking of 0.25 for each incorrect answer.
Exam Medium by State
The Mains paper is offered in English and Hindi for most sections, and General English is in English only. Regional languages are available in the Prelims and Mains of several states. For example, the medium for Tamil Nadu is English, Hindi and Tamil, and for Puducherry it is English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Check the official notification for the full state-wise list.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Selection Process
- Preliminary exam: a qualifying stage. Candidates who meet the sectional and overall cut-offs are shortlisted for the Mains.
- Mains exam: the main stage. The final merit list is prepared from Mains marks.
- Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT): a qualifying test of reading, writing, speaking and understanding the local language of the state or UT applied for. Candidates who studied the local language in Class 10 or 12 may be exempted, subject to IBPS guidelines.
Documents Required for IBPS Clerk Application
- Live photograph
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Handwritten declaration
- Class 10 marksheet
- Other personal and educational details
The application window closed on 28 August 2026.
How the IBPS Clerk 2026 Application Was Filled
- Visit the official IBPS website.
- Open the CRP CSA-XVI recruitment link.
- Click "New Registration".
- Enter the basic details.
- Upload the photograph and signature.
- Fill in the educational and other details.
- Select the state or UT.
- Pay the application fee.
- Preview the application.
- Submit and save the form.
Important Instructions for Mains Candidates
- Bank preferences are chosen during application and cannot be changed after allotment.
- Exam centres are allotted as per the preference given in the application and are shown on the admit card. They cannot be changed after submission.
- Clear the sectional cut-offs. Each section is timed separately.
- Shortlisted candidates must also qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test unless exempted.
- Check ibps.in regularly for the Prelims result and the Mains call letter.
