IBPS Clerk 2026 (CRP CSA XVI): 11,403 Customer Service Associate posts, prelims on 10 and 11 October

IBPS Clerk, now formally called Customer Service Associate, has 11,403 vacancies across eleven public sector banks under the sixteenth Common Recruitment Process. Applications ran through August 2026 and closed on 28 August. The next milestone is the preliminary exam on 10 and 11 October 2026, so candidates should focus on call letters and exam reporting details.

Who is in the pool

A bachelor’s degree in any discipline and basic computer literacy were required, along with the ability to read, write and speak the official language of the chosen state. Language proficiency is tested after provisional allotment and a candidate who fails it loses the offer. The age band was 20 to 28 years as on 1 August 2026, meaning a birth date between 2 August 1998 and 1 August 2006, with the standard relaxations. The fee was Rs 850, or Rs 175 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.

Banks and states

The participating banks include Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India. Vacancies are state-wise and a candidate is considered only for the state chosen in the form. Some states had very few posts this year, so the competition varies sharply by location.

Exam structure

Prelims is a one-hour test of 100 questions in English, numerical ability and reasoning, with sectional timing of 20 minutes each. Mains, scheduled for 27 December 2026, has 190 questions over 160 minutes covering general and financial awareness, English, reasoning with computer aptitude, and quantitative aptitude. Both have negative marking of a quarter mark. There is no interview; the final list is prepared from mains marks alone, and provisional allotment to a bank follows candidate preference and merit.

What applicants should do

Prelims call letters appear roughly ten days before the exam under the candidate login on ibps.in and carry the exam centre and reporting time. Take the same photo ID that was used in the form. IBPS holds prelims in several shifts and normalises scores, so the cut-off will be announced after equating. Candidates who applied in more than one state will be rejected, so anyone who did so by mistake should expect only the last valid application to count.

FAQs

When is the IBPS Clerk 2026 prelims?

The prelims are scheduled for 10 and 11 October 2026.

Is there an interview for IBPS Clerk?

No. Provisional allotment follows the main exam; there is no interview.

Can I apply now?

No. Applications closed on 28 August 2026.