The IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 will be conducted in four distinct shifts, each with specific reporting requirements and a 60-minute duration. Candidates must verify their assigned shift, reporting time, and test centre on their official admit card and arrive promptly to avoid gate closure.
Understanding the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 shift timings is crucial for effective exam day preparation. To accommodate the high volume of applicants, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) organizes the Preliminary examination across multiple days and four daily shifts, ensuring a systematic and smooth assessment process.
In this guide, we provide comprehensive details on the IBPS Clerk Prelims schedule, including essential exam pattern breakdowns, critical day-of instructions, and expert tips to help you succeed.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026
The IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 is scheduled for October 10th and 11th, 2026, with the Mains following on December 27th, 2026. Your specific exam slot and reporting deadline will be clearly stated on your official IBPS Clerk Admit Card 2026.
Arriving well ahead of your designated reporting time is mandatory for completing biometric attendance, document verification, and security protocols. Please note that entry is strictly prohibited once the gates are closed.
IBPS Clerk Shift Timings: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body |
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
|
| Exam Name |
IBPS Clerk (Customer Service Associate) 2026
|
| Exam Stages |
Prelims and Mains
|
| Prelims Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Number of Shifts | 4 (Expected) |
| Mains Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Admit Card | To be Released |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026
The examination is conducted in four separate shifts throughout the day. It is vital that candidates strictly adhere to the reporting schedule assigned specifically to them on their admit card.
| Shift | Reporting Time | Handwriting Sample Time | Exam Start | Exam End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | 08:00 AM | 08:55 AM | 09:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 10:30 AM | 11:25 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 01:00 PM | 01:55 PM | 02:00 PM | 03:00 PM |
| Shift 4 | 03:30 PM | 04:25 PM | 04:30 PM | 05:30 PM |
IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern
The IBPS Clerk Prelims exam lasts 60 minutes. Candidates follow a strict sectional timing structure where each of the three sections is allotted exactly 20 minutes. Be mindful of the negative marking policy, where 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect response.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Documents to Carry to the Exam Centre
To gain entry to the exam hall, candidates are required to carry the following mandatory documents:
|
Required Documents
|
|
Printed IBPS Clerk Admit Card
|
|
Original Photo Identity Proof
|
|
Passport-size Photographs
|
|
Photocopy of ID Proof
|
Tips to Manage Your Shift Day Smoothly
Follow these essential tips to manage your exam day effectively for the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026:
FAQs
The official exam shift timings are as follows:
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
Candidates are advised to report one hour before their exam slot starts. For example, aim to reach by 8:00 AM for Shift 1 or 10:30 AM for Shift 2 to ensure a stress-free entry.
The 60-minute duration is evenly split, with 20 minutes allocated to each of the three core sections: Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, and English Language.