BANK EXAM DETAILS AT A GLANCE
At EDUPATH, we are committed to helping students excel in the highly competitive Banking Exams in India. Our comprehensive coaching programs are tailored for all major banking exams, including IBPS PO, SBI PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, RBI Grade B, and other prestigious examinations. By enrolling at EDUPATH, you will gain an in-depth understanding of exam syllabi, marking schemes, exam patterns, and effective preparation strategies to ensure you are well-prepared for each stage of the examination process.
With expert guidance from our experienced trainers, you will be equipped not only to pass but to excel in these exams, securing your dream job in the banking sector.
Why Pursue a Career in Banking?
Banking jobs are much coveted jobs by jobseekers since a career in banking offers stability, prestige, and excellent growth opportunities for them . The Indian banking sector is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the world, offering diverse job roles helping their career growth .Various categories of posts are available in banking sector like IBPS P O,IBPS CLERK,SBI P O ,SBI CLERK,RBI GRADE B ,RRB officers( Regional Rural banks )and also various specialist officer vacancies in all these places.
Attracting factors of Bank Jobs
- Job Security: Job security the most attractive factor that determines the demand for a job
- Higher Salary: Handsome salary packages with additional perks and benefits. Are another reason for great demand for bank jobs
- Career Growth: Assured promotions at regular intervels are much attractive for any job seeker
- Prestige: Social status is also very important in selecting certain jobs..Bank jobs are one of the prestigious jobs in the market
- Communication and interpersonal skills: As the job involves working in a professional atmosphere , it gives all the job seekers great opportunities to develop their interpersonal and communication skills & development.
Eligibility Criteria & Stages of Exams for Various Bank Jobs in India
Job Type |
Eligibility Criteria |
Stages of Exam |
PO (Probationary Officer) |
- Age Limit: 20-30 years (relaxations available for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation (any discipline) from a recognized university
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Mains Exam (Objective + Descriptive)
- Interview (Varies by bank)
|
Clerk (Junior Associate) |
- Age Limit: 20-28 years (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PWD)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation (any discipline) from a recognized university
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Mains Exam (Objective)
|
Specialist Officer (SO) |
- Age Limit: 20-30 years (varies by role and bank)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in relevant discipline (e.g., IT, HR, Marketing, Law, etc.)
- Experience: Relevant work experience required for some roles
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective) (For some posts)
- Mains Exam (Objective)
- Interview
|
RBI Grade B Officer |
- Age Limit: 21-30 years (relaxations available)
- Educational Qualification: Minimum 60% in graduation (or equivalent grade) from a recognized university
- Post-Graduation: Required for some specializations
|
- Phase 1: Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Phase 2: Mains Exam (Objective + Descriptive)
- Interview
|
IBPS RRB PO (Officer Scale-I) |
- Age Limit: 18-30 years (relaxations available)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation from a recognized university
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Mains Exam (Objective)
- Interview
|
IBPS RRB Clerk (Office Assistant) |
- Age Limit: 18-28 years (relaxations available)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation from a recognized university
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Mains Exam (Objective)
|
SBI PO |
- Age Limit: 21-30 years (relaxations available)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation (any discipline) from a recognized university
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Mains Exam (Objective + Descriptive)
- Interview
|
SBI Clerk |
- Age Limit: 20-28 years (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PWD)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation from a recognized university
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Mains Exam (Objective)
|
IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) |
- Age Limit: 20-30 years (varies by role)
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in relevant specialization (e.g., Law, IT, HR, Marketing)
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective) (for some posts)
- Mains Exam (Objective)
- Interview
|
NABARD Grade A (Assistant Manager) |
- Age Limit: 21-30 years (relaxations available)
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Agriculture, Economics)
|
- Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Mains Exam (Descriptive)
- Interview
|
NABARD Grade B (Manager) |
- Age Limit: 21-35 years
- Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Agriculture, Economics)
|
- Phase 1: Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Phase 2: Mains Exam (Descriptive)
- Interview
|
Key Points to Note:
The details provided below is based on the latest notifications. As changes are
likely to occur in notifications, you are advised to go through the detailed
notifications before proceeding to apply for these exams
-
Relaxations : Age limit relaxations are generally provided for SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and
other categories, with specific criteria.
-
Qualification Details : For Specialist Officer roles, the qualification is field-specific,
with certain posts requiring experience or specific certifications (e.g., IT, Law,
Marketing).
-
Exams Structure : Most of the exams are conducted by organizations like IBPS, SBI,
RBI, and NABARD. These exams follow a structured pattern: Prelims → Mains →
Interview (depending on the position).
Detailed Syllabus for Bank Exams (2024 Update)
The syllabus for various Bank exams differ in par with the job level .Though there is almost
same syllabus for some exams ,the patters, difficulty level of the question are entirely different.
For exams like RBI ,NABARD there is great difference in syllabus in comparison with other bank
exams. The syllabus given below is indicative in nature and candidates are advised to go through
the detailed syllabus given in each notification before making plans to study
1. Reasoning Ability
Topic |
Details |
Syllogism |
Logical deductions based on statements and premises (New pattern with more complex logic-based questions). |
Blood Relations |
Analyzing family trees and relationships between individuals. |
Coding-Decoding |
Decoding/encoding of numbers, letters, or symbols. |
Puzzles & Seating Arrangements |
Seating, floor, linear, and circular arrangement puzzles (more complex). |
Direction & Distance |
Problems based on directions, distances, and positions. |
Input-Output |
Logical problems based on data rearrangement and pattern detection. |
Alphanumeric Series |
Number and letter series-based questions involving patterns. |
2. Quantitative Aptitude
Topic |
Details |
Number Series |
Identifying patterns or missing terms in sequences. |
Simplification & Approximation |
Simplifying complex expressions and approximating values. |
Arithmetic |
Problems on Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Percentages, Simple & Compound Interest, etc. |
Data Interpretation |
Interpretation of data from Bar, Line, Pie charts, and Tables (Increased difficulty). |
Quadratic Equations |
Solving equations involving quadratic expressions. |
Permutation & Combination |
Arrangement and selection-based problems. |
3. English Language
Topic |
Details |
Reading Comprehension |
Comprehending long passages with questions on context, theme, and factual details. |
Sentence Correction |
Error identification and correction in sentences (increased focus on complex grammar rules). |
Fill in the Blanks |
Cloze test-based questions focusing on grammar and vocabulary. |
Cloze Test |
Passage with missing words (grammar and contextual understanding required). |
Para Jumbles |
Reordering jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph. |
4. General Awareness (GA)
Topic |
Details |
Current Affairs |
Focus on national and international events from the last 6 months. |
Banking Awareness |
Detailed knowledge about RBI policies, banking terms, and financial institutions. |
Static GK |
Knowledge of countries, capitals, currencies, historical events, and static facts. |
Economic & Financial Awareness |
Concepts related to inflation, interest rates, budget, and economic surveys. |
5. Computer Knowledge
Topic |
Details |
Basic Computer Terminology |
Understanding of fundamental computing terms and abbreviations. |
MS Office |
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. |
Internet & Networking |
Basic internet and networking concepts, protocols, and terminologies. |
Operating Systems |
Knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems. |
Cyber Security |
Awareness of cyber threats, firewalls, and network security. |
Marking Scheme & Exam Pattern
To excel in any banking exam, it’s crucial to understand the exam pattern and marking scheme. Here’s a breakdown of the Prelims and Mains patterns for PO and Clerk exams:
Preliminary Exam Pattern (PO/Clerk)
Section |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Time Limit |
Reasoning Ability |
35 |
35 |
20 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude |
35 |
35 |
20 minutes |
English Language |
30 |
30 |
20 minutes |
Total |
100 |
100 |
1 hour |
Main Exam Pattern (PO/Clerk)
Section |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Time Limit |
Reasoning Ability |
50 |
50 |
40 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
50 |
40 minutes |
English Language |
40 |
40 |
35 minutes |
General Awareness |
40 |
40 |
35 minutes |
Computer Knowledge |
20 |
20 |
20 minutes |
Total |
200 |
200 |
2 hours 30 minutes |
Negative Marking:
- 1/4th mark is deducted for every incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains exams.
How to Prepare for Bank Exams
A well-structured and disciplined approach to preparation is essential for cracking bank exams.
Below is a detailed timeline for preparation:
Preparation Timeline
Time Period |
Focus Areas |
0-3 Months |
Build a strong foundation in Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude. Begin reading General Awareness daily. |
4-6 Months |
Take weekly mock tests, focus on English Language and Computer Knowledge. |
7-9 Months |
Focus on time management by solving more mock tests. Strengthen your General Awareness. |
10-12 Months |
Final revision, solve previous year papers, attend doubt clearing sessions, and focus on speed and accuracy. |
How EDUPATH Can Help You Excel in Bank Exams
At EDUPATH, we provide comprehensive coaching for bank exams with flexible learning
options, both online and offline. Some of the highlights of our coaching is given below:
- Expert Faculty: Classes are led by expert faculties, and their long-standing experience and teaching style make your lessons simple and attractive.
- Up-to-date Study Material: Get access to the latest study resources, including mock tests, practice papers, and video lectures.
- Mock Tests & Time Management: Simulate real exam conditions with timed mock tests that help improve your speed and accuracy. We have made ample facilities for lab training and manual mock tests.
- Doubt Clearing Sessions: Availability of experienced teachers at any time of your practice sessions will help you to grasp any difficult-level questions.
- Flexible Learning: Choose between online or offline coaching, based on your preference and schedule. We give live sessions of classes as well as offline sessions, and all the programs are integrated with online test series and E-resources.