Skip to content

Banking Exams

🏦 What are Banking Exams? All About Bank Recruitment in India

Banking exams are competitive exams conducted to recruit candidates for various positions in public sector banks, private banks, and financial institutions in India. These exams offer excellent career opportunities with job security, growth, and respect, especially for freshers and graduates.

🎯 Purpose of Banking Exams

  • To recruit Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, and Specialist Officers (SO)
  • To hire candidates for regulatory bodies like RBI, NABARD, SEBI, etc.
  • To ensure skilled manpower for India’s banking and financial sector
  • To provide youth with stable and prestigious government banking jobs

🏦 Major Banking Exams in India

Exam Name Details 📚 Detailed Syllabus (Subject-wise)
IBPS PO Probationary Officer in Public Sector Banks Prelims
  • English Language – vocab, grammar, cloze, para-jumbles, RC.
  • Quantitative Aptitude – number series, simplification, quadratic eqns, arithmetic (percent/ratio/interest/DI), time-work, time-distance.
  • Reasoning Ability – puzzles & seating, syllogism, inequalities, coding-decoding, directions, blood relations, order/ranking.
Mains
  • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude – advanced puzzles, input-output, logical reasoning, statement-assumption/argument, data sufficiency; basics of OS, networking, MS-Office, internet.
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation – tables, bar/line/pie, caselets, missing/wrong number series, data sufficiency, probability, permutation-combination.
  • English – RC (inference/tone), para-completion, error detection, phrase replacement, vocabulary.
  • General/Economy/Banking Awareness – banking terms, RBI/SEBI/NABARD, monetary & fiscal policy, budget/economy updates, static GK, current affairs.
  • Descriptive English – essay & letter (formal/informal, banking topics).
Interview – current banking issues, basic finance, situational/HR questions.
IBPS Clerk Clerical Cadre in various PSBs Prelims – English (vocab/grammar/RC), Numerical Ability (simplification, number series, arithmetic, DI), Reasoning (puzzles, inequalities, syllogism, coding-decoding).
Mains
  • General/Financial Awareness – banking products, RBI functions, insurance/basic finance, current affairs.
  • General English – RC, para-jumbles, cloze, error spotting.
  • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude – moderate puzzles, verbal logic + computer basics.
  • Quantitative Aptitude – DI (caselet, missing), arithmetic, number series.
Note: No interview; Language Proficiency Test (state language) may apply.
IBPS RRB Officers & Assistants for Regional Rural Banks Office Assistant (Clerk)
  • Prelims – Reasoning; Numerical Ability.
  • Mains – Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English/Hindi, Computer Knowledge.
Officer Scale-I (PO)
  • Prelims – Reasoning; Quantitative Aptitude.
  • Mains – Reasoning, Computer Knowledge, General Awareness, English/Hindi, Quantitative Aptitude.
  • Interview – agriculture/rural banking basics, current banking issues.
Officer Scale-II (GBO) – single exam: Reasoning & Computer, Financial Awareness, English/Hindi, Quant; Specialist includes Professional Knowledge. Scale-III – similar to GBO, with higher difficulty and financial/managerial awareness.
SBI PO Probationary Officer in SBI Prelims – English, Quant, Reasoning (mixed difficulty, speed-based).
Mains (Objective)
  • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude – high-level puzzles, critical reasoning, input-output; computer basics.
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation – advanced DI, data sufficiency, arithmetic applications.
  • General/Economy/Banking Awareness – RBI policy, financial markets, schemes, economy news, static GK.
  • English – RC with inference, para-completion, error, vocab.
Descriptive – essay & letter (banking/economic issues).
Interview/GE – current affairs, banking/fintech, situational judgement.
SBI Clerk Junior Associate in SBI branches Prelims – English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning.
Mains
  • General/Financial Awareness – banking awareness, current affairs.
  • General English – RC, vocab, grammar.
  • Quantitative Aptitude – DI, arithmetic, number series.
  • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude – puzzles, logical reasoning + computer basics.
Note: No interview; LPT (Local Language Proficiency Test) applicable.
RBI Grade B Officer in Reserve Bank of India Phase-I (Objective) – General Awareness (RBI functions, economy, reports, schemes), English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning.
Phase-II
  • Paper I – Economic & Social Issues (ESI) – growth & development, poverty/inequality, social sectors, sustainable development, Indian economy, globalization, monetary/fiscal policy.
  • Paper II – English (Writing Skills) – essay, précis, RC.
  • Paper III – Finance & Management (FM) – financial system/markets, risk management, corporate finance basics; management theories, leadership, motivation, ethics, corporate governance.
Interview – macro & monetary policy, RBI reports, current economy.
RBI Assistant Clerical-level job in RBI Prelims – English Language; Numerical Ability; Reasoning Ability.
Mains
  • Reasoning; English; Numerical Ability; General Awareness (banking/economy + current); Computer Knowledge.
LPT – Local Language Proficiency Test is mandatory.
NABARD Grade A & B Officers in NABARD Phase-I (Prelims)
  • Reasoning; English; Computer Knowledge; Quantitative Aptitude; Decision Making; General Awareness; Economic & Social Issues (ESI); Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD).
Phase-II
  • Paper I – English (Descriptive) – essay, précis, RC.
  • Paper II – ESI & ARD (for General post): objective + descriptive on agriculture systems, soil/water conservation, agronomy, animal husbandry, rural credit, financial inclusion, government schemes; ESI topics like growth, poverty, employment, inflation, social justice.
  • For specialist streams – Paper II is stream-specific.
Interview – rural economy, agriculture finance, government schemes.
SEBI Grade A Officer in Securities and Exchange Board of India Phase-I
  • Paper 1 (Common) – GA, Reasoning, Quant, English.
  • Paper 2 (Stream-specific) – e.g., General stream: Commerce & Accountancy, Management, Finance, Costing, Companies Act, Economics; IT: programming, DBMS, networks, OS; Legal: securities/Company law, contracts.
Phase-II
  • Paper 1 – Descriptive English – essay, précis, RC.
  • Paper 2 – Stream-specific (same domains as Phase-I Paper 2, higher depth).
Interview – capital markets, SEBI regulations, economy & finance current issues.

🛠️ Bank Exam Recruitment Process

  1. Official Notification: Released by IBPS, SBI, RBI, or respective authorities
  2. Online Application: Apply via the official portal
  3. Prelims Exam: Objective MCQ test for initial screening
  4. Main Exam: Advanced questions on reasoning, English, banking, and current affairs
  5. Interview: For PO and officer-level roles (not for clerical posts)
  6. Final Selection: Based on total score (Main + Interview, if applicable)

💼 Banking jobs are among the most sought-after careers for fresh graduates in India. Start your journey today with free sample papers and crack your dream exam!