Everything you should know before preparing or applying for the IBPS Customer Service Associate / Clerk Examination. This page summarizes important information from the official CRP-CSA-XVI notification in a simple and structured manner.
Important IBPS Clerk details at a glance.
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Customer Service Associate (CSA)
Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University
20–28 Years
(as prescribed in the notification)
Prelims → Main → Local Language Proficiency Test → Provisional Allotment
Online Computer Based Examination
11 Public Sector Banks under the CRP
₹24,050
Plus applicable allowances & perquisites
Important information regarding IBPS CRP-CSA-XVI.
| Full Name | Common Recruitment Process for Recruitment of Customer Service Associates |
|---|---|
| Exam | IBPS Clerk / Customer Service Associate (CSA) |
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Recruitment | CRP-CSA-XVI |
| Vacancy Cycle | 2027–28 |
| Total Indicative Vacancies | 10,312 |
| Educational Qualification | Degree (Graduation) in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 20–28 Years, subject to applicable relaxation |
| Selection Process | Online Preliminary → Online Main → Local Language Proficiency Test → Provisional Allotment |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Preliminary Exam | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes |
| Main Examination | 160 Questions | 200 Marks | 125 Minutes |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 mark (one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question) for each wrong answer in objective tests |
| Local Language Test | Qualifying Local Language Proficiency Test before joining, where applicable |
| Final Merit | Marks obtained in the Online Main Examination are considered for final merit listing |
IBPS Clerk recruitment is conducted for Customer Service Associate positions in participating Public Sector Banks.
The CRP recruits candidates for the Customer Service Associate (CSA) post in participating Public Sector 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.
The notified basic pay scale starts at ₹24,050 with applicable increments and allowances / perquisites according to the rules of the participating bank.
The recruitment process provides entry into the clerical cadre of participating Public Sector Banks through a common selection process.
Pay scale notified for Customer Service Associate.
| Post | Basic Pay Scale | Starting Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Associate (CSA) | ₹24,050-1,340/3-₹28,070-1,650/3-₹33,020-2,000/4-₹41,020-2,340/7-₹57,400-4,400/1-₹61,800-2,680/1-₹64,480 | ₹24,050 |
The Customer Service Associate is eligible for allowances and perquisites as per the rules of the participating bank in force from time to time.
Basic eligibility requirements prescribed in the official notification.
A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Eligible candidates include citizens of India and the other categories of persons specified in the official notification, subject to the prescribed certificate of eligibility where required.
Minimum 20 years and maximum 28 years, subject to the applicable upper-age relaxations.
Candidates applying for a State / UT should be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified / opted local language.
A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by the Central Government is required.
The candidate must possess a valid marksheet / degree certificate showing that he or she is a graduate on the day of registration and must indicate the percentage of marks obtained in Graduation in the online application.
The result of the qualifying degree must have been declared by the prescribed date mentioned in the notification. Proper documentary proof from the University / Institution has to be produced during document verification / joining when required.
Graduation percentage is to be calculated to the nearest two decimals. Where CGPA / OGPA is awarded, it must be converted into percentage according to the conversion criteria of the University / Institution and the required proof must be produced when asked.
Candidates applying for vacancies of a particular State / UT should be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified / opted local language of that State / UT.
The prescribed minimum age is 20 years and the maximum age is 28 years, subject to the applicable category-wise upper-age relaxation rules.
The age limit is applicable as prescribed in the official notification. Reserved and other eligible categories receive relaxation as specified by IBPS.
Upper-age relaxation available to eligible categories.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe | 5 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons With Benchmark Disabilities | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual period of service rendered in the defence forces + 3 years, subject to the conditions and maximum age limit prescribed in the notification |
| Widows, divorced women and women legally separated from their husbands who have not remarried | Age concession up to 35 years for General / EWS, 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC / ST candidates |
Age relaxation is subject to the detailed conditions of the official notification. Candidates claiming relaxation must produce the prescribed certificates during document verification / joining or at any other stage required by IBPS / participating banks.
Tentative schedule given in the official CRP-CSA-XVI notification.
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Registration by Candidates | 01 August 2026 to 21 August 2026 |
| Online Payment of Application Fee / Intimation Charges | 01 August 2026 to 21 August 2026 |
| Edit Window for Modification / Correction | For 2 days after closure of registration |
| Pre-Examination Training | September 2026 |
| Online Preliminary Examination | October 2026 |
| Preliminary Result | November 2026 |
| Online Main Examination | December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | March 2027 |
Fee prescribed in CRP-CSA-XVI. Payment is online.
| Category | Fee / Intimation Charges |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / ESM / DESM Candidates | ₹175 (inclusive of GST) |
| All Other Candidates | ₹850 (inclusive of GST) |
| Bank Transaction Charges | To be borne by the candidate |
| Application Correction Fee | ₹200 (inclusive of GST) |
The application fee / intimation charges once paid are not refundable and are not kept in reserve for another examination. The correction fee through the Edit Window is also non-refundable.
The IBPS Clerk / Customer Service Associate recruitment process consists of Online Preliminary Examination, Online Main Examination, Local Language Proficiency Test and Provisional Allotment.
The Preliminary Examination is an objective test used to shortlist candidates for the Online Main Examination.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes | English |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes | State / UT applicable medium |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes | State / UT applicable medium |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes | — |
Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing the cut-off marks decided by IBPS. An adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by IBPS depending upon requirements, are shortlisted for the Online Main Examination.
Subject-wise structure of the IBPS Clerk Preliminary Examination.
30 questions, 30 marks and 20 minutes. The test is conducted in English.
35 questions, 35 marks and 20 minutes.
35 questions, 35 marks and 20 minutes.
The Main Examination consists of objective tests in General / Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude. The tests are separately timed.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 Minutes | Applicable State / UT medium |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes | English |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 60 | 35 Minutes | Applicable State / UT medium |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 35 Minutes | Applicable State / UT medium |
| Total | 160 | 200 | 125 Minutes | — |
The Main Examination consists of 160 objective questions carrying 200 marks. Each test is separately timed.
Major sections included in the Online Main Examination.
40 questions, 50 marks and 20 minutes.
40 questions, 40 marks and 35 minutes.
40 questions, 60 marks and 35 minutes.
40 questions, 50 marks and 35 minutes.
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) is an important part of the selection process for the Customer Service Associate post.
Candidates applying for a State / UT should be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified / opted local language.
The Local Language Proficiency Test is qualifying in nature.
Candidates who produce the required 10th standard or above marksheet / certificate showing study of the specified / opted local language may not be required to undergo the language test.
Candidates who fail to qualify the required Local Language Proficiency Test will not be offered appointment.
Three objective tests are conducted separately within a total duration of 60 minutes.
Four separately timed objective tests are conducted for a total of 160 questions and 200 marks.
Eligible candidates have to qualify in the specified / opted Local Language Proficiency Test where applicable.
Successful candidates are provisionally allotted to participating banks based on merit, State / UT vacancies and applicable conditions.
Application is submitted online through the official IBPS website.
Visit the official IBPS website and register for CRP-CSA using the prescribed online application process.
Fill personal, educational, category, State / UT and other required details carefully.
Upload the prescribed photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration and applicable certificates.
Pay the applicable application fee / intimation charges through the online payment facility.
Submit the completed application and retain the system-generated application form, Registration Number and Password.
Important items required during online registration and subsequent stages.
A recent recognisable photograph of the prescribed size must be uploaded. Candidates should retain copies for later stages.
Signature should be clear and appropriately sized. Signature in CAPITAL LETTERS is not accepted.
The prescribed left thumb impression must be scanned and uploaded clearly without smudging or blurring.
The declaration must be written by the candidate in the prescribed manner and uploaded as required.
Valid marksheet / degree certificate and proof of percentage / CGPA conversion where applicable.
SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS / PwBD / ESM and other applicable certificates must be produced in the prescribed format when required.
Training may be arranged for eligible candidates who opt for it.
Eligible candidates belonging to specified categories may be provided Pre-Examination Training as prescribed by IBPS.
Pre-Examination Training may be arranged in online mode.
Eligible candidates who wish to avail the facility should indicate it in the relevant column of the online application.
Attending Pre-Examination Training does not give a candidate any right to selection or appointment.
Special provisions are available to eligible candidates as prescribed by the notification.
Eligible candidates may use a scribe subject to the conditions, declarations and documentation prescribed by IBPS.
Eligible candidates are entitled to compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour or otherwise advised, subject to the applicable provisions.
Eligible visually impaired candidates may opt for magnified font and are entitled to the applicable compensatory-time provision.
Disability certificates and other prescribed documents must be produced / uploaded wherever required.
Banks listed in the CRP-CSA-XVI notification.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
Participating Public Sector Bank.
IBPS Clerk is commonly used for the recruitment conducted through CRP-CSA for the Customer Service Associate (CSA) post in participating Public Sector Banks.
A Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government is required.
The prescribed age is 20 to 28 years, subject to applicable upper-age relaxations for eligible categories.
₹175 inclusive of GST for SC / ST / PwBD / ESM / DESM candidates and ₹850 inclusive of GST for all other candidates. Online payment transaction charges are borne by the candidate.
The Preliminary Examination has 100 questions for 100 marks: 30 English Language, 35 Numerical Ability and 35 Reasoning Ability questions.
The Main Examination consists of 160 objective questions carrying 200 marks with a total time of 125 minutes. The four tests are separately timed.
Yes. One-fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer in the objective tests of the Preliminary and Main Examination.
Yes. Candidates applying for a State / UT are required to be proficient in the specified / opted local language. The Local Language Proficiency Test is qualifying in nature where applicable.
Candidates who fail to qualify the required Local Language Proficiency Test will not be offered appointment.
The starting basic pay for Customer Service Associate is ₹24,050, with applicable increments, allowances and perquisites according to the rules of the participating bank.
The notification lists 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.
No. Since recruitment in the clerical cadre is conducted on State / UT-wise basis, a candidate can apply for vacancies in any one State / UT only.
No. More than one application should not be submitted. If multiple applications are submitted, only the latest valid completed application is retained and fees paid for other registrations are forfeited.