📝 IBPS Clerk Mains Syllabus and Pattern 2024-25

Complete guide to IBPS Clerk mains examination syllabus, pattern, marking scheme, and preparation strategy for 2024-25 exam.

🎯 IBPS Clerk Mains Exam Overview

Exam Importance

The IBPS Clerk mains exam is the final and merit-ranking stage of the selection process. Performance in this exam determines final selection for clerical positions in participating banks.

Key Features

• Mode: Online Computer-Based Test
• Total Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes (160 minutes)
• Total Marks: 200
• Nature: Objective MCQs only (No interview)
• Languages: English and Hindi (except English language section)

Selection Process

Prelims → Mains → Document Verification → Final Selection

Final Selection Criteria

• Based on: Mains exam marks only
• No Interview: Direct recruitment based on mains performance
• Document Verification: After final selection
• Training: 1-2 months after joining

📊 Detailed Exam Pattern

Section-wise Distribution

Sectional Time Management

• Total Duration: 160 minutes (2 hours 40 minutes)
• Sectional Time Limits: Applied to each section
• Section Switching: Not allowed within time limit
• Time Allocation: Fixed for each section

Marking Scheme

• Correct Answer: +1 or +1.2 marks (varies by section)
• Wrong Answer: -0.25 marks
• Unattempted: 0 marks
• No marks deduction for unattempted questions

📚 Detailed Subject-wise Syllabus

1. General/Financial Awareness (50 Questions, 50 Marks)

A. Banking Awareness (20-25 Questions)

• RBI Functions: Monetary policy, regulatory framework
• Banking Products: Accounts, cards, loans, digital banking
• Banking Regulations: Banking Regulation Act, RBI guidelines
• Financial Inclusion: PMJDY, schemes, initiatives
• Banking Technology: Digital payments, UPI, NEFT/RTGS
• Indian Banking System: Structure, types of banks, functions

B. Current Affairs (15-20 Questions)

• National Current Affairs: Last 6 months
• International Current Affairs: Important global events
• Banking and Financial News: Recent developments
• Government Schemes: New schemes and initiatives
• Appointments and Resignations: Important positions
• Awards and Honors: National and international awards

C. Economy and Finance (5-10 Questions)

• Indian Economy: GDP, inflation, fiscal policy
• Economic Reforms: Liberalization, GST, FDI
• Budget: Union budget highlights, allocations
• Monetary Policy: Repo rate, reverse repo, CRR, SLR
• Financial Markets: Stock markets, SEBI, mutual funds

D. Static GK (5-10 Questions)

• Indian Geography: Rivers, mountains, states, capitals
• Indian History: Important events, personalities
• Books and Authors: Notable books and writers
• Important Institutions: Constitutional bodies, regulatory bodies
• Important Days: National and international days
• Cultural Heritage: UNESCO sites, monuments

2. General English (40 Questions, 40 Marks)

A. Reading Comprehension (10-12 questions)

• Topics: Banking, economics, finance, social issues
• Focus: Main idea, inference, vocabulary, tone
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Passage Length: 400-500 words

B. Cloze Test (7-10 questions)

• Topics: Economic and financial articles
• Focus: Vocabulary, grammar, contextual understanding
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

C. Error Spotting (5-7 questions)

• Topics: Grammar rules, sentence structure
• Focus: Subject-verb agreement, tenses, prepositions
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

D. Para Jumbles (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Professional contexts, banking scenarios
• Focus: Logical arrangement, coherence
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

E. Fill in the Blanks (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Professional vocabulary, formal language
• Focus: Prepositions, conjunctions, vocabulary
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

F. Phrase Replacement (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Idioms, phrases, formal expressions
• Focus: Word choice, contextual appropriateness
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

G. Vocabulary/Synonyms/Antonyms (3-5 questions)

• Topics: Banking terms, business vocabulary
• Focus: Word meanings, professional terminology
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

3. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (50 Questions, 60 Marks)

A. Reasoning Ability (35-40 Questions)

• Puzzles and Seating Arrangements: Linear, circular, complex arrangements
• Data Sufficiency: Two or three statements problems
• Syllogism: Multiple statement syllogisms
• Logical Reasoning: Cause-effect, assumptions, conclusions
• Blood Relations: Coded and complex relationships
• Direction Sense: Complex direction problems
• Coding-Decoding: Advanced coding patterns
• Inequality: Mathematical and coded inequalities
• Input-Output: Number and word arrangements

B. Computer Aptitude (10-15 Questions)

• Computer Fundamentals: Hardware, software, networking basics
• MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint basics
• Internet: Basic concepts, protocols, browsers, email
• Computer Security: Viruses, firewalls, data protection
• Database: Basic concepts, simple queries
• Operating Systems: Windows basics
• Computer Abbreviations: Common IT abbreviations
• Digital Banking: Online banking, mobile banking, ATMs

4. Quantitative Aptitude (50 Questions, 50 Marks)

A. Data Interpretation (10-15 questions)

• Tabular DI: Tables with banking data
• Pie Chart DI: Sector distribution, market share
• Bar Graph DI: Comparative data, trends
• Line Graph DI: Time series data, projections
• Mixed DI: Combination of different data types
• Caselets: Complex data interpretation

B. Arithmetic (15-20 questions)

• Percentage: Advanced percentage problems
• Ratio and Proportion: Complex ratio problems
• Profit and Loss: Advanced profit/loss scenarios
• Time and Work: Complex work problems
• Time and Distance: Train, boat, relative speed problems
• Simple and Compound Interest: Advanced calculations
• Partnership: Complex partnership scenarios

C. Number Series (5-8 questions)

• Missing Number Series: Find missing numbers
• Wrong Number Series: Identify incorrect numbers
• Pattern Recognition: Complex numerical patterns

D. Quadratic Equations (3-5 questions)

• Simple Quadratic: Basic equation solving
• Comparison: Comparing two variables

E. Simplification and Approximation (5-8 questions)

• Complex Calculations: Advanced BODMAS problems
• Approximation: Mental calculations with estimation

F. Geometry and Mensuration (2-3 questions)

• Area and Perimeter: Complex shapes
• Volume and Surface Area: 3D shapes

🔢 Previous Year Analysis

Topic-wise Distribution (2020-2023)

General/Financial Awareness

General English

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude

📊 Cut-off Marks Analysis

Category-wise Cut-off (2023)

Section-wise Cut-off Analysis

• General Awareness: 35-40 marks
• English Language: 28-32 marks
• Reasoning & Computer: 35-40 marks
• Quantitative Aptitude: 32-38 marks

Success Rate

• Appeared for Mains: 40,000-50,000
• Final Selection: 6,000-8,000
• Success Rate: 15-20%

⏰ Time Management Strategies

During the Exam

1. General Awareness: 35 minutes (42 seconds per question)
2. English Language: 35 minutes (52 seconds per question)
3. Reasoning & Computer: 45 minutes (54 seconds per question)
4. Quantitative Aptitude: 45 minutes (54 seconds per question)

Section-wise Strategy

General Awareness: Quick answering, no stuck on unknown questions
English Language: Balanced approach between speed and accuracy
Reasoning: Puzzles first, then computer questions
Quantitative: DI first, then arithmetic, then series

Smart Time Management

• Attempt known questions first
• Skip difficult questions initially
• Return to skipped questions if time permits
• Keep 3-5 minutes buffer for review

🎯 Preparation Strategy

Phase 1: Foundation Building (45 Days)

Week 1-3: Concept Building

Daily Schedule:
- General Awareness: 2 hours
- Quantitative Aptitude: 2 hours
- Reasoning Ability: 1.5 hours
- English Language: 1 hour
- Computer Knowledge: 30 minutes

Focus Areas

• Complete syllabus coverage
• Basic to advanced concepts
• Current affairs preparation
• Computer fundamentals

Phase 2: Intensive Practice (30 Days)

Week 4-7: Problem Solving

Daily Schedule:
- Mock Test: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Analysis: 1 hour
- Weak Area Improvement: 1 hour
- Revision: 1 hour

Focus Areas

• Speed and accuracy
• Sectional time management
• Pattern recognition
• Mock test analysis

Phase 3: Final Revision (15 Days)

Week 8-9: Final Preparation

Daily Schedule:
- Sectional Tests: 1 hour
- Full Mock Test: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Analysis: 1 hour
- Revision: 2 hours

🔗 Related Topics

• Prelims Syllabus and Pattern
• Previous Year Question Papers
• Mock Test Series
• Current Affairs
• Banking Awareness

🎯 Quick Reference

Mains Pattern

• Total Questions: 190
• Total Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Negative Marking: -0.25 per wrong answer
• Sectional Time Limits: Applied

Section-wise Marks

• General Awareness: 50 marks
• English Language: 40 marks
• Reasoning & Computer: 60 marks
• Quantitative Aptitude: 50 marks

Preparation Focus

• Awareness: Current affairs, banking knowledge
• English: Reading comprehension, vocabulary
• Reasoning: Advanced puzzles, computer basics
• Quantitative: Complex DI, advanced arithmetic

📱 Recommended Resources

Books

• General Awareness: Banking Chronicle, Pratiyogita Darpan
• Reasoning: MK Pandey, B.S. Sijwali
• Quantitative: RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma
• English: Wren & Martin, Word Power Made Easy
• Computer: Computer Awareness by Arihant

Mock Tests

• Oliveboard: Comprehensive mains test series
• Testbook: Mains-focused tests with analysis
• Gradeup: Section-wise and full-length tests
• Adda247: Previous year papers and mock tests

Online Resources

• Official Website: ibps.in
• Current Affairs: GK Today, AffairsCloud, Jagran Josh
• Banking News: Economic Times, Hindu Business Line
• Computer Tutorials: YouTube channels, online courses

Remember: IBPS Clerk mains is the final stage. Focus on accuracy, time management, and comprehensive preparation to secure your position!