The IBPS Clerk exam is one of the most sought-after banking recruitment tests in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for clerical positions in public sector banks. If you’re aiming for the 2025 exam, knowing the latest syllabus and exam pattern is crucial.
This guide breaks down the IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 for both Prelims and Mains, along with section-wise weightage, preparation tips, and expert-recommended strategies. Whether you’re a first-time candidate or a repeater, this article will help streamline your study plan.
๐ Key Highlights
Key Point | Details |
---|---|
Organization Name | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
Exam Name | IBPS Clerk 2025 |
Selection Stages | Prelims (Qualifying) โ Mains (Final Selection) |
Total Vacancies (Expected) | Around 5,000-7,000 (based on previous trends) |
Prelims Exam Date | 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th December 2025 ๐ |
Mains Exam Date | 1st February 2026 ๐ |
Negative Marking | -0.25 for each wrong answer |
Language Medium | English & Hindi (except English section) |
Official Website | www.ibps.in |
๐ IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern 2025
The exam is divided into two phases:
1. IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time (Minutes) |
---|---|---|---|
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 |
Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 |
๐น Key Notes:
- Prelims is qualifyingโmarks donโt count in the final merit.
- Sectional timing (20 mins per section).
- No sectional cut-off (but overall cut-off applies).
2. IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Pattern
Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time (Minutes) |
---|---|---|---|
Reasoning + Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 |
English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 |
General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 |
Total | 190 | 200 | 160 |
๐น Key Notes:
- Mains score determines final selection.
- Computer Aptitude is merged with Reasoning.
- Banking Awareness is a major part of General Awareness.
๐ IBPS Clerk Syllabus 2025 (Section-Wise Breakdown)
1. English Language
Topic | Weightage (Prelims/Mains) |
---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 7-10 Qs |
Cloze Test | 5-7 Qs |
Error Detection | 5-6 Qs |
Para Jumbles | 4-5 Qs |
Fill in the Blanks | 3-4 Qs |
Synonyms/Antonyms | 2-3 Qs |
๐น Expert Tip:
- Focus on RC & grammar rulesโthey carry the most weight.
- Practice daily vocabulary (Word Power Made Easy helps).
2. Quantitative Aptitude
Topic | Weightage (Prelims/Mains) |
---|---|
Simplification | 10-12 Qs |
Data Interpretation (DI) | 10-15 Qs |
Number Series | 5 Qs |
Percentage/Profit & Loss | 4-5 Qs |
Time & Work | 3-4 Qs |
Algebra/Geometry | 2-3 Qs |
๐น Expert Tip:
- Speed & accuracy matterโpractice shortcut tricks.
- DI & Simplification are high-scoring sections.
3. Reasoning Ability
Topic | Weightage (Prelims/Mains) |
---|---|
Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 15-20 Qs |
Inequality | 5 Qs |
Syllogism | 4-5 Qs |
Coding-Decoding | 3-4 Qs |
Blood Relations | 3 Qs |
Direction Sense | 2 Qs |
๐น Expert Tip:
- Puzzles & seating arrangements are time-consumingโpractice daily.
- Logical reasoning requires pattern recognition.
4. General/Financial Awareness
Topic | Weightage (Mains Only) |
---|---|
Banking Terms (RBI, NPA, etc.) | 15-20 Qs |
Current Affairs (Last 6 Months) | 15 Qs |
Govt. Schemes & Policies | 10 Qs |
Static GK (Awards, Books, etc.) | 5 Qs |
๐น Expert Tip:
- Follow monthly banking bulletins (like RBI updates).
- Use apps like Daily Current Affairs for quick revisions.
5. Computer Aptitude (Mains Only)
Topic | Weightage |
---|---|
Basics of Hardware/Software | 5-6 Qs |
MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT) | 4-5 Qs |
Networking & Internet | 3-4 Qs |
Cyber Security | 2-3 Qs |
๐น Expert Tip:
- Basic computer knowledge is enoughโno deep technical study needed.
๐ฏ How to Prepare for IBPS Clerk 2025?
1. Study Plan (3-Month Strategy)
Month | Focus Area |
---|---|
Month 1 | Concept Building (Basics of Quant, Reasoning, English) |
Month 2 | Mock Tests + Speed Practice |
Month 3 | Full-Length Mocks + Weak Area Revision |
2. Best Books for IBPS Clerk 2025
Subject | Recommended Book |
---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude | Fast Track Objective Arithmetic (Rajesh Verma) |
Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (R.S. Aggarwal) |
English | Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis) |
General Awareness | Lucentโs GK + Banking Awareness (Arihant) |
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid
โ Ignoring sectional timing (Prelims has 20 mins/section).
โ Overlooking Banking Awareness (Mains has 50 marks in GA).
โ Not analyzing mock tests (identify weak areas).
๐ก Final Thoughts
The IBPS Clerk 2025 exam is highly competitive, but with the right strategy, you can crack it. Focus on strong sections first, practice time management, and stay updated with current affairs.
๐ For more updates, check the official website: www.ibps.in
Shreya Reddy is a freelance writer specializing in exam results and admit cards. With a background in Psychology and 4+ years of experience, Shreya enjoys creating informative content for students. She loves reading novels.