Quick Answer
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released CRP CSA-XVI for recruitment of Customer Service Associates (CSA)—the clerical-cadre role commonly searched as IBPS Clerk—in participating public sector banks for vacancies of 2027–28.
The current indicative vacancy aggregation is 11,403 posts. Online registration and fee payment are open from 1 August to 21 August 2026. Candidates must be graduates, have the required computer literacy, and meet the State/UT local-language condition.
The official IBPS calendar schedules the Preliminary Examination for 10 and 11 October 2026 and the Main Examination for 27 December 2026. One major change candidates should notice is the new Main Examination structure: 160 questions, 200 marks and 125 minutes. Some older preparation pages still show the previous 190-question format.
View Details & Important Dates
| View Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Recruitment | CRP CSA-XVI |
| Post | Customer Service Associate (CSA) |
| Common Search Name | IBPS Clerk |
| Vacancy Cycle | 2027–28 |
| Indicative Vacancies | 11,403 |
| Participating Banks | 11 Public Sector Banks |
| Application Start | 1 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 21 August 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹850 Others; ₹175 SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM |
| Age | 20–28 years as on 1 August 2026 |
| Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Computer Literacy | Mandatory |
| Local Language | Mandatory for the State/UT applied for |
| Prelims | 10–11 October 2026 |
| Main Exam | 27 December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | March 2027 |
| Basic Pay Scale Starts | ₹24,050 |
| Selection | Prelims → Main → Local Language Test where required → Provisional Allotment |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification / Registration Opens | 1 August 2026 |
| Online Registration | 1–21 August 2026 |
| Fee Payment | 1–21 August 2026 |
| Edit Window | 2 days after registration closes; exact dates to be notified |
| Pre-Examination Training | September 2026 |
| Prelims Call Letter | September 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 10–11 October 2026 |
| Prelims Result | November 2026 |
| Main Call Letter | November 2026 |
| Main Examination | 27 December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | March 2027 |
IBPS also provides a paid correction facility after registration closes. The notification states a ₹200 correction fee, uniformly applicable when a candidate uses the notified edit window.
Vacancy Details & Participating Banks
IBPS describes the vacancies in CRP CSA-XVI as indicative and anticipated. Actual provisional allotment will depend on the vacancies subsequently reported by participating banks.
The current vacancy aggregation across the published CRP CSA-XVI vacancy tables is 11,403 Customer Service Associate posts.
Participating Banks
The official notification lists these 11 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
- Union Bank of India
Candidates apply for vacancies in one State/UT only, and provisional allotment is State/UT-wise based on merit, preferences, reservation rules and actual vacancies.
Why the Vacancy Number Can Change
IBPS explicitly states that bank recruitment is a dynamic process. Vacancy requirements can change because of business needs, branch expansion, structural changes, administrative factors and updated vacancy reporting by participating banks.
Regal Career will therefore treat 11,403 as the current indicative figure, not as an unchangeable final appointment count.
For another major banking recruitment, see the existing Regal Career article on IBPS PO Recruitment 2026 – 6,715 Vacancies in the Useful Links section below.
Eligibility, Age & Local Language
Educational Qualification
As on 21 August 2026, candidates must have:
- a Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India; or
- an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
The candidate must possess a valid marksheet or degree certificate showing that the graduation result was declared on or before 21 August 2026.
This means candidates whose final result is not declared by the cut-off date should not assume that they can apply provisionally.
Computer Literacy
Computer literacy is mandatory.
Candidates should have:
- a certificate, diploma or degree in computer operations/language; or
- studied Computer or Information Technology as a subject in school, college or institute.
Age Limit
Age is calculated as on 1 August 2026.
Candidates must be:
- Minimum: 20 years
- Maximum: 28 years
Eligible date-of-birth range:
2 August 1998 to 1 August 2006, both dates inclusive.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC-NCL | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / DESM | Service-related relaxation under the notification, subject to ceiling |
| Widows / Divorced / Legally Separated Women | Up to category-wise maximum age specified by IBPS |
Local Language Requirement
Applicants must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified/opted local language of the State/UT they apply for.
Candidates who can produce a Class 10 or higher marksheet/certificate showing that they studied the chosen local language do not have to take the separate Local Language Proficiency Test.
Other selected candidates must qualify the LLPT before joining. The language test is qualifying in nature, and failure means appointment will not be offered.
Application Fee, Salary & Job Profile
Application Fee
| Category | Fee / Intimation Charges |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / ESM / DESM | ₹175 |
| All Others | ₹850 |
The fee includes GST. Bank transaction charges, if any, are borne by the candidate.
Customer Service Associate Pay Scale
The official basic pay scale is:
₹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
Allowances and perquisites depend on the participating bank and its rules.
Because actual gross and in-hand salary vary by allotted bank, city, allowances and deductions, Regal Career does not publish one misleading universal in-hand salary figure.
What Does an IBPS CSA Do?
A Customer Service Associate typically works in a branch-facing clerical role that can include:
- customer service and account support;
- deposits and withdrawals;
- cheque and clearing-related work;
- account-opening and KYC support;
- handling branch records;
- digital-banking assistance;
- cash or counter operations where assigned; and
- other clerical duties under the allotted bank’s service rules.
Selection Process & New Exam Pattern
The CRP CSA-XVI selection process is:
- Online Preliminary Examination
- Online Main Examination
- State/UT-wise merit and provisional allotment
- Local Language Proficiency Test where the exemption is not available
- Document/eligibility verification by the allotted bank
- Final appointment subject to the allotted bank’s requirements and medical fitness
There is no interview in the standard CSA recruitment process.
Preliminary Examination
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Candidates must qualify in each test according to the cut-offs decided by IBPS.
Main Examination — CRP CSA-XVI
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 60 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Total | 160 | 200 | 125 minutes |
Important Pattern Change
For CRP CSA-XVI, the official notification shows a 160-question Main Examination lasting 125 minutes.
Candidates should be careful with preparation pages that still show the older pattern of 190 questions and 160 minutes.
Negative Marking
Both Preliminary and Main objective tests carry a penalty of one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to the question for a wrong answer.
No penalty applies to a question left blank.
Final Merit
Only the marks obtained in the Online Main Examination are considered for final merit/provisional allotment.
The Main Examination’s 200 marks are converted to a score out of 100 for provisional allotment.
How to Apply & Documents Required
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official IBPS website.
- Open CRP CSA (Customer Service Associates).
- Select CRP CSA-XVI.
- Open the official Apply Online link.
- Choose Click Here for New Registration.
- Complete registration using an active mobile number and email ID.
- Select the State/UT for which you want to compete. This choice becomes irrevocable.
- Enter personal, graduation, category and local-language details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Capture and upload the required live photograph through webcam/mobile when prompted.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Verify every field before Complete Registration.
- Save the provisional registration number, password, e-receipt and final application.
- Submit the application no later than 21 August 2026.
Documents / Uploads to Prepare
IBPS requires candidates to upload or keep ready:
- passport-size photograph;
- signature;
- left thumb impression;
- handwritten declaration;
- SSC/SSLC/Class 10 certificate;
- applicable disability/scribe-related certificate where required;
- live photograph captured during registration;
- graduation marksheet/degree certificate;
- category/EWS/OBC-NCL/PwBD documents where applicable;
- local-language proof from Class 10 or above where available;
- valid photo ID;
- active mobile number and email;
- fee-payment record;
- printed final application.
IBPS states that fields such as Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, State/UT vacancy choice, Post and Nationality cannot be changed through the later edit window, so candidates should verify them carefully before submission.
Useful Regal Career Links
| Regal Career Resource | Action |
|---|---|
| Latest Government Jobs | Click here to view |
| All Application Tools | Click here to view |
Important Official Links
| Official Resource | Action |
|---|---|
| IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Page | Click here to view |
| Apply Online – CRP CSA-XVI | Click here to view |
| CRP CSA-XVI Detailed Notification PDF | Click here to view |
| Official IBPS 2026–27 Exam Calendar | Click here to view |
| IBPS Official Website | Click here to view |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are there in IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2026?
The current indicative vacancy aggregation for CRP CSA-XVI is 11,403 Customer Service Associate posts. IBPS states that vacancies are indicative and actual allotment will depend on later bank vacancy reporting.
What is the last date to apply for IBPS CSA-XVI?
The last date for registration and online fee payment is 21 August 2026.
What qualification is required?
Candidates need graduation in any discipline or an equivalent Central Government-recognised qualification, with the result declared by 21 August 2026.
What is the age limit?
The basic age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 1 August 2026, with category-wise relaxation.
What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM candidates and ₹850 for all others.
When is the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026?
The official IBPS calendar schedules the CSA-XVI Preliminary Examination for 10 and 11 October 2026.
When is the IBPS Clerk Main Exam 2026?
The official IBPS calendar schedules the Main Examination for 27 December 2026.
Has the IBPS Clerk Main exam pattern changed?
Yes. CRP CSA-XVI’s official notification shows 160 questions, 200 marks and 125 minutes in the Main Examination.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. One-fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for a wrong answer.
Is there an interview?
No interview is part of the standard CRP CSA-XVI selection process.
Is computer knowledge compulsory?
Yes. Operating and working knowledge of computer systems is mandatory under the notification.
Is local language compulsory?
Yes. Candidates must be proficient in the chosen State/UT’s specified local language. Candidates without qualifying school-level proof must pass the Local Language Proficiency Test before joining.
Can I apply for more than one State/UT?
The recruitment is State/UT-wise and candidates indicate one State/UT for provisional allotment. The State/UT choice is irrevocable.
Official Source & Editorial Verification
Primary official sources used for this article:
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection CRP CSA-XVI notification;
- official CRP CSA-XVI online-application instructions;
- official IBPS 2026–27 examination calendar; and
- official IBPS website / CRP CSA page.
The 11,403 vacancy figure is indicative and should be updated on the same Regal Career page if IBPS later issues a revised bank-wise/state-wise vacancy notice.
A particularly important CRP CSA-XVI update is the Main Examination pattern of 160 questions for 200 marks in 125 minutes. This article intentionally uses the current official pattern rather than the older 190-question format still visible on some third-party preparation pages.
