IBPS Clerk Prelims 2025: Shift-Wise Exam Analysis & Insights

Executive Summary

• The IBPS Clerk Prelims exam held on 4 October 2025 was assessed as **Easy to Moderate** across shifts.
• Good attempt range varied across shifts, typically in the band of **71 to 85** questions, depending on shift and accuracy.
• Sectional patterns remained consistent: English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning — with puzzles and DI holding key weight.
• No official anomalies or pattern deviations were reported; standard negative marking of –0.25 applies.
• This analysis dissects each shift, topics asked, trends, and provides strategy insights for upcoming aspirants.

Background & Context

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Clerical Cadre (Clerk) recruitment under its **CRP-CSA (Common Recruitment Process — Clerical Cadre)** cycle. The 2025 exam (CRP-CSA XV) is part of its regular recruitment for multiple public sector banks across India.

Key historical points:

• Application window initially opened on 1 August 2025.
• Original deadline was 21 August 2025, later extended to 28 August 2025.
• A correction window was released by IBPS to allow candidates to edit submitted details.
• The preliminary exam (this article’s focus) is the first stage. Successful candidates will proceed to the IBPS Clerk Main exam. (Standard process in earlier years.)

What’s New / Latest Updates

So far, there’s no structural change reported in the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam pattern for 2025 as per credible sources. Exam pattern remains 100 questions, 60 minutes, three sections with sectional timing.

In Shift 4 (4 October), the good attempt estimate was placed between **73–78** by some analysts.

Also, various education portals are publishing memory-based papers, question-type breakdowns, and live updates as the exams conclude.

Important Dates & Timeline

Quick Links

Vacancies & Recruitment Data

According to credible media reports, the total number of clerk vacancies under CRP-CSA XV is **10,277**.

† As per media-reported data; awaiting formal IBPS notification for breakdown by bank, state, and category.

Eligibility & Application Fee

• Educational qualification: Graduate in any discipline (from recognized university). (Unverified – check official notification)
• Age limit: likely between 20 and 28 / 30 years (with age relaxations) (Unverified – check official notification)
• Language ability: Proficiency in local language of recruiting branch (as required in past years) (Unverified)

Typical application fee structure in past years (unverified for 2025):

• General / OBC: ₹850 (approx) (subject to official confirmation)
• SC / ST / PwBD / Female: ₹175 (or discounted) (subject to official confirmation)

How to Apply / How to Download / How to Check Results

Documents Required & Format Specifications

• Recent passport-size photograph (color) — e.g. ≤ 200 KB, jpg / jpeg / png format (unverified exact size limit).
• Signature (black ink) — scanned, ≤ 100 KB, jpg / jpeg / png (unverified exact limit).
• Handwritten declaration (if required) — white paper, black ink, scanned, ≤ 50 KB (check official instructions).
• Certificates / mark sheets of educational qualification — scanned, format pdf, size limits per IBPS norms.
• Category certificate (if applicable) — valid SC/ST/OBC/PwBD certificate scanned.
• Photo file naming: e.g. “photo_2025_Clerk.jpg”, signature: “sign_2025_Clerk.jpg” (unverified naming convention).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In-Depth Analysis & Strategic Insights

Section-Wise Trends & Observations

From multiple credible shift-wise reviews, the following patterns emerge:

• English Language was comparatively easier across shifts, with reading comprehension, error spotting, cloze test, and phrase replacement dominating the set.
• Numerical Ability had a mix of DI (bar, line, caselet), arithmetic, and simplification. DI questions sometimes required careful interpretation.
• Reasoning Ability leaned heavily on puzzles, seating arrangements, inequalities, series, and miscellaneous reasoning questions. Some puzzles demanded time management.

Stakeholder Impact & Implications

For aspirants, this exam cycle demands not only accuracy but also calibrated time allocation per section. Meanwhile, education platforms and test-prep institutes will use this analysis to refine mock sets and strategy sessions. Banks and IBPS rely on this recruitment to fill clerical manpower, which has downstream effects on branch operations and customer services.

Probable Next Steps & Scenario Forecasts

Once IBPS releases the provisional answer key, candidates will have a window to raise objections (if any). Post that, the final answer key and prelims results follow. Based on past cycles, state-wise and category-wise cut-offs will vary significantly. If the answer key or prelims cutoff shifts unfavorably, some aspirants may be pushed to next-best options.

Quantitative Estimate: Good Attempts → Expected Score Mapping

Suppose a candidate makes **80 good attempts** with **5 wrong answers**:

Correct = 80, Wrong = 5 → Net correct = 75; Score = 75 ×1 + (5 × –0.25) = 75 – 1.25 = **73.75**

Thus, to cross an estimated cutoff ~65–70, one must aim for ~70–80 correct with limited negatives.

Expert Reactions & Observations

No official quotes from IBPS or government bodies were found in the raw input or our research. However, based on cumulative insights from education analysts, the exam was well-balanced and fair. The lack of anomalies or surprise topics suggests adherence to longstanding IBPS norms.

Recommendations & Next Steps for Aspirants