Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) exams are conducted annually to select eligible candidates for different posts in the public sector banks. The applications are available online. Candidates can fill them and submit the applications online.

However, candidates interested in applying for the IBPS exams conducted for the various posts, such as Probationary Officer, Clerk, and Management Trainee should first know about the eligibility criteria before writing the exam. 

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria involve three major aspects namely

1. Age Limit
2. Nationality/Citizenship
3. Educational Qualification

Age Limit

The eligibility criteria for IBPS states that aspirants aged between 20 and 30 years are eligible to apply.

There is a relaxation in the age limit in certain circumstances such as:

• 5 years age relaxation for persons belonging to Scheduled Tribe or Scheduled Caste
• 3 years age extension for Other Backward Classes
• 10 years for disabled persons
• 5 years relaxation for Ex-Servicemen and Commissioned Officers such as ECOs (Emergency Commissioned Officers) and SSCOs (Short Service Commissioned Officers) with a minimum of 5 years of service in the military. These officers should have either completed their assignment or discharged or dismissed due to physical disability, inefficiency or misconduct.
• 5 years for individuals affected during the 1984 riots
• 5 years for ordinarily domiciled individuals belonging to Jammu and Kashmir State, especially in the Kashmir division between January 1980 and December 1989

Nationality/Citizenship

Applicants should be a citizen of India, Nepal or Bhutan. Other persons who are eligible include Tibetan refugees, people who had migrated from countries such as Sri Lanka, Burma, Pakistan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zaire, Zambia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and the United Republic of Tanzania. These individuals should intend to settle permanently in India to be considered eligible.

Educational Qualification

All candidates should have completed graduation from any of the recognized institutions or universities. The mark sheets should be submitted along with the online IBPS application form.

For candidates applying for IBPS clerk exams, which are conducted to fill cashier and clerk posts in all 19 public sector banks across India, graduation in any discipline is accepted.

Graduation is also a criterion for Office Assistant posts.

In thecase of specialist officers’ post, a professional degree like MBA, B.Tech, BE, LLB, CA is required. Specialist officer position includes posts such as IT officer, HR Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Law Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, and Marketing Officer.

Other Requirements

In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, a few other requirements are considered which include:

• Knowledge of the local language spoken in the state the candidate is applying for. This would be tested in the interview stage. Proficiency in reading and writing the official language of the state concerned is necessary.
• Computer Knowledge is another important requirement. Computer science or IT should have been part of the curriculum in college or in high school level. A diploma or certificate in computer language or basic computer operations will be a minimum requirement for the clerk post and other such posts.

With the above guidelines, aspirants looking for applying online get a clear idea of the eligibility requirements. Keeping this checklist in mind, candidates can go ahead and apply for the exams and start their preparation.