IBPS Clerk Eligibility 2026: Quick Answer
For IBPS Clerk 2026 (CRP CSA-XVI, Customer Service Associate), you must be 20 to 28 years old as on 01.08.2026, that is, born not earlier than 02.08.1998 and not later than 01.08.2006, and you must already be a graduate on the day you register (results declared on or before 21.08.2026). You also need computer literacy and proficiency in the local language of the State/UT you apply for.
Key takeaway: Unlike SBI Clerk, IBPS Clerk 2026 does not let final-year students apply: you must hold a valid mark sheet or degree certificate when you register. SC/ST/OBC relaxation can be combined with only one other relaxation (PwBD, Ex-Servicemen or widow/divorcee).
Official source: IBPS CRP CSA-XVI notification (PDF), dated 01.08.2026, on ibps.in, clause B (Eligibility Criteria) and C (Fees).
IBPS Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026 at a Glance
| Criterion | Official requirement (CRP CSA-XVI) |
|---|---|
| Post | Customer Service Associate (clerical cadre) in 11 public sector banks |
| Age | Minimum 20, maximum 28 years as on 01.08.2026 |
| Date of birth (General/EWS) | Between 02.08.1998 and 01.08.2006 (both dates inclusive) |
| Qualification | Degree (graduation) in any discipline, held on the day of registration |
| Result date | Final result declared on or before 21.08.2026 |
| Computer literacy | Mandatory: certificate/diploma/degree in computer operations or language, or Computer/IT studied as a subject in school, college or institute |
| Local language | Proficiency in the opted language of the State/UT; LLPT if not studied in 10th or above |
| Nationality | Indian citizen, or subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or eligible Tibetan refugee / person of Indian origin (with eligibility certificate) |
| States per candidate | One State/UT only |
| Fee | ₹850 (others); ₹175 (SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM), inclusive of GST |
Participating banks: Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank and Union Bank of India.
IBPS Clerk Age Limit 2026 (Date of Birth)
Age is counted as on 01.08.2026. The notification prints the General/EWS window; the relaxed windows are worked out from the official relaxation table:
| Category | Upper age | Born not earlier than | Born not later than |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 28 | 02.08.1998 | 01.08.2006 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 31 | 02.08.1995 | 01.08.2006 |
| SC / ST | 33 | 02.08.1993 | 01.08.2006 |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 38 | 02.08.1988 | 01.08.2006 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 41 | 02.08.1985 | 01.08.2006 |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 43 | 02.08.1983 | 01.08.2006 |
The General/EWS dates are printed in clause B.II; the other rows are our calculation (PwBD rows use the rule that SC/ST/OBC relaxation is cumulative with one other category).
IBPS Clerk age check: worked examples
- Born 12.12.1998, General: after 02.08.1998, so eligible.
- Born 01.08.1998, General: one day before the earliest date, so not eligible as General.
- Born 30.06.1994, SC: the SC limit is 02.08.1993, so eligible.
- Born 15.08.2006: after 01.08.2006, so under 20 on the crucial date and not eligible.
Use our age calculator with 01.08.2026 as the reference date.
IBPS Clerk Age Relaxation 2026 (Clause B.II)
| Sr. | Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe | 5 years |
| 2 | Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| 3 | Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (RPwD Act, 2016) | 10 years |
| 4 | Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual period of service in the defence forces + 3 years (8 years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen of SC/ST), maximum age 50 years |
| 5 | Widows, divorced women and women legally separated, not remarried | Up to age 35 (General/EWS), 38 (OBC) and 40 (SC/ST) |
How combining works (Note i): relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL is allowed on a cumulative basis with only one of items 3 to 5. So an OBC candidate with a benchmark disability gets 3 + 10 = 13 years, but cannot also add widow or Ex-Servicemen relaxation on top.
Certificates: OBC candidates need a Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the Government of India format issued on or after 01.04.2026 (till document verification). EWS candidates need an Income & Asset certificate valid for 2026-27 based on income of FY 2025-26. OBC candidates in the creamy layer must apply as General.
Serving armed forces personnel can apply as Ex-Servicemen only if their Specific Period of Engagement is completed on or before 20.08.2027.
IBPS Clerk Educational Qualification 2026 (Clause B.VI)
| Rule | Official position |
|---|---|
| Degree | Graduation in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government |
| When | You must be a graduate on the day you register, holding a valid mark sheet or degree certificate |
| Result | Final result declared on or before 21.08.2026; proof from the board/university needed at joining |
| Percentage | Must be entered while registering, calculated to two decimals; fractions are ignored (59.99% is treated as less than 60%) |
| CGPA/OGPA | Convert to percentage as per your university's norms and keep the university's conversion certificate |
| Computer literacy | Certificate/diploma/degree in computer operations/language, or Computer/IT studied as a subject in high school, college or institute |
| Ex-Servicemen without a degree | Matriculate ESM with the Army Special Certificate of Education (or Navy/Air Force equivalent) after at least 15 years of service as on 21.08.2026 |
The notification asks you to state your graduation percentage, but it does not set a minimum percentage for the CSA post.
IBPS Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
- Clerical recruitment is State/UT-wise, so you apply for vacancies of one State/UT and opt for one of its listed languages (Annexure III).
- If you produce a 10th standard or higher mark sheet/certificate showing you studied that language, you are exempt from the test.
- Otherwise, the LLPT is held after the Main exam/provisional allotment but before joining; it is marks-based and qualifying. Failing it means no appointment.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern (Linked to Eligibility)
| Exam | Sections (questions / marks / time) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | English Language 30/30/20 min; Numerical Ability 35/35/20 min; Reasoning Ability 35/35/20 min | 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes |
| Main | General/Financial Awareness 40/50/20 min; General English 40/40/35 min; Reasoning Ability 40/60/35 min; Quantitative Aptitude 40/50/35 min | 160 questions, 200 marks, 125 minutes |
- Negative marking: one-fourth (0.25) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer, in both exams.
- Prelims: you must clear the cut-off in each of the three tests.
- Final merit: only Main exam marks count, converted out of 100 for provisional allotment. Ties are broken by date of birth (older candidate first).
- A reserve list of about 30% of vacancies per category may be kept.
IBPS Clerk 2026 Application Fee and Dates
| Item | Official position |
|---|---|
| Fee | ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM; ₹850 for all others (inclusive of GST) |
| Online registration | 01.08.2026 to 21.08.2026 |
| Preliminary exam | October 2026 (tentative) |
| Main exam | December 2026 (tentative) |
| Provisional allotment | March 2027 (tentative) |
For pay details, read our IBPS Clerk salary 2026 note.
IBPS Clerk vs SBI Clerk Eligibility 2026
| Point | IBPS Clerk (CSA-XVI) | SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 20-28 as on 01.08.2026 | 20-28 as on 01.04.2026 |
| Final-year students | Not eligible: must be a graduate on the day of registration | Eligible provisionally, if they pass by 31.12.2026 |
| Computer literacy | Mandatory, with proof | Not separately prescribed |
| Language test exemption | Studied the language in 10th standard or above | Studied the language in 10th or 12th |
| Combining relaxations | SC/ST/OBC + one other category allowed | Cumulative relaxation not allowed |
| Fee (General) | ₹850 | ₹750 |
See our SBI Clerk eligibility and age limit 2026 note for the SBI side.
IBPS Clerk Eligibility FAQs
What is the age limit for IBPS Clerk 2026?
20 to 28 years as on 01.08.2026, so you must be born between 02.08.1998 and 01.08.2006. OBC-NCL get 3 years, SC/ST 5 years and PwBD 10 years of relaxation.
Can final-year students apply for IBPS Clerk 2026?
No. The CRP CSA-XVI notification says you must be a graduate on the day you register, with the result declared on or before 21.08.2026.
Is a computer certificate compulsory for IBPS Clerk?
Computer literacy is mandatory. A certificate/diploma/degree in computer operations or language, or having studied Computer/IT as a subject in school, college or an institute, is accepted as proof.
Is there a minimum percentage for IBPS Clerk?
The notification does not set a minimum percentage for the CSA post, but you must enter your graduation percentage (to two decimals) in the application.
Can I apply for IBPS Clerk in any state?
Yes, but for one State/UT only, and you should know its local language. If you did not study that language in 10th standard or above, you must pass the LLPT before joining.
Is age relaxation cumulative in IBPS Clerk?
Partly. SC/ST/OBC relaxation can be combined with one of PwBD, Ex-Servicemen or widow/divorcee relaxation, not with two of them.
Practice Next for IBPS Clerk
- Exam hub: IBPS Clerk 2026 exam page and free IBPS Clerk mock tests.
- Previous papers: IBPS Clerk 2025 Prelims Memory-Based Paper, 4 October Shift 1 and Shift 2.
- Topic tests: IBPS Clerk Inequality Mock Test 01 and IBPS Clerk English Language Sectional Mock Test 01.
- Calculator: age calculator.
- Related notes: IBPS Clerk salary 2026, IBPS Clerk syllabus and exam pattern, SBI Clerk eligibility and age limit 2026 and IBPS PO eligibility and age limit 2026.
- Browse all study notes.