IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025: Check Exam Pattern for Prelims and Mains Exam

IBPS has released the IBPS Clerk notification on 31st July, announcing 10277 vacancies for the post. This is great news for all the banking aspirants. With the release of the notification, candidates should gear up and start their preparation. In this blog, we will deep dive into the IBPS Clerk Syllabus, IBPS Clerk Exam pattern, and the best books for the preparation. Stay tuned!
IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 Overview
If you are an IBPS Clerk aspirant, then knowing the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 is crucial to your preparation. The IBPS Clerk Syllabus is designed to evaluate the candidate’s speed, accuracy, and knowledge of core concepts. The selection process includes two stages, Prelims and Mains, which cover subjects like English, Reasoning, Quant, GA, and Computer Aptitude. Aspirants are advised to go through the detailed IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 that we have provided before starting their preparation.
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Prelims
The IBPS Clerk Prelims exam is a computer-based, objective exam. The total marks of Prelims are 100, and 60 minutes are given to finish the exam.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
S.No. |
Name of Tests |
No. of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Duration |
1 |
English Language |
30 |
30 |
20 minutes |
2 |
Numerical Ability |
35 |
35 |
20 minutes |
3 |
35 |
35 |
20 minutes |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
1 Hour |
Note: There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for Prelims
The IBPS Clerk Exam syllabus is similar to most bank exam syllabus. There are 3 sections in Prelims: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language. The complete subject-wise breakdown of the syllabus for the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam is given in the table below:
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for English Language
Topic |
Sub-topics & Details |
Reading Comprehension |
Short passage followed by questions on theme, vocabulary, and inference. |
Cloze Test |
A passage with missing words; you must choose the most appropriate word from the options. |
Spotting Errors |
Identifying grammatical or usage errors in a given sentence. |
Sentence Correction/Improvement |
Replacing a bolded or underlined part of a sentence to make it grammatically correct. |
Para Jumbles |
Arranging a set of jumbled sentences into a logical and coherent paragraph. |
Fillers |
Sentences with one or two blanks to be filled with the correct word(s). |
Vocabulary |
Questions on synonyms, antonyms, and word usage in different contexts. |
Idioms and Phrases |
Understanding the meaning and usage of common idioms and phrases. |
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for Reasoning Ability
Topic |
Sub-topics & Details |
Puzzles |
Puzzles based on seating arrangements, floor plans, and schedules (e.g., day-based). |
Seating Arrangement |
Arranging people in a circular, linear, or rectangular layout. |
Syllogism |
Questions based on statements and conclusions, often solved using Venn diagrams. |
Inequalities |
Problems involving symbols like <, >, =, ≤, and ≥. |
Alphanumeric Series |
A series combining letters, numbers, and symbols where you must identify patterns. |
Coding-Decoding |
Deciphering a given code or pattern to find the answer. |
Blood Relations |
Questions based on family relationships and identifying the connection between individuals. |
Direction Sense Test |
Problems involving directions and distances. |
Order and Ranking |
Questions related to the position or rank of individuals in a line. |
Data Sufficiency |
Simple questions where you must determine if the provided statements are sufficient to answer the question. |
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for Numerical Ability
Topic |
Sub-topics & Details |
Simplification/Approximation |
Quick calculations involving BODMAS, square roots, cube roots, decimals, and percentages. |
Number Series |
Finding the missing number or the wrong number in a given sequence. |
Data Interpretation (DI) |
Simple DI sets based on tables, bar graphs, line charts, or pie charts. |
Quadratic Equations |
Solving and comparing variables in quadratic equations. |
Arithmetic Word Problems
|
- Percentage |
- Ratio & Proportion |
|
- Profit & Loss |
|
- Time & Work |
|
- Simple & Compound Interest |
|
- Time, Speed, & Distance |
|
- Averages |
|
- Partnership |
|
Mensuration |
Basic questions on the area and perimeter of 2D shapes (square, rectangle, circle, etc.). |
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern for Mains
The IBPS Clerk Prelims and IBPS Clerk Mains examinations follow a similar pattern, but they differ in difficulty level. The difficulty level of the Mains exam is higher than that of the Prelims exam.
The Mains exam also includes a General/Financial Awareness section, and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude are combined into one section. The pattern of the Mains exams is as follows:
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern
S.No. |
Name of Tests |
No. of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Duration |
1 |
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude |
40 |
60 |
35 minutes |
2 |
English Language |
40 |
40 |
35 minutes |
3 |
35 |
50 |
30 minutes |
|
4 |
General/ Financial Awareness |
40 |
50 |
20 minutes |
Total |
155 |
200 |
120 minutes |
Note: There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for Mains
The IBPS Clerk Exam syllabus is similar to most bank exam syllabus. There are 5 sections in Mains, with Computer Awareness and General Awareness as the two added sections. The complete subject-wise breakdown of the syllabus for the IBPS Clerk Mains exam is given in the table below:
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for General and Financial Awareness
Topic |
Sub-topics & Details |
National and International news from the last 5-6 months, especially related to banking and economy |
|
Banking & Financial Awareness |
Indian Financial System, History of Banking, RBI, SEBI, Monetary Policy |
Banking Terms & Abbreviations |
NEFT, RTGS, CRR, SLR, NPA, etc. |
Government Schemes |
Important schemes related to finance, social welfare, etc. |
Static GK |
Countries & Capitals, Currencies, National Parks, Dams, Important Days |
Awards & Honors |
Recent national and international awards |
Books and Authors |
Recent and prominent publications |
IBPS Clerk Syllabus: Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude
Reasoning Ability |
Computer Aptitude |
Puzzles (Box-based, Floor-based, Day/Month-based, etc.) |
Fundamentals of Computers (History, Generations, Types) |
Seating Arrangements (Circular, Linear, Square, etc.) |
Computer Hardware & Software (Input/Output devices, OS, Applications) |
Syllogism (Advanced level) |
Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, etc.) |
Coded Inequalities |
MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) |
Input-Output |
Internet & Networking (Basic terms, web browsers, security) |
Logical Reasoning (Statement & Argument, Conclusion, Assumption) |
Computer Security (Viruses, Malware, Firewall) |
Data Sufficiency (2-3 statements) |
Database Basics (DBMS) |
Coding-Decoding (Advanced patterns) |
|
Blood Relations (Complex family tree questions) |
|
Direction Sense (Multi-step problems) |
|
Order and Ranking |
|
Alphanumeric Series |
|
IBPS Clerk 2025 General English Syllabus
Topic |
Sub-topics & Details |
Reading Comprehension |
Longer and more dense passages, questions on tone, theme, and inference |
Cloze Test |
Advanced vocabulary and sentence structure |
Spotting Errors |
Advanced grammar and usage rules |
Sentence Correction/Improvement |
Replacing a part of a sentence with a more suitable option |
Para Jumbles |
Arranging a set of sentences into a coherent paragraph |
Fillers |
Single and Double Fillers based on vocabulary and grammar |
Word Swap/Usage |
Identifying the correct word to fit a sentence's context |
Vocabulary |
Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases |
IBPS Clerk Syllabus for General Aptitude
Topic |
Sub-topics & Details |
Data Interpretation (DI) |
Tabular, Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Mixed Graphs, Caselet DI |
Number Series |
Missing Number, Wrong Number Series (More complex patterns) |
Simplification/Approximation |
BODMAS, Square roots, Cube roots, Percentages, Decimals |
Quadratic Equations |
Solving equations and comparing variables |
Data Sufficiency |
Questions to determine if given data is enough to solve a problem |
Arithmetic Word Problems |
Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Partnership |
Time and Work |
Pipes & Cisterns |
Time, Speed, and Distance |
Boats & Streams, Problems on Trains |
Simple & Compound Interest |
Calculations for different time periods and rates |
Mixtures and Allegations |
|
Permutation and Combination |
|
Probability |
|
Mensuration |
Area & Volume of 2D and 3D shapes (Cylinder, Cone, Sphere, etc.) |
IBPS Clerk Mock Test
Best Books for IBPS Clerk Prelims
Subject |
Recommended Books |
Author/Publisher |
High School English Grammar and Composition |
Wren and Martin |
|
Objective General English |
S.P. Bakshi (Arihant Publications) |
|
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
|
A Mirror of Common Errors |
Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh |
|
Numerical Ability |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
R.S. Aggarwal |
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic |
Rajesh Verma (Arihant Publications) |
|
Magical Book on Quicker Maths |
M. Tyra |
|
Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency |
Arun Sharma |
|
Reasoning Ability |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
R.S. Aggarwal |
Analytical Reasoning |
M.K. Pandey |
|
A New Approach to Reasoning |
B.S. Sijwali and Indu Sijwali (Arihant Publications) |
|
Reasoning Smartbook |
Testbook Publications |
Best Books for IBPS Clerk Mains
Subject |
Recommended Books |
Author/Publisher |
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
R.S. Aggarwal |
Analytical Reasoning |
M.K. Pandey |
|
Objective Computer Knowledge & Literacy |
Kiran Prakashan/Arihant Publications |
|
Objective Computer Awareness |
Arihant Experts |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
R.S. Aggarwal |
Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency |
Arun Sharma |
|
Magical Book on Quicker Maths |
M. Tyra |
|
A Complete Book of Data Interpretation |
Adda247 Publications |
|
General English |
Objective General English |
S.P. Bakshi (Arihant Publications) |
High School English Grammar and Composition |
Wren and Martin |
|
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
|
A Mirror of Common Errors |
Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh |