IBPS

What is IBPS?

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is an autonomous organisation that conducts recruitment examinations for officer and clerk posts in public sector banks across India. Set up in 1975 and accorded independent status in 1984, IBPS is headquartered in Mumbai and serves as the central recruitment and selection body for most Indian public sector banks (excluding SBI, which conducts its own exams). IBPS coordinates with participating banks to fill vacancies through a Common Recruitment Process (CRP).

IBPS conducts annual exams for Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, Specialist Officers (SO), Regional Rural Bank Officers, and Regional Rural Bank Office Assistants. Clearing an IBPS exam and subsequent joining a bank is one of the most sought-after career paths for graduates in India.

IBPS at a Glance

Major IBPS Examinations

IBPS PO - Key Facts

• Prelims: 100 questions - English Language (30), Quantitative Aptitude (35), Reasoning Ability (35); 1 hour, 100 marks
• Mains: 155 questions - Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General Economy & Banking Awareness, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation; 3 hours + 30 minutes for Descriptive (Letter/Essay); 200+25 marks
• Interview: 100 marks (only for PO and SO); final merit = 80% Mains + 20% Interview
• Provisionally selected candidates undergo a Pre-Joining Training period at the bank
• After joining, POs undergo a 2-year probationary period and are confirmed as officers upon passing the bank's internal tests

IBPS Exam Calendar

• June - July: IBPS RRB Officer and Office Assistant notifications released; online applications open
• August: IBPS RRB Prelims (Officer Scale I and Office Assistant)
• September: IBPS RRB Mains; IBPS PO notification released
• October: IBPS PO Prelims; IBPS Clerk notification released
• November: IBPS PO Mains; IBPS Clerk Prelims; IBPS SO notification released
• December - January: IBPS Clerk Mains; IBPS SO Prelims
• February - March: IBPS PO & SO Interviews; Provisional allotment to banks

Participating Banks in IBPS CRP

The following public sector banks recruit through IBPS:

• 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
• 43+ Regional Rural Banks (for IBPS RRB exams)

Note: State Bank of India (SBI) conducts its own recruitment separately through SBI PO and SBI Clerk exams.

Resources for IBPS Aspirants on AglaSem

• Syllabus: Official IBPS PO, Clerk, SO, and RRB exam syllabi
• Previous Year Question Papers: IBPS Prelims and Mains papers from recent years
• Free Mock Tests: Section-wise and full-length mock tests for IBPS PO and Clerk
• Cut-off Marks: IBPS sectional and overall cut-off data
• Exam Notifications: All IBPS notification, application, admit card, and result updates

Frequently Asked Questions about IBPS

Does IBPS score expire?

Yes. The IBPS scorecard (for PO, Clerk, SO, RRB) is valid for one year from the date of the result declaration. Provisional allotment to a bank must happen within this validity period. If you are not allotted in that cycle, you need to reappear in the next year's exam.

Can I choose which bank I get allotted to through IBPS?

You can indicate preferences, but the final allotment is based on your merit rank, the vacancies available at each bank, and your state/language preferences. There is no guarantee you will get your first-choice bank; allotment is provisional and merit-based.

Is there sectional cut-off in IBPS exams?

Yes. IBPS imposes both sectional cut-offs (you must score the minimum in each individual section) and an overall cut-off. Failing the sectional cut-off in even one section will disqualify you even if your total score is high enough overall.

What is the difference between IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk?

IBPS PO selects for Probationary Officer (managerial cadre, Scale I), while IBPS Clerk selects for Clerical Cadre (non-officer, customer-facing roles). PO posts carry higher pay, an interview stage, and faster promotion prospects. Clerk posts require Prelims + Mains only (no interview) and have lower starting pay but also lakhs more vacancies.