IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026: Check Details for Prelims and Mains
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern for CRP CSA-XV will be released along with the detailed notification. IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 consists of 2 exams,i.e., Prelims exam, which contains 100 questions of 1 mark each, and Mains exam, which is of 200 marks and 155 questions. Candidates are required to appear and qualify IBPS Clerk 2026 Prelims to appear for the mains exam in IBPS Clerk 2026.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern Highlights 2026
IBPS Clerk 2026 Prelims and Mains highlights are mentioned in the table below:
| Particulars | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online | Online |
| No. of Sections | 3 | 4 |
| Total Questions | 100 | 160 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 200 |
| Time Duration | 60 minutes (20 min per section) | 125 minutes |
| Medium of Exam | English & Hindi | English & Hindi |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer | 0.25 mark for each wrong answer |
| Qualifying Status | Qualifying in nature (not counted in final selection) | Considered for final selection |
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
Detailed IBPS Clerk 2026 Prelims Exam Pattern is given in the table below:
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 Questions | 30 Marks | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 1 Hour |
Points to remember:
- Sectional timing is applied.
- Candidates must qualify in each section.
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates who successfully pass IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 proceed to IBPS Clerk 2026 Mains exam. Detailed IBPS Clerk Mains 2026 Exam Pattern is given below:
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 40 Questions | 50 Marks | 20 Minutes |
| General English | 40 Questions | 40 Marks | 35 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 Questions | 60 Marks | 35 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 Questions | 50 Marks | 35 Minutes |
| Total | 160 Questions | 200 Marks | 125 minutes |
Points to remember:
- Marks from the Mains exam only count towards the final merit list.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Language Proficiency Test
IBPS Clerk 2026 Language Proficiency Test is conducted after the Mains exam. These are the key pointers:
- Conducted after the Main Exam/Provisional Allotment.
- Required if a candidate cannot produce proof of having studied the local language.
- Qualifying in nature; failure leads to disqualification.
Candidates preparing for IBPS Clerk 2026 must note that the exam is conducted in two stages: Prelims and Mains, both online with separate sectional timings. Prelims results are used only for shortlisting, while Mains exam scores determine the final merit. Negative marking applies, and a language proficiency test may follow, so prepare strategically for each stage.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Ques: How many sections are there in IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 for Prelims?
Ans: IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 for Prelims has three sections – English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Each section has a fixed time limit, and candidates must qualify in all sections.
Ques: Is there negative marking in IBPS Clerk Exam 2026?
Ans: According to IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in both Prelims and Main exams, so candidates need to answer carefully to avoid losing marks.
Ques: Are Prelims exam marks considered in IBPS Clerk Exam 2026 final merit?
Ans: IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 clearly states that marks obtained in the Preliminary exam are not considered for the final merit. Only the Mains exam scores are used for final selection.
Ques: Can candidates choose the order of sections in IBPS Clerk Exam 2026?
Ans: No, IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 has fixed sectional order with separate timing. Once the time for a section is over, the system automatically moves the candidate to the next section.
Ques: Is there any descriptive paper in IBPS Clerk Exam 2026?
Ans: No, IBPS Clerk Exam 2026 includes only objective-type multiple-choice questions. There is no descriptive or subjective paper at either the Prelims or Main stage of the recruitment process.
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