The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has previously released the updated syllabus and exam pattern for the IBPS Clerk Exam, applicable to both the Prelims and Mains stages. As in previous years, IBPS is expected to announce a large number of vacancies for Clerical Cadre posts across 11 participating banks.
If you’re planning to appear for the IBPS Clerk 2025 Exam, it’s essential to be familiar with the latest exam pattern and syllabus. The IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 closely aligns with that of other bank exams.
Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Exam should begin preparing for the Mains Exam, which consists of the following four sections:
Check the detailed and updated IBPS Clerk 2025 syllabus and exam pattern below to kickstart your preparation effectively.
Candidates should thoroughly review the IBPS Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern and practice using previous years’ IBPS Clerk question papers to understand the weightage of various sub-topics in each section of both the Preliminary and Mains exams for the IBPS Clerk 2025 Exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | IBPS Clerk 2025 |
| Category | Syllabus & Exam Pattern |
| IBPS Clerk Exam Date 2025 | Prelims – 4th, 5th, 11th October 2025 Mains – 29th November 2025 |
| No. of Questions | Prelims – 100 Mains – 190 |
| Maximum Marks | Prelims – 100 Mains – 200 |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam and Mains Exam |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
The selection process for IBPS Clerk posts consists of two stages: the Online Preliminary exam followed by the Online Main exam. Marks obtained in the Preliminary exam are not considered in the final merit list; the final selection is based exclusively on the scores achieved in the Main exam.
| Stages | Details |
|---|---|
| IBPS Clerk Prelims | – Number of Questions: 100 – Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions – Duration: 60 minutes – Nature: Qualifying – Subjects: English Language, Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability – Negative Marking: 0.25 (¼th) per wrong answer |
| IBPS Clerk Mains | – Number of Questions: 190 – Duration: 160 minutes – Nature: Scoring – Subjects: Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, General/Financial Awareness – Negative Marking: 0.25 (¼th) per wrong answer |
The IBPS Clerk CRP XV Preliminary exam is an online test designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude, reasoning skills, and English proficiency. Both the Preliminary and Main exams will be conducted bilingually, in English and Hindi. The exam consists of three sections, and candidates must meet the cut-off in each section to qualify for the Main exam. Below is an overview of the IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025 for both stages.
Significant changes have been introduced in the IBPS Clerk 2025 Preliminary Exam Pattern. The exam is conducted online, with a total duration of 1 hour, allocating 20 minutes to each of the three sections. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted as negative marking.
Candidates must clear the cut-off marks set by IBPS in each section to qualify. Based on the requirements, a sufficient number of candidates from each category will be shortlisted for the Online Main examination. The Preliminary exam is qualifying in nature, and the marks obtained will not be considered while preparing the final merit list.
| S.No. | Name of Tests (Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes / 1 Hour |
According to the latest update from IBPS, the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam will now consist of 190 questions to be completed within 160 minutes.
Earlier, the Computer Aptitude and Reasoning Ability sections were conducted separately. However, in the recent revision, these two sections have been combined into a single section comprising 50 questions, with a time limit of 45 minutes. A penalty of 0.25 marks will be applied for each incorrect answer.
The Mains exam, which is the second phase, is scoring in nature. Below is the detailed exam pattern for IBPS Clerk Mains.
| S.No. | Name of Tests (Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| 2 | English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 minutes |
Now, let’s review the detailed section-wise (subject-wise) syllabus for the IBPS Clerk 2025 exam. This will help you gain a clear understanding of the exam structure and enable you to create an effective preparation plan. The syllabus is outlined for all subjects, with distinctions made between the Prelims and Mains exams. Below is the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 for both the Preliminary and Main examinations:
The syllabus for Numerical Ability/Quantitative Aptitude and English Language remains the same for both the Preliminary and Main exams. Along with these two subjects, the syllabus also includes General/Financial Awareness and Reasoning & Computer Knowledge. The General Awareness section primarily focuses on banking sector-related topics.
The English Language section of the IBPS Clerk exam evaluates your comprehension and command of the English language. The revised syllabus for this section is outlined below:
| Vocabulary | Grammar | Reading Comprehension |
|---|---|---|
| Homonyms | Spotting Errors | Theme Detection |
| Antonyms | Phrases and Idioms | Passage Completion |
| Synonyms | Direct and Indirect Speech | Topic Rearrangement of Passage |
| Word Formation | Active/Passive Voice | Deriving Conclusion |
| Spelling |
The Reasoning Ability section of the IBPS Clerk exam evaluates your logical and analytical thinking capabilities. Below is a table listing the key topics for both Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
| Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Analogy | Figure Series |
| Classification | Input/Output |
| Word Formation | Assertion and Reasoning |
| Statement and Conclusions | Sitting Arrangement |
| Syllogism | Series Test |
| Statement and Assumptions | Odd Figure Out |
| Statement and Arguments | Analogy |
| Coding-Decoding | Miscellaneous Test |
| Blood Relations | |
| Passage and Conclusions | |
| Alphabet Test | |
| Series Test | |
| Number, Ranking, and Time Sequence | |
| Direction Sense Test | |
| Decision-Making Test |
The Quantitative Aptitude section of the IBPS Clerk exam assesses your numerical skills and problem-solving abilities. Below is a detailed syllabus for this section:
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
|---|
| Ratio and Proportion |
| Averages |
| Time and Work |
| Speed, Distance and Time |
| Mixture and Allegation |
| Stocks and Shares |
| Percentages |
| Partnership |
| Clocks |
| Volume and Surface Area |
| Bar & Graphs |
| Line Charts |
| Tables |
| Height and Distances |
| Logarithms |
| Permutation and Combinations |
| Simple and Compound Interest |
| Equations, Probability |
| Trigonometry |
| Profit, Loss and Discount |
| Mensuration |
| Elements of Algebra |
| Data Interpretation |
| Pie Charts |
The Computers section of the IBPS Clerk exam aims to evaluate your fundamental understanding of computer hardware, software, and associated concepts. Below is the detailed syllabus for this section:
| Computers Section Topics |
|---|
| Basics of Hardware and Software |
| Windows Operating System Basics |
| Internet Terms and Services |
| Basic Functionalities of MS-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) |
| History of Computers |
| Networking and Communication |
| Database Basics |
| Basics of Hacking |
| Security Tools |
| Viruses |
The General Awareness section of the IBPS Clerk exam mainly covers current affairs and general knowledge. The key topics included in this section are:
| Current Affairs | Banking |
|---|---|
| Current affairs related to national and international issues of the last 6 months | Overview of Indian Financial System |
| History of the Indian banking system | |
| Recent credit and monetary policies | |
| Introduction to national financial institutions like RBI, SEBI, IRDA, FSDC, and international organizations such as IMF, World Bank, ADB, UN | |
| Abbreviations and economic terminologies | |
| Banking terms | |
| Important government schemes related to capital and money markets |
Here are some efficient ways to prepare for the IBPS Clerk 2025 exam:
Remember, consistency, perseverance, and frequent preparation are essential for success in the IBPS Clerk 2025 exam. Staying committed to a well-structured study plan, regularly reviewing key concepts, and practicing a variety of questions will help reinforce your knowledge and improve your problem-solving speed. Additionally, maintaining a positive mindset, managing stress effectively, and taking short breaks to avoid burnout are equally important for sustained focus on ibps clerk syllabus. By dedicating time daily to cover different sections of the syllabus, analyzing previous years’ question papers, and attempting mock tests under timed conditions, you can build the confidence and skills needed to excel in the IBPS Clerk 2025 exam.
Here are some of the top books to help you study for the IBPS Clerk 2025 exam:
It is recommended to practice with the previous year’s question papers and mock examinations to gain a better understanding of the exam pattern and question types. Regular revision and time management throughout the exam are also critical to success. Additionally, having a clear understanding of the IBPS Clerk syllabus helps candidates focus on the right topics, identify key areas to improve, and structure their preparation effectively. By aligning practice sessions with the IBPS Clerk syllabus, candidates can boost their confidence and enhance their chances of securing a good score.
The IBPS Clerk exam is a valuable opportunity for individuals seeking a stable and rewarding career in the banking sector, offering the chance to work with prestigious public sector banks across the country. It provides job security, attractive salary packages, and opportunities for professional growth and development within the banking industry. However, cracking the exam requires dedicated preparation, a strategic approach, and consistent practice to master the required skills in reasoning, quantitative aptitude, English language, and general awareness. Candidates must focus on understanding the exam pattern, IBPS clerk syllabus, and time management techniques to improve their performance.
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Ans. There are three subjects for the Prelims exam and four for the Mains exam. The subjects cover the important topics required to judge the candidates’ knowledge. Some topics for prelims are Reading comprehension, the Cloze test, Data Interpretation, Profit & loss, Time & work, Ration proportion, Percentage, Puzzles, Sitting Arrangements, and Syllogism.
Some topics from the IBPS clerk mains syllabus are Seating Arrangements, Networking & communications, Filling in the blanks, spotting errors, sentence improvement, Data Interpretation, Ratio & proportion, and current affairs. The detailed syllabus has been mentioned in the article.
Ans. Yes, it is a difficult exam. Many candidates all over India attend the exam for the limited seats. The candidate has to clear two rounds before getting recruited.
Ans. No. The candidate has to prepare well from the IBPS clerk syllabus to do well in the exam. The syllabus is vast, and the exam is difficult to clear if the candidates do not cover all the topics.
Ans. There is no difference between the two exams. So, the level of difficulty for the exams is the same.
Ans. Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted in case of any wrong answer.
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