The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the official notification for the Common Recruitment Process (CRP CSA XV) for the recruitment of Customer Service Associates (Clerical Cadre) in participating Public Sector Banks. This recruitment drive is for the vacancies of 2026–27.The selection process will be carried out through a two-tier online examination (Preliminary & Main) followed by Provisional Allotment in participating banks based on merit and preference.
Participating Banks:
The recruitment will be carried out for the following public sector banks:
Bank of Baroda
Bank of India
Bank of Maharashtra
Canara Bank
Central Bank of India
Indian Bank
Indian Overseas Bank
Punjab & Sind Bank
Punjab National Bank
UCO Bank
Union Bank of India
Important Dates:
Activity | Dates |
---|---|
Online Registration (including fee payment) | 01 August 2025 – 21 August 2025 |
Pre-Exam Training (PET) | September 2025 |
Download of Prelims Call Letters | September 2025 |
Preliminary Exam | October 2025 |
Prelims Result | November 2025 |
Download of Mains Call Letters | November 2025 |
Main Examination | November 2025 |
Provisional Allotment | March 2026 |
Age Limit Details:
Minimum and Maximum Age Criteria: The age limit for IBPS CSA XV Recruitment 2026 is set between 20 years and 28 years. Candidates must be at least 20 years old to apply, ensuring they have completed their graduation. The maximum age cap of 28 years allows young aspirants to compete for clerical posts. Applicants outside this range are not considered eligible by IBPS.
Reference Date for Age Calculation: IBPS considers the cut-off date of 01 August 2025 to determine eligibility. A candidate must be born not earlier than 02 August 1997 and not later than 01 August 2005. Both dates are inclusive, which means candidates exactly born on these dates can apply. This clear rule avoids confusion during document verification. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Age Relaxation for SC/ST Candidates: Reserved category applicants belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) are eligible for 5 years of relaxation. This means the maximum permissible age for SC/ST candidates is 33 years. This relaxation ensures fair representation of disadvantaged communities in the banking workforce. Candidates must present valid caste certificates as per government norms.
Age Relaxation for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer) can avail 3 years of relaxation. Hence, their maximum permissible age is 31 years. However, candidates belonging to the creamy layer are not entitled to this benefit. They should apply under the General category even if they belong to OBC communities. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Age Relaxation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Applicants with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) can claim 10 years of age relaxation. This extends their maximum age to 38 years for General/EWS candidates. For OBC and SC/ST candidates with disabilities, the relaxation applies cumulatively, giving them further benefits. Proper medical certificates issued by competent authorities are mandatory.
Age Relaxation for Ex-Servicemen: Ex-Servicemen and Disabled Ex-Servicemen enjoy age relaxation equal to the period of military service plus 3 years. For SC/ST Ex-servicemen, the relaxation goes up to 8 years, but the upper age must not exceed 50 years. This ensures opportunities for retired defense personnel to transition into banking careers. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Age Relaxation for Widows and Divorced Women: Special provisions exist for widows, divorced women, and women legally separated from their husbands who have not remarried. Their upper age limit is 35 years for General/EWS, 38 years for OBC, and 40 years for SC/ST candidates. This relaxation ensures social justice and equal employment opportunities for women facing challenges. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Cumulative Age Relaxation Rules: IBPS allows cumulative relaxation only for specific combinations. For example, an SC candidate with disability can claim both SC (5 years) and PwBD (10 years) benefits together. However, combining OBC with multiple other categories is not always permissible. Candidates must carefully check the notification before applying to avoid disqualification. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Certificates Required for Age Relaxation: To claim age relaxation, candidates must submit valid and updated certificates during document verification. For OBC candidates, the certificate should clearly mention the non-creamy layer clause and must be issued after 01 April 2025. Without proper documentation, age relaxation benefits will not be granted, and candidature may be cancelled.
Importance of Age Limit in IBPS CSA Recruitment: The age limit is one of the most important eligibility factors in IBPS CSA recruitment. Even if a candidate meets all other criteria like education and computer literacy, failing the age criteria leads to rejection. Aspirants should carefully calculate their age as per the cut-off date before applying. This avoids later complications during provisional allotment. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Educational Qualification Details:
Basic Qualification Requirement: To apply for the IBPS CRP CSA XV Recruitment 2026, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. This degree should be recognized by the Government of India or equivalent bodies. Candidates who do not possess a valid degree will not be eligible.
Final Year Students’ Eligibility: Only those candidates who have obtained their degree by the last date of registration (21 August 2025) can apply. Final year students awaiting results are not eligible. At the time of applying online, applicants must mention the percentage of marks secured in graduation. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Customer Service Associate Vacancies)
Valid Proof of Qualification: Applicants need to provide a degree certificate or mark sheet as proof of qualification. These documents must confirm that the candidate was declared a graduate on or before 21 August 2025. Certificates issued later than the specified date will not be considered valid.
Local Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in the local language of the State/UT they are applying for. Proficiency includes reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the language. Those who have studied the local language in 10th standard or above are exempted from the language test. Others must appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) after mains. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Computer Literacy Requirement: IBPS has made computer literacy mandatory for clerical cadre recruitment. Candidates should either: Hold a certificate/diploma/degree in computer operations, or Have studied Computer/Information Technology as a subject in high school, college, or institute. This ensures that all selected candidates can handle banking software efficiently. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Special Criteria for Ex-Servicemen: Ex-Servicemen candidates who do not hold a graduation degree are given relaxation. They should have completed at least 15 years of service in the Armed Forces and must possess the Army Special Certificate of Education or equivalent Navy/Air Force certificate. Such certificates must be dated on or before 21 August 2025. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Equivalence of Degrees: Any qualification declared equivalent to a graduate degree by the Central Government will also be accepted. Candidates with professional or vocational courses recognized by the UGC/AICTE can apply, provided their course is treated as equivalent to graduation. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
CGPA/OGPA to Percentage Conversion: If the university awards marks in CGPA/OGPA format, candidates must convert it into a percentage. A valid certificate issued by the university, showing conversion rules, must be produced. Without this document, marks will not be accepted, and the application may be rejected during verification. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Customer Service Associate Vacancies)
Calculation of Percentage of Marks: The percentage is calculated based on all subjects across all semesters/years, irrespective of whether they are elective or compulsory. For example, if a candidate has taken additional subjects, those marks must also be included in the total calculation. Rounding off is not allowed — 59.99% will be treated as less than 60%. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Importance of Educational Criteria: Meeting the educational criteria is crucial as it forms the foundation of eligibility for IBPS CSA recruitment. Even if a candidate clears the exam but fails to present valid graduation proof or computer literacy certificates, their candidature will be cancelled. Therefore, aspirants must keep their degree documents, mark sheets, and computer literacy certificates ready before applying.
Application Fee Details:
Application Fee Structure: For IBPS CRP CSA XV Recruitment 2026, the application fee varies by category. Candidates belonging to the General and Other categories must pay ₹850/- (including GST). Meanwhile, SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and DESM candidates need to pay only ₹175/- as intimation charges.
Online Payment Mode: The application fee can be paid online only through debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or mobile wallets. No offline fee submission options such as challans or demand drafts are accepted. Candidates must ensure successful online transactions to complete their registration.
Non-Refundable Fee Policy: IBPS has clearly stated that the application fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances. Even if a candidate withdraws from the recruitment process or fails to appear for the exam, the fee will not be returned. This ensures seriousness among applicants.
Charges Inclusive of GST: The fee mentioned is inclusive of GST and bank charges. Candidates paying online should note that additional transaction charges by banks or payment gateways must be borne by them. Thus, the total amount deducted may slightly exceed the actual fee amount.
Fee for Reserved Categories: Candidates belonging to SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Ex-Servicemen, and Disabled Ex-Servicemen enjoy a reduced fee of ₹175/-. This lower fee ensures inclusivity and equal opportunity for candidates from socially and economically weaker backgrounds. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Fee for General and OBC Categories: Applicants from the General, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and EWS categories need to pay a full fee of ₹850/-. This amount covers both the exam fee and intimation charges. The higher fee structure is designed to support the cost of conducting exams across multiple centers.
Confirmation of Fee Payment: After fee payment, candidates receive an e-receipt confirming the transaction. This receipt must be downloaded and saved for reference. In case of transaction failure, candidates should attempt again, but only after verifying that the earlier payment has not been deducted.
Rejection Due to Unsuccessful Payment: If the payment is unsuccessful or incomplete, the application will be considered invalid. Candidates must ensure that they see the “Payment Successful” status on the IBPS portal. Any technical failure during fee submission will lead to rejection unless corrected within the registration period. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Fee Exemption Rules: Unlike some government exams, IBPS does not provide complete fee exemption for any category. However, the significant reduction for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates acts as a partial exemption. Candidates from these groups should utilize this concession while applying.
Importance of Paying Fee on Time: Timely payment of the application fee is critical for completing registration. Applications without a successful fee transaction will be rejected automatically. Candidates are advised not to wait until the last date (21 August 2025) as server congestion or payment failures are common in the final hours. Paying early ensures a smooth process. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Exam Pattern and Syllabus:
Two-Tier Online Examination: The IBPS CSA XV 2026 recruitment follows a two-tier exam structure: Preliminary Examination and Main Examination. Both exams are conducted online in multiple shifts across India. The preliminary exam is qualifying in nature, while the main exam scores decide the final merit.
Preliminary Examination Pattern: The preliminary exam consists of 100 questions for 100 marks with a total duration of 60 minutes. The paper is divided into English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability, each section separately timed for 20 minutes. Candidates must qualify in each section to move to mains.
Main Examination Pattern: The main exam is more comprehensive with 155 questions carrying 200 marks. The duration is 120 minutes, and each section has fixed timing. The sections include General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude. Unlike prelims, mains scores are counted for final merit. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Customer Service Associate Vacancies)
Penalty for Wrong Answers: IBPS follows a negative marking system. For each wrong answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. Unanswered questions do not attract penalties. Candidates are advised to attempt only those questions they are confident about to avoid unnecessary loss of marks.
English Language Syllabus: The English Language section tests grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Important topics include Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, Para Jumbles, and Vocabulary-based questions. This section appears in both prelims and mains.
Numerical Ability & Quantitative Aptitude: In prelims, the Numerical Ability section covers basics like Simplification, Number Series, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Data Interpretation, and Profit & Loss. In mains, it becomes Quantitative Aptitude with higher-level topics like Data Analysis, Probability, Quadratic Equations, and Mensuration. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Reasoning Ability & Logical Thinking: The Reasoning section is crucial for both prelims and mains. Topics include Seating Arrangements, Puzzles, Syllogism, Inequalities, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Order & Ranking, Alphanumeric Series, and Logical Reasoning. In mains, this section carries more weightage with 60 marks. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
General/Financial Awareness: This section is exclusive to the mains exam and carries 50 marks. It includes Banking Awareness, Current Affairs, Government Schemes, RBI Guidelines, Economic News, Static GK, and International Financial Developments. Preparing current affairs from the last 6 months is highly beneficial.
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT): After clearing the mains, candidates must prove proficiency in the local language of the state/UT applied for. Those who studied the language in 10th standard or higher are exempt. Others must appear in a language test, which is qualifying in nature. Failure to clear this test leads to disqualification. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Final Merit and Selection: The final merit list is prepared based on Main Examination scores only. The marks obtained in the prelims are not counted but act as a qualifier. After mains, candidates undergo document verification, local language test, and provisional allotment. Performance in mains directly decides the allotment of banks and states. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Apply Online Process:
Online Application Only: For IBPS CRP CSA XV Recruitment 2026, applications are accepted only through online mode at the official website www.ibps.in No offline forms, handwritten applications, or postal submissions will be entertained. Candidates must register within the given timeline of 01 August 2025 to 21 August 2025. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
New Registration Process: Candidates must first click on the link “CRP CSA XV Apply Online” on the IBPS homepage. Then, they should select “Click Here for New Registration” to generate a Provisional Registration Number and Password. These login details will also be sent via SMS and email for future use.
Filling Personal Information: Applicants must carefully enter their personal details like name, date of birth, category, gender, and contact information. Any mistakes cannot be corrected after submission, so it is advised to use the “Save and Next” option while filling out the application form. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Uploading Required Documents: During the registration process, candidates must upload scanned copies of:
- Passport size photograph
- Signature
- Left thumb impression
- Handwritten declaration
- SSC/10th certificate (for proof of local language)
- All uploads must follow the exact size and format mentioned in the notification.
Choosing Exam State and Language: Since IBPS CSA recruitment is state/UT-wise, candidates must choose one state while applying. The local language of that state should be opted for the proficiency test. Once selected, this option cannot be changed under any circumstances. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)
Preview and Corrections: Before final submission, candidates can review their application using the preview option. Corrections can be made during the Edit Window notified by IBPS. After final submission, no modifications are allowed, so candidates must ensure accuracy in personal and educational details.
Application Fee Payment: After filling details, applicants must pay the application fee online. Payment can be done via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Mobile Wallets. Successful payment generates an e-receipt, which should be saved for future reference. Applications without payment will be rejected.
Final Submission of Application: Once the fee payment is successful, candidates must click on “Complete Registration”. A confirmation message will be displayed, and the application will be considered successfully submitted. Candidates should download the completed form and e-receipt for record-keeping.
Important Documents for Future Stages: At later stages, candidates must produce the same documents uploaded in the application form. This includes photo ID proof, caste/category certificates, educational qualification documents, and computer literacy proof. Any mismatch may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Tips for a Smooth Application: Applicants should not wait until the last date (21 August 2025) as server congestion may cause technical issues. It is advisable to use a stable internet connection and keep scanned documents ready before applying. Saving multiple copies of the application form and fee receipt ensures safety during further recruitment stages. (IBPS CSA Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 7000 Posts)