IBPS RRB Clerk 2026 (Office Assistant) syllabus has 2 sections in Prelims (Reasoning, Numerical Ability) and 5 sections in Mains (Reasoning, Numerical Ability, GA, English/Hindi, Computer).
Prelims is qualifying; final selection is based on Mains marks only (no interview).
Below is the most exam-realistic topic list + section-wise plan built by consolidating patterns shown across top-ranking sources.
Last Updated: February 2026
Official Authority (IBPS): https://www.ibps.in/
AI Overview Capture Block (Copy-Snippet Ready)
- Prelims (Qualifying): Reasoning (40Q) + Numerical Ability (40Q) = 80Q, 80 marks, 45 min with sectional timing (commonly 25+20).
- Mains (Final Merit): Reasoning (40Q/50), Numerical (40Q/50), GA (40Q/40), English/Hindi (40Q/40), Computer (40Q/20) = 200Q, 200 marks, 120 min with sectional timing.
- Negative Marking: 1/4th (0.25) per wrong answer (as per standard IBPS objective tests/official instructions).
- Interview: No (RRB Clerk).
Quick Facts Box
Item | Details |
|---|---|
Exam | IBPS RRB Clerk 2026 (Office Assistant – Multipurpose) |
Stages | Prelims (Qualifying) + Mains (Final Merit) |
Mode | Online (CBT) |
Language | English/Hindi (and bilingual for most sections) |
Best Focus | Speed + Accuracy in Prelims, GA + Computer + Language mastery in Mains |
IBPS RRB Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern
Prelims Pattern (RRB Clerk)
Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 25 min |
Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 20 min |
Total | 80 | 80 | 45 min |
Mains Pattern (RRB Clerk)
Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Reasoning | 40 | 50 | 30 min |
Numerical Ability | 40 | 50 | 30 min |
English/Hindi Language | 40 | 40 | 30 min |
General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 15 min |
Computer Knowledge | 40 | 20 | 15 min |
Total | 200 | 200 | 120 min |
IBPS RRB Clerk Syllabus 2026
A) Reasoning Ability Syllabus (Prelims + Mains)
High-frequency topics:
- Alphanumeric Series / Number Series (Reasoning)
- Inequality (direct + coded)
- Syllogism (basic + advanced)
- Coding–Decoding (new pattern, symbol/letter shifting)
- Blood Relations
- Direction & Distance
- Ranking & Order
- Seating Arrangement: linear/circular (single/double row)
- Puzzle-based sets (floor, box, scheduling, comparison)
- Input–Output (machine arrangement)
- Data Sufficiency (RRB-level)
- Logical Reasoning: statement–assumption/conclusion, cause–effect, course of action
- Misc: analogy, classification, odd-one-out
Mains upgrade: more puzzle sets + multi-condition arrangements + higher-level syllogism/inequality.
B) Numerical Ability / Quant Syllabus (Prelims + Mains)
Prelims priority (speed chapter set):
- Simplification / Approximation
- Number Series (missing/wrong)
- Quadratic Equation (basic)
- DI basics (table/line/bar; small sets)
- Arithmetic: percentage, ratio, profit-loss, SI-CI, time & work, pipes-cistern, time-speed-distance, boat-stream, mixture-alligation, average, partnership
- Number system basics (HCF/LCM, divisibility)
- Mensuration basics (2D/3D – selective)
Mains upgrade (accuracy + DI depth):
- Data Interpretation (table/line/bar/pie/caselet; moderate)
- Missing DI / arithmetic DI
- Probability & permutation-combination (rare, but possible)
- Data Sufficiency (quant)
- Quantity comparison (if asked)
- Advanced arithmetic mixed questions
C) English Language / Hindi Language (Mains)
English:
- Reading Comprehension (short)
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection / Sentence Correction
- Fillers (single/double)
- Para jumbles / sentence rearrangement
- Word usage, vocab, synonym-antonym
- Phrase replacement
- Sentence improvement
- Match the column / contextual vocab
Hindi (if chosen):
- Reading comprehension
- व्याकरण (संधि/समास/विलोम/पर्याय)
- त्रुटि सुधार
- वाक्य शुद्धि
- रिक्त स्थान
- वाक्य क्रम
- मुहावरे/लोकोक्तियाँ
D) General Awareness (Mains)
Must-cover buckets (RRB scoring section):
- Current Affairs (last 4–6 months): banking, economy, awards, sports, summits, defence, appointments
- Banking Awareness: RBI, monetary policy, banking terms, payments, digital banking
- Static GK: important days, capitals/currencies, dams/rivers, national parks, books-authors
- Economy basics: budget highlights, inflation, GDP, schemes (high-level)
- RRB/Agri basics (occasionally): NABARD, rural schemes, agriculture terms
E) Computer Knowledge (Mains)
RRB-relevant topics:
- Fundamentals: hardware/software, memory, I/O devices
- Operating systems basics
- MS Office: Word/Excel/PowerPoint (shortcuts, features)
- Internet basics, browser, email, networking terms
- DBMS basics (keys, tables)
- Cyber security basics: malware, phishing, firewall
- Computer shortcuts, file extensions
- Digital payments basics (UPI/NEFT/RTGS concepts at awareness level)
What Changed / What Matters Most
Prelims is a Speed Game
- You’re effectively solving 80 questions in 45 minutes → target high attempt with controlled accuracy.
- Your edge: Simplification + series + basic arithmetic + 1–2 puzzle sets.
Mains is Where Selection Happens
- Mains has sectional timing; GA + Computer are high ROI because they’re fast-scoring if prepared properly.
Realistic success chances
High if you master Prelims speed + Mains GA/Computer scoring + consistent mocks.
Common mistakes
- Prelims: wasting time in lengthy puzzles/DI early
- Mains: ignoring GA/Computer until last month
- Not doing mock analysis (same mistakes repeat)
Beginner Doubts Section
- Is there interview? No. Mains score decides final merit.
- Can I choose Hindi instead of English in Mains language? Yes (one language section).
- Is Prelims marks added in final merit? Prelims is qualifying; merit is based on Mains.
Most asked FAQs
- What is the IBPS RRB Clerk syllabus 2026?
Prelims: Reasoning + Numerical. Mains: Reasoning, Numerical, English/Hindi, GA, Computer. - IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims syllabus 2026?
Reasoning (puzzles, syllogism, inequality, coding) + Numerical (simplification, series, arithmetic). - IBPS RRB Clerk Mains syllabus 2026?
Same as Prelims plus GA, Computer, and English/Hindi. - RRB Clerk exam pattern 2026 in one line?
Prelims 80Q/45m; Mains 200Q/120m with sectional timings. - Is there negative marking?
Yes, 0.25 marks per wrong answer. - Which section is most scoring in Mains?
GA + Computer (fast, high ROI if prepared). - How many questions in GA in Mains?
40 questions (40 marks). - Computer section marks?
40 questions, 20 marks. - English is compulsory?
No, you can choose Hindi instead of English (one language paper). - What to study first for Prelims?
Simplification/approx + number series + 1–2 reasoning puzzle types + inequality/syllogism. - Does Prelims score count in final selection?
No—final merit uses Mains marks for Office Assistant. - Best topics for Numerical Ability (RRB Clerk)?
Simplification, series, percentage, ratio, profit-loss, SI-CI, TSD, time-work. - Best topics for Reasoning (RRB Clerk)?
Seating/puzzles, syllogism, inequality, coding-decoding, blood relation. - Is DI asked in Prelims?
Yes, basic DI sets can appear. - Is DI important for Mains?
Yes, Mains DI is more frequent and time-consuming. - How many months current affairs for GA?
Target last 4–6 months + banking awareness basics. - What is sectional timing?
Fixed time per section; you cannot carry time from one section to another. - What is the best mock strategy?
2–3 mocks/week initially; daily mocks in last 4–5 weeks + deep analysis. - Can beginners crack RRB Clerk?
Yes—RRB is one of the most beginner-friendly banking exams with the right plan. - What is the level of RRB Clerk?
Moderate; Prelims is speed-based, Mains demands breadth. - Which section decides cut-off most?
Overall performance + section cutoffs (varies by year); don’t ignore any section. - Is local language required?
Typically yes for RRB posting; check your state/bank rules. - Is there descriptive paper?
No, it’s objective CBT for RRB Clerk. - How to download syllabus PDF?
Use IBPS notification/official PDFs when released on ibps.in. - What’s the best order to prepare Prelims+Mains together?
Prelims speed daily + GA/Computer 30–45 min daily from Day 1.