Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), on behalf of 11 Participating Public Sector Banks
Last Date: 21.08.2026

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has opened online registration for CRP CSA-XVI, the common recruitment process that fills Customer Service Associate, or clerk, posts in 11 public sector banks. The notification lists 11,403 indicative vacancies for the 2027-28 hiring cycle. Online applications are open from August 1 to August 21, 2026, and the selection runs through a two-stage online exam with no interview.

IBPS CSA/Clerk Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

IBPS CSA/Clerk Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

CRP CSA-XVI is the 16th edition of the IBPS Common Recruitment Process (CRP) conducted for the recruitment of Customer Service Associates (Clerks) in 11 participating Public Sector Banks such as,  Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India. The post, earlier known as Clerk, is now officially titled Customer Service Associate (CSA), to better reflect the role's focus on customer service and digital banking operations, in addition to routine clerical work.

The Customer Service Associate (CSA) post is open to graduates from any discipline, making it one of the most accessible entry-level opportunities in public sector banking through IBPS. The selection process is conducted entirely through online examinations in two stages and there is no interview in the IBPS Customer Service Associate (CSA) recruitment process. Final Selection Depends on the Main Examination.

Vacancy Details

The current tentative vacancy for this recruitment is 11,403 posts. The state-wise, bank-wise, and category-wise vacancy distribution is provided below:

**A key point to note is that Union Bank of India has marked its vacancies as "NR" (Not Reported) meaning bank has not yet reported its state-wise vacancy details. Therefore, this 11,403 vacancies are tentative and may change. As additional vacancies are reported by participating banks, the total number of posts may be revised before the final allotment.

The highest number of vacancies are in Uttar Pradesh (1,731), followed by Karnataka (1,414), Maharashtra (1,051), West Bengal (946), Gujarat (698), and Tamil Nadu (675). At the other end, The fewest vacancies are in Ladakh (6), Daman & Diu (7), and Lakshadweep (11). In Karnataka, Canara Bank has the highest share of vacancies, with 800 posts out of the state's 1,414 total vacancies, this reflects Canara Bank's strong presence in Karnataka, where its headquarters and a large branch network are located. Therefore, while choosing a state, candidates should consider the bank-wise vacancy distribution along with the total state vacancies, as the number of posts can vary significantly between participating banks.

Application Fee

The category-wise application fee for the IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Recruitment 2026 is provided below:

Note: The application fee must be paid online only between 1 August and 21 August 2026 and any bank or transaction charges applicable to the payment will be borne by the candidate.

The application fee is non-refundable. Once paid, it will not be refunded or adjusted under any circumstances, including withdrawal of the application or correction of category details. If a candidate changes their category from General, EWS, or OBC to SC, ST, or PwBD during the correction window, the excess application fee already paid will not be refunded.

Age Limit

The minimum age is 20 years and the maximum age is 28 years as on 1 August 2026, meaning candidates must have been born between 2 August 1998 and 1 August 2006 (both dates inclusive). 

The upper age relaxation varies by category, as per the recruitment rules. The category-wise age relaxation details are provided below:

Note: Candidates eligible for SC, ST, or OBC age relaxation can combine it with only one additional eligible age relaxation, as permitted under the recruitment rules. Candidates claiming any age relaxation must produce the original supporting certificate at the time of joining, and not just at the application stage.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Government of India. Also there is no requirement of minimum percentage of marks in graduation.

Along with the graduation degree, computer literacy is mandatory and candidates must possess a certificate, diploma, or degree in Computer Operations, or have studied Computer Science or Information Technology as a subject at the high school, college, or university level. Also, Candidates must be proficient in the local language of the State or Union Territory for which they are applying. A Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) will be conducted after the Main Examination unless the candidate can produce a Class 10 or higher mark sheet/certificate showing they studied the required local language.

The examination is available in English and Hindi, along with the specified regional language of the State or Union Territory applied for, wherever applicable. The English Language and General English sections are available only in English, irrespective of the State or Union Territory selected by the candidate.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of two online examination stages. The Main Examination pattern is slightly changed compared to the previous recruitment cycle. The complete exam pattern and structure for both the Preliminary and Main Examination are provided below:

Note: Each section has its own fixed time limit and unused time from one section cannot be carried forward to another section within the same examination. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in both the Preliminary and Main Examination but no marks are deducted for questions left unanswered.
The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature. A candidate has to clear the cutoff in each of the three Prelims sections to qualify for the Main Examination, but the Prelims marks are not considered for the final merit list. The final merit list and provisional allotment are based only on the Main Examination marks, after they are converted from 200 marks to 100 as per IBPS rules. Candidates should also note that the Main Examination pattern has been revised this cycle, increasing from 155 questions in 120 minutes to 160 questions in 125 minutes. This change makes it important to prepare according to the latest exam pattern and section-wise weightage.
After the Main Examination, a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) will be conducted for eligible candidates. The state-wise list of local languages is provided below:

There is no interview in the IBPS Customer Service Associate (CSA) recruitment process. Selection is based on the prescribed examination stages and the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable. It is also important to note that if the examination is conducted in multiple shifts, then the scores are normalized using the equi-percentile method before preparing the final merit list, as per IBPS rules.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

Selected candidates receive a basic pay of Rs.24,050, with the pay scale extending up to Rs.64,480. In addition to the basic pay, they are entitled to allowances and other benefits as per the rules of the participating bank to which they are allotted. 

Recruitment is conducted state-wise and Union Territory-wise, so a candidate applies for and is considered against vacancies in exactly one state, though IBPS can allot an exam centre outside that state purely for conducting the test, without changing the State or Union Territory's vacancies the candidate competes for. Once selected, candidates are provisionally allotted to a participating bank in their chosen State or Union Territory based on merit and the preferences submitted. The final posting location within that State or Union Territory is decided by the allotted bank.

The notification doesn't specify any probation period or service bond for the Customer Service Associate (CSA) post. Candidates should check these details with the allotted participating bank at the time of joining, as they may vary from bank to bank. IBPS may maintain a reserve list of approximately 30% of the vacancies in each category for future provisional allotments. However, inclusion in the reserve list does not guarantee selection or appointment.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official IBPS website at www.ibps.in and open the CRP CSA link on the homepage.
2. Click on new registration and enter basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password, which will also be sent by email and SMS.
3. Upload your photograph (4.5cm by 3.5cm, 20 to 50 KB), signature, left thumb impression, a handwritten declaration in English, and your SSC/SSLC/10th standard certificate, following the exact size and format specifications. 
4. Capture a live photograph through webcam or mobile phone as part of the registration process.
5. Fill in the application form section by section, using Save and Next to verify details before final submission, since nothing can be changed after clicking Complete Registration except through the later edit window.
6. Select the state or union territory you want to be considered for. This choice is irrevocable once submitted.
7. Pay the application fee online through debit card, credit card, net banking, IMPS, or UPI.
8. Download and save the e-receipt and the final application form printout for your own records.

Required Documents and Important Instructions

At the time of document verification or joining, candidates must produce the original documents along with self-attested photocopies of the following:
= the system-generated application printout,
= proof of date of birth,
= photo identity proof,
= graduation mark sheets and certificate,
= the 10th standard language certificate if claiming exemption from the language test,
= caste certificate for SC/ST/OBC candidates,
= EWS income and asset certificate where applicable,
= disability certificate for PwBD candidates,
= the relevant Ex-Servicemen proforma,
= a No Objection Certificate if currently employed in government or a PSU, and any experience certificates held.
 
A few important instructions are as follows: 
> Candidates should ensure that their photograph and signature meet the prescribed specifications. Blurred or unclear photographs and signatures in capital letters may lead to rejection of the application.
> Biometric data is captured and cross-checked at multiple stages of the recruitment process, and a candidate is expected to look the same as their uploaded photo throughout the process.
> Aadhaar verification may happen at any stage.
> Candidates who have a twin, triplet, or quadruplet sibling must declare this in the application form. Failure to disclose this information may lead to cancellation of candidature.
> The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 applies to this recruitment. Any unfair practices, including question paper leakage or impersonation, will invite action under the provisions of the Act.

The following important points will help you understand this recruitment and the selection process more clearly:

Why the Main exam is the only round that matters

Since the Preliminary Examination is only qualifying and there is no interview, the Main Examination alone determines the final merit list. A strong performance in the Main Examination is therefore the key to selection, regardless of the Prelims score. Therefore, candidates should give greater focus to the Main Examination during preparation, as it alone decides the final merit list. Also, this year's revised Main Examination pattern, with 160 questions instead of 155, also makes it important to prepare according to the latest syllabus and exam structure.

Why the state you pick matters as much as your score

Candidates can apply for only one State or Union Territory, and this choice remains valid throughout the recruitment process. Since vacancies vary significantly across States and Union Territories, and candidates must also satisfy the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) requirement for the chosen State or Union Territory, this decision should be made carefully before submitting the application. Candidates should not choose a State or Union Territory based only on the number of vacancies. They must also ensure they meet the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) requirement for the selected State or Union Territory.

Related Reading:

• PNB Local Bank Officer Recruitment 2026: 545 Posts, Apply Online by August 9.
• National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) Assistant Recruitment 2026: 500 Vacancies, Apply by August 07
• RRB Section Controller Recruitment 2026: CEN 03/2026 Opens 119 Vacancies, Apply by August 14.
• UKSSSC Recruitment 2026: 379 Vacancies for Accountant, Assistant Accountant and Cashier Posts, Apply from July 26 to August 15.

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are there in IBPS CRP CSA-XVI 2026?

The notification lists 11,403 indicative vacancies across 11 participating banks. This figure excludes Union Bank of India, whose numbers are not yet reported, and is likely to be revised as the cycle progresses.

What is the last date to apply for IBPS CRP CSA-XVI?

Online applications close on August 21, 2026. The application fee must also be paid by this date.

Who is eligible to apply for this recruitment?

Any citizen of India, Nepal, or Bhutan, or a person of Indian origin covered under the notification's nationality clause, holding a degree in any discipline and aged between 20 and 28 years as on August 1, 2026, can apply.

What is the age limit and relaxation available?

The general age band is 20 to 28 years. SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC gets 3 years, PwBD candidates get 10 years, and further relaxations apply for Ex-Servicemen and certain categories of women, as detailed in the age limit table above.

What educational qualification is required?

A graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, along with basic computer literacy and proficiency in the local language of the state applied for.

What does the selection process involve?

Two online exams, a Preliminary exam that is purely qualifying and a Main exam whose score alone decides the final merit list. There is no interview stage in this recruitment.

What is the salary for a Customer Service Associate?

Basic pay starts at ₹24,050 and progresses through the scale to ₹64,480, with allowances varying by the participating bank.

What is the application fee? 

Rs.175 for SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates, and ₹850 for all other categories, both inclusive of GST and payable online only.

How can I apply online for CRP CSA-XVI?

Through the official IBPS website, www.ibps.in, by completing registration, uploading the required documents and photograph, and paying the fee online before August 21, 2026.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

The official website is www.ibps.in, and complaints or queries can be routed through the grievance portal at cgrs.ibps.in.

Can I change my selected state after submitting the application?

No. The state or union territory chosen at the time of application is irrevocable and cannot be changed under any circumstances, even during the edit window.

Do I need to appear for a separate local language test?

Yes, unless you can produce a 10th standard or higher mark sheet showing you studied the specified local language of your chosen state. The test is qualifying in nature and happens after the Main exam but before joining.

Conclusion

At apnaupdates.com, our team strives to provide accurate, relevant, and high-quality information for every recruitment update we publish and we hope our efforts make your job search a little easier and help you make informed decisions throughout your career journey.

Before applying, choose the right State or Union Territory and do not base this choice only on the number of vacancies. Make sure you can meet the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) requirement or already have a Class 10 or higher certificate showing you studied the required local language, as this choice cannot be changed after submitting the application.

Since the Preliminary Examination is only qualifying and there is no interview, candidates should focus their preparation primarily on the Main Examination. This is even more important this year, as the Main Examination pattern has been revised to 160 questions meaning increase of 5 questions making it essential to prepare according to the latest exam format. Candidates should regularly check the official IBPS website for updates on the exam city intimation slip and Preliminary Examination admit card, which are expected to be released before the Preliminary Exam in September 2026. Also note that the 11,403 vacancies are tentative and may be revised as participating banks update their vacancy positions. (you can also bookmark this page and follow our social media handles such as telegram and WhatsApp for quick updates)

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.